I've been trying to digest the Griffey trade and have come to the realization that I'm happy for the guy, but I'm upset simply because the dream that started in 2000 is now officially over.

So where do the Reds go from here?  Jocketty says we're going to continue to build depth, which, for me the average fan, means we're not going to get out of the NL dungeon for a few years.  Take a look at the recent free agent list.  I'm not optimistic.

After gathering in all the coverage yesterday, people seemed to think that we've done a great thing by dumping salary.  We still have to split Griffey's $2 million buyout, and the biggie - you still owe the guy the deferred money.  So does that come straight out of ownership's pocket, or is that included in payroll?  If it's part of the annual payroll budget, those that couldn't stand Griffey's chunk of change in the annual budget are going to have fodder for whining on talk radio for years to come.

If you look at the average age of available starting pitching, the Reds would be foolish to sign any of them past a one year deal (assuming they would land one).  There's not much in the way of quality center fielders that won't be tied to a team next year, so Jerry Hairston is looking like a lock.  Hopefully he can continue to produce.

So do you stick with Keppinger at short?  I think so.  Sure, he's average defensively - but the possibility of him hitting .300 brings something the Reds haven't had for years - a guy who has the potential to consistently get on base.  How many .300 hitters have we traded away for power (or nothing)?  The first that comes to mind was a quiet guy named Todd Walker.  He's a career .289 hitter who was solid defensively and gave you a quality at-bat.  We traded him in 2002 when he was hitting .299 in 155 games.  Who did we get in return?  Josh Thigpen and Tony Blanco.  Go figure.

Keep Keppinger.

Then there's Dunn.  I've been a huge critic for a long time, but you can't argue with his offensive numbers.  Think about his RBI output if we had guys who could consistently get on base.  If he doesn't want to stay here, then I'm in favor of letting him go with no love lost.  If he does stay, maybe this ownership can make good on the failed promises made to Griffey by the previous ownership by putting a team around him.

The Rays and Marlins are doing it with the two lowest payrolls in baseball - the Marlins at around $21 million!  Take a look at the Rays roster - a few names most people would recognize, but largely built with guys who just want to win.  We're not a team that can afford large, long-term contracts.  So let's not pretend to be something we aren't.

I'm going to enjoy watching major league baseball on TV for the rest of the season regardless of the outcome.  Then I'm going to keep my eyes and ears open in the offseason to see what Jocketty and the rest of the organization do.  In the end I have no real expectations for 2009, and that's the worst thing of all.