Young for Encarnacion

[Goose]

Man I like Encarnacion...if someone could teach him the strikezone!!

BOSTON -- The Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday finally found a taker for Dmitri Young, trading the outfielder to the Detroit Tigers for Juan Encarnacion and minor league pitcher Luis Pinieda, ESPN's Peter Gammons reports.

Young, who also plays first base and has been on the trading block the last two seasons, has batted .300 four straight seasons. The 28-year-old switch-hitter hit .302 last season with a career-high 21 home runs and 69 RBI. A .297 career hitter, Young made $3.5 million last season.

Encarnacion, who had fallen out of favor with Tigers manager Phil Garner and did not play the last month of the season, hit .242 with 12 homers and 52 RBI. Limited to 128 games because of injuries, Encarnacion, 25, had his least productive season as a full-time player and was moved out of center field due to defensive lapses.

Cincinnati initially thought it had a taker for Young in Atlanta and could have obtained right-hander Kevin Millwood, but the deal could not be completed because of financial reasons, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported this week.

[SmedIndy]

Wow, an overrated player for an overrated prospect.

I'll take the prospect any day of the week, though in Detroit they can avoid putting Young out on the field and just let him hit. CLANK!

[Skipper Steve]

Bowden loves those tools guys - - - look for him to take Rivera's role.

[BuzzBuzzard]

Originally posted by Skipper Steve
Bowden loves those tools guys - - - look for him to take Rivera's role.

You calling the Reds a bunch of tools?

[willyg]

Encarnacion hit a ball of Mendoza last year that still has not landed. Friggen thing went in the bleachers, . . , that is the left-center field bleachers.

[sweaver]

Originally posted by BuzzBuzzard
You calling the Reds a bunch of tools?

I think I should take offense at that remark. But I'm glad the Reds unloaded Young, one of my least favorites. I thought they might get more, though. Encarnacion seems unnecessary, with Austin Kearns in the wings, unless he is to caddy for Junior.

And mostly, Bowden collects arms. Usually injured ones, so I'm glad to see one that throws some heat. Gullett is a good pitching coach, and hopefully can help him, as opposed to the Tigers who don't seem able to develop a pitcher.

[Goose]

If you look at Encarnacion's first full year you see a very promising player....

A change of scenary and a good hitting coach might do wonders for the guy! This was a potential 30-30 guy.....it'll be interesting

[jpalexa]

Maybe the most important point about this whole trade is that it does little to help either club with what they both need: PITCHING!

Debating the merits -- or lack thereof -- of average or better-than-average offensive position players misses the issue: Neither the Reds nor the Tigers seem to be doing much about improving their woeful pitching staffs (Cinci, 14th out of 16; Detroit, 13th out of 14).

Cincinnati suffers from the Texas Rangers Syndrome -- spend all of your cash on one great offensive star who cannot possibly compensate for a pitching staff giving up 5+ runs a game. At least the Rangers (2001 pitching was 14th out of 14) are finally at least attempting to rectify their pitching situation. Maybe the Reds need a new GM, too?

[sweaver]

I wouldn't mind if the Reds had a new GM...Bowden too often acts like he's playing Rotisserie, not real ball. Given that, the history with Bowden given team control twice while Marge Schott was suspended gives him a history that makes him tough to fire.

Still, I like the deal from the Reds viewpoint.

[Skipper Steve]

I have a feeling that Young will get the same result as Juan Gone in Motown - - the ballpark is going to freak him out.

[Goose]

Speaking of Bowden as a roto GM:

Anyone catch the NY Post article today that says Bowden tried to convince Paul O'Neill to come out of retirement for one year and finish as a Red?

What's he thinking if thats true?

Where the heck would he play?

I don't get that.......