C: Devin Mesoraco

1B: Yonder Alonso

2B: Brandon Phillips

3B: Edwin Encarnacion

SS: Neftali Soto

LF: Joey Votto

CF: Drew Stubbs

RF: Jay Bruce

Subs:

Jeff Keppinger

Juan Francisco

Paul Janish

Ryan Freel

Todd Frazier

David Ross

No. 1. Starter: C.C. Sabathia

No. 2 Starter: Aaron Harang

No. 3 Starter: Edinson Volquez

No. 4 Starter: Bronson Arroyo

No. 5 Starter: Johnny Cueto

Bullpen:

Middle Relief: Homer Bailey

No. 1: Jared Burton

No. 2: Bill Bray

No. 3: Mike Lincoln

No. 4: Danny Herrera

No. 5 Daryl Thompson

No. 6: Dallas Buck

Closer: Francisco Cordero

Since the Reds drafted Alonso 7th overall in the first round of this years MLB Draft, I haven't heard much about him. All I knew is everyone was worried he would ask for too much money, but then others said he absolutely looked stellar with a wood bat this past summer in the Cape Cod League.

I read a few people saying if the Reds signed him he had a chance at making it to the bigs this season, obviously thats out of the question now. Still, does anyone know anything about Alonso or having any update on his current status with the Reds? I was and still am very excited about seeing him playing first for the Reds and Votto in the outfield. The only way were going to see that happen is if he gets in our farm system already, so whats the low down?

Let me know as soon as possible, it is vital to my life, I watched Yonder Alonso play in all his college World Series ESPN 2 games with the Miami Hurricanes and I don't want that aluminum bat watching boredom to be for nothing!

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According to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan, the Reds may pursue Rangers' outfielder Nelson Cruz to replace Ken Griffey Jr. in right field.

Cruz, 28, is hitting a ridiculous .345/.436/.716 with 37 home runs in 97 minor league games.  Of course, this is his fourth shot at Triple A.

Rangers to to Marlins about Lairs, and Reds about Cruz
by T.R. Sullivan, MLB.com
If the Reds trade Ken Griffey Jr. to the White Sox then they could go after Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz, who is tearing up Triple A Oklahoma but is blocked at the big league level. The Rangers could also try to move outfielder Marlon Byrd and make room for Cruz. The Rangers are still talking to the Marlins about catcher Gerald Laird. The Reds are also interested. (posted at 1:49 pm)

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Hey Rangers fans, I wrote an article that I posted on Red Reporter about the uneven division sizes in Major League Baseball, a dilemma which effects NL Central fans the most by putting us at a disadvantage at the start of every season (in comparison to every other team in Major League Baseball). In my mind its an outrage but I would love for you guys to check it out, drop a vote in, or even make a comment! I would really love to hear Rangers fans take on this dilemma because in my opinion the only way to fix the imbalance is by moving the Houston Astros to the NL West and the Arizona Diamond Backs to the AL West, making every division in Major League Baseball have 5 teams.

Thanks!

AL West and NL Central: Imbalanced and Unfair

by Brent Beck

Hey Mariners fans, I wrote an article that I posted on Red Reporter about the uneven division sizes in Major League Baseball, a dilemma which effects NL Central fans the most by putting us at a disadvantage at the start of every season (in comparison to every other team in Major League Baseball). In my mind its an outrage but I would love for you guys to check it out, drop a vote in, or even make a comment! I would really love to hear Mariners fans take on this dilemma because in my opinion the only way to fix the imbalance is by moving the Houston Astros to the NL West and the Arizona Diamond Backs to the AL West, making every division in Major League Baseball have 5 teams.

Thanks!

AL West and NL Central: Imbalanced and Unfair

by Brent Beck

Hey D'Backs fans, I wrote an article that I posted on Red Reporter about the uneven division sizes in Major League Baseball, a dilemma which effects NL Central fans the most by putting us at a disadvantage at the start of every season (in comparison to every other team in Major League Baseball). In my mind its an outrage but I would love for you guys to check it out, drop a vote in, or even make a comment! I would love to hear the perspective of any Diamond Back fan on this matter because in my opinion, the only way to fix this imbalance and make it fair for the teams and fans in the NL Central is to move the Diamond Backs to the AL West.

Thanks!

AL West and NL Central: Imbalanced and Unfair

by Brent Beck

Hey Astros fans, I wrote an article that I posted on Red Reporter about the uneven division sizes in Major League Baseball, a dilemma which effects NL Central fans the most by putting us at a disadvantage at the start of every season (in comparison to every other team in Major League Baseball). In my mind its an outrage but I would love for you guys to check it out, drop a vote in, or even make a comment! I would really love to hear Astros fans take on this dilemma because in my opinion the only way to fix the imbalance is by moving the Houston Astros to the NL West and the Arizona Diamond Backs to the AL West.

Thanks!

AL West and NL Central: Imbalanced and Unfair

by Brent Beck

Hey Pirates fans, I wrote and article that I posted on Red Reporter about the uneven division sizes in Major League Baseball, a dilemma which effects NL Central fans the most by putting us at a disadvantage at the start of every season (in comparison to every other team in Major League Baseball). In my mind its an outrage but I would love for you guys to check it out, drop a vote in, or even make a comment!

Thanks!

AL West and NL Central: Imbalanced and Unfair

by Brent Beck

The American League West is one of three divisions in Major League Baseball's American League. The division currently has four teams, but it has had as many as seven teams before the 1994 realignment. Although its teams currently only reside along the west coast and in Texas, historically the division has had teams as far east as Chicago. It is the only division in Major League baseball to have only four teams in one division. The defending champion of the AL West Division is the Los Angeles Angels. Current members:

1. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim - Founding member (as California Angels)
2. Oakland Athletics - Founding member
3. Seattle Mariners - Joined in 1977 as an expansion team
4. Texas Rangers - Joined in 1972; formerly of AL East (Washington Senators)

The National League Central is one of three divisions in Major League Baseball's National League. The division currently has six teams. It was created in 1994, merging teams from the NL West (Cincinnati, and Houston) and NL East (Chicago, Pittsburgh, and St. Louis) divisions of the National League. In 1998 it became the largest division in Major League Baseball, with the addition of a sixth member (Milwaukee). The defending champion of the NL Central Division is the Chicago Cubs. Current members:

1. Chicago Cubs - Founding member; formerly of the NL East
2. Cincinnati Reds - Founding member; formerly of the NL West
3. Houston Astros - Founding member; formerly of the NL West
4. Milwaukee Brewers - Joined in 1998; formerly of the AL Central
5. Pittsburgh Pirates - Founding member; formerly of the NL East
6. St. Louis Cardinals - Founding member; formerly of the NL East

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Ron Artest set for deal to Rockets

Bobby Jackson, first-round pick to go to Sacramento

By JONATHAN FEIGEN
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle
July 29, 2008, 7:09PM

In what had been a quiet offseason, the Rockets are about to make a lot of noise.

In a stunning move designed to push the Rockets from solid playoff team toward legitimate NBA contenders, the Rockets reached agreement Tuesday with the Sacramento Kings to acquire gifted but controversial forward Ron Artest, according to an NBA executive with knowledge of the deal.

The Rockets will give up guard Bobby Jackson, a No. 1 draft pick next season and another player that the individual with knowledge of the trade could not name. Rockets general manager Daryl Morey could not be immediately reached for comment.

Because of contract considerations, the trade will not be announced until Aug. 14, though that would indicate the deal could include Rockets first round draft pick DonteM Greene. Greene is not permitted to be traded until then, one month from when he signed with the Rockets.

There could also be other players involved to make the money match but none that the Rockets would plan to keep. The Rockets will also send the Kings cash in excess of $1 million.

Artest, 28, is considered one of the NBAs most unpredictable characters and was the central figure in a 2004-05 brawl with fans in Auburn Hills, Mich. He is also considered among the leagues toughest lock-down defenders and sometimes, an unstoppable offensive force.

The 39 points he scored against the Rockets in 2006-07 season are his career high.

A 6-7, 248 pound forward, he had publicly lamented his decision last month not to opt out of the last season of his contract to become a free agent, renewing the Kings efforts to move him.

Artest played 40 games for Rockets coach Rick Adelman after he was traded by the Indiana Pacers to the Kings in the 2005-06 season, averaging 16.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and a career-high 4.2 assists. He was also a first-team NBA All-Defensive team selection. He offered to donate his salary if the Kings were willing to retain Adelman after that season.

In nine NBA seasons out of St. Johns, where he was a third-team All-American, Artest has averaged 16 points and 5.1 rebounds. He was the 2003-04 NBA Defensive Player of the Year. He averaged 20.5 points per game last season.

Artest, however, has been unable to stay clear from trouble. He was arrested in March 2007 and charged with domestic abuse and eventually sentenced to 20 days in jail and community service. That sentence was reduced to 10 days in a work release program. He had also been charged with animal neglect, though charges were not filed and Artest has since worked with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals on several campaigns.

In addition to his 73-game suspension after going into the stands in the Nov. 19, 2004 brawl (the longest suspension in NBA history other than for drug policy violations or gambling), he has been suspended for destroying a television camera in New York, for an altercation with then Heat coach Pat Riley in Miami and for numerous flagrant fouls.

Drafted by the Chicago Bulls in 1999, he was traded in 2002 to the Pacers, having some of his best seasons, including his one All Star season in 2003-04. Prior to the fight in 2004, he was suspended for two games for asking for a month off to promote an R&B album by a group on his production label.

After his return to the Pacers the season after the fight, he asked for a trade and was placed on the inactive roster.

Though Artest has been best used as a small forward, Rockets forward Shane Battier is also considered among the leagues best players at defending small forwards and shooting guards. But because Artest can defend players from small guards to power forwards, the Rockets could finish games with Artest and Battier on the court together, either with Tracy McGrady sliding over to point guard or with Artest matching up with power forwards.

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