Next Steps?

Dan Haren is gone (to Arizona) and with each passing day it seems that Erik Bedard is getting further and further out of reach. The fact that Haren fetched six player doesn't really bode well for the Reds' attempt to acquire Bedard. Although they have a decent haul to offer (Homer Bailey, Joey Votto/ Josh Hamilton, and another prospect), it would be difficult and possibly wasteful for the Reds to find six guys to send to Baltimore. Nashville native and Kentucky alum, Joe Blanton is the new name on the block. It is not completely clear whether A's GM Billy Beane is willing to part with Blanton, but everyone has a price. Blanton's price would be considerably lower than that of Haren and Bedard. If the Reds could pull off a deal for Blanton without Homer Bailey and Johnny Cueto this would be the best offseason of my life. It may not be possible, but perhaps Joey Votto paired with Josh Hamilton or Edwin Encarnacion and a prospect or two could entice Oakland. Josh Hamilton would be a huge upgrade over Mark Kotsay in centerfield, Eddie would be an affordable replacement to a soon-to-be-traded Eric Chavez, and while Daric Barton has high hopes in Oakland, Joey Votto would certainly play over Travis Buck in left field. I'm not sure I would do it, but if the Reds were to offer Homer Bailey up for Joe Blanton this deal could get done in no time. While Blanton is a horse (230 innings last season), he really isn't an ace, in fact the Reds would probably place him after Bronson Arroyo. It's a tough call trading a prized prospect for a known commodity. If it were straight up Blanton for Bailey I think I'd do it. Keeping Eddie is important because he's a righty and young, keeping Hamilton is important because he can play right next year when Jay Bruce is full-time centerfielder, and keeping Votto is important because Scott Hatteberg won't be playing forever. It will be interesting to see what happens. I know Wayne Krivsky wants to acquire another starter, but I also appreciate him not dealing away the team's future for one guy.