On Wednesday, the Reds exercised 2008 club options on Adam Dunn, Scott Hatteberg and Javier Valentin and declined a $3.5 million 2008 club option on Eddie Guardado.

On Thursday, Guardado filed for free agency, and his agent, Kevin Kohler, said that he and Guardado were “very surprised and disappointed” that the Reds did not pick up Guardado’s option. Reds GM Wayne Krivsky reportedly expressed hope that Guardado could still return next season.

The club decided Wednesday to pick up Adam Dunn’s $13 million option, which triggers a full no-trade clause until June 15 with limited no-trade protection for the rest of the 2008 season. Dunn thus becomes the Reds’ highest-paid player, passing Ken Griffey Jr. ($12.5 million). The Reds also picked up Scott Hatteberg’s $1.85 million option and Javy Valentin’s $1.35 million option on Wednesday.

Another Wednesday announcement from the Reds was that coach Johnny Narron won’t be back next season. Narron, the brother of former manager Jerry Narron, remained with the Reds after his brother was fired as manager, officially as video and administrative coach. However, his unofficial capacity as regards his relationship with Josh Hamilton was probably more important.

The St. Louis Cardinals named John Mozeliak as their 11th general manager Wednesday afternoon, filling a position that had been open since Oct. 3, when Walt Jocketty was relieved of his duties after almost 13 years as the Cardinal’s GM.

The move came as somewhat of a surprise to some observers, since Indians assistant GM Chris Antonetti had been considered the favorite to land the job. However, Antonetti reportedly removed himself from consideration recently. That apparently opened the door for Mozeliak, who had been the interim GM since Jocketty’s departure and has been with the Cardinals’ front office since 1995, having twice served as the team’s scouting director.

An era officially came to an end in Cincinnati this week as lefthanded pitcher Eric Milton, for three years an icon for the Reds’ starting pitching woes, filed for free agency on Tuesday.

Milton was signed by former GM Dan O’Brien to a three-year, $25.5 million free agent contract in December of 2004. The payoff for the Reds? A 16-27 record, a 5.83 ERA in 66 starts, and a league-leading 40 homers allowed in 2005. Does anyone still wonder why one of the very first things Bob Castellini did when he took over the club was to show O’Brien the door?

A few weeks ago, one of the mainstream national sports magazines did a preview of this winter’s free agent market and actually listed Milton among the top 20 free agent pitchers likely to be available this offseason. That speaks volumes about the quality of the pitching that is likely to be available to the Reds (or any other team for that matter) via free agency this winter. You know the pickin’s are going to be mighty slim when a guy with an 0-4 record and 5.17 ERA in 2007 who is recovering from a torn ligament in his pitching elbow is one of the top 20 pitchers to be fought over by 30 major league teams, most of whom could use an upgrade in the pitching department.

So, any significant additions to the Reds’ pitching staff for 2008 are most likely going to have to come through trades. Or maybe new manager Dusty Baker pulls a few rabbits out of his nice, spanking-new red hat (Kerry Wood became a free agent on Monday and Mark Prior is expected to become one if the Cubs don’t offer him arbitration). Or maybe GM Wayne Krivsky has a couple more bargain-basement acquisitions up his sleeve. Or maybe all of the above.

Baseball’s winter meetings are still a month away, but there should be some big news on the Reds’ player personnel front in the next week or so. The Reds must exercise Adam Dunn’s $13 million option for next season by Sunday if they wish to do so, and Eddie Guardado’s $3 million option must be exercised by Friday. Then there is Scott Hatteberg’s $1.85 million option, and of course, the $1.3 million option on longtime RHM favorite Javy Valentin.

One thing’s for sure – Baker is now officially on the job. His contractual obligation to ESPN ended when the World Series did. On Tusday, the Reds named the two new members of the coaching staff. Chris Speier becomes Baker’s new bench coach, as well as the Reds’ new infield coach. Juan “Porky” Lopez takes over as bullpen coach. Both of these guys worked for Baker on other teams, as did pitching coach Dick Pole, so Dusty will have some familiar faces around as he bends to the task of turning the Reds into a force in the NL Central.

HMZ

When I see a blog post that makes me laugh out loud, I want to link to it. Does make it hard, though, not keep within the bounds of fair use when the post is only two sentences long.

Screw it: Pat will understand.

The biggest night of Josh Fogg’s life

The Colorado Rockies’ World Series life is most certainly on the line tonight and the Rockies are turning to the one, the only, JOSH FOGG. Sweet merciful crap, they’re in trouble.

Kahn’s Redsfest 2007 will be December 7-8 this year. Tickets go on sale Monday.

You can buy tickets online at Reds.com, by calling (513) 381-REDS or (877) 647-REDS, or at Cincinnati-area Meijer stores. Proceeds from Redsfest benefit the Reds Community Fund.

From Reds.com:

 On Friday Dec. 7, Redsfest will operate from 4-10 p.m. ET and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on Saturday Dec. 8. One-day tickets are $15 for adults and $7 for fans 12 and under, while two-day tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for kids.

Redsfest 2006 drew a record two-day crowd of more than 18,000 after coming off of a two-year absence.

Current and former Reds players expected to attend Redsfest 2007 include second baseman Brandon Phillips, outfielder Josh Hamilton and Reds Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Browning. The first day will include the introduction of the Reds 2008 Hall of Fame class. Reds pitcher Bronson Arroyo will highlight concert performances.

Other weekend activities include a Reds Community Fund Wiffle Ball Tournament of 64 teams, with registration available only on Reds.com. Saturday will mark the return of the popular Celebrity Poker Tournament with a $150 per person entry fee that is considered tax deductible. There will also be a kids-only press conference, a “Reds Idol” karaoke contest and the Reds Hot Stove report featuring new manager Dusty Baker and general manager Wayne Krivsky.

There will be several exhibits from the Reds Hall of Fame, a Reds memorabilia gallery, a sports bar and an interactive area that will feature a Fun Zone, batting cages, a speed pitch, steal home challenge and the Reds Rookie Field.

And if that’s not enough, I’ve just learned that my favorite band, the Screaming Mimes, will be closing out the event at 6 p.m. on Saturday. Suddenly I’m feeling like a Reds fan again.