[Scotty doesn't know]

You're right about Arroyo getting bad run support and I'll give you the benefit of the doubt, but I wish they would've traded him to Atlanta this season when they had the chance. He has a sub .500 record for his career and has been pitching career highs in innings/starts the past two seasons and even suffered from a "tired arm" at least once this season. I don't think he's going to get much better, but he's still better than most on the Reds starting staff at this juncture.

I hope Johnny Cueto gets a look. I was surprised he didn't get a call up late in the year when the rotation was depleted.

To be honest though, I think the Reds will use Milton's $9 million on picking up Dunn's option and Hatteberg (forgot that he had one). There are no arms to sign from the FA market, so don't be surprised if the Reds ship some talent to get talent. You are not going to get a top-shelf starting pitcher from any team for Gonzo, Freel & Ross. It's gonna take giving up someone like Hamilton or Votto to fetch a top-shelf starting pitcher and that's what the Reds need at this point if they hope to contend. Why did the Cubs emerge this season? Ted Lilly (career year this season) and Rich Hill (2nd full season in the bigs) stepping up to aide Zambrano. Even Jason Marquis won 12 games this year and had his lowest ERA since 2005.

With Jay Bruce in the wings, Hamilton can be dangled as trade bait.

Nobody is going to take Junior. We're stuck with him and that's not so bad since he's in RF now. Plus, if Hamilton is dealt, you have a solid playmaker/leadoff man in Hopper and if the teams goes south by midseason, the Reds could ship Dunn away and bring up Bruce.

Gotta give good to get good...Hamilton or Votto may be packaged with other vets like Gonzo, Freel & Ross for a top-shelf pitcher and a throw-in reliever.

Can not sacrifice that young talent even if it would yield a good pitcher. Hamilton, Votto, Bruce and Kepp are the future, I do not see the Reds dealing them away.