DaytonDailyNews.com

Hal McCoy, the hall-of-fame baseball writer for the Dayton Daily News, knows a thing or two about America's pastime. If you want to tap into that knowledge, send an e-mail to hmccoy@daytondailynews.com. For more Ask Hal, log on to DaytonDailyNews.com/reds.

Q Like the fans who gave Jay Bruce a standing ovation before he saw his first major league pitch, you too have jumped on the bandwagon. After all these years and all the can't-miss players, haven't you learned your lesson? — Dave, Miamisburg/Centerville/Beavercreek

A I didn't jump on the bandwagon; I was driving it last spring. And it was so full last spring nobody could possibly jump on it now. Of course, you have to actually go to a game now and then to see what Jay Bruce is really about, but I did save you a seat.

Q Trade of the century. Send Dave of M/C/B to JTM in exchange for the master tapes of that commercial jingle that Bronson Arroyo did. They get a man who annoys and aggravates competitors into submission and we get peace from never again hearing those commercials that make us want to beat innocent humans with frozen beef patties. — Jason, Dayton

A Personally, I'd trade Dave for one all-beef hot dog.

Q In last Sunday's 18-inning loss to San Diego, did manager Dusty Baker mess up by using all of his relievers early, forcing him to use two starters, and if a position player had to come in to pitch which Reds player would get the nod? — Dustin, West Carrollton

A Dusty did not mess up. The Reds had the lead three times and blew all three saves. He was trying to win after he got the lead and after using pinch-hitters. Not sure which position player would have been in there, but Ken Griffey Jr. said he kept leaning on the fence looking into the bullpen, but pitching coach Dick Pole wouldn't look back. While Griffey has lost something off his fastball, he says he has a good breaking pitch, "And my daddy's natural cutter. And I pitched in high school." Hearing that, Jay Bruce said, "Who didn't?"

Q Edinson Volquez leads the majors in earned run average and strikeouts and Josh Hamilton leads the AL in homers and RBIs. Have you ever seen a parallel situation where two promising youngsters who have never led either league in any statistic are swapped and are league leaders a third of the way through the season? — Tom, Dayton

A No, I haven't. And two months is way too early to judge a trade. But both teams are happy even if some fans aren't. I'm still hearing people wish Hamilton was still in Cincinnati. There is no guarantee he would be doing in Cincinnati what he is doing in Texas, and the Reds wouldn't have Volquez. Scouts are drooling over this kid.

Q With the No. 4 and No. 5 starters struggling, why not try a rotation where Bronson Arroyo pitches every four days and the four and five pitchers get extra days off? Assuming there is a day off every two weeks, it would reduce the starts for No. 4 Johnny Cueto and No. 5 Josh Fogg. — Bryan, Dayton

A Indeed a novel idea. It might work for the short term, maybe a couple of times, but I'm certain it eventually would catch up with Arroyo. Even though he doesn't throw hard and has a fluid delivery, he is skinny and frail-looking and probably would run out of fuel. JTM burgers won't help, although strumming the guitar probably strengthens the wrist, right?

Q Based on the success of the young Reds players and the condition of the Reds farm system, do you think Dan O'Brien gets enough credit for its turnaround? — Randy, Fairfield

A Unfortunately, O'Brien's legacy was that stupid rule he put into the low minors that hitters had to take a strike before swinging. But he did some good work in drafts and rebuilding the farm system. Wayne Krivsky was doing nice work with the minors, too. But as I check the standings, the Reds are still in last place with a long way to go. Before we call this a turnaround, let's go farther down the road and wait at an intersection before we issue certificates of appreciation.

Q I see where Cubs fans are down on Alfonso Soriano. Why don't the Reds jump on him and send Ken Griffey Jr. to the Cubs, even up? — Roger, Riverside

A People, people, people. Listen up. Read my lips. I get the same comments every week here and on my blog about trading Griffey here, there and everywhere. Griffey can't be traded without his permission and as has been reported over and over and over again, Griffey told GM Walt Jocketty he doesn't want to be traded. End of story. As for Soriano, do you think the Cubs actually would trade him even-up for Griffey? I know Cubs GM Jim Hendry, and he is no doofus.

Q At least five times this year, Dusty has allowed a pitcher to hit, but then taken him out before the next half-inning starts. Why does he give the other team an automatic out? — Mark, Sun Valley, Calif.

A Actually, if there is a man on base and it is a sacrifice situation, that's not a bad idea. It saves pinch-hitters for later and more crucial situations. And if there are two outs and nobody on, why waste a pinch-hitter? It always depends on the situation. And we've all seen Aaron Harang gets hits and we saw Bronson Arroyo get a pinch-hit in San Diego. So pitchers aren't automatic outs, just semi-automatic.

Q I recall Corey Patterson signing a $500,000 contract in spring training when he was not on the 40-man roster. It went up to $3.5 million for some unknown reason when he made the team. Is it possible his contract may revert to $500,000 while he is at Louisville? — Mike, Cincinnati

A Patterson signed a $3.5 million contract up front. No $500,000. GM Wayne Krivsky was told, "Sign him no matter what it takes." Patterson has Scott Boras as an agent, the Master Inflater. He said Patterson's cost was $3.5 million, so $3.5 million it is. And that's another example of why baseball has a lopsided economy.

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