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Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy is in his 37th year of covering the Cincinnati Reds, the longest tenure for any active writer covering one team. Counting spring training and postseason games, McCoy has covered more than 7,000 major-league baseball games, written close to 18,000 baseball stories and eaten enough hot dogs to give Babe Ruth indigestion.Home > Blogs > The Real McCoy | Cincinnati Reds baseball news > Archives > 2009 > July > 09 > Entry
Rumors, rumors, rumors - all false???
RUMOR OFF-CENTRAL:
No, the Cincinnati Reds are NOT going to sign pitcher Pedro Martinez, as one scout suggested. Martinez will undergo a physical, probably on Saturday, and if he passes the Philadelphia Phillies will announce he belongs to them.
The Reds have a better chance of signing Pedro Serrano from the movie Major League, but they already had him in the personage of Wily Mo Pena.
No, the Cincinnati Reds are NOT acquiring third baseman Scott Rolen from Toronto for Edwin Encarnacion and a top pitching prospect, as was “reported” on a web-site. The web-site said the trade was reported on the Toronto radio network that carries the Blue Jays, but if that’s true, nobody heard it.
Just to cover the bases, though, a knowledgeable person close to the Blue Jays said that the Jays and Reds HAVE talked. The Jays are NOT interested in Encarnacion. They are most interested in minor league prospects.
When the Reds were in Toronto, GM Walt Jocketty chatted for a long time with Rolen near the batting cage, “Just to say hello.” Rolen played in St. Louis when Jocketty was there. There was no tampering involved, just chit-chat, but I’d be willing to bet all my Tommy Bahama shirts that Rolen mentioned, you know, just in passing, that he sure loves the midwest, being an Indiana boy and all.
Rolen makes $11 million this year and $11 million next year, way over the heads of the Reds. The report also said the deal would be announced this weekend after Jocketty was finished re-negotiating Rolen’s contract. That’s called tampering and is against the rules and Jocketty wouldn’t do it
Rolen, an Indiana guy, loves Cincinnati and may eventually play for the Reds. But not now and not next year.
No, the Cincinnati Reds are not acquiring Garret Atkins from the Rockies for pitchers David Weathers and Nick Masset. Atkins is making $7.05 million and is having a terrible year. The bullpen has been the best part of the Reds this year (until the last week).
As a Reds official said, “We already have a third baseman, so where would Atkins play? There are only a couple of teams that can take on $18 million in salary.” And the Reds ain’t one of ‘em.
Any more rumors need discounted?
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Comments
By Wayne Lackey
July 11, 2009 6:38 AM | Link to this
Reds have a lot of holes-need to move Harang-Arroyo-both too inconsistent-Hernandez-Weathers- yes Weathers-EE-Taveras-bring new faces in that can & want to play & win.Get Bruce back in form.Hanagan hopefully is ready to be #1 catcher.Get Stubb-Lehr-Maloney-trade for BIG BAT-better PITCHING!By Wizard
July 10, 2009 10:07 PM | Link to this
Here’s a rumor that is true: Before we get too carried away about any performances tonight: We were playing the injury-riddled Mets lineup; and as Bronson said-“a watered down lineup”.By ctownboy
July 10, 2009 3:19 PM | Link to this
If the Reds are going to make ANY trade it is going to be for Yuniesky Betancourt. Betancourt is a 27 year old Short Stop with the Mariners and EVERYTHING about him SCREAMS he is a Toothpick Baker kind of player. Career On Base Percentage of .302, is currently injured and has lost his starting job to another player (ala Willy Taveras last year). On top of this, Bavasi was the GM in Seattle who signed him to his current contract; $3 million for 2010, $4 million for 2011 and $6 million for 2012 with a $2 million buyout. Since A Gon has been a BUST, JHJ is ONLY playing Short Stop because he is Toothpick Baker’s boy and Janish is being given NO chance to play, I can see the Reds shipping Edwin E off to the Mariners (because Beltre is hurt, is going to be a Free Agent after the season and has Scot Boras as his Agent) for Betancourt and JHJ being shifted to be the every day Third Baseman (because Toothpick just HAS to get him enough At Bats to qualify for those incentive bonuses in his contract).By GreatRedLegFan
July 10, 2009 3:00 PM | Link to this
I don’t think a trade is recommended right now, the Reds have still too many holes. I’d go instead by cleaning-up the roster and try to get rid of Encarnacion, Taveras, Hernandez and Arroyo, get good infield prospects in return while making room and reduce payroll. Work harder with Jay Bruce to improve his contact is fundamental. I’d bet for next year with Hanigan C, Votto 1B, Philips 2B, Sutton SS, TBA 3B, Stubbs or Heisey, Dickerson and Bruce in OF. Hairston, Gomes and Nix can provide good depth from the bench. Starting rotation include Harang, Volquez, Cueto, Bailey and Lehr or Maloney. Move Owings to the bullpen, continue there with Herrera, Fisher, Roenicke, Masset, Manuel/Burton and Cordero. About Weathers and Rhodes, is up to their condition. Maybe a trade for a long term 3B, not sure Rolen or Atkins are the ones. Is there somebody else worth besides Zimmerman?By florence ky
July 10, 2009 1:30 PM | Link to this
Rolen is a has been. The guy stays hurt and cannot play at the level he did with St Louis. I hope EE comes back and wears it out. Im rooting for himBy Steve
July 10, 2009 1:22 PM | Link to this
The Reds should find out who is interested in Rolen and beat Toronto to the table and trade EE. Good ridenance.By Brian
July 10, 2009 12:19 PM | Link to this
Hey dwr…if you are truly a fan you would know that recent history says the Reds are not pursuing anyone…at least anyone of significance. If you don’t like Hal, don’t read him and take your tsk tsk poo-pooing posts elsewhere.By Tom
July 10, 2009 12:19 PM | Link to this
A trade will be made. Wheather it’s Rolen or not, who knows? But I doubt Bob and Walt are ready to toss away another season for lack of offensive clout.By DWC
July 10, 2009 12:17 PM | Link to this
Hal - Your source(s) appear to be weak. Troy Renck, sportswriter for Denver Post has this article. Where did you come up witht he $7.5 million figure for the remainder of the season? DENVER — The Reds have talked to the Rockies about acquiring Garrett Atkins while the Red Sox’s interest is waning, multiple sources said today. The Reds have liked Atkins since last winter when they considered a swap for Atkins and Yorvit Torrealba. The complication comes over money. Atkins is owed roughly $3.4 million for the remainder of this season. For the Rockies to receive a reliever back in the deal like Nick Masset, they would have to eat some of his contract since Masset is making only $418,000. A closer salary match could be found with David Weathers — he has roughly $1.6 million left — but it’s unclear if he’s available.By don
July 10, 2009 12:13 PM | Link to this
If you want rumors go to MLB Rumors website.Hal just gave some straight answers so don’t kill the messenger. I do wish they would bring Heisey or Stubbs up and sit Tavares.Bruce needs at least a couple of weeks in AAA instead of a couple of days off.By dwr
July 10, 2009 11:54 AM | Link to this
Hey Hal, why don’t you spend your time finding out who they ARE going after, instead of who they AREN’T. We have enough dark clouds around this team, thank you, without your tsk-tsk, poo-pooing.By jim m.
July 10, 2009 11:29 AM | Link to this
All that talk about Walt saying the Reds were buyers was just smoke screen just like the past 9 years.. all lies to the fans.. thanks BOB!!! I wish Mark Cuban would have bought this team to get the fans what it wants: WINNING teams..I am Tired of false promises.. this team is close.. and the Reds will do nothing at the deadline.. then blame the fans for not showing up the 2nd half to watch losing baseball.. Hate thinking I will never see the Reds in the postseason ever again, just false hope.. Dang IT!!!By Scott
July 10, 2009 11:07 AM | Link to this
Instead of making a trade how about the Reds let the catcher control what is pitched? It’s working for Homer at the moment, so why do all the other pitcher shrug off the catcher so much (only to watch the next pitch be hit, or be a ball)?By Rick
July 10, 2009 10:00 AM | Link to this
When Heisey was promoted and put in CF and Stubbs was moved to LF it is a preview of next year’s Reds OF— Stubbs will be an adequate if not good OF in the bigs— he’s improved at every level from his K days at Texas. Valaika is your SS next year or 2011. The pitching is in place at AAA and AA. We need a catcher to back up Hanagin (why didn’t they draft Castro rather the Yonder) and a third baseman. this team will be very competitive in 2011 if Dusty is gone.By Tim Freund
July 10, 2009 7:37 AM | Link to this
I saw Kip Wells pitch two innings in relief last night and he looked very good. He was in the low 90’s and had good location. All you Drew Stubbs fans…keep waiting because he is never going to make a regular OF in the bigs. He is not close.By Steven Ross
July 10, 2009 6:43 AM | Link to this
The Jays are NOT interested in Encarnacion. That’s funny because neither are we!!! I’m on the same page as Matt: another season spiraling down the drain. Go get ‘um Dusty!By MAC
July 10, 2009 2:19 AM | Link to this
Just my opinion, but I think a trade of Harang is the best chance for Cincy to get a SS, 3rd or ML OF they need for the furture. Both Harang and Bronson make more $$ than they R worth and will most likely be all used up by the time the Reds R ready to make a serious run? Likewise, I doubt either one of them would be willing to resign. More importantly, moving one or both of them would free up a lot of $$ to sign someone else! The Reds R overloaded w/ 3rd base prospects @ every level; why not try to package one of them for a ML 3rd basemen?By Mark in Sun Valley
July 10, 2009 12:08 AM | Link to this
Agree on all points Hal, but isn;t the signing of Kip Wells interesting? Surely he has no place on the major league roster. Would it not seem like this is a move to shore up a Louisville team that might find itself short some pitching prospects soon?By John
July 9, 2009 11:15 PM | Link to this
We already have a 3rd baseman? haha…By Matt
July 9, 2009 10:52 PM | Link to this
The Reds won’t be adding a bat anyway. They will be out of the race by the trade deadline. Another season is slowly going down the drain. What a sad state for a team with such a proud, storied history.By RC
July 9, 2009 7:54 PM | Link to this
I think the rumor is Masset OR Weathers, not both. Either way, we’ve got enough underachieving hitters on this team right now. No way, Jose.