Yes I am an NIU, but believe it or not I am a Reds fan also.
here are my thoughts on the trade:
This teams bullpen has probably cost out somewhere around 10 games, and it was only getting worse. In the beginning of the year Coffey and Weathers were getting people out, in the middle Coffey and Hammond where doing a decent job, but for about the lst month there was not 1 pitcher who you could count on to get people out. It was amazingly bad.
Kearns was a power hitting outfielder who Ks alot. We have 2 of those. Deno and Freel will bring a contact/speed game which is something we need. He is a player who in his 5 years has never played over 112 games, and at this point in his career has been a bust.
I loved (in a normal way) Felipe. He and Edwin were/are my favorite players. However he is the worst defense SS in baseball and has a pedestrian OPS. Before last year he had never hit over .260, and he is going back down to career norms this year.
We are one of the best offensive teams in baseball and one of the worst bullpen/defensive teams in baseball. Wayne traded a strength for a need. To get good pitching (especially relief) you are going to have to give up better hitters. Pitchers have so much more value then pitchers do.
Look at the guys we acquired. Bray is a 23 year old rookie who was pitching damn well for the Natties. This kid could be a staple in our bullpen. Majewski is a guy with a rubber arm he has a solid ERA this year, and a good one for his career. He also is 26 years old. Combine the both and if you can get just 6 innings out of your starters (we have been getting more from Arroyo and Harang) and you have a lead, you have a very good chance at winning.
Just look at last night. Up 9-3 going to the 9th,and Eddy has to come in to get a save. That should never happen. We did our best job after having a 9-0 lead in Atlanta trying to blow that. Go back to Detroit where Weathers blew the save, and Pujols walk off in May. You can raddle of a countless amount of games that the bullpen has blown.
Royce was probably the least important player on this deal. Listen there was no way we were going to contend with Lopez/EE/Dunn playing on the left side. With Clayton/Castro you can hide some of Edwin's growing pains on the defensive side of the ball (i think he will develop into a good defensive player) with good defensive SS. It almost came down to having to deal Lopez or Edwin. Edwin is already a better hitter then Felipe, and is going to develop into a better fielder. Wayne made the right move on who he traded.
And that doesn't even mention Thompson and Harris who are 2 of their better prospects.
We probably gave up more "talent", but who knows if AK and FeLo will ever live up to it. We filled 2 glaring needs, and I honestly think we a better team then we were 24 hours ago.
Also I suggest everyone check out this thread on redszone.
http://www.redszone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48584
