First let me apologize for trying to do this from my phone. Second he kind of makes since for the reds since I'm hearing some ex cardinal names that want to make me pule and Cody Ross who wants too much money. The reds need a power hitting left fielder with good defense and good speed and he fits that nicely. I don't think he would be too expensive because he is somewhat older (27 I believe) and could very likely become wily mo 2.0 What do you guys think? Feel like he would be a good fit?

Yardbarker recently posted about the 9 best free agents left in MLB. Link

There is definitely a few interesting names out there so go check it out.

Willy Aybar is especially interesting to me, Being only 27, decent pop, switch hitter,  and able to play all over the infield. wouldn't mind bringing him in on a minor league deal and seeing if he can take cairos spot. David eckstein also could do this but im not nearly as interested but perhaps Jocketty is still looking at old cardinals.

via www.tampabayraysfan.com

Jermaine Dye would also be interesting on a minor league deal to compete, who knows having his knowledge in arizona may help a young hitter or two.

Nothing too special out there but something to wrap your mind around, I know if I was a GM I would take a look at Aybar because of his versatility and a little pop. Plus id rather have him as Rolens backup then Cairo but that could just be my dislike for Cairo talking.

What do you guys think?

Ed note: With the lack of any original content this morning, this is as good as anything to talk about.

Word is he has been working out all off-season on his outfield defense. Apparently he has improved significantly and recognizes he is blocked.

When asked about a trade he became offended, saying he wants to remain in Cincinnati no matter what and that he has grown to enjoy the outfield.

Guess who he worked out with? none other than the enemy... Cardinal Jon Jay

He could be a significant improvement if his defense is AT LEAST as good(not that its good) as Gomes... What do you guys think?

Link to the story

Ive been hearing some interesting names possibly being available, Kemp and Greinke jump to the top of my list.

Werth and Dunn would be huge improvements in left but i dont see it happening. Dunn obviously had his shot here, and Werth would likely stay in philly

I see kemp bouncing back huge, especially in gabp and defensively in left. i would take him in heartbeat

greinke would solidify our already impressive rotation, but lets face it we need an ace. 5 number 2's is a nice rotation but only for the reg season. it hurts in the playoffs.

i dont know who would be available at ss but i wouldnt mind janish/cozart holding it down if we picked up kemp and greinke.

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I was at work today and to keep my brain occupied from the repetitiveness I often contemplate random sports situations. Todays thoughts: Man our AAA squad is loaded, That chick is freaking sexy, and i wonder how the bats would do in a series against the pirates?(not necessarily in that order)

So now that Ive returned to my house I decided to mess around on my computer to unwind a bit before I went to bed; I noticed Justins post of Reds vs Cubs and it reawakened the pirates/Bats thoughts. Well here we go..

Lets start by comparing positions

C. doumit vs denove advantage: Pirates
1B. Clement vs Alonso advantage: Bats
2B. valaika vs Iwamura advantage: Pirates
3B. Frazier vs LaRoche advantage: Bats
SS. Cedeno vs Cozart advantage: Bats
Lf. Milledge vs Francisco advantage: Bats
CF. McCutchen vs Heisey advantage: Pirates
RF. Jones vs Dorn/someone on a minor league contract advantage: Pirates

So 4 for each, a lot closer than I thought as i assumed that a Major league team would be the clear winner. I still have to give them the overall advantage because Jones and Doumit are huge improvements over their counterparts.

Now another question, If the Pirates offered their starting lineup for the bats starting lineup would you accept that trade? We would lose pretty much all of our non pitching prospects, but it would definitely push our big league club to the next level. With Doumit taking over the catching duties, McCutchen/Jones for LF. Iwamura and cedeno would take over the utility spots, LaRoche could wait in AAA and take over 3rd if Rolen gets hurt. The rest could be in AAA until we needed them. I know I would ( though I would talk to them and try to keep Cozart/Alonso and they could keep Milledge/Clement)

Thoughts? Ideas?

According to the fay,  the Reds may try him out in a mask. I think Its a GREAT idea to try him out there. If he could stick there, we would have the best hitting catcher in baseball. (Bryce Harper doesn't count yet) If he cant then no harm no foul. This kind of thinking out of the box is exactly what the reds need to be doing with our surplus of talent.

If your willing to test out Alonso there, why not try END and his cannon of an arm there as well? Ill post the quote from dusty after the jump

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