Big blow to playoff hopes

(AP) - Cincinnati Reds right-hander Matt Belisle is done for the season after having surgery on his right knee.

Belisle had a torn ligament repaired on Tuesday, his second major injury of the season. Belisle competed for the final spot in the rotation during spring training, but developed a sore forearm that sidelined him until mid-April.

Belisle made six starts for the Reds and went 1-4 with a 7.28 earned run average. The Reds sent him to Triple-A Louisville in May to turn him back into a reliever, a role he had earlier in his career. He never made it back to the big leagues.

Yonder to add insult?

Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse for the Reds, a Miami Herald story says Yonder Alonso has signed up for fall classes at University of Miami and there's a 50-50 chance he'll go back to school. He may also be considering playing in the Independent League instead of signing with the Reds.

Not good. This happened to the Reds in 2001 when they drafted Jeremy Sowers (20th overall) out of high school and he went to Vanderbilt instead.

Only problem is the Reds used the 7th pick on Alonso! Does Alonso really think he'd move up into one of the top six spots after a great senior year? One of Alonso's advisors says the Reds and Alonso are way off on figures. Before you blame the Reds or call them cheap, rumor has it Alonso is asking for a $7 million bonus, which is absurd. Last year's seventh overall pick, Matt LaPorta (the key player the Tribe got in the Sabathia deal), got a signing bonus of about $2 million. The top pick in last year's draft, David Price, didn't even get the amount Alonso is reportedly requesting.

Don't know much about Alonso's agent, Greg Genske, other than his LS Legacy Sports Group used to be Jeff Moorad's agency and among Genske's many clients is Reds outfielder Adam Dunn.

The only silver lining if the Reds don't sign Alonso is (and it wasn't this way when Sowers stiffed them) now there's a rule in place where the Reds would get the No. 7 pick in the 2009 draft if Alonso doesn't sign with them. Whichever team is slated for the No. 7 pick would just move down one spot in that draft to make room for the Reds.

The deadline for major-league teams to sign draft picks is Aug. 15 (one week from today).

worst seats in the house

I found this link on Extra Mustard today ... it's a good one. Rankings and some good photos of obstructed-view seats at ballparks. Dan and I sat dangerously close to one of these seats at Wrigley back in April ... made me think of that.

Griffey columns

Pretty good column by Yahoo! Sports' Jeff Passan about Junior's rebirth with the White Sox.

And here's another by the Trib's Mark Gonzales.

Dunn deal?

Ken Rosenthal: Teams should still consider trading for Dunn

The Rays might want Dunn - they contacted the Reds about him on Wednesday - but their preference is for a right-handed hitter such as the Pirates' Jason Bay.

The Diamondbacks also made a run at Dunn, according to SI.com, but the interest from other clubs appears minimal, putting the Reds in a potentially tenuous position.

SI.com's Jon Heyman: Updates as MLB trade deadline nears

The Rays appear to be adjusting to their new role as trade-deadline buyers ... it appears that Adam Dunn may be their best shot. It is believed the Reds are seeking some of the Rays' vaunted young pitching, including Jeff Niemann and Jeremy Hellickson.

Star-Ledger's Dan Graziano: Should New York Mets pursuit of an outfielder be a Dunn deal?

Dunn is the man without a rumor. The Reds would deal him, but none of the teams out there looking for outfield help seem to be interested, and it's one of the more confounding aspects of this year's deadline.

Negatives include his astronomical strikeout totals and the perception (articulated last month publicly and somewhat embarrassingly by Toronto GM J.P. Ricciardi) that Dunn is a soft, unmotivated player who doesn't come through in the clutch.

Some Griffey trade analysis (more like bashing)

CBS' Gregg Doyel: Griffey is a baby

Griffey is the latest big-name player to show his soft side. ... Griffey would be eaten alive in Chicago.

Doc: It just didn't work out

Griffey was the most overtly sensitive star I’ve covered in 20 years here.

OMG Dave: Whatever, Griffey is Chicago's problem now. But the Reds couldn't get more than Nick Masset and Danny Richar? AND they're (reportedly) paying at least some (conflicting reports) of the $4 million still owed to Griffey?

Masset is 26. He was an 8th round pick in the 2000 draft. Last year he had a 7.09 ERA and 1.98 WHIP in 39 1/3 innings. This year he's improved to 4.63 ERA and 1.70 WHIP in 44 2/3 innings. He's given up at least 10 earned runs on 18 hits in his past 10 appearances. Very unproven, but who knows.

Richar is 25. Plays second base. Signed as an undrafted free agent by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2001 (he's from the Dominican Republic). He's hitting .262 with 9 homers, 39 RBIs and 11 stolen bases for AAA Charlotte. He had 187 at-bats for the Shite Sox last season after he hit .346 in Charlotte (he was traded from the D'backs to the Shite Sox last year). Doesn't look like he walks much. He wasn't on Baseball America's Top 10 White Sox prospects list or anything. I think I would've rather had Chris Getz (also a second baseman).

Goodbye Junior.

Here's the latest:

Ken Griffey Jr. agreed Thursday to accept a trade to the Chicago White Sox, pending the approval of the commissioner, an indication that it involves a cash transaction of more than $1 million. The approval is expected to be a formality.

CBSSports.com is citing anonymous sources who say the Reds will get infielder Danny Richar and right-handed pitcher Nick Masset in the deal, and the Reds will also pay most of the remaining $4 million on Griffey's contract.

Reds manager Dusty Baker says the White Sox initiated the deal.

The White Sox reportedly intend to play the 38-year-old Griffey in center field, a position he hasn't played since 2006.

Griffey is earning $12.5 million this season in the final year of a nine-year deal. He is owed more than $4 million in salary, plus a $4 million buyout for 2009.

Griffey, as a 10-and-5 player (10 years of MLB service, five with the same club), has the right to block any deal.

The White Sox also attempted to acquire Griffey from the Reds at the trade deadline in 2005, but the trade reportedly was nixed by Reds ownership for financial reasons.

Griffey is batting .245 this season with 15 home runs and 53 runs batted in. He hit career home run No. 608 Wednesday in Houston. He is one home run shy of tying Sammy Sosa for fifth place on the all-time home run list.

pathetic

The Reds have scored nine runs during their 5-game losing streak, and you'd like to think they could blame their lack of offense in part on tough pitchers they've faced. Not exactly. Aside from Aaron Cook, who's having a nice year, here's who's shut them down ...

Jorge De La Rosa - entered 4-5, 6.50+ ERA - allowed one run on two hits through 6 2/3

Ubaldo Jimenez - entered 6-9 - held Reds scoreless through 6 innings

Roy Oswalt - entered 7-8, 4.50+ ERA - good enough, allowing four runs in 5 innings before Astros' bullpen allowed just one hit the rest of the way (and since Oswalt's 20-1 against us in his career, why should we think we could beat him even when he's having a subpar year, right?)

Former Red Brian Moehler - was one out away from his first complete game since 2000 (and probably should've gotten it ... Cecil Cooper panicked and yanked him)

Brawl fallout

Dragons infielder Angel Cabrera has been unconditionally released by the Reds. Cabrera played in 65 games this season, batting .263 with three home runs and 22 RBIs.

Cabrera slid hard into second base - spikes high - right before Dragons skipper Donnie Scott came and Chiefs interim manager Carmelo Martinez got into the shoving match that started the brawl. He was one of the Dragons who had been hit by a pitch earlier in the game.

Check out the DDN's story about Cabrera. Sounds like this wasn't the first time he's been accused of getting dirty.

Alonso dines with A-Rod, Papi

Sounds like Reds first-round pick Yonder Alonso and A-Rod are tight. The New York Post has a notebook about Alonso hanging out with him and Ortiz.

Brawl-related update

I wouldn't normally link to a story of ours, but we're kind of kicking the Enquirer's butt on this one (they're just grabbing the AP story) and nobody other than the DDN has new details.

1) Lakota West grad Matt Klinker (who I posted about earlier in the week after he won Midwest League player of the week honors) has to start tonight in the series finale. Bet that'll be fun for him.

2) Castillo still in jail on $50,000 bond. Doesn't have his passport with him either.

3) Rob Butcher said neither the Reds (including Jocketty, who was there) nor the Dragons will comment. Party poopers.

Another link to brawl video

Here's the extended version on YouTube ... footage shot by a fan ... with R-rated commentary included

Trade rumors involving Reds

• Alright, I know I'm like a day late on this, but here's the San Francisco Chronicle column that includes the mention that the Reds have expressed interest in Huston Street. Which is crazy by the way. I know people keep saying that you can never have too much pitching but unless we're trading Cordero, this just doesn't make sense because I really don't think Street would want to be a set-up man here.

• Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal says the Yankees have pondered a trade for Arroyo (as well as A.J. Burnett) but ultimately could turn to internal solutions with Ian Kennedy looking sharp at Class AAA.

• The Rocky Mountain News says the Rockies like Arroyo. Too bad they probably won't get a first-hand look at him this weekend.

• In Jon Heyman's 'Market shirts as deadline nears' column on SI.com, the only Reds-related mention is that David Weathers is among other viable relievers who could be dealt.


Personally, I don't think the Reds will do much before the deadline. I doubt they'll deal Arroyo, but you never know. And I think they'd be more likely to deal Weathers if Burton weren't hurt, but you never know there either. Maybe they think they'd be fine with Lincoln, Affeldt and Burton when he gets healthy.

Local product impresses

You go, Klinker.

Photo from mwlguide on Flickr.

Another quick rant

For those who watched last night, does anyone remember Cordero's pitch with a 1-2 count on Giles with 1 out in the ninth (before Giles hit the high-hopper that caused the Cordero/Votto collision)? WHERE WAS THAT, BLUE? I don't know how Giles didn't get rung up on that pitch. It was not inside. If I were Dusty Baker, I would have gone out there and gotten tossed arguing that that was a strike. That's all.

AAA All-Star Game doesn't disappoint

Here's the game story. And here are some quick impressions (not too much detail because it's not very Reds-centric and we were too busy getting our pictures taken with mascots and marveling at obnoxious very loud drunk guy sitting next to us to pay very close attention to the game):

Chris Carter absolutely tattooed that ball in the bottom of the ninth to make it a 6-5 game. Dead center. Must've been a 450-foot home run. We were sitting right behind home plate about four rows back at that point, so it was damn cool to watch. I bet the Red Sox are excited about him (and all of the other PawSox who played ... they made up about half of the IL's roster).

Team USA's Blaine Neal (also of the Toledo Mud Hens): 1/3 IP, 6 R, 5 ER, 4 H and 1 BB. Ouch.

Indianapolis Indian Andrew McCutchen, who was the IL's player of the game, made an unbelievable run for a ball in left-center (he wasn't anywhere near where it landed when it was hit) that would have been (he got his glove on it but couldn't hang on) just about the sickest catch I've ever seen. And I was at GABP for THE Ryan Freel grab. Kid's got some serious speed.

Everybody saw Mike Hessman had 30 home runs at the break and wondered why the Tigers didn't call him up when Ordonez got hurt. Here's why: 0-5, 4 Ks. Gotta love the golden sombrero. And he got fooled real bad a couple of times.

Just a quick bitch

One of the 700 WLW sports guys was doing his 700 WLW Reds update this morning and referred to Johnny Cueto as the tough-luck loser last night.

Cueto did look good for five or six innings, but you're not a tough-luck loser when you give up five runs (four earned) on eight hits in 6 2/3 innings. That's not even a quality start. A tough-luck loser loses a game 1-0 or 2-1. I think of a tough-luck loser or hard-luck loser as someone who pitched so well it's a shame they lost. I can't see how you could classify Cueto's effort last night that way.

Inoa

Damn. Oakland got Inoa.

Don't know who that is? See previous post.

Good stuff

If you guys haven't read CBS SportsLine's 24 New Rules of Baseball, I'd recommend it. It's right on the money and you'll get some good laughs from it. And those who know how I defended my actions after catching the Ryan Church home run ball last year know I especially agree with Rule No. 3.

The latest

The Dunn/Ricciardi thing just gets better by the day ... here's the latest ...

Dunn/Ricciardi

The timing of the Reds' trip to Toronto couldn't be better after Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi's comments about Adam Dunn last week.

I hope it gets awkward. Ricciardi was way out of line.

Here are the latest columns about the feud: One from Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal and the other by John Fay.

Here was the story with the comments in case you missed them.

Source: Reds in bidding war for Inoa

A source told ESPNdeportes.com that the Rangers and Reds have joined Oakland in a bidding feud for the services of Dominican pitching prospect Michael Inoa, the crown jewel of the pool of Latin American players who will be available to be signed July 2.

The 6-foot-7, 210-pound right-hander has a 93-mph fastball, a change-up and a curveball. Oh, and he's 16 years old.

But rumor has it he's going to demand a signing bonus of $5-6 million, which is almost what they're going to have to shell out for Yonder Alonso.

Youk among several homecomings

As the Red Sox visit Cincinnati for the first time since 1975, the series has special meaning for several individuals on Boston's roster.

Infielder Kevin Youkilis grew up here, starred at Sycamore High School and the University of Cincinnati and still has a lot of family here. He faced the Reds at Fenway three years ago (when the Red Sox swept the Reds), but this is his first trip to GABP as a big-league ballplayer.

First baseman Sean Casey, who played for the Reds from 1998-2005, will get the start on Friday (according to MLB.com), and will receive a nice ovation (according to me).

Right-handed pitcher Justin Masterson, Boston's starter Friday night against Aaron Harang, grew up in Beavercreek (though he was born in Jamaica). He went to Beavercreek High School and still lives there.

Red Sox manager Terry Francona played for the 1987 Reds. Francona also managed many times here when he was with the Phillies. But I heard a soundbite and he said he's looking forward to his first visit to Great American Ball Park.

Bronson Arroyo probably would have enjoyed facing his former team but it's not going to happen.

J.D. Drew hit his first career home run at Riverfront September 9, 1998. I only remember that because I was there. He got booed as he rounded the bases and the fan threw the ball back (before fans did that with more frequency like they do now, which is annoying). OK, now we're getting obscure.

Yonder time

Yonder homered twice over the weekend to lift Miami past Arizona into the College World Series. Here's a link to the gamer. He can't get here soon enough.

Reds go Yonder in first round

With the seventh overall pick in Thursday's First-Year Player Draft, the Reds selected Yonder Alonso, a junior from the University of Miami.

He's 21 years old, 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds. He's a left-handed hitter. The comments section about Alonso on MLB.com's draft tracker reads as follows:

"Alonso or Smoak? Smoak or Alonso? It can be quite a debate over which college first baseman should go first on Draft day. Alonso is a hitter, period, with a great approach and power, especially the other way right now. Defensively, he's no great shakes, but it's that bat that teams will dream about putting in the middle of their lineup to produce plenty of runs in the future."

By the way, Smoak wasn't taken before Alonso. And the player many predicted the Reds would take - shortstop James Beckham of the University of Georgia - went one pick later to the White Sox.

Junior's pursuit

Check out what's front and center on SportsLine ... Danny Knobler writes about how Jay Bruce is stealing the spotlight from Junior's pursuit of 600 home runs. It's an interesting read. And it's in what they call a "combo tease" with a piece by Scott Miller about how this is exactly how Junior likes it - nice and quiet.

Two for Tuesday

Didn't get to post the Padres' Reds Killers, so here they are as well as the Pirates' ...

REDS KILLERS

Kevin Kouzmanoff .441 (15-for-34), 4 HRs, 10 RBIs
Jim Edmonds .280 (105-for-375), 31 HRs, 84 RBIs (most against any team)
Brian Giles .307 (110-for-358), 26 HRs, 73 RBIs
Greg Maddux 24-16, 3.43 ERA in 361 2/3 innings, 8 complete games, 3 shutouts
Randy Wolf 7-2, 3.20 ERA in 84 1/3 innings
Jake Peavy 5-0, 2.08 ERA in 56 1/3 innings
Shawn Estes 7-2, 3.63 ERA in 86 2/3 innings

ANTI-REDS KILLERS

Scott Hairston .224 (11-for-49), 13 Ks
Luke Carlin .143 (2-for-14), 8 Ks
Wil Ledezma 0-1, 13.50 ERA in 5 1/3 innings
Glendon Rusch 1-6, 5.78 ERA in 71 2/3 innings


REDS KILLERS

Jason Bay .363 (94-for-259), 20 HRs, 66 RBIs, 94 runs (all most against any team)
Freddy Sanchez .358 (68-for-190)
Xavier Nady .333 (44-for-132)
Jack Wilson .294 (121-for-411), 40 RBIs, 53 runs (both most against any team)

ANTI-REDS KILLERS

Adam LaRoche .219 (28-for-128)
Nate McLouth .209 (18-for-86), 20 Ks
Jose Bautista .195 (22-for-113)
Luis Rivas .167 (3-for-18)
Ian Snell 5.18 ERA in 48 2/3 innings
Matt Capps 6.50 ERA in 18 innings

While I'm at it ...

I meant to post this earlier today, but did anyone else think it was pretty boneheaded to have Bronson Arroyo bat in a 5-5 game in the 6th with a man on when you know you're about to take him out of the game anyway? Isn't the idea to pinch hit for him if his spot comes out and you're planning on yanking him? I understand that he was just trying to move the runner over with a bunt (they got the lead runner at second, as it turns out) but why not send Hatteberg or pretty much your best bat off the bench (it's late enough in the game and it's tied) to try to retake the lead. If someone understood Dusty's logic, I'd love to hear an explanation.

Corey Patterson

Enough's enough. I know he's still young and every once in a while he does something impressive that makes you think he should be starting in center field but he just shouldn't be. Not only does this guy never walk he barely ever even takes a pitch! Every time he's up there it looks like he's swinging for the fences (and he's only got four home runs) and he flies out. Perfect example of "How hard are we really trying to win this year." I mean, I don't know how you could possibly think it's a better idea having Corey Patterson in the lineup than Jay Bruce. It's getting old, and I'm tired of it.

Tribe Reds Killers

Doesn't look like there are any all-Reds Killer candidates here, and no one really stands out head and shoulders. I've got four position players and five pitchers ...

REDS KILLER

Victor Martinez .313 (25-for-80), 16 RBIs
Grady Sizemore .316 (25-for-79), 4 HRs, 16 runs
Travis Hafner .333 (20-for-60), 3 HRs, 14 RBIs
Jason Michaels .340 (16-for-47)

Paul Byrd 4-1, 3.04 ERA in 50 1/3 innings
C.C. Sabathia 2-0, 2.68 ERA, 44 Ks in 43 2/3 innings
Rafael Betancourt 1-0, 3.27 ERA, 13 Ks in 11 innings
Jake Westbrook 1-1, 3.05 ERA in 20 2/3 innings
Joe Borowski 2.35 ERA, 35 Ks in 30 2/3 innings

ANTI

Casey Blake .219 (16-for-73)
David Dellucci .187 (20-for-107), 24 Ks
Cliff Lee 5.60 ERA, 6 HRs in 27 1/3 innings
Jeremy Sowers 0-2, 9.60 ERA, 6 HRs in 15 innings

Marlins' Reds Killers

Reds Killers

1. Hanley Ramirez .410 (25-for-61), 6 HRs, 14 RBI
2. Dan Uggla .397 (25-for-63), 7 HRs, 17 RBI
3. Wes Helms .358 (59-for-165), 7 HRs, 30 RBI, 23 runs

Anti-Reds Killers

1. Cody Ross .174 (4-for-23)
2. Mike Jacobs .214 (9-for-42), 10 Ks
3. Mark Hendrickson 0-1, 8.84 ERA, 31 hits, 6 HRs in 18 1/3 innings

Mets' Reds Killers

Tough to pinpoint one. I'd probably give it to Moises Alou, only because his 31 HRs are his most against any team. Although he's also struck out more times (78) against the Reds than anyone else.

Alou .311 (164-for-528), 31 HRs, 98 RBI, 92 runs

Former Red Brady Clark also tears us up ... .352 (63-for-179) ... 16 doubles and 38 runs, both most against any opponent.

And Pedro's numbers against the Reds (7-2, 2.11 ERA, 106 Ks in 93 2/3 innings and 1 of 3 career saves) are pretty impressive.

Honorable mention:

Luis Castillo .338 (80-for-237), 42 runs
David Wright .338 (24-for-71), 5 HRs
Raul Casanova .342 (13-for-38)
Billy Wagner 2-3, 39 saves, 2.19 ERA, 88 Ks in 65 2/3 innings

And to a lesser extent:

Oliver Perez 8-3, 107 Ks in 88 2/3 innings
Jorge Sosa 2-0, 3.33 ERA, 24 Ks in 24 1/3 innings
Scott Schoeneweis 1-0, 1.93 ERA in 9 1/3 innings

ANTI REDS KILLERS

John Maine 0-2, 10.00 ERA, 15 hits, 3 HRs, 6 BBs in 9 innings
Johan Santana 6.14 ERA, 9 hits in 7 1/3 innings
Nelson Figueroa 5.29 ERA in 17 innings
Aaron Heilman 5.60 ERA in 17 2/3 innings
Duaner Sanchez 0-1, 9.00 ERA in 8 innings
Marlon Anderson .235 (32-for-136)
Damion Easley .210 (13-for-62)

Three homers for Votto!

The Reds had hit 7 home runs in their past 10 games. They hit 7 in the first 6 innings today.

Funny thing is the Reds hold the National League record for most home runs in a game (they hit 9 against the Phillies Sept. 4, 1999).

Joey Votto hit three in five plate appearances (he walked in the third and grounded out in the eighth). Off three different pitchers.

Votto is the first to hit three in a game this season. It's the 481st time a player has hit 3 in one game, and he's the 337th different guy to do it. The most recent was Frank Thomas for the Blue Jays Sept. 17, 2007.

Only 15 players in big league history have hit 4 in one game. No Red has ever done it. Carlos Delgado did it most recently (Sept. 25, 2003) with the Blue Jays. Hard hittin' Mark Whiten did it at Riverfront Sept. 7, 1993.

Cubs' Reds Killers

Sorry for the delay ... wanted to give Zambrano a chance to pad his stats a little. This was a fun one. If you thought the Braves' starters had great Reds Killer numbers, check these out ...

Geovany Soto .371 (13-for-35), 7 RBI
Derrek Lee .285 (107-for-375), 29 HRs, 77 RBI (29 HRs are 9 more than he's got against any other team)
Mark DeRosa .433 (45-for-104), 24 RBIs
Aramis Ramirez .326 (143-for-439), 23 HRs, 87 RBI
Ryan Theriot .359 (37-for-103), 3 HRs, 14 RBIs (both most vs. any team)
Alfonso Soriano .314 (38-for-121)

Carlos Zambrano 12-9, 3.19 ERA in 166.1 innings
Kerry Wood 13-4, 2.88 ERA, 180 Ks in 144 innings

Other than Zambrano and Wood, Cubs pitchers are pretty average against us. Bobby Howry (2.00 ERA in 27 innings) and Carlos Marmol (2.70 ERA, 18 Ks in 16 2/3 innings) have been tough against the Reds.

Anti Reds Killers? The only thing going for us is Fukudome is only hitting .211 against us so far. Mike Fontenot hits .119 against us. And Michael Wuertz has given up 5 dongs in 22 2/3 innings against the Reds.

Braves' Reds Killers

I know Mike_R is going to hate me, but I just want to point out that of the Braves' regular starting lineup, Mark Kotsay (.280) has the LOWEST career batting average against the Reds.

Brian McCann .362 (25-for-69), 6 HR, 16 RBI, 14 runs
Mark Teixeira .296 (8-for-27), 7 BBs, 4 HR, 10 RBIs
Kelly Johnson .356 (16-for-45), 10 BBs, 9 runs, 10 RBIs
Larry Jones .303 (115-for-380), 19 HRs, 66 RBIs
Yunel Escobar .417 (10-for-24)
Matt Diaz .355 (11-for-31)
Mark Kotsay .280 (45-for-161)
Jeff Francoeur .292 (26-for-89), 5 HRs, 18 RBI

REDS KILLERS

John Smoltz 19-11, 2.97 ERA, 8 CGs, 3 shutouts
Tom Glavine 27-12, 3.34 ERA

ANTI-REDS KILLER

Buddy Carlyle 9.00 ERA in 10 innings

Pujols and other Cardinals' Reds Killers

Wow, that's all against us?

Albert Pujols .369 (160-for-434), 29 HRs, 91 RBIs, 105 runs

Pretty tough against us

Yadier Molina .299 (47-for-157), 21 RBI
Ron Villone 5-0, 2.84 ERA in 50 2/3 innings
Randy Flores 4-0, 3.20 ERA, 20 Ks in 19 2/3 innings
Ryan Franklin 1.12 ERA in 16 innings

So far so good (Reds Killers in training)

Chris Duncan .380 (30-for-79), 7 HRs
Rick Ankiel .294 (10-for-34), 3 HRs, 10 RBI
Brendan Ryan .381 (8-for-21)

Anti-Reds Killers

Adam Kennedy .220 (11-for-50), 0 HRs
Troy Glaus .147 (5-for-34), 12 Ks
Cesar Izturis .209 (31-for-148)
Skip Schumaker .179 (5-for-28)
Anthony Reyes 1-2, 7.90 ERA, 7 HRs in 13 2/3


Looking forward to Jason LaRue's first AB against the Reds. He'll probably go 4-for-5 tonight.

Giants' Reds Killers

No pitchers really stand out. I don't really want to count Jack Taschner (18.00 ERA in 4 innings) or Merkin Valdez (27.00 ERA in 1 1/3 innings) because we really haven't seen them much.

REDS KILLERS

Ray Durham .331 (43-for-130), 9 HRs
Jose Castillo .331 (42-for-127)
Aaron Rowand .357 (15-for-42)

ANTI-REDS KILLERS

Bengie Molina .192 (5-for-26)
Rajai Davis .067 (1-for-15)

Astros' Reds Killers

BIG-TIME REDS KILLERS (who I'm sure will end up making our Top 10 once we get through every team)

Roy Oswalt 19-1, 2.46 ERA, 134 Ks, 36 BBs in 157 innings
Lance Berkman .332 (132-for-398), 41 HRs, 116 RBI, 99 runs

And to a lesser extent ...

Miguel Tejada .435 (10-for-23)
Tomas Perez .333 (15-for-45), 11 RBI
Brandon Backe 3-0, 3.16 ERA, 1 HR in 31 1/3 innings
Doug Brocail 3-2, 1.74 ERA, 1 HR, 16 Ks, 4 BBs in 20 2/3 innings

ANTI-REDS KILLERS

Brad Ausmus .259 (121-for-468), 1 HR, 20 GIDP
Ty Wigginton .220 (22-for-100), 20 Ks
Jose Cruz .206 (7-for-34), 0 HR
Humberto Quintero .143 (2-for-14), 6 Ks
David Newhan .000 (0-for-15)
Shawn Chacon 6.35 ERA in 28 1/3 innings
Geoff Geary 6.75 ERA in 10 2/3 innings
Brian Moehler 0-4, 6.82 ERA in 34 1/3 innings

Dodgers' Reds Killers

I'm starting a new feature. Lots of players are considered "Reds Killers" - Bill Hall and Lance Berkman come to mind - but who are the true Reds Killers for each team? And who do the Reds actually own (anti-Reds Killer)? I'll roll out new teams' Reds Killers as the Reds play them.

The Dodgers have quite a few Killers. Even Delwyn Young in five ABs.

REDS KILLERS

Russell Martin .396 (19-for-48)
Jeff Kent .312 (159-for-510), 23 HR, 103 RBI, 98 runs
Rafael Furcal .324 (68-for-210), 11 HRs, 47 runs
Andruw Jones .298 (97-for-326), 31 HRs
Nomar .329 (28-for-85)
Delwyn Young 1.000 (5-for-5)
Brad Penny 7-2, 3.00 ERA, 59 Ks in 69 innings (which is good for him)
Jonathan Broxton 1-0, 1.00 ERA, 11 Ks in 9 innings
Takashi Saito 4 saves in 4 games finished, 0.00 ERA in 6 1/3 innings, 8 Ks

ANTI-REDS KILLERS

Mark Sweeney .224 (15-for-67), 14 Ks
Joe Beimel 5.46 ERA, 5 HRs in 28 innings
Esteban Loaiza 1-5, 5.06 ERA in 9 starts

In case you missed it ...

Here's a fantasy column about Cueto suggesting owners "sell high" on him.

Whatever, Brad Evans.

Why no Bray?

SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) - The Cincinnati Reds have optioned left-handed relief pitcher Bill Bray to Triple-A Louisville, as they continue shaping their bullpen for the season's opening next week.

Bray, 24, was hindered by injuries last season, when he was 3-3 with a 6.28 earned run average and one save for the Reds.

The club also on Friday assigned infielder Andy Phillips to minor league camp and returned left-handed pitcher Jose Capellan to the Red Sox under the Rule 5 draft.

The moves left the Reds with right-handers Francisco Cordero, David Weathers, Jared Burton and Todd Coffey and lefties Jeremy Affeldt, Mike Stanton and Kent Mercker for relief pitchers.

I've heard Bray's looked really good this spring. I love Mercker as much as the next guy, but do we really think at this point he's better than Bray?

A-Gon out at least 3 weeks

SS Alex Gonzalez has been diagnosed with a compression fracture of his left knee. He will be evaluated again in three weeks.

Here's the AP story.

Griffey, Dunn, Bailey to make spring debuts

Here's the lineup for this afternoon's game against Tampa Bay:

Hopper CF
Keppinger 3B
Griffey RF
Dunn LF (photographed above by the AP during BP)
Votto 1B
Green 2B
Bako C
Janish SS
Valentin DH
Bailey P

Reds 6, Twins 1

Highlights and lowlights - mostly highlights:

11 hits by the Reds (but no one with multiple hits), including Freel, Encarnacion, Bruce, Castro, Keppinger and Votto

Jerry Gil (for what it's worth) three-run homer in the 5th

Jolbert Cabrera (for what it's worth) with a 2-RBI double

Another hit for the (Reds') star of yesterday's game, Adam Rosales

Belisle with two scoreless innings (although he did allow three hits)

Fogg: 2 IP, 1 hit, 2 strikeouts

Mercker, Cordero, Stanton and Lincoln with a scoreless inning each

No walks by Reds pitchers

Nice play by Bruce to rob Brendan Harris (who was a Red for a short time, acquired in the infamous Majewski trade, but who we gave up on) of a hit

Four errors (Keppinger, Gil, Weathers and Dickerson)

Bruce No. 1

Guess who's atop the list of Baseball America's Top 100 Prospects? Jay Bruce. Also on the list ...

9. Homer Bailey
34. Johnny Cueto
44. Joey Votto
100. Drew Stubbs

So how do the guys who get ranked No. 1 turn out? Looks like Bruce is in good company, for the most part ...

2007 Daisuke Matsuzaka, rhp, Red Sox
2006 Delmon Young, of, Devil Rays
2005 Joe Mauer, c, Twins
2004 Joe Mauer, c, Twins
2003 Mark Teixeira, 3b, Rangers
2002 Josh Beckett, rhp, Marlins
2001 Josh Hamilton, of, Devil Rays
2000 Rick Ankiel, lhp, Cardinals
1999 J.D. Drew, of, Cardinals
1998 Ben Grieve, of, Athletics
1997 Andruw Jones, of, Braves
1996 Andruw Jones, of, Braves
1995 Alex Rodriguez, ss, Mariners
1994 Cliff Floyd, 1b, Expos
1993 Chipper Jones, ss, Braves
1992 Brien Taylor, lhp, Yankees
1991 Todd Van Poppel, rhp, Athletics
1990 Steve Avery, lhp, Braves

Signing the Dragon Slayer?

The Rocky Mountain News is reporting that the Reds are getting ready to sign Josh Fogg. Their source says it'll be a one-year deal with a base salary of $1 million, which is very interesting considering the Rockies apparently offered him $5 million for 1 year. Guess he wanted to test the waters and see if he could land a big multi-year deal and it didn't happen for him.

Numbers-wise he's 60-60 over 7 big-league seasons. 10-9 last year with a 4.94 ERA. The best ERA he's posted in a complete season is 4.35, and that was his rookie year. Horrible WHIP guy (1.52 and 1.54 the past two seasons), doesn't get many strikeouts at all. Not a very good hitter either.

I do think it would be cool for the Reds to have a pitcher whose nickname is the "Dragon Slayer," even if it came as a result of something he achieved with another team. He earned the name, by the way, by defeating the likes of Mussina, Schilling and Brandon Webb during the 2007 season.

I don't know ... do we really need another guy who eats up innings? Because aside from the "getting up for big games" thing that's about all he does. I guess he'd be a serviceable fourth or fifth starter, if Volquez isn't ready for that. But Fogg really isn't even in the same class talent-wise as Blanton.

Nuxie

Sounds like we'll find out tomorrow whether the Ol' Left-hander wins the Frick award and gets into the broadcasters' wing of the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Phillips' scratch

4 years, $27 million. Option for a fifth year.

Report: Phillips gets long-term deal

The DDN's Hal McCoy is reporting that Brandon Phillips and the Reds have avoided arbitration and agreed in principle to a long-term deal, according to a source close to the negotiations.

Terms and length of the deal were not available, but an arbitration hearing has been canceled.

Phillips was asking for a one-year contract worth $4.5 million; the Reds were offering a one-year, $2.7 million deal.

I would guess everyone will be in agreement that this is a good thing and Phillips is very deserving of whatever money he's getting.

Bedard

Well, apparently the Mariners want to make it very clear that they are excited about acquiring Erik Bedard. Just saw this story on the wire ...

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) - Left-hander Erik Bedard, obtained last week by Seattle, will start on opening day.

Bedard was expected to compete with Felix Hernandez for the top spot in Seattle's rotation, but Mariners manager John McLaren said he informed Bedard of his decision on Wednesday.

Bedard was acquired from Baltimore for outfielder Adam Jones, left-handed reliever George Sherrill and three minor league prospects.

It seems like it's a little bit early to name an opening-day starter. Don't teams usually wait until sometime during Spring Training? Maybe see how the guy does? What if he doesn't get out of the first inning in his first three appearances of the spring? Just a little surprising, that's all.

More on Blanton

SI.com's Jon Heyman has chimed in, suggesting there are four teams - Reds, Red Sox, Yankees and Dodgers - who have talked to Oakland about Joe Blanton.

He says the Dodgers "have long been interested in Blanton and are well-stocked with prospects ..." the Red Sox "also make sense after recently receiving the news about Curt Schilling's shoulder ..." and the Yankees "probably aren't a serious player for Blanton."

And he points out that the Enquirer reported that the A's requested a three-package prospect including one of two pitchers - Homer Bailey or Johnny Cueto - plus first baseman Joey Votto for Blanton.

Report: Reds interested in Lofton

FoxSports.Com's Ken Rosenthal, who last week reported that the Reds are considering trading for Oakland pitcher Joe Blanton, says a deal for Kenny Lofton may be in the works.

Rosenthal believes "the extent of their interest might hinge on which players - if any - they trade for a starting pitcher."

In other words, a deal for Blanton or another starter might happen first.

He points out that Lofton bats left-handed and could fit into a platoon with Ryan Freel and Norris Hopper, who both bat right-handed.

Lofton played for Dusty Baker with the Giants in 2002 and the Cubs in 2003. He is a free agent who turns 41 in May. He has played for 11 teams in his 17-year career, including three NL Central teams - the Astros, Pirates and Cubs.

Done deal!

Finally, Bedard got traded.

Even more Blanton talk

Tired of hearing about the possibility of the Reds trading for Erik Bedard or Joe Blanton? Who knows if the Bedard-for-Adam-Jones trade will ever go through, but it's been so close for so long that at least that talk has died down. Which means of course the Blanton discussion is heating back up. Is it just because the A's have already shown they're interested in acquiring prospects (dealing Kotsay, Haren and Swisher), and the Reds have prospects? Who knows.

FoxSports.Com's Ken Rosenthal says his source indicates there's a 50-50 chance the A's will end up trading Blanton. In a video on the site, he says at least two teams are showing significant interest in Blanton, but then he names the Twins and D-Rays after he mentions the Reds. He says the Dodgers are not in the mix.

Cincinnati.Com says the other team is the Dodgers. Last season the Dodgers were supposedly trying to acquire Blanton, but the A's were reportedly asking too much.

Rosenthal points out that Blanton could make about $18 million in three years of arbitration. Not cheap. Blanton may be coming into his own though. He's going to eat up innin