Hold On A Second

John Fay, Reds beat writer, reported the end of last week that a deal between the Reds and Orioles involving Erik Bedard and Homer Bailey is still on the table. Fay mentions that Joey Votto and another prospect would be involved. Since the Orioles completely suck and have a need at basically every position you may be able to insert Edwin Encarnacion or Josh Hamilton in place of Joey Votto. With that being said I think I'll take this opportunity to change my stance on Joey Votto and Josh Hamilton. It seems there are more than a few in the Reds organization who believe Josh Hamilton would best serve the team as trade bait. Is Hamilton ever going to be able to really fully recover athletically? I'll say now that Hamilton at 27 in May, with the questions is on the same trade plain with Joey Votto at 23. With Jay Bruce and to a lesser extent Chris Dickerson waiting for their opportunities at the majors, even with his extreme abilities,Hamilton could be traded. Back to Bedard. If the Reds could pull this deal off by sending Homer Bailey, Votto (or Eddie or Hamilton), and a minor leaguer that isn't Bruce or Johnny Cueto I'd be pleased as punch. I would then, reasonably would expect Bob Castellini to pony up the money to keep Bedard in Cincy for several years. These two things would have to happen (no Cueto and no Bruce and extension) for me to support this trade. I think if the Reds are man enough it could happen. Votto and Bailey give the Orioles two big pieces to sell their fans and trade in four years. And imagine the rotation for the Reds. Aaron Harang, Erik Bedard, Bronson Arroyo, Matt Belisle, and Johnny Cueto. If a team would have to face Harang and Bedard to open a series they would strike out so many times that by the time game three rolls around Arroyo would be able to confuse hitters to no end. With a line up of (assuming Hamilton is the one moved) Jay Bruce leading off (for lack of a better option), Brandon Phillips two, Adam Dunn, Eddie, Griffey Jr. Alex Gonzalez, Joey Votto, and David Ross catching. Merged with an improved bullpen I like this team's chances in a league that produced the Colorado Rockies in 2007.