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Norris Hopper Traded For Corky Miller

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Tim Curtis of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports that the Reds traded Norris Hopper to the White Sox in exchange for Corky Miller. Miller, a 33-year-old catcher, began his career with the Reds and played four seasons in Cincinnati from 2001-04. He's played for four major league teams since, most recently for the White Sox. He'll restart his Reds career in Triple A.

Hopper, 30, has played parts of three seasons for the Reds, but hasn't played in the majors so far in 2009.

Olney On A-Rod, Marlins, DeRosa

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ESPN.com's Buster Olney says Alex Rodriguez will never be as marketable as he once was, but the Yankees would settle for a return to his standard high level of play. A-Rod's not impressing scouts anymore, but all the Yankees can do is keep playing him and hope he returns to form. After all, he has eight years on his contract after this one. Here are the rest of Olney's rumors:

  • Olney confirms what we heard earlier today: the Marlins are looking for a proven reliever. Olney says Danys Baez could work, as well as LaTroy Hawkins and Luis Ayala.
  • The Marlins have been considering Mark DeRosa, but they could stay internal at third base and play Emilio Bonifacio and Gaby Sanchez.
  • Executives expect DeRosa to go to whoever offers the best young pitching, something teams are increasingly unwilling to part with.
  • Executives considered the Reds' starting pitching depth possible trade bait, but until Edinson Volquez returns, Cincinnati doesn't have as many pitchers as expected.

Rosenthal On Strasburg, Arroyo, Zobrist

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Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports says most believe the Nationals will sign Stephen Strasburg to a record deal of about $15-18MM this summer. Here are the details:  

  • Rosenthal describes doomsday scenarios for the Nationals and Strasburg to show that the two sides need to come to an agreement. 
  • The Reds can't even consider dealing Bronson Arroyo until Edinson Volquez returns. If Homer Bailey comes up and pitches well, it would be easier for the Reds to part with a starter.
  • If Akinori Iwamura can return this year, Ben Zobrist may become a super utilityman again. Rosenthal wonders if the AL OPS leader is more valuable when he plays multiple positions.
  • The Brewers, who would like to add pitching, could talk with the Braves, who have had interest in Corey Hart in the past.  
  • Nobody's interested in Jeff Francoeur, but the Braves have enviable pitching depth that would entice the Brewers.

Jocketty: “I’d Say We’re Buyers”

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The Cincinnati Enquirer's John Fay spoke payroll and trade possibilities with Reds general manager Walt Jocketty this afternoon.  Here's a quick rundown…

Jocketty first addressed a small rumor that ran in the Boston Globe this week concerning right-hander Bronson Arroyo, who is 8-5 with a 5.16 ERA and 1.39 WHIP over 14 starts this season.  The Globe's Nick Carfado implied Sunday that Arroyo might be available because the Reds are making "an effort to get younger and reduce payroll."  Jocketty refuted both claims.

"I haven't talked to anyone about Bronson," the GM said plainly.  And as for the issue of payroll:

"I'd say right now we're buyers.  We're looking for a hitter.  If we did something," he continued, "it would probably be to bring in a hitter.  Getting Joey [Votto] back is going to help.

Odds And Ends: Reds, LaRoche, Francoeur

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More links for the afternoon…

Heyman On Pedro, Nats, Mets, Rangers

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Jon Heyman of SI.com says those closest to the Pedro Martinez situation expect him to sign soon. Heyman has many more rumors; here they are:

  • One GM thinks the Nationals are demanding too much in return for their players. He says they want "a dollar and a quarter for a dollar."
  • As Heyman points out, interim GM Mike Rizzo has an especially tough role, since his job isn't secure.
  • Heyman says the Nats will make an announcement on a full-time GM this season. Rizzo has a good shot at the position.  
  • Rival GMs say Omar Minaya is now looking to boost the Mets' offense.  
  • Adding a player who can handle first base and the outfield would allow the Mets to make room for Carlos Delgado when he returns later in the season. Mark DeRosa fits the bill, but the Indians are apparently asking for a lot in a potential deal.
  • The Rangers aren't likely to trade for Brad Penny, though they have considered him.  
  • Huston Street's one of the relievers who appeals to the Rangers. 
  • Texas can't add payroll, but can trade prospects. 
  • Chad Qualls and Heath Bell would both command big returns in a trade.  
  • Most contenders believe they need to add relievers, but the Red Sox are willing to trade one away.  
  • Heyman says releasing Dontrelle Willis would be a drastic move.
  • The Reds, Braves and possibly the Cardinals are looking for right-handed hitting corner outfielders. 

Discussion: The Reds

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John Fay at the Cincinnati Enquirer got a hold of Reds president Bob Castellini and wondered if the Reds would add any payroll through a trade. Castellini's response:

"We've got some flexibility. We're not looking. We've got some key guys in sick bay right now."

The "key guys" he's referring to are Joey Votto, who's supposedly on track for a rehab assignment, Edwin Encarnacion, and Edinson Volquez. All are due back before the All-Star break.

After a win tonight, the Reds stand two games above .500 at 33-31, but they're still in good enough shape for the NL Central, where they're only three games behind the first-place Brewers and two games behind the Wild Card-leading Cardinals (pending tonight's results). While their team ERA sits at a stellar 3.86, good for fifth in the league, their team OPS sits at fifth-to-last in the majors at .710.

If you're the Reds GM, are Votto and Encarnacion the answers to your offensive woes? Or should they pursue a bat such as, say, Aubrey Huff or Luke Scott, as suggested by Jon Paul Morosi, or Mark DeRosa, as put forth by SI's Tom Verducci? Or something completely different altogether? Discuss your take.

Morosi’s Latest: Orioles, Cardinals, Rangers

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FoxSports.com's Jon Paul Morosi writes that with the Orioles buried in fifth place in the AL East, look for the team to start moving some of their veterans. Morosi cites an "industry executive" who says that several teams have called about Aubrey Huff and Luke Scott, both lefthanded bats with some thump. He suggests that the Reds, Tigers, Giants and Braves could match up in a deal, noting that the Tigers pursued both Huff and Scott three years ago.

Here's the rest of Morosi's rumors:

  • Triple-A outfielder Wilkin Ramirez is one of Detroit's best trade chips.
  • Morosi echoes reports that the Cardinals are looking for a bat.
  • One scout says that Miguel Tejada's defense has been better than most give him credit for. I can't imagine that will play a big role in determining his trade value, though.
  • Texas is looking for an upgrade for their rotation, and would likely be in on Cliff Lee and Roy Oswalt if they are made available.
  • It's increasingly unlikely that the Red Sox will make a move for a shortstop with Nick Green holding his own and Jed Lowrie close to returning from a wrist injury.

Odd & Ends: Penny, Reds, Nationals, Buchholz

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The College World Series kicked off today, with Arkansas knocking off Cal State Fullerton in Game One of the double elimination event. Virginia is taking on LSU tonight. You can see the game on ESPN.

Anyway, here's some Saturday night linkage:

  • The Angels have signed nine draft picks, including 48th overall pick Tyler Kehrer according to Mike DiGiovanna.
  • Jon Heyman tweets that teams have called the Red Sox about Brad Penny, and even though the Dodgers are looking "they wouldn't take him back."
  • John Fay of The Cincinnati Enquirer spoke to Reds GM Walt Jocketty, who said he's looked outside the organization for help, but "there’s not a lot going on right now." Jocketty also said that the team is not looking for a third baseman, despite reports.
  • Chico Harlan of The Washington Post says that the Nationals signed righthander Trevor Holder, their third round pick, to a below slot bonus.
  • Rockies reliever Taylor Buchholz suffered a setback in his return from a right elbow injury according to Patrick Saunders, and could be out for the year. Could Buchholz's injury impact the Rockies' decision to move closer Huston Street if they maintain their current hot streak?
  • The New York Times' Joe Brescia wrote about the Yankees and how they've used Mexico as a source of talent recently.
  • Personal fave Chris Britton caught on with the independent York Revolution according to Jim Seip. The Padres released Britton last month after allowed 47 baserunners and had a 10.45 ERA in 20.2 IP between Double-A and Triple-A. (h/t Chad Jennings)

Problem Positions For Contenders

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SI.com's Tom Verducci applauds Braves GM Frank Wren for making a deal early in the summer and suggests early deals for five other teams with obvious needs. Verducci doesn't suggest deals like these will happen, but he offers them up as possible fits:

  • The Twins could improve at second base. What about Freddy Sanchez, Clint Barmes or Jamey Carroll?
  • The Giants aren't getting much production from Travis Ishikawa at the plate, though the plus/minus system ranks him as the best defensive first baseman in the league. Verducci wonders if the Giants would use Jonathan Sanchez to acquire a player such as Jorge Cantu, Nick Johnson, Miguel Tejada or Garrett Atkins.
  • The Mets would look much better with Brad Hawpe, Matt Holliday or even Mark DeRosa roaming the outfield.  
  • Ryan Spilborghs could help the White Sox in the outfield, as one reader suggested in today's chat. 
  • The Reds could use help in the outfield and at third base. Mark DeRosa can only play one position at a time, but he could be a useful addition for Cincinnati.  

Would these suggestions work? Many of the players Verducci lists aren't on the block yet, but what if they were available? 

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