Change of scenery

The Cincinnati Reds were hoping a healthy Alex Gonzalez would provide outstanding defense at SS with some pop. So far...not so good. They have gotten no productivity from SS this season. Oakland has 2 short stops and a good amount of young starting pitching...which means there will be many who don't make it in the bigs. Only a few project as possible front line starters. They also currently have a hole in the rotation due to Duscherer's injury.

The Oakland A's send Bobby Crosby and Gio Gonzalez to the Cincinnati Reds for Homer Bailey.

Bobby Crosby, once thought to be a future star, is blocked in Oakland by Orlando Cabrera and has worn out his welcome over the past few seasons. What better place to move for Crosby than the Great American Ballpark. He smacked 22 HR and won Rookie of the Year honors back in 2004. One could blame his falloff on any number of things...pitchers making adjustments, injuries, steroids, etc. However, he still plays above average defense and has power when healthy...enough to warrant a flier by the Reds. If Crosby comes back to form and hits 20-30 HR that gives Cinci a big boost to their lineup. Gonzalez is a nice, young, hard throwing lefty who could work his way into the middle of the Reds rotation or be an asset in the bullpen. It all depends on whether he can master his command. Bailey pitched miserably last season and couldn't wrestle the 5th starter spot away from Micah Owings this spring. It's time for a change of scenery.

Bailey was once one of the top prospects in baseball. According to scouts, he still has the raw stuff to be an ace. However, his lack of command and attitude problems have left him without a spot in Cinci. A move to the AL west to a large ballpark and some guaranteed starts could help Bailey reestablish himself as a premier young starter. Along with Brett Anderson, Trevor Cahill, Dana Eveland, Dallas Braden and Sean Gallagher, Oakland would have the potential for another stellar rotation for years to come. He is a low risk, high reward acquisition for Oakland. Crosby is not much of a loss as they had been trying to move him and have Cabrera playing a solid SS. Gonzalez was acquired in the Swisher deal with Chicago AL and has a great fastball. He struck out more than a batter per inning in Oakland last season. However, he doesn't have as high a ceiling as Bailey and it is worth the gamble for Oakland to gain a potential ace.