The Reds are in talks with the Athletics and while a deal didn’t seem imminent, it looks like the Reds are looking at Joe Blanton as an option in their rotation. Joey Votto is a Billy Beane type of player and I’d assume he’d be at the front of the list for Blanton but it’d be hard to pass up a solid starter like Blanton. Having a front four of Aaron Harang, Bronson Arroyo, Homer Bailey and Blanton to go along with what should be a top notch offense might put the Reds right into contention as early as this year.

Kent Mercker will be one of the guys to watch this spring as he attempts a comeback. Bullpen help is always needed and an effective Kent Mercker would be a nice addition if he can show something in March. Plus he’s a former Red so you have to be rooting for him.

MLB.com sat down with Jay Bruce in an interesting Q&A. While you hate to set the bar so high for a guy who doesn’t have a major league at bat, it’s hard not to be excited about Bruce roaming around in centerfield with Adam Dunn to his left and Ken Griffey, Jr. to his right.

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