The Reds have traded 38-year old outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. to the Chicago White Sox for 2B Danny Richar and relief pitcher Nick Masset. Griffey played in 102 games for the Reds this season and he was 88 for 359 (.245 avg, .787 OPS) with 51 runs scored, 15 homers and 53 RBIs. Griffey could never stay healthy with the Reds which was a huge issue as he played well when he was in one piece. Griffey played in 9 seasons with the Reds and it covered 945 games in which he was 904 for 3,353 (.270 avg) with 533 runs scored, 210 homers, 602 RBIs and 17 stolen bases. It’s a shame that Griffey’s stay in Cincinnati ended this way but it was a move that the Reds felt they had to make.

The Reds are likely contemplating moving Brandon Phillips to shortstop next season which explains the acquisition of 25-year old lefty swinging 2B Danny Richar. Richar was likely to be the starting 2B for the White Sox when the 2008 season began but he was badly injured in the spring. The injury caused Richar to miss a huge chunk of the season and he never made it back to the White Sox. Richar played in 62 games in AAA ball this season and he was 65 for 248 (.262 avg, .748 OPS) with 35 runs scored, 9 homers, 39 RBIs and 11 stolen bases. Richar has played in 56 games in his major league career and he is 43 for 187 (.230 avg, .695 OPS) with 30 runs scored, 6 homers and 15 RBIs. 26-year old righty reliever Nick Masset was the second player acquired in the Griffey trade. Masset pitched in 32 games (1 start) for the White Sox this season and he was 1-0 with 1 save, a 4.63 ERA and a 1.70 WHIP. The Reds might have the thought of making Masset a starting pitcher next season as that is what he did mostly in his minor league career. Masset has now pitched in 67 games (2 starts) in his major league career and he is 3-3 with 1 save, a 5.63 ERA and a 1.78 WHIP. This was not a bad return for Griffey when you take into account the fact that he’s 38-years old and has a hard time staying healthy.

Jeff Keppinger looks tired right now and his numbers in July have shown that. Keppinger has played in 20 games in July and he is 15 for 84 (.179 avg, .442 OPS) with 6 runs scored and 2 RBIs. He has only whiffed 2 times this month which shows that he’s not hitting the ball with the authority that he was earlier in the season. Keppinger has now played in 68 games for the Reds this season and he is 71 for 259 (.274 avg, .694 OPS) with 25 runs scored, 3 homers and 25 RBIs. He’s starting to prove that he’s better as a bench player than a regular.

The Reds have placed righty reliever Jared Burton on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right lat muscle. Burton has pitched in 43 games (0 starts) for the Reds this season and he is 4-1 with a 2.23 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP. Burton will be missed as he has pitched very well for the Reds so far this season. The Reds have recalled righty reliever Todd Coffey to replace Burton in both the bullpen and on the roster. Coffey has pitched in 29 games (0 starts) in AAA ball this season and he is 3-3 with 2 saves, a 4.15 ERA and a 1.56 WHIP. Coffey has also pitched in 14 games (0 starts) with the Reds this season and he is 0-0 with a 6.46 ERA and a 1.57 WHIP.

Super reserve Ryan Freel is likely out for the season as he will undergo surgery next week to repair a torn hamstring behind his right knee. This will hurt the Reds as Freel is a big time sparkplug on offense as well as defense. Freel played in 48 games this season for the Reds and he was 39 for 131 (.298 avg, .699 OPS) with 17 runs scored, 10 RBIs and 6 stolen bases.

The Reds have placed infielder Jerry Hairston on the 15-day disabled list. Hairston has played in 56 games for the Reds this season and he is 66 for 188 (.351 avg, .853 OPS) with 34 runs scored, 2 homers, 22 RBIs and 15 stolen bases. The Reds have activated infielder Jolbert Cabrera from the D.L. to replace Hairston on the roster. Cabrera has played in 7 games for the Reds this season and he is 7 for 18 (.389 avg, .894 OPS) with 1 run scored and 2 RBIs. This is a shame for Hairston who is having a career season for the Reds.