Don't trade Arroyo, and Dunn for AA players. All of you "experts" that think you're going to get future stars for them are delusional. They couldn't trade Dunn last year for top prospects. And Toronto GM Ricciardi  said what many fans and probably GMs  thought about Dunn. Hits homers, but strikes out a lot, low batting average and displays little "passion" for winning baseball games. Oh, and he forgot to say, Dunn is horrible batting with runners in scoring position.  Oops, he also forgot to say Dunn is a liability in the outfield.  Don't take this is an anti-Dunn rant, I'm just saying he's not going to get you another team's top prosepect. (Here's Doc's column arguing that we should sell now.  Note he doesn't extend a caveat that if you are only offered junk, the Reds should stand pat..)

     Speaking of top prospects, remember Drew Hensen, Brandon Claussen, and Wily Mo Pena?  All were former Yankeee farmhands. Top prospects too.  And at one time, they were property of the Reds.  Hensen is out of baseball and flinging footballs. Last time I looked ,Claussen was in the Nationals' farm system.  Pena is hurt but never reached the superstar status that a five tool player is exepected to.  So what is the point?  Relying on prospects is a crapshoot.  Because even the best prospects don't pan out.  If you get only AA players for Dunn or Arroyo do you really think the  Reds will have quality players for the major league club?   You don't know.  Even if you got a quality AA player, he won't be ready next year, and maybe not the next. After our  failed trades with the Yankkes, do you really want to trade Dunn to them for junk?  And, Reds' Nation how are the Pirates doing and how have they done?   

    Paul Daugherty told me, dealing Dunn and Arroyo is not waving the white flag.  HUH?  So, does he think that if you trade those two, the Reds have a better chance to win this year? Of course not, so you're giving up on 2008.  Wow, Doc and Shotgun sound like Reds' management in 1998, 2003 and 2007 etc. "We're building for the future." And if the future never comes?  Oh, by the way, who plays for Dunn and Arroyo if they're gone?  A Lookout, a Dragon? 

    I agree with both that the Reds' chances of making the playoffs this year are not looking good. They are too inconsistent to get there. But this team has more talent than last year's team and  more than the one in 2006 when the Reds looked like they had a chance. If you're not going to get top prospects, I say let's go with what we have for this year.  I say to Doc and Shotgun, don't fear success. HOPE IS NOT A DIRTY WORD.  REMEMBER THE 1973 REDS. As they said in the movie, "Major League",  I hope the Reds win the whole bleeping thing and make the "experts" eat a bleepburger.     

      (Drew Hensen, 3b.  At least he looks good with a bat.)