Extra Points

Just a couple things to think about as you wonder if the Reds are going to end 2007 without another major move. I was listening to Marty and Thom do the Reds Hot Stove League last night and they talked about the obvious things; steriods, Joe Nuxhall, trades, etc. Marty did make one interesting point, he voiced his concern about the Reds lack off a leadoff hitter. It is easy to look at the line up and think that the Reds are set and possibly over-set at each position. But, while it's nice to give Josh Hamilton 5 at bats each game, he is a prototypical three hole hitter. And don't give me the Norris Hopper noise, I like Hopper, I really do, but he is most valuable to the Reds as a bench guy (I watched first hand as he beat the D-Backs with an 8th inning pinch hit). Even if Hopper were starting he's more of a 7th or 8th spot guy. Unfortunately, this need usually gets over looked. It is certainly not as important as another starter, but just think if they had a .400+ obp guy who could steal 50 bases hitting ahead of Phillips, Hamilton, Dunn, and Griffey. The only thing the Reds would possibly do about this problem would be start Jay Bruce. Grady Sizemore very successfully leads off for the Indians and one unnamed scout from an American League team said Jay Bruce is a lot like Sizemore, just better, at everything. Also I read on ESPN.com that a beat writer for the Baltimore Orioles said that a deal for Erik Bedard most likely will happen, but not until January. There have been reports that the Reds will use Edinson Volquez, the new pitcher they got for Josh Hamilton, as another piece to acquire Bedard. If Volquez/Votto/and Bailey is on the table for Erik Bedard I'm not sure what Baltimore is waiting for. Tomorrow I will look deeper into the Hamilton trade.