Josh Hamilton trade

[NPC Fanatic]

I've been a Reds fan since 1970 and I can tell you right now that this trade stinks. It has all of the earmarks of a typical knee-jerk trade to fill an immediate need. It reminds me of the dumb trades Atlanta used to make in the 70s. I guarantee you that in 3 years you'll wonder what happened to these guys (pitchers Volquez and Herrera) while Hamilton will be playing in the All-Star game. GOOD LUCK JOSH! (I hope someone gives me a Texas Rangers hat for Christmas)


Oh yeah......Merry Christmas!

 

[Wise One]

The key for this trade is Volquez. He was what the Reds wanted because they need every pitcher they can get their hands on. Hamilton was the feel good story of 2007 and I hope he turns into the monster that he could have been before all the drug problems. I don't think this was a bad deal for the Reds though.

 

[The_professor]

 

[Wise One]

Let's hope the guy's off the stuff, he sure played like it in 2007.

 

[Collin]

It was an absolutely idiotic trade for the Reds. Volquez has "stuff," but no ability to control it. He's had years to develop something resembling command and has yet to demonstrate any progress. And if they were going to deal someone, why not Dunn who will be a free agent next year instead of a guy the Reds could have kept cheaply for the next three seasons?

 

[Wise One]

The gospel according to Id.

 

[Collin]

The gospel according to Id.

Feel free to explain your disagreement, but I know that you can't. You make snarky comments because you're too ignorant to actually articulate a point. In fact, for someone who supposedly likes baseball, you sure don't know much at all about it. I'm guessing that you didn't even know who Edinson Volquez was, whereas I'd been aware of him since his "DVD" (you wouldn't have any idea what that means, so feel free to Google it and pretend you knew all along) days at Bakersfield.

 

[NPC Fanatic]

why not Dunn who will be a free agent next year instead of a guy the Reds could have kept cheaply for the next three seasons?

. I can see it now. Dunn will have one foot out the door, Griffey will be hurt again.

It's a shame. I thought that Hamilton was a great addition to an upcoming lineup of exciting young players that are definitely the future of the Reds: Brandon Phillps, Edwin Encarnacion, Joey Votto, and Jay Bruce. The signing of Cordero was a good move but this trade just looks like a mistake to me.

 

[Wise One]

Feel free to explain your disagreement, but I know that you can't. You make snarky comments because you're too ignorant to actually articulate a point. In fact, for someone who supposedly likes baseball, you sure don't know much at all about it. I'm guessing that you didn't even know who Edinson Volquez was, whereas I'd been aware of him since his "DVD" (you wouldn't have any idea what that means, so feel free to Google it and pretend you knew all along) days at Bakersfield.

There is no disagreement, I agree with everything I said. I'm wondering based on what you uttered, what was your point? Outfielders are a dime a dozen and pitchers are the most prized commodity in baseball, in particular to the Reds who have a desperate need for help. I actually talked with a scout who will remain nameless for another major league team back in September. He told me that it was his opinion that Hamilton would play in another uniform in 2008 because the Reds had to get some help on the mound. The word he used as I recall to describe their pitching depth was anemic. Google that, you bastard!!!

 

[Collin]

Outfielders are a dime a dozen and pitchers are the most prized commodity in baseball

Outfielders are a dime a dozen? How much of an idiot are you, really? Hamilton is no guarantee to stay healthy or clean, but his .922 OPS ranked 20th best in the major leagues. He has power, plate discipline, is cheap, and can play centerfield. Perhaps the only other player who can lay claim to all of those is B.J. Upton, as he's still on his draft contract. Yes, pitching is critical, but Volquez is not a proven starter. He is a huge gamble who is more likely to eventually end up in the bullpen than be a reliable member of the rotation.

The word he used as I recall to describe their pitching depth was anemic.

Either you're lying about talking to one or that guy was lying to you about being a scout, because no one who knew anything about baseball would be so ignorant as to be unaware of Homer Bailey and Johnny Cueto. Cueto in particular is ready for regular duty and will be a valuable member of the rotation next season. Add them to Harang, Arroyo, and Belisle (who pitched better than his ERA indicates) and you have a decent rotation. Volquez was absolutely not a need, as they already had other options who are better than him. If they were going to trade Hamilton for someone, it needed to be a pitcher who had already proven himself as a quality starter at the major league level, not a high risk/high reward guy with command issues. It was an unquestionably dumb move, and only your complete lack of baseball knowledge makes you think otherwise.