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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 > 31 > Entry
Of trades, elbows, andro and amphetamines
IN A NUTSHELL (a very big walnut), here is what happened with the Cincinnati Reds today.
-They acquired third baseman Scott Rolen from Toronto for third baseman Edwin Encarnacion, pitcher Josh Roenicke and pitcher Zach Stewart. The Reds also get cash to get relief from Rolen’s $11 million pro-rated salary this year and $11 million next year.
-They traded Jerry Hairston Jr. for a minor-league catcher, 20-year-old Chase Weems, who will report to the Class A Dayton Dragons.
-Pitcher Edinson Volquez, scheduled for a simulated game today, didn’t complete it. He walked off the mound clutching his elbow. The Reds aren’t saying it - yet - but don’t be surprised if he has to undergo Tommy John surgery and will miss next year.
-Pitcher Bronson Arroyo confirmed that he told a Boston newspaper that he wouldn’t be surprised if his named showed up on the list of 104 players who tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs in 2003.
OTHER THAN THAT - just a quiet day at the ol’ ballyard.
It’s big news when a guy admits taking amphetamines and androstenedione, it’s bigger news when a team loses what is arguably its best pitcher and it’s bigger, bigger news when the team adds an All-Star player.
Said general manager Walt Jocketty, “Trading two young pitchers was a stumbling block, but we finally gave in to get Rolen. We felt there are a lot of things Scott will provide for this club that was lacking - leadership on the field with the players. He is a veteran and I had a lot of experience with him when we were together in St. Louis. He’ll bring a lot to our club. He is still playing well - a good RBI guy and plays good defense. He’ll be a big asset.
“Edwin Encarnacion was part of it because with Scott coming, there wasn’t a place for Edwin to play here,” Jocketty added. Rolen will bat fifth in the Reds’ order behind Brandon Phillips.
“The Yankees were looking for versatility and it was an opporunity to get Jerry in a pennant race,” Jockett added. “We had very good reports on (catcher) Weems, a guy we had interest in during the draft a couple of years ago and didn’t get. He was a high school kid out of Columbus, Ga., a lefthanded hitter.”
Adding more on the Rolen deal, Jocketty said, “The type of character he brings will help our organization - a guy who will be big part of this organization this year and in the future. I hope he’s here for quite a while. He is signed one more year and we’ll talk after he gets here to see how things work out.”
VOLQUEZ was supposed to pitch a simulated game but at 3:37, early into his session, he grabbed his elbow and walked off the field.
“It’s very disappointing,” said manager Dusty Baker. “My trainer told me there was a 50/50 chance this could happen. He said he felt some tightness - not in the same area, but in the same muscle. Now it’s back to the drawing board all over again. That’s one thing I wasn’t expecting and now he has to see the doctor to assess what is best for him now and for the future. We want to get him back healthy, especially for next year. I’m very concerned, but I have full confidence in Dr. Tim Kremchek and full confidence in modern medicine.”
AND NOW Mr. Arroyo. He admitted he took Andro (the Mark McGwire drug) from 1998 until it was banned in 2004 and that he took amphetamines until they were banned in 2006. Arroyo laughed when asked about the furor he caused and said, “That’s what happens when you spread the truth.
“From 1998 to 2003, I took andro,” he said. “That was the big year of Mark McGwire and he had the stuff sitting in his locker and everybody was made aware of the fact that he took that stuff and so everybody went out and tried it.
“I took it in the Arizona Fall League that year and I felt like I could hit my head on the rim of a basketball hoop because me and Mike Lincoln would see our therapist and then go shoot hoops until midnight or one in the moring,” Arroyo added. “I felt unbelievable on the stuff. So I took the product from differerent companies until ‘03 when they told me that it could give me a positive test. So I don’t take it any more.”
Arroy said he switched to creatin and vitamins and proteins, things I always took. Amphetamines?
“Ah, man, yes. Of course I took a damn greenie before a day game, a freakin’ 12:35 game and facing Johan Santana? You think I ain’t gonna take a greenie? C’mon,” he said. Then when they were banned in 2006, he quit taking them, too.
“Honestly, I’d love to take nothing,” he said. “I’ve love to wake up in the morning and have some cereal and fruit, then have a good lunch and take a multi-vitaman for the day. The reality is, I’m not going to be as good of a major-league pitcher if I do. I can’t do those other things until I retire. Until then (he banged on a small door on his dressing cubicle), this is filled with sh—. I’m going to continue to take the (legal) stuff.”
Arroyo said he told the Boston writer that anybody’s name could show up on the list of 104 from 2003 because some of the stuff players took was called protein supplements, “And you think you know what’s in a can of protein from GNC, but you don’t know unless you take it to a lab and get it tested by a scientist.”
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Comments
By roulette strategy
January 17, 2010 2:17 PM | Link to this
Damn, that sound’s so easy if you think about it.
By zoomie
August 1, 2009 6:13 PM | Link to this
Beautiful. The Reds now have a pitcher named Homer and a catcher named Chase. Sounds like something out of a Uecker routine. “Just a a bit outside.” Better still, “Aw, hell. Nobody’s listening anyway.”
By jim m.
August 1, 2009 4:20 PM | Link to this
This is where Walt has to step in and know a Sutton leading off playing LF while two rising players at AAA are NOT here is ridiculous. they have a hole in LF and what better time to bring up Stubbs and Heisey to see what they got going into next season. and they need to make Dusty STOP batting his highest average hitter 8th while his weak SS bats second!! you want to create a chance for run production in front of Joey.. its common sense!!!! How the heck did Dusty win an manager of the year award in the past?? oh wait!! he had all big name players. He needs to manage a all-star team so he cant screw it up and they will make him look good. Can you imagine if the Reds got Jim Tracey to manage this team instead of Dusty? The Rockies look prepared, our Reds players look unprepared walking up to the plate every game!!!
By Tom
August 1, 2009 1:09 PM | Link to this
I did notice last night attendance figures. Pittsburgh drew 23000+ and Cincy drew 22000+. I forgot the Pirates were playing the high powered Washington Nats and the Reds were playing Colorado the leader in the wild card race with “two local connections on the team. It would be interesting to see who had straight “A” night or free ticket giveawy. Usually Fridays are one of the bigger draws. Reds five games at home and have not drawn 100,000! Hey Bob stay the course-your plan is working.
By Rock
August 1, 2009 11:32 AM | Link to this
count me in the “I’m done with the Reds group” Been a fan since 1946…this is the poorest managed team since Bucky Walters in the 1940’s.
By Joe
August 1, 2009 11:10 AM | Link to this
At least Arroyo’s being honest about why he took them. And he says he’s not now, only the legal stuff. Remember, that stuff wasn’t illegal and banned back then. Secondly, the Reds gave up too much for Rolen. I agree though, he will provide leadership for the young guys like Votto and Bruce.
By steven ross
August 1, 2009 10:22 AM | Link to this
Dusty will bat Rolen 5th? Lord help us. You just shake your head. How about: Tavaras (because we have to) Phillips, Votto, Rolen then Gomes? Must we put up with Baker’s nonsense and crass quotes for another year? Please Walt. Say it ain’t so!
By Indy
August 1, 2009 9:51 AM | Link to this
Can’t believe BP is still going to bat 4th instead of Rolen. Rolen may not have the power numbers of BP, but he will get three or more hits a week than Phillips will. Not to mention his power will increase playing in GABP. Phillips would be a pretty good #2 hitter. He is one of the few Reds with a good 2 strike approach, although it has seem to disappear over the last year. Gomes would be a decent 5 hitter for us until Bruce comes around.
By Florida Buckeye
August 1, 2009 8:15 AM | Link to this
Hal, I like the Rolen trade; although, I would have liked it better if it didnt include our pitching prospects…I dont like the fact that he’ll be batting fifth; although, I think I understand Baker’s reasoning to keep Phillips batting 4th. God Forbid he upset the youngin with a slap in the face, and move him in the batting order, eh? Lastly, I find it quite refreshing that Arroyo stepped up to the plate and admited taking PEDs. Not only did he admit it; he gave serious insight into the mental state of pitchers and players as to why…I think the use of PEDs was much more rampant than any of us ever thought, even the most cynical of us…I just wish more players would pull their heads outta the ground, and tell the truth!
By Kentucky Joe
August 1, 2009 6:15 AM | Link to this
Volquez blew out his elbow, huh. Funny, it seemed to work fine Thursday afternoon when I saw him at the Party Source in Newport with a buddy. I don’t think he was picking up a bag of chips, either.
By Illya Harrell
August 1, 2009 6:04 AM | Link to this
@redsfan It’s been all over the net. Heck, I called it a month ago. Hal needs to get on the ball. “Listen up, Reds faithful: And remember where you first heard this breaking news. Edinson Volquez needs Tommy John surgery and will not be back this season.” http://bleacherreport.com/articles/201976-cincinnati-reds-the-freemasons-of-baseball
By redsfan
August 1, 2009 3:39 AM | Link to this
C’mon Hal. TJ surgery because he had to stop early and was holding his elbow? You’re better than that.
By redsfan
August 1, 2009 3:39 AM | Link to this
C’mon Hal. TJ surgery because he had to stop early and was holding his elbow? You’re better than that.
By MAC
August 1, 2009 12:59 AM | Link to this
I know I’ll take heat for it, but there’s no way Keppinger would have been any worse @ SS or 3rd than what the Reds have put out there! I see Sutton’s potential (more athletic), but Kepp can hit & do all the little things right too which is exactly what the Reds needed more of !!!
By timb
July 31, 2009 11:15 PM | Link to this
rossi, Brandon would be a terrible #2 hotter. He doesn’t take walks and doesn’t hit for a high average. His game is power, defense, and speed. This team has no #1 or #2 hitters when Dickerson is out and when he’s playing he’s only an average top of the order hitter.
By rossi
July 31, 2009 10:51 PM | Link to this
Baker has already decided that Rolen will bat 5th and Phillips will stay at 4th instead of moving Phillips to 2nd where he can use his speed and will see better pitches with Votto behind him. This makes as much sense as batting Griffey 3rd last year when he was definitely not our best hitter. I’ve had it with this “players manager” BS. You think Tony Larussa is a players manager?
By rossi
July 31, 2009 10:51 PM | Link to this
Baker has already decided that Rolen will bat 5th and Phillips will stay at 4th instead of moving Phillips to 2nd where he can use his speed and will see better pitches with Votto behind him. This makes as much sense as batting Griffey 3rd last year when he was definitely not our best hitter. I’ve had it with this “players manager” BS. You think Tony Larussa is a players manager?
By HoosierVirg
July 31, 2009 10:37 PM | Link to this
I really think we will be sorry we traded Stewart. To me Bronson’s admission is a none story.
By Austin Red
July 31, 2009 9:34 PM | Link to this
From MLB Trade Rumors: “Zachary Stewart is the “get” of the trade. He has a 92-95 MPH fastball with good sink and a hard cutting 82-85 MPH slider. He’s quickly climbed the ladder, pitching at High-A, Double-A and now Triple-A, and has a cumulative 2.92 FIP in 92 innings pitched. He pitched mostly out of the bullpen last year but is showing some good promise as a starter. He’s a solid B grade pitcher.”
By Gary
July 31, 2009 9:11 PM | Link to this
Where is Jim Bowden when we need him?
By Worn Cleat
July 31, 2009 8:36 PM | Link to this
When we hire a new hitting instructor, it is hoped he will get BP to stop his idiotic and self-defeating waggle of his bat prior to the pitch. He is more often than not, not ready for fast balls, when they get to him. He needs a new trigger mechanism!Too much hot dog in BP!Just swing the bat.
By Rip
July 31, 2009 7:23 PM | Link to this
Fire this clown, Jocketty. All his moves have been terrible. It is obvious, with the success St. Louis still enjoys, he was not the reason for St. Louis’ success. I’ll never attend another Reds’ game until Jocketty and Baker are GONE!
By Aaron B.
July 31, 2009 6:58 PM | Link to this
Now of course it is time to question how Volquez was handled since joining the Reds. If you recall he had never pitched a full major league season. He pitched winter ball last season. Baker than proceeded to give him higher pitch counts than he had ever had in his entire career, even in meaningless games as late as August and September he was going over 120 pitches and staying in games into the 8th inning. He pitches winter ball again and then participates in the WBC and is again running up huge pitch counts at the start of the 09 campaign. Is this how you handle a young hard throwing pitcher who is just establishing himself in the majors??? The Reds should know better with Mario Soto still coaching in their system. Does this management group have any inkling what happened to Mario Soto? Is this one more notch in Baker’s belt for ruining a young arm??? Volquez had NO INJURY HISTORY before Baker got him. Folks this team is a disgrace. Get a new hobby, I know I am looking into alternatives because this team flat out stinks in every possible way from the top down.
By Pete
July 31, 2009 6:51 PM | Link to this
Lets hope Walt sends Arroyo’s sorry hind end packing.