would you trade within the division?

[toddthebod]

Reports in Cincy that they are looking for a catcher and Freel might be the bait.

http://frontier.cincinnati.com/blogs/redsinsider/2008/03/rumors-mill.asp

The Astros could trade Loretta to the Orioles for whichever prospect they can get back and trade Quintero to the Reds for Freel.

Freel has a couple of advantages over Loretta.  (1) He plays the infield as well as the outfield, which makes him more valuable as a supersub.  (2) He has the ability to steal bases.  Assuming that the Astros do not keep Abercrombie on the roster, there is little speed on the bench (Cruz?  Erstad?)  Freel is also signed for 2009, which isn't a terrible thing. 

[Matt]

Heard the Reds might trade Belisle too.

[Lefty]

Struggled last year, don't know if he was injured, but is having a great spring.  I'd have to think it'd take more than Q to get him, but trading bench guys withing the division shouldn't be a problem.  So, yeah, Q for Freel?  In a second.

[mihoba]

Let's see, Freel is piss ant #3? Or is it #4? There has been so many over the years, I lose count.

He would be nice to have on the bench.

[toddthebod]

I'd have to think it'd take more than Q to get him

I would have thought the same as well.  But I can't see a lot of teams trading a front-line catcher for Freel.  And the article says that Freel is essentially the bait for a backup for Ross who may be injured.  So who knows.

[jonbloozy]

Freel has a couple of advantages over Loretta.  (1) He plays the infield as well as the outfield, which makes him more valuable as a supersub.  (2) He has the ability to steal bases.  Assuming that the Astros do not keep Abercrombie on the roster, there is little speed on the bench (Cruz?  Erstad?)  Freel is also signed for 2009, which isn't a terrible thing. 

I still like Loretta.  If Coop makes the cuts I think he will, we will still have decent coverage for the OF.  I see Loretta spending the majority of his backup time at 2B, if need be.  Even at SS, Loretta has more experience than Freel.

[JimR]

this team needs pitching. forget the rest.

[Mr. Happy]

this team needs pitching. forget the rest.

Agreed wholeheartedly.

I really like Loretta.

[Andyzipp]

this team needs pitching. forget the rest.

So I don't suppose we need to ask your opinon on Quintero for Belisle...

[JimR]

So I don't suppose we need to ask your opinon on Quintero for Belisle...

i'd love to get him, of course. he'd love it too. Q for Belisle and ?

[Taras Bulba]

i'd love to get him, of course. he'd love it too. Q for Belisle and ?

Johnny Bench.

[MusicMan]

I hear they're down on Homer Bailey.  We'll take him too.

[David in Jackson]

this team needs pitching. forget the rest.

I agree - I thought this thread would be about getting a starter from the Brewers.

[Froback]

I hear they're down on Homer Bailey.  We'll take him too.

Why do you tempt the animals, I mean Clarks, this way?

[JimR]

Heard the Reds might trade Belisle too.

who or what said Matt is available?

[Lefty]

who or what said Matt is available?

http://frontier.cincinnati.com/blogs/redsinsider/2008/03/rumors-mill.asp

[JimR]

http://frontier.cincinnati.com/blogs/redsinsider/2008/03/rumors-mill.asp

ok, thanks. that's just some poster, not a source.

[Lefty]

ok, thanks. that's just some poster, not a source.

I'm an idiot, pasted the wrong link.  But you're right...there's not much if anything to this.  "Blog reader passing along a summary of a radio interview with Jeff Brantley" is a hell of a source.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/03/reds-seek-catch.html

[JimR]

I'm an idiot, pasted the wrong link.  But you're right...there's not much if anything to this.  "Blog reader passing along a summary of a radio interview with Jeff Brantley" is a hell of a source.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/03/reds-seek-catch.html

wonder if they are scouting Q.

[MusicMan]

If Dusty really does like Barrett, then Q is not his kind of catcher.

[pravata]

If Dusty really does like Barrett, then Q is not his kind of catcher.

You mean sane don't you.

[MusicMan]

Sane, male, and competent behind the plate.

[Matt]

who or what said Matt is available?

It was probably the same source that I read.  They mentioned Brantley but it was on mlbtraderumors.com.  Grain of salt and such.

[JimR]

my source says there is nothing to any of this Reds talk at the moment.