Bye Bye Hobbs, Hello Edinson

The Cincinnati Reds traded OF Josh Hamilton to the Texas Rangers for SP Edinson Volquez and a minor league pitcher.

I have mixed feelings about the deal, however, i realize the largest need for the Reds is starting pitching. Therefore, this trade delivered a guy that is only 1 year removed from being the Rangers top prospect.

Volquez, 24, has been well regarded for some time and posts an impressive 92-97 mph fastball, a plus changeup and a developing curveball. He began last year, after a disappointing finish to the 2006 season, on the single A minor league team for the rangers and moved all the way to the majors by the end of the year.

However, Josh Hamilton was and still is one of my favorite baseball players and i admire his ability to come back from his past last year. He will be missed but this clears a hole for Jay Bruce, minor league player of the year, to come up and play CF next year.

Either way, the Reds and Rangers addressed needs of their own and the argument could go either way. I do know that the price of starting pitching is high and what Krivdawg did was risky but had to be done.

More about the Trade

Dallas Morning News Texas Rangers blog

Newberg Report: Texas Rangers fan's take, really good article, in my opinion