[More Cowbell]

I'm with you on the Dunn situation. I wouldn't trade him just for the sake of dumping him. Maybe Krivsky was asking too much for a summer rental? I know $13 million isn't much, but you can't go into the FA market and think you are going to land significant talent in terms of starting pitching/bullpen help and throw that kind of money at Dunn as well and not raise the payroll.

Cantu is an interesting situation. Maybe the ownership is wanting to put some pressure on Encarnacion? Either way, if Cantu finds his swing again, he or whoever he takes the place of will make the bench stronger. I don't think Cantu platoons at 1B.

I really think Votto will be called up in September. Conine and maybe Stanton will go through a waiver trade to somebody. Hatteberg is the team's best hitter - he's staying. Good insurance to help with Votto at 1B. Don't forget about Jay Bruce either. He's made the jump to Louisville. He may get a good look come spring training. And the Reds are going to run Dumatrait, Livingston, Ramirez out there to see what they have and if they can contribute next season. Right now, I'd take Livingston over Belisle as the 5th starter.

I'm glad someone else sees it my way on the Dunn no-trade. It is just a really unusual situation, one where he was actually more valuable to the Reds (who can keep him in 2008 at a reasonable rate) than to any other team (who would have just had him for 2 months). Better to keep him and get the benefit of his 40 HR's and 100 RBI's than to give him away for nothing.

As far as Cantu, I will agree that he is talented, but I still don't know where he plays. I guess they could be trying to push EE, but I really think he just needs more time, and the club has always been too quick to demote him whenever he has a bad stretch. Maybe if Cantu shows he can hit, EE becomes trade bait?

Finally, I still think trading Hatteberg would have made the team better, because I think he is one guy that would have fetched a solid prospect in return. He doesn't seem to fit into the plans for next year, unless the club feels Votto is not ready to start full-time. I think Hatteberg is too talented to waste sitting on the bench all year, he would be more valuable to the team as a trading chip to bring in some bullpen help.

Finally, I would agree about Conine and Stanton, they should both pass through waivers. Conine is old, while Stanton is old and makes too much money. I would not mind if the club practically gave Stanton away. If someone made a waiver claim on him, just go ahead and stick them with his contract.