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Baker, Jocketty have high hopes for Scott Rolen

Reds trade Encarnacion and two young pitchers for the 34-year-old  Blue Jays third baseman.

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By Hal McCoy, Staff Writer 10:54 PM Friday, July 31, 2009

CINCINNATI — It is a trade that the Cincinnati Reds hope involves fire and ice — bringing fire to the team and sending away some ice.

It is third baseman for third baseman — Scott Rolen (The Fireman) coming from Toronto for Edwin Encarnacion (The Iceman).

The Reds also receive cash to receive relief from Rolen’s $11 million contract for next season, but the Reds also gave up two young pitchers, both talented prospects.

The fact general manager Walt Jocketty gave up pitcher Josh Reineke and Zach Steward shows how much he wanted to bring in the fiery Rolen and get rid of the placid Encarnacion.

“Trading two young pitchers was a stumbling block, but we finally gave in to get Rolen,” said Jocketty. “We felt there are a lot of things Scott will provide for this club that was lacking and a big leadership on the field.

“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 who still plays good defense. He'll be a big asset.

Rolen, 34 and a five-time All-Star who was hitting .320 with eight homers and 43 RBIs for the Blue Jays, will be in tonight’s lineup and bat fifth.

“The type of character he brings will help our club — 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.”

Rolen, 34, has a history in spending time on the disabled list, but he has been healthy this year and Jocketty said he has been thoroughly checked.

“We looked at his injury situation very closely and, in fact, we’ve scouted him early this year and I had (scout) Mike Squires watch him for about 10 to 12 games recently. And we played against him and he’s fine. Dr. Tim Kremchek, who did surgery on him, was in Toronto with us and gave his OK when he saw him.”

Jocketty, of course, acknowledged the pain of giving up young pitcher and when asked if he thought the team had enough young pitching in the minors, he said, “I think so. It puts a little dent into it. We’re still trying to sign our top two draft picks, both right-handers, and we’ve moved a couple of guys up in our system. What you don’t like to do is erode your depth, but sometimes you have to do that in order to improve.”

Getting Rolen was a huge gasp and several gulps of fresh air for manager Dusty Baker, whose team is reduced to little more than Triple-A players due to a plethora of injures.

“I’m very excited about getting Scott Rolen, a quality player for a very long time,” he said. “It was a good move for Encarnacion, too, because sometimes a change of scenery might be good for you. He is going up there to a good town (Toronto) and a good manager (Cito Gaston).”

When Encarnacion came out of Baker’s office after being told of his destination, he pumped his fist in triumph, then refused to chat with the media.

“We got an RBI producer and a Gold Glove third baseman,” said Baker. “How he plays is going to help our team, our outlook and our attitude. I hated giving up Roenicke, because this kid was really coming, but you have to give up something to get something. He was the deal-maker or the deal-breaker.”

The Reds also traded utility player Jerry Hairston Jr. to the New York Yankees for minor-league catcher Chase Weems, who reports to the Class A Dayton Dragons.

“The Yankees were looking for versatility and it was an opportunity 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 left-handed hitter.”

Hairston said he wasn’t surprised, even though his name had not been mentioned as a possible trade, “But so many times the guys you hear in trade talks are not traded and guys you don’t hear in trade talks are traded.

“I’m a little shocked right now, leaving these guys,” Hairston added. “I felt close with these guys, but I’m excited to go to New York with a chance to win. Whatever they ask, I’ll do it. Obviously I can play everywhere, but I understand they have a pretty good shortstop (Derek Jeter).

“Two spring trainings ago, I thought my career was over,” Hairston added. “Cincinnati called (Wayne Krivsky) in mid-March to give me a chance and I’ll never forget what they did for me to revive my career, get back into the game.”

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Seems that you also conveniently forget that Dunn is an absolute liability defensively..... he regularly cost the Reds at least 5-10 games a year by his miserable defense in the outfield. And yes--I know baseball. And I'd rather have someone who is a good teammate than that slug in a heartbeat....

To Harry
12:03 AM, 8/2/2009

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Dear Dear Concerned Citizen,

As Marty said, Dunn hits home runs, but he doesn't drive in runs.

They both ****

Mark
9:30 PM, 8/1/2009

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What are the Reds doing? 2 of the last 3 years Rolen has been mediocre at best. He finally starts batting over .300 and teams are interested?? Rolen's best years are behind him. Most likely he will get injured and then retire. Hey Jockett, I hear Nolan Ryan was looking for some work.

Mark
9:20 PM, 8/1/2009

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Just another bad move by the Cincinnati Deads. Trading for an aging has been and giving up some good young talent before they have to start paying them.

Tall
5:46 PM, 8/1/2009

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Good to get Rolen. Should have had him a few years ago when the Reds were outbid by the Cardinals. Good to get rid of EE.

wordman
3:52 PM, 8/1/2009

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