GM for a Day

Cueto deserved a better fate on Monday.
AP Photo/Jeff Roberson

Another lackluster series for the Reds. Granted, most of that was due to Edinson Volquez's inability to pitch with anything near a level of competency and a bullpen implosion tonight. Monday night's 1-0 loss was a game between two masterful aces in Chris Carpenter and Johnny Cueto. The Reds lost on a squibber down the third base line where Rolen made an unbelievable play to just knock the ball down and have a chance at throwing the runner out. He couldn't, the Cardinals scored, and the Reds lost. That game would have been a lot different, though, if Lance Berkman is in right, instead of Jon Jay. Berkman has no shot at making this play, as well as this one. Bruce's fly ball would have been a home run, and the Reds probably win the game. Tough game to lose, but it happens. Ask Chris Carpenter. On April 14th, 2006, he pitched a beauty of game, giving up one run on 4 hits in 8 innings against the Reds. That one run was a bloop single into center field by Reds pitcher Aaron Harang. The Reds won, 1-0. It happens.

Watching Volquez get lit up, though, is absolutely unacceptable. It's incomprehensible how they can continue to run him out there. It's unwatchable. And like the Indians' series, the offense was tough to watch, too. They looked bad against Carpenter, and even worse the following night against Jaime Garcia. Also like the Indians' series, they rebounded to rev up the offense in the finale, in an attempt to salvage a game, and successfully doing so. But this isn't about salvaging anymore. The Reds have to start winning series. Now. Coincidentally or not, the Reds won Sunday's finale and jumped out big tonight, before blowing the lead and having to win it in extras, with Chris Heisey starting. He happened to homer in both games, and seemed to ignite the offense. Maybe he is the key to getting the offense kick started. Maybe he isn't. But you won't find out until he plays every day. What we do know is that Drew Stubbs striking out 118 times isn't going to ignite the offense.

This plays into my real topic. What can Walt Jocketty do to fix this team? Eighty-eight games into the season, the Reds are still stuck in the mud at 44-44. They aren't going to pull themselves out of their own rut. That's a fact considering they were 15-15 and then 30-30. There needs to be some outside help, and here's what I would do:

We've seen quite enough of this from Volquez.
Associated Press/Jeff Roberson

1. Designate Edinson Volquez for assignment. I don't know if he is finished or not. I don't know if he will ever be an All Star again. I do know that he shouldn't be given that chance in Cincinnati. They have given him every opportunity for just about a year now, and has failed miserably. From getting blown up in start after start this year and in July/August last year, to the Opening Day and Playoff failures, it's time to throw in the towel. Call up Dontrelle Willis to start in his place. Let's find out if he can regain some resemblance of the form he once had in Florida. If he can't, no harm done. He probably isn't any worse than Volquez. You then let him go, and get Wood back up here.

2. If Willis and Wood both fail, or Bronson Arroyo, who pitched fairly well against St. Louis tonight until late in the game, cannot get it together in the second half, it's time to make a deal for a starting pitcher. A Dodgers starter would be easiest to pry away, because of their bankruptcy situation. He's not great, but someone like Ted Lilly could slot in and give the Reds innings and quality starts in the second half. Trading Yasmani Grandal and Todd Frazier should net a solid middle of the rotation starter. However, I expect Arroyo to get it together in the second half of the season, so it will be down to Willis and Wood. If they fail, time to go get someone.

3. Send Paul Janish to Louisville. I've never liked Janish. If you know me, you know that. I love guys that play good defense, but if they don't hit a lick, there's some issues. This wouldn't be a problem if the Reds were getting solid production out of center field, left field, and third base. But they aren't. Those spots have been up and down, and it makes the light hitting Janish stick out like a sore thumb. Time to go. Especially since this is the easiest fix the organization can make. Renteria is hitting better than Janish, so Paul has to go. Get Zack Cozart up here and let's find out if he can hit. If he can't, then you have to find someone outside of the organization. My guess, though, is he will be much better than Janish with the bat. That would be huge, especially considering Janish isn't playing tremendous defense right now anyway.

4. Send Drew Stubbs to Louisville. He's got to figure out how to shorten that swing and drive the ball into right field again. Stubbs is too talented to continue to struggle like this. The strikeouts are unacceptable. He simply has to put the ball in play, end of story. I'd play Heisey every day in center for a month to find out if he can be an everyday player. My guess is you will find out he is worthy of an everyday spot.

He's not a big name, but the one time Red could help this team.
San Francisco Chronicle

5. Trade Ramon Hernandez to the Giants for Cody Ross straight up. Look, I don't know if the Giants would do this. And I love Ramon. He's a great player, and has been wonderful for this team since coming over here. I don't want to trade him, but he has far more value than Ryan Hanigan. Plus, the catching position is a spot where the Reds are blessed. Yasmani Grandal and Devin Mesoraco are both top prospects, and Mesoraco is probably ready for the Major Leagues now. Cody Ross, meanwhile, is a fine player who can hit the ball out of the ballpark, hit for a decent average, be patient, and drive the ball into the gap. I like him. He also can play all three outfield spots, and hit in the clutch last year in the playoffs. The Giants might be willing to deal him because it would open up a spot for them to play Nate Schierholtz in right, since they are stacked with outfielders. They trade away a luxury for a need, because of the injury to Buster Posey, with the acquisition of Ramon. Then, Cincinnati can stick Ross in left for the rest of the season, and let Jonny Gomes go, who does less for the club than Fred Lewis. Call up Mesoraco and let him play pretty much everyday.

6. Lastly, fix the lineup. Tonight's lineup against St. Louis was pretty much what I'd like to see. Here's my lineup:

1. Chris Heisey CF
2. Cody Ross LF
3. Joey Votto 1B
4. Brandon Phillips 2B
5. Jay Bruce RF
6. Scott Rolen 3B
7. Devin Mesoraco C
8. Zack Cozart SS

Of course, as much as I'd like to believe that these moves will work, I have absolutely no idea if they will, or not. I don't think the Reds will jeopardize too much of the future with these, however. A Jose Reyes deal would be far too much. If the Reds don't make a trade for a pitcher, and only deal Hernandez, I think the team wins overall. They get to play their top prospect everyday, and get a better left fielder. Nonetheless, as I have previously postulated, I'm quite afraid this team may be running out of time anyway. And are destined to miss October. Tonight's disastrous finish to the game, whatever the outcome may be, has almost certainly highlighted that.