Let's say for one day only you get to be in charge of MLB, and are charged with the task of re-aligning the divisions. across MLB.

Rules:

1. You could switch any team to any league, but cities with 2 teams can't have both teams in the same league.

2.  There are 30 MLB Teams, so one league has to have 16 teams, and one has to have 14.  The leage with 16 teams goes 5-5-6, and the 14 team league goes 4-5-5.

3.  If you want, put your feelings about the DH in your response.

4.  Have fun with it.  If you want to put all the small market teams in a division, do it.  If you want to see if the Cubs, Yankees, Mets, and Red Sox can have a pissing match over who can spend the most, put them all in the same division.

Enjoy!

With another disappointing game last night, our beloved Redlegs fall to 1-4 on this roadtrip.  Had you asked Jay Bruce, myself or any other Reds fan last Wednesday night after the Reds swept the Astros,  we would have told you no way we drop 4 out of 5 to begin this trip.  Of course since last Sunday, we have lost our best hitter Joey Votto and our 2008 All Star Starting Pitcher,  Edinson Volquez (again) to the 15-Day DL.   Edwin Encarnacion remains atleast a couple weeks away.  Willy Taveras hasn't played with a leg injury, and when he was put in the lineup last night, he wasn't healthy enough to run down a flyball, and will not start again tonight.  One of the Reds' better hitters in May, Jerry Hairston Jr. has been out sick the first two games of the St. Louis Series.  Our available bench has consisted of light hitting  utility guys like Paul Janish and Wilkin Castillo, with the only viable threats being Jonny Gomes and Micah Owings.  Dusty is absolutely trying to do the best with what he has to work with, but let's face it....right now, it isn't a whole lot.  If the Reds are serious about winning in 2009, it's time to start looking to make a move.  We have heard it time and time again from Walt , "We are always looking for ways to improve our ball club".  As Slyde pointed out in this great post yesterday, we are getting terrible production from LF and 3B, and with Joey Votto out, you can expect a slide at 1B as well.

Need some trade options?  Here are my top 5:

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From the Excellent Reds Internal Affairs Blog by Reds Intern Jim Misudek:

LHP Bill Bray was examined today by Reds medical director Timothy Kremchek, who tomorrow will perform surgery on Bray's left elbow. Bray has been on Louisville's disabled list since April 16 with a strained left elbow.

Reds 1B Joey Votto became light-headed following yesterday's game at San Diego. Instead of flying home with the team, as a precautionary measure he was admitted for tests at Scripps Clinic at San Diego. He will be examined again in Cincinnati tomorrow. Votto missed 5 games last week with the flu and twice more left games with dizziness.

RHP Edinson Volquez today received treatment on his back without complaint. Volquez left Saturday's start with mild spasms in his mid-back. He is not expected to miss a start.

We knew about Bray, and it is encouraging Volquez won't miss a start.  The Joey Votto news is scaring the crap outta me.  Lets hope for some better news this time tomorrow.  Sounds like he must be a little bit better if they allowed him to fly back to Cincinnati today.  This team isn't the same wihout  #19 on the field. 

Anyone with any medical knowledge of the flu followed by dizzyness?  Is it a common thing, or is this something different?  I hope it was the heat in AZ that got to him after the flu, and it's taking him longer to get over it.  Maybe some type of inner-ear infection?

As I suspected  in the game wrap-up thread yesterday, Edwin Encarnacion has been diagnosed with a Bone Chip in his left wrist, and has been placed on the 15-Day DL.  He also is battling a right shoulder issue, that bothers him when throwing.  Adam Rosales has been called up, and should be available by game time tonight.

Let's hope EdE can get healthy , get some rest, and have a good rehab, and while he is away Rosales rakes in his absence. EdE battled a wrist problem in Spring Training, and you have to wonder and assume that's why he hasn't been all that good so far this year.  Other than his Grand Salami in Milwaukee, can anyone remember a hard hit ball of his bat?

Funny, John Fay had a quote from Dusty this afternoon that said Edwin "wasn't ban enough for DL".  Looks like it's a good thing the Reds poked him with Doc Kremchek's stick.

According to MLBTraderumors.com the Dodgers have Designated OF Delwyn Young for assignment.  They now have 10 days to trade or release him.  Delwyn had great Minor League numbers, but the Dodgers never have been able to fit him in their outfield at the MLB level with similar young talented guys like Matt Kemp and  Andre Either, and overpaid vets (Juan Pierre and Andruw Jones) blocking him.   He's played mostly LF in the minors, but also has played Right, 2nd, 3rd, and 1st. He was out of options, and with Manny, Pierre, Either, Kemp on the team they decided to release him.

Career Minors Line: (2,755 AB's)  .303/.362/.515

Career MLB Line:  (165 AB's)  .267/.331/.394

I would think his switch-hitting stick, would be a lot more valuable over the course of the full season than Laynce Nix or Darnell McDonald.   Get it done Walt.