By Thaq Diesel 

The Reds signed Dustin Hermanson to a minor-league deal last Thursday.  Hermanson was an integral part of the White Sox regular season in 2005 (when they won the World Series) as a closer.  He was hampered late that year with back problems – bad ones too.  He had a dual fracture of the L2 vertebrae and a weakening of the spine.  Hermanson’s contract is incentive-laden should he reach the big league squad.  So if Hermanson’s back hampers him further, no harm done.  But, as with most deals Krivsky has made with players that have “baggage” of some sort, the upside for the Reds is great if it pans out.  It’s doubtful he would be an immediate fix as a closer for the bullpen – the planets would have to align where he a) is able to pitch well after almost a year and a half off and b) pitch without pain or without reinjuring himself.  Dustin was a Reds fan growing up – I bet it would be doubly exciting for him to make a comeback with Cincinnati.

• Scott Hatteberg already has two dongs this Spring Training.  He also has two home runs.  (Thank you!  I’ll be in town all week!).  One of them he hit off a dude named Boof Bonser.  Insert your own joke here.
• Josh Hamilton has come out of the gate on fire.  You always worry about drug addiction, however, and it’s never clear what kinds of pressures, situations or people will cause drug use to resurface  (see Darryl Strawberry or a cast of thousands of other people.).  I’m rooting for him.  NOTE:  If he makes the big league squad. I will have a spate of “Win a date with Josh Hamilton jokes.”  There was a movie in 2004 called, “Win a Date with Tad Hamilton.”  It was a chick flick, so unlike Blade Stevens I didn’t see it.  The title stuck in my head however.
• Homer Bailey made his debut and gave up 3 earned in 2 innings. Let’s everybody stay calm here and see how the Spring plays out.
• The Reds have six errors already through three games this preseason.  You usually can’t gauge pitching in spring training, but I’m not so sure about defense.  These boys need to get their act together – the defense has to improve this year for the Reds to have any chance at the post season.  They need every advantage they can get.
• Kyle Lohse tweaked his hamstring playing against the twins.  It would be nice if he weren’t fighting that injury all season.  He stayed in for one more batter and nailed Torii Hunter with a fastball in the head.  They’re card-playing buddies and former teammates so nothing got out of hand – both knew that the hurt hammy was the cause.
• The Reds are undefeated thus far in Spring Training 2007.  That, and a quarter will buy you a cup of JACK SQUAT!

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