By joe

April 2, 2009 7:20 AM | Link to this

a player to be named later ? what position will the player to be named later play and the ones who said kepp will come back to haunt the reds i think he will i hope he beats the reds senceless which theyve already did it to themselves and talking to sheffield bad mistake hes 40 and still trying to prove he can play ha ha wouldnt waste my time or money on him

By wizard

April 1, 2009 11:45 PM | Link to this

. “I’d just like to see more players that know the fundamentals that the Reds seem to stress less and less.” Sure do like the intelligent baseball statements on the blog, lately.

By wizard

April 1, 2009 11:34 PM | Link to this

“The best SS on the roster was and still is Brandon Phillips.” Smart guy, that RC!

By Boxter

April 1, 2009 4:53 PM | Link to this

They trade a guy that wants to play and keep Gonzo who will not play 50 games? Makes sense to me. I have seen people come back from Tommy John faster than that loser Gonzo. My God, no one can hurt as bad as this wimp.

By RC

April 1, 2009 3:09 PM | Link to this

If you want to throw Keppy’s numbers at us, espically those from an injury-affected season, at least be honest enough to put up his 2007 numbers: BA .332 - OBP .400 - OPS .877. I understand why they let him go, but I’m saddened by it. And BTW, Keppy should have been playing 2B. The best SS on the roster was and still is Brandon Phillips.

By Bob540

April 1, 2009 3:06 PM | Link to this

Mike: Neither Volquez nor Cueto were proven commodities when the Reds traded for them. Yes, they had talent and potential, but how many players just like that never pan out? I am not blinded by love of Keppinger, as you suggest. And, I am surprised that you don’t seem to wonder who the other player in this trade will be. I don’t think its hard to imagine that Keppinger will be a factor when the Reds and Astros play this season — can we say the same for above unnamed player? I just love it when people here act like they’re baseball experts. Talk about exaggerated self-importance!

By Albert

April 1, 2009 3:03 PM | Link to this

Hello all.. I see the Deads are at it again..trade an average player and are keeping this Janish kid Ive seen play on several occasions..this guy is terrible ..will the reds average 2 runs a game..worst outfield in baseball..could the Reds compete against a good AAA team..Go Birds

By Mike-Dayton

April 1, 2009 1:41 PM | Link to this

The Reds may miss Keppinger as a person but he was an average player that people liked … another Volquez or Cuerto for him is insane, who could even think that way … Keppinger-type players are all over baseball and not that hard to find … the Reds had four of five of them - Kepp, Hopper, Freel, Hairston - why would any team give the Reds anything more than a low-level prospect for Keppinger? Some of you over-value players you like to a enormous level …

By Bob540

April 1, 2009 12:49 PM | Link to this

As alluded to below, we can’t judge the trade until the “player to be named later” from the Astros is named. If Reds could land another Volquez or Ceuto, great, but I suspect they won’t get much production from whomever they get. I like Keppinger, both defensively and at bat. He tends to put the ball in play and is not the routine out some other Reds have been. I think the Reds will miss him.

By Mark in Sun Valley

April 1, 2009 11:31 AM | Link to this

Or, Keppinger is 4th in Fielding percentage in the league for SS playing more than 100 games. And that stat is based on actual play, rather than “we supposed if he was quicker” crap. Stats are nice, but many stats, expecially that one TimB mentions is pure conjecture. Kep is certainly not the piece that makes or breaks the Reds, but he was fundamentally sound, something lacking in most of the Reds. Knowing how to play the game and playing it right is what makes many Reds fans lament about losing someone like Kep. It’s kind of like all those “5 tool” players we kept getting who couldn’t charge a grounder or make adjustments at the plate. I’d just like to see more players that know the fundamentals that the Reds seem to stress less and less.

By timb

April 1, 2009 10:38 AM | Link to this

Hal’s not one to point this out, because it’s a defensive stat designed by sabermetric guys, but Keppinger was the worst defensive SS in the NL (-23.7 runs per season). What that means, is that an average SS would have saved the Reds 24 runs over the season at SS. Keppinger wasn’t the answer at short. At third, he was 12 runs below average (EE was -12.6), so when you add his fantastic .657 OPS (Micah Owings will have a better OPS than that this season) and EE’s .800, you can see he shouldn’t be at third. It’s good that he’s gone, since he was poor. Jay Bruce, a lonely group of people turns its eyes to you and needs you to hustle and be “scrappy.”

By JimT

April 1, 2009 10:23 AM | Link to this

Hey Jacker, Yea,if they suspend him maybe you could take over managing the reds. I’m sure your qualifications far out weigh Dustys 2 Manager of the year awards and his careerwinning record.Are you like ten years old. My Goodness.

By Sam

April 1, 2009 9:53 AM | Link to this

Not a big deal. I like Keppinger but he didn’t knock down the door or anything. He really needed to be more consistant. When you have players coming up behind you you can’t slip when your a 30-year reserve player. Hope he does well in Houston just not against us.

By jaker

April 1, 2009 9:33 AM | Link to this

Since Dusty was ejected from the game yesterday wouldn’t it be nice if the league would suspend him for the remainder of the season? Then they could get a “real” manager for this season!!!

By Scott

April 1, 2009 9:27 AM | Link to this

I think this move was made more for Janish to take over (because we all know Gonzo won’t play full time) than it was for making space for Gonzo. Also Houston needed someone who could play 3B due to Boone’s heart surgery (and he’s my age! …yikes…).

By Cait

April 1, 2009 9:18 AM | Link to this

I’m with Big Daddy and Jim T. I like Kepp a lot, but he’s not going to make or break this team. Houston gives him a great opportunity and it’s time for Janish or Rosales to show what they can do. Love Janish’s glove, so if he can hit .260 or .270, he should start, even over A-Gon. I believe the Reds have some lower minor leaguers who will soon supplant EE and whoever plays SS this year. It was time for Kepp to move on.

By Jeff

April 1, 2009 8:37 AM | Link to this

I really like Kepp too, but let’s be honest folks. He hasnt been the same since the knee injury. i trust Jocketty in developing a winner. Yeah I will miss Kepp but he is a role player. Remember last year when many people were on here saying we should dump EE and let Kepp take over. This is why we watch and the folks who know baseball make the decisions. EE is 25 years old and people were ready to supplant him with Keppinger. God love Kepp and I hope he does well but his time had come

By Jim T

April 1, 2009 8:26 AM | Link to this

Hey Distressed Citizen, You should be named Distrubed Citizen. Agon is the best option for SS on the roster. Oh, and by the way for the last time WALT IS THE GM. He shapes the roster not Dusty. Quite trying to create a racial issue when its clearly a move that is in the best interest of both parties. Your attitude is not a reflection of many good citizens of the great city of Cincinnati.

By Jim T

April 1, 2009 8:16 AM | Link to this

Nice move by Walt and a good career move for Kepp. We clear a spot for a younger player and Kepp goes to a team that needs a 3rd. He’ll get a lot more playing time in HOuston then he would have got here. Anyone out there for picking up Jenkins, he was just released by the phillies. He would fill that left handed bat off the bench spot?

By Pete

April 1, 2009 7:21 AM | Link to this

Wow… just WTF R some of U people thinking? Kepp wasn’t gonna put the Reds any closer to the top of the NLC than Ryan Freel. Wake up, folks! You’re all sounding like Ryan from Madison, IN.

By Distressed Citizen

April 1, 2009 7:00 AM | Link to this

This clears the way for Dummy Baker to play that Boston reject who was fat and had no range and didn’t even field the balls hit right at him. for all of you who say the Reds won’t miss Kepp inclding the honky hating pig patty: I will bet that Houston will finish ahead of Cincinnati.

By JB

April 1, 2009 5:08 AM | Link to this

I cannot see where this move means anything toward improving the team for this year-we knew what we had in Kepinger-probably had something to do with $$ knowing the Reds.

By J.Mark

April 1, 2009 2:52 AM | Link to this

Yeah-like Dallas McPherson has been sooo great with every other team he’s played on…of course he wouldn’t make as many errors as EE! Just bring back Chris Sabo.

By jim m.

April 1, 2009 1:43 AM | Link to this

Now lets see if the Reds might take a chance on Dallas McPherson who the Marlins released..he hit 42 homers at AAA last year.. we need a power bat off the bench.. he might come cheap!!

By M

April 1, 2009 12:34 AM | Link to this

GO YANKEES

By Big Daddy

March 31, 2009 11:37 PM | Link to this

Only Reds fans would even care they traded a bit player like Jeff Keppinger. Who cares? You don’t even know who they are getting in return. No offense, but Walt Jocketty knows more about this team than you do. I really doubt Jeff Keppingers .287 lifetime batting average and average defense will be missed. If he is, this team is going to lose more games than I thought they were. Reds fans-Stop getting attached to white guys who suck.

By Sir Duke

March 31, 2009 11:24 PM | Link to this

BoBart - you might want to jump into this century and read a little bit about how baseball is played in 2009. You have to hit to play SS … it’s been in vogue since about 1982. Roy was a fine player but Juan Castro could field better than Roy and Juan is no longer relevant either.

By J.Mark

March 31, 2009 11:10 PM | Link to this

News Flash: Jeff Keppinger is NOT an all-star!! He is a mediocre bench player that played decently for a few months-nothing more. The Reds will not win or lose any more games with or without him. Trading him will have NO impact on the Reds except that they just might get a good young player from the Stro’s that might help them in the future. STOP CRYING!!

By BoBart

March 31, 2009 10:58 PM | Link to this

In regards to Janish’s hitting: I’m not sure why everyone thinks a SS has to hit well? Roy McMillan was one of the best ever to play the position for the Reds, bar none, and he never hit very well. He was so good with the glove, it didn’t matter that he did not use the stick well. There weren’t many who could match his fielding skills,in either league.

By GEyes

March 31, 2009 10:35 PM | Link to this

Relax everyone, Kepp will not be missed that much. The team is much deeper now and he has no range and now possibly isn’t going to hit either. Jock knows what he is doing. This team will rock, you’ll see. Thankfully we don’t have to watch 2 lousy corner outfielders this year either. Life is good.

By Gary

March 31, 2009 10:25 PM | Link to this

Don’t like the move. I would rather see Keppinger and his attitude at 3rd instead of Encarnation and his attitude. Traded the wrong guy!

By Mike-Cinci

March 31, 2009 10:15 PM | Link to this

Jeff Keppinger is a bench player. He has never been an everyday player and when given the chance he has done OK for a month or two but then fades. He was picked up after being released by Kansas City. He is average at best defensively, has little range, no extra base power and is in the top 10 in hitting into double plays. The Reds did not trade Jeter, Rollins, or Utley. They traded a player they offered to every team in baseball and the Astros gave them the best offer…a minor league player to be named later. This is what all of baseball thought about Jeff Keppinger. Jocketty knows what he is doing. Go young, stress defense, go with speed.

By Andrew

March 31, 2009 10:12 PM | Link to this

Keppinger hasn’t played a full year either. He wasn’t hitting particularly well this spring and his role was essentially a utility infielder, of which we have a fair number of. Given the numbers, and the situation, it seems like a fine deal.

By John

March 31, 2009 10:03 PM | Link to this

I hate to see Keppinger go. He was a quiet and solid player. He made every routine play, something Gonzalez didn’t do in his rough year of 2007. The Astros will get something for nothing.

By John

March 31, 2009 10:02 PM | Link to this

A number of the earlier comments are right; Gonzalez is aging, and injury-prone .. albeit still a fine player. Janish is excellent, in range & glove, but still HAS to learn how to hit MLB pitching. Keppinger was steady and decent-enough, with the glove .. and a fairly dependable hitter. .. So, as others said, good luck Don K., in your new environ.

By Y-City Jim

March 31, 2009 9:31 PM | Link to this

I’m glad to see Janish get a chance. He certainly upgrades the defense and if he can match his MiLB offensive numbers that works for me.

By Reagan

March 31, 2009 9:17 PM | Link to this

I love Keppinger. He was a true baseball player and could play all the spots in the IF. He was a solid #1 or #2 hitter. I think the Reds are too overly impressed with Alex Gonzales and Jerry Hairston. Neither one played a full season the last 2 seasons, and who filled in for both of them in their absence. Oh, wait, that was Keppinger. I think this is a very shortsighted trade and think it will hurt the Reds. Janish reminds me of Brandon Larson, who couldn’t hit in the majors and was picked up by our favorite ex-GM Jim Bowden. Kepp was young enough for this team, had the bat, defense, and should have been playing on this team. Good luck Jeff! You got a raw deal.

By Mr. Redlegs (Original)

March 31, 2009 9:04 PM | Link to this

How in the name of Darrell Chaney can so many of you get so bent out of shape over Jeff Keppinger, a utility infielder who hasn’t hit a lick since breaking his knee cap? Yeah, Keppinger was the cornerstone to a championship just like Hopper, eh? Guys who had about three good months in their life and some of you want their numbers retired. Good grief.

By Kyle

March 31, 2009 9:00 PM | Link to this

No one can say this is a bad trade because you don’t know what we are getting for Kepp. It could be a player like Owings, which we had to wait to get healthy and pass a physical.

By ExpressedOut

March 31, 2009 8:59 PM | Link to this

I live in Round Rock where the Astros’ AAA franchise plays. Sorry to lose Kepp; I think he’ll have a solid chance at 2nd base for the ‘Stros as that is their weakest link. If the PTBNL comes from the AAA team, I’d like to see the Reds give Mark Saccamano a shot. He won’t make you forget Brooks Robinson, but he gives you a strong at-bat nearly every time.

By Esasky's vertigo

March 31, 2009 8:40 PM | Link to this

timb, you’re a tremendous douchebag. As for Kepp, sad to see him go. Fantastic player but maybe this points to the Reds having talent on the way up (again). Hey, if nothing else, Kepp wore his stirrups the correct way. Good Luck J-Kepp (that’s how the kids say it)

By E. Bruce

March 31, 2009 8:38 PM | Link to this

I’m sick. The heck with the low payroll Reds. Trade Kep and keep a player that wasn’t on the field last year? Fire Castellini!

By G. Brunner

March 31, 2009 8:36 PM | Link to this

Didn’t the Reds win something on the order of 60% of the games Keppinger played in last year? Don’t they still need a leadoff? Willy will be another of Dusty’s boys, and the Reds still will not have a good leadoff.

By DALE 78

March 31, 2009 8:20 PM | Link to this

Here we go again ,a major league player for a minor league suspect . The Reds are just giving away good player for a maybe . Iliked Keppinger a scrappy player who actually worked a pitcher and didnt swing at everything coming his way . Good luck in Houston we will miss you .

By JD

March 31, 2009 7:50 PM | Link to this

This is a load of bull. I can’t believe it. Great idea, Walt. Let’s let some young rookies rot away on the bench. That’s healthy for them. Good god, Gonzalez will be lucky to get 30 games in this year. I didn’t think Walt was this stupid. I really hope Kepp comes back to bite us for this one. I hope he pulverizes us everytime we play the stros. Stupid, stupid. I can’t believe this team. They didn’t even give Kepp a chance this season to redeem himself, and try to get back to his old hitting ways! They’ll regret it.

By Mark in Sun Valley

March 31, 2009 6:19 PM | Link to this

Kep was not enough of a free swinger to fit in on this team. He took too many pitches. And I always get a tad irritated on criticism of Kep’s defense. He is an above average fielder, but sadly has average or below average range. Most teams prefer the extra range over the surer hands.

By timb

March 31, 2009 6:18 PM | Link to this

Anyone remember the combination of the Brenamans and “Cowboy” calling this scrappy player the “best player” on the Reds last season?!? Floored me at the time and shows how utterly without insight those three people are. Marty should be glad he can announce well, because he doesn’t know very much about baseball, except that he hates Adam Dunn

By timb

March 31, 2009 6:14 PM | Link to this

Getting this not-so-good and for some reason fan favorite out of town might preserve AB’s for a player with a glove (Janish) or a player who can do just a bit of a lot of thing (Rosales). The Reds should stay away from allegedly scrappy Caucasian players, since the fan base becomes way to attached to them.

By jason

March 31, 2009 6:10 PM | Link to this

hate to see him go (and to the astros!), he was so solid for us in late 07-early 08 and then that knee injury, unfortunate. good luck keppy.

By econprof

March 31, 2009 6:06 PM | Link to this

Kepp has been traded because he can’t play a major league shortstop, not because of his weak spring. Jocketty clearly believes that fielding matters in building a better team. I like to watch Kepp at bat, but he’s capable in the field only at 3rd or 2nd. He actually reminds me some of Todd Walker, who also had a good bat but was weak on defense.

By CDouble13

March 31, 2009 6:00 PM | Link to this

I see the logic, but man, why give the Astros a stick to beat your brains in. Never trade a bat within your own division.

By SonofSonofBeast

March 31, 2009 5:50 PM | Link to this

Does the “A” in “A-Gon” stand for “Always”? He’s making out like Milton on that 3-year deal, as far as $ for nothing. Hope we get to actually watch him play someday…

By Brar Hopper

March 31, 2009 5:41 PM | Link to this

I guess this shows that (so far) the Reds are going to go with the youth movement… with the references to Janish and Roasales. I like Kepp a lot but…we’ll see. Kepp doesn’t seem to bugged by it, then again he’s a pretty positive attitude kinda guy. Personally I still don’t see A-Gon off the DL through June. He seems chronic.

By clint

March 31, 2009 5:37 PM | Link to this

BOO on this move! Good luck Jeff hate to see him go. Hope gonzo stays healthy or we look really stupid!