The Edinson Volquez trade was a disaster

As the Cincinnati Reds lost to the Baltimore Orioles, I was reminded of Frank Robinsion. Remember the Reds traded an "old thirty" Robinson for Milt Pappas and change in late 1965. It was the worst trade in major league baseball history. Robinson would win the triple crown, and help the Orioles win two World Series. Pappas would only last three years with the Reds.

So why am I thinking about Robinson for Pappas? Because at the end of 2007, the Reds traded outfielder Josh Hamilton to the Texas Rangers for Edinson Volquez and change. The result? Last year, Josh Hamilton was the MVP. Volquez had a good year in 2008. He was injured in 2009 and had some success in 2010. But the red flags were warning the Reds. The Rangers dissatisfied with Volquez's control busted him down to single A ball. Folks, that's a maturity issue. And the Reds were forced to send Volquez back to the minors this year because of control problems.

Edinson Volquez showed Reds Nation last night why he's a bust. He looked like he had mechanical problems. If he can't repeat his delivery, then he can't pitch in the majors. And at this level, it's a maturity issue. As usual, he got behind hitters. That leads him to groove pitches to get a strike. Reds Manager Dusty Baker went to talk to him in the fourth, but not to remove him. It was clear Dusty was unhappy. Anyway he gave up four runs in four and one third innings. Of course, the Reds lost. They lost 5-4. Reds GM Walt Jocketty must stop the insanity. It's time to trade Volquez. Think about bringing back Travis Wood or bring up Dontrelle Willis.

The Reds loss dropped them into a third place tie with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Yeah, the Pittsburgh Pirates! This season is melting away like a Graeters' scoop of ice cream on a hot Cincinnati summer day.