So on Friday my wife and I were joined at GABP by my father and stepmother, as well as my mother (they still remain good friends). It was just my father and stepmothers second time there, and this would be my mother's first visit (lives in Tucson, Arizona).

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per Sheldon:

The Reds previously said they were done making moves because of being at their payroll limit. But they might not be finished after all.

Bench depth is still a need and a source told MLB.com that the Reds are interested in veteran outfielder Luis Gonzalez. In recent weeks, Gonzalez and his agent also made strong overtures that he would like to play for Cincinnati.

"We're still looking to improve our bench and find the right guys. He's a guy we like," Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said when asked about Gonzalez. "We're exploring every option and if the right fit comes around, we'll take a look at it."

If he's cheap, the go for it. Gonzalez was hands down my favorite player when i lived in Arizona. He's a great guy and a good clubhouse guy. However, I don't know how much he has left in him.

Per MLBTradeRumors.com, Sean Casey has called it quis ....

Rob Bradford of WEEI.com has reported that Sean Casey has signed on with the MLB Network, making his retirement official.

Casey, 34, hit .322/.381/.392 in 218 plate appearances for the Red Sox in 2008. Casey finishes his career with a .302 lifetime batting average.

While it was depressing to see him go to first the pirates, then the tigers, then the red sox, at least he got some playoff fun. the bonus is that now i get to see him on the MLB Network.

Per MLBTradeRumors.com ... Assuming he'd even think about coming here, would you bite on that. i'd say that's one hell of a deal .... Fire up the heated debate ... would you bite on this deal. I would say yes. To get what we got from Arizona and still get Dunn at that price seems to put it over the top for me. The big bat market has just been horrible this year. So, what do you think?

link

per baseballsimccentral .... they seem surprised. reactions? a large part of me wants to see him stay here for next year. while he does have his frustrating moments, he still has a rock solid ERA and provides a leadership presence in the bullpen. plus, according to the site, he's only owed $610 K. unless we can get someething outstanding, why not keep him here.

he's a free agent after this year though. do you think he will be resigned if we do keep him?

link

TEAM TARGETS REDS CATCHER DAVID ROSS

Although the catching market is thin, the Marlins are looking at Cincinnati Reds catcher David Ross as a trade possibility.

Ross, who primarily has been a backup for most of his seven major-league seasons, is hitting .247 with one home run in 89 at-bats this season.

But Ross, 31, a former University of Florida player, is serviceable and relatively inexpensive ($2.52 million this season with a club option in 2009 for $3.5 million).

He is a career .224 hitter, but hit 21 home runs in 2006 and 17 last year in the cozy confines of Great American Ball Park. Over his career, Ross has a 38 percent rate throwing out runners trying to steal.

The Marlins are less interested in Colorado's Yorvit Torrealba, Washington's Paul Lo Duca and Kansas City's Miguel Olivo.

saw this at mlbtraderumors.com ...

we don't really have anyone waiting in the wings, so i'd rather keep ross.