Adam Dunn signed with the Nationals this week, fulfilling Jim Bowden’s ages-old dream of rebuilding the killer outfield he’d engineered back in Cincinnati in 2004-2005, minus one pesky injury-prone kid.
That’s right, at some point next season, you can expect to see Adam Dunn, Wily Mo Peña, and Austin Kearns all patrolling the Nationals’ outfield grass.

Reds fans nostalgic for the greener, non-Dusty Baker days of 4 to 5 years will have to wait until the middle of August for Washington to visit Cincinnati. I have a feeling that neither team will be in contention by then.

Just in case you missed the Reds Caravan this year, you can catch all the excitement, plus a few smart-ass remarks, in this podcast.

Tune in to hear Dusty telling it like it is and the thrilling origin of the Cowboy’s nickname.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Dusty Baker, whom I will be proud to call the erstwhile manager of the Cincinnati Reds once his pathetic ass gets fired, has done it again. Baker opened his mouth and spewed forth a wonderful sentiment about Willy Taveras, the Reds new outfielder.

Dusty Baker said Willy Taveras will be the center fielder and leadoff man. “Everyone talks about his on-base percentage,” Baker said. “I like the way he gets in scoring position.”

Considering Taveras’ not-out percentage last year of 30%, the only logical interpretation of this quote is that Baker likes the way Taveras never gets in scoring position.

You show ’em, Dusty!

P.S. Dunn and Dunner has a nice take on the article this was taken from, as well.

Edinson Volquez recently answered 5 questions for fans of the Reds organization. His terse answers aren’t exactly mind-expanding, but I do wonder if he’s any good at dominoes.

Other than baseball, what is your favorite sport? Basketball

What do you like to do in the offseason? Play dominos

Who is the toughest pitcher you have faced? Tim Hudson

What is your favorite book or magazine? Baseball America

If you didn’t play baseball, what would you do for a living? Doctor

Moving backwards through my inbox, I also find this announcement from the Reds about signing left-handed reliever Arthur Rhodes. You don’t think he’ll block Mercker, do you??

Cincinnati Reds President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Walt Jocketty announced Friday the signing of free agent LHP Arthur Rhodes to a 2-year contract through the 2010 season.

Last season Rhodes combined to finish 4-1 with a sterling 2.04 ERA and 2 saves in 61 relief appearances for the Seattle Mariners and Florida Marlins. Opposing lefthanded batters hit just .167. He began the season in Seattle and went 2-1 with a 2.86 ERA and 1 save in 36 games before he was traded to Florida on July 31 in exchange for RHP Gabriel Hernandez. Rhodes finished the season 2-0 with a 0.68 ERA and 1 save in 25 appearances for the Marlins.

The 16-year Major League veteran has produced a 79-61 record, 4.23 ERA and 32 saves in 714 career appearances and 61 starts for the Baltimore Orioles, Mariners, Oakland Athletics, Cleveland Indians, Philadelphia Phillies and Marlins. Rhodes made 20 postseason appearances for the Orioles and Mariners, including 9 in the American League Division Series and 11 in the AL Championship Series.