Here's a stat. Tell me who this guy is. He currently plays for the Reds. He has 134 career MLB at bats, is hitting .321 for his MLB career with six home runs and 25 rbi.

Micah Owings. Pitcher, Micah Owings.

Now if you look at the Reds critically, you have to admit that left field is a problem. Combined, the Reds left fielders, heading into this current road trip, were batting .221 this season. The best of that group, so far, has been Lance Nix, a left handed batter. If you're Dusty Baker, would you not consider this: platooning Nix with Owings in left field? Owings, a right handed batter, would play less than Nix, simply because there are more right handed pitchers. Therefore, Owings might, just might, be able to continue with his role as the 5th starter. If not, would that then clear the way for Homer Bailey to come up from AAA, where he's pitched well.

I'm just askin', as they say back in the old neighborhood.

Just posted, another Broo View Podcast. This episode features Jon Heyman, the national baseball writer for Sports Illustrated. He has some interesting thoughts on the 18-14 start by the Reds. You can find the podcast on the front page of my web site: www.kenbroo.com. But, if you're in a hurry, you can download it here.

Sports Illustrated's Peter King doesn't like your Cincinnati Bengals a whole lot in 2009. In this story, King has the Bengals 28th out of 32 NFL teams.

Today's blast from the past comes straight from the 90's. A little Weezer for your upcoming Wednesday.

So let's see, in the last seven months the Reds have traded an odds on favorite to win the American League MVP award winner, one of the 50 greatest players of all time, the current MLB home run leader (and consistent 100 RBI a year man) and they've paid the White Sox and Diamondbacks a grand total of $6 million. Sounds like a plan to me.

And Bob Castellini now says that his team can win next year. After he fired general manager Wayne Krivsky in April Castellini said "We're just not going to lose anymore". As late as ten days ago, he told one of his TV announcers "We're not out of it". When he bought the team in 2006, he proclaimed that the Reds would contend for a championship. I don't doubt the man's sincerity. But the time for talking about things is over. It's long past the time for accomplishing things.

2009? They've got no shot.

Look, I had nothing against trading Dunn.....except the fact that he's taking 100 rbi a year with him. Look at the current Reds roster, then look in the minors, and tell me what player will deliver 100 next season. To get even close to that, you'll have to trade any one of these players, maybe a combination: Brandon Phillips, Edinson Volquez, Joey Votto or Jay Bruce. They're exactly the kind of players you need to win. You could always go the free agent route. Guess who's one of the top two free agent to be outfielders. You got it, Dunn. The other is Pat Burrell, who is Dunn from the other side of the plate and two years older.

2009? They got no shot.

The biggest problem the Reds have isn't personnel. The biggest problem they have is 'lack of buzz', in other words, no hype, no 'gotta see'. For the rest of this season, like most lately, they're reduced to an after thought in the sports world. Hello Bengals, see ya Reds. If a generation is defined as 25 years, then almost an entire generation of Cincinnati sports fans have grown up knowing nothing but losing baseball. You think that's not a big deal? Ask Mike Brown.

2009? They got no shot.

The Dunn deal is taking more shape tonight. It appears Arizona pitcher, Micah Owings is one of the 'players to be named later'. It'll be later than sooner, as the Arizona Republic is reporting.
Owings started the year 6-1, then developed arm trouble and has since been sent to AAA. He's also a very good pinch hitter. With the current Reds rotation, he'd be a 5th starter and maybe challenge for a 4th spot. He's better than Homer Bailey, period.

Out in Arizona, they seem happy to have Dunn, if only for another six weeks or so.

As for our Bengals, well not bad, not good in their exhibition opener. There will be plenty for the coaches to work on this week. Apparently, Chad Johnson has some things he's working on....like changing his name, according this in profootballtalk.com.

It's almost time for the nightly Phelps fix...gotta go. See you on News 5 tonight at 6p and after the Olympics.