NL Central Notes: Reds, Cardinals, Bartlett, Cubs

Let's take a look at some items out of the NL Central, including a Point-Counterpoint on the Cardinals and Jason Bartlett..

• The Reds' biggest need at the trade deadline will be at shortstop if Paul Janish doesn't turn things around at the plate, tweets John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer.  The 28-year-old is hitting .221/.250/.260 so far this year.
• Jeff Gordon of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Cardinals should be "all over" Jason Bartlett if the Padres make him available.  While Gordon likes what Ryan Theriot has brought to the table this year, he believes that his substandard defensive play at shortstop is hurting the club.
• Meanwhile, Derrick Goold of the Post-Dispatch presents a respectful dissent to the case for Bartlett.  While Bartlett is a better option defensively than Theriot, the gap between the two at the plate is too large to overlook.
• Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald wonders if it's time for a regime change with the Cubs’ baseball operation.  Miles points out that GM Jim Hendry is getting to rebuild his club for a third time, something few major-market GMs get to do.