I wonder who else will be axed or traded, not re-signed, demoted?

Aureilla?
Griffey?
Kearns?
Ortiz?
LaRue?

LaRue is definately done. Too much money and Valentine can mash. I'd like to see them keep Aurellia but they're convinced Encarnacion is the future. Dump Kearns. I just don't see it anymore. He'll have to tear it up to beat out Willy Mo, can you say AAA?

If they can get a hold of 1 more good starter and a closer they'll really upgrade this team. That's not an easy thing to do, but if Lindner and O'Brien want to keep the fans remotely interested they're going to have to spend some more money in the offseason.

The Reds are at a point where it's been too long since they've competed for a division title or wild card. The Bengals were able to slide under the radar for a while but a change had to be made. We'll see how committed they are to winning soon enough. One bright spot for me was the fact that they went out and got Milton, Merker, Weathers, Weber (sucked and hurt but it was a nice try), and Aurellia. Maybe they'll giver FA's another shot.

Griffey can veto any trade so it's hard to say for sure if he'll be around. If a true contender came along, maybe he'd go, but I don't know for sure. I hope they keep him and trade Dunn. Dunn strikes out too much for my taste.

I really like Jason Larue, but I think you're right. Valentin is pretty good at the plate and behind it.

Aurilia has had a good second half, but he's probably gone.

I hope they can get something out of Casey. Here's what I'd like to see the line-up as next year:

Freel
Lopez
Griffey
Dunn - playing 1B
Wily Mo
Kearns
Valentin
Encarnacion

We'll see.

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"I may have even gone to a game or two this year if I was home. Glad I'm out here." - VBF ~ from Iraq.

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