In a win now move for the Reds they have acquired 34-year old righty swinging 3B Scott Rolen from the Blue Jays for 26-year old righty swinging 3B Edwin Encarnacion, 26-year old righty reliever Josh Roenicke and 22-year old righty reliever/starter Zach Stewart. Rolen played in 88 games for the Blue Jays this season and he was 108 for 338 (.320 avg, .846 OPS) with 52 runs scored, 8 homers, 43 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. Rolen is not only hitting the heck out of the baseball but he’s an absolute witch at 3B letting almost nothing get by him. Reds’ pitchers are going to love having Rolen play behind them. Rolen has now played in 1,708 games in his major league career and he is 1,773 for 6,244 (.284 avg, .870 OPS) with 1,064 runs scored, 280 homers, 1,105 RBIs and 113 stolen bases.

Rolen did not come cheap however. Edwin Encarnacion never progessed to what the Reds thought he could be. Maybe a change of scenery will be just what he needs to kickstart his major league career. He played in 43 games for the Reds this season and he was 29 for 139 (.209 avg, .707 OPS) with 10 runs scored, 5 homers and 16 RBIs. In five years with the Reds, Encarnacion played in 514 games in which he was 462 for 1,764 (.262 avg, .793 OPS) with 236 runs scored, 71 homers, 263 RBIs and 19 stolen bases. Josh Roenicke was the Reds’ #14 rated prospect heading into this season according to Baseball America. He pitched in 11 games (0 starts) for the Reds this season and he was 0-0 with a 2.70 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP. He also pitched in 27 games (0 starts) in AAA-ball this season and he was 1-0 with 12 saves, a 2.57 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP. Zach Stewart was the Reds’ #15 rated prospect heading into this season according to Baseball America. He has pitched in 23 games (14 starts) in A+AA+AAA ball this season and he is 4-1 with 2 saves, a 1.67 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP. Despite giving up quite a bit for Scott Rolen the Reds are a better team with him on it.

The Reds have traded 33-year old righty swinging IF/OF Jerry Hairston to the Yankees for 20-year old lefty swinging catcher Chase Weems. Hairston played in 86 games for the Reds this season and he was 78 for 307 (.254 avg, .703 OPS) with 47 runs scored, 8 homers, 27 RBIs and 7 stolen bases. Hairston revived his career with the Reds playing in 166 games in two seasons and going 163 for 568 (.287 avg) with 94 runs scored, 14 homers, 63 RBIs and 22 stolen bases. The Reds will miss Hairston’s versatility but they had a need for catching depth in the organization. Weems has played in 55 games in A-ball this season and he was 45 for 173 (.260 avg, .664 OPS) with 19 runs scored, 1 homer and 14 RBIs. I don’t like this trade for the Reds as Hairston will be hard to replace.

The Reds have acquired 25-year old righty swinging outfielder Wladimir Balentien from the Mariners for 26-year old righty reliever Robert Manuel. Balentien played in 56 games for the Mariners this season and he was 33 for 155 (.213 avg, .626 OPS) with 18 runs scored, 4 homers and 13 RBIs. In parts of three seasons in the majors, Balentien has played in 130 games in which he is 84 for 401 (.209 avg, .619 OPS) with 42 runs scored, 12 homers and 41 RBIs. His main problem in the majors has been making contact as he has whiffed 122 times in his career. He was once one of the Mariners’ brightest prospects so he still has time to develop. Robert Manuel was the Reds’ #27 prospect heading into this season according to Baseball America. He pitched in 3 games (0 starts) for the Reds this season and he was 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP. This will likely turn out to be a trade that is good for both teams.

The Reds are clearly looking to upgrade at 3B before the trading deadline. They are looking at Scott Rolen and that’s because 26-year old righty swinging Edwin Encarnacion is regressing at the plate. He has played in 40 games this season and he is 26 for 129 (.202 avg, .703 OPS) with 8 runs scored, 5 homers and 16 RBIs. If the Reds can get the Blue Jays to take Encarnacion straight up for Scott Rolen of the Blue Jays they have to jump and do it.

Not too many people in the Reds’ front office expected much out of Gomes this season. He was even sent to AAA before the season started despite having a good spring. Instead of sulking Gomes decided to work his way back to the majors. He has been platooning for the Reds this season and pounding left handed pitching. Gomes has played in 47 games this season and he is 35 for 119 (.294 avg, .989 OPS) with 19 runs scored, 10 homers and 23 RBIs. Gomes still has issues with whiffing as he has done that 37 times already this season. Gomes might have found a home in Cincinnati.