It’s such a very brief post that I’m including it all here, but click the link to ESPN for updates:

CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Reds have acquired utilityman Willie Bloomquist from the Kansas City Royals for either a player to be named or cash.

Bloomquist will join the NL Central-leading Reds for the stretch drive. They began the day with a six-game lead over St. Louis.

Bloomquist had been set to start in left field Monday in the Royals’ game against Oakland. He hit .265 with three home runs and 17 RBIs this season.

The 32-year-old Bloomquist has started games this year at second base, third base, left field, center field and designated hitter. He had a nine-game hitting streak snapped over the weekend.

I like to see a utilityman in the mix, and those 3 homers and 17 RBI come in only 170 ABs. I don’t know anything about this guy, but I do have to wonder about a fella who only got 73 starts with the Royals.

From CentreDaily.com, the first place that popped on Google with the story, though I’m sure it’s all over the place by now:

CINCINNATI — The NL Central-leading Cincinnati Reds got Jim Edmonds from the Milwaukee Brewers for Chris Dickerson on Monday, strengthening their outfield for a playoff run.

Let’s go to the quick hits:

• That’s right folks! Now that the Reds are finally fielding an outfielder over the age of FORTY, they are playoff ready.
• Having run out of currently good ex-Cardinals to sign, Walt Jocketty turns to those who were awesome in the 90s in his effort to Cardinal-ify the Cincinnati clubhouse. Next up: Mark McGwire.
• This just in: George Grande to come out of retirement.
• I just threw up in my mouth a little.

After months of speculation, Roy Oswalt has finally been traded.

The winners of the disgruntled player sweepstakes were the Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies, not the Cardinals, as had been rumored. As an aside, I’m not sure whether to be happy or sad about that for reasons Amanda stated here. It kind of would’ve been nice seeing the Cardinals raid an already weak farm system for this year. It sure would have set up the Reds nicely for the next few years.

But back to the trade. The Houston Astros sent Roy Oswalt, who waived his no-trade clause, to the Phillies for lefthander J.A. Happ, shortstop Jonathan Villar, and Anthony Gose, who was flipped to the Toronto Blue Jays for minor league first baseman Brett Wallace.

J. A. Happ was a runner-up in the rookie of the year voting last year, and looks to be a solid 3 or 4 starter in the Houston rotation. He’s no Oswalt, but he’ll be serviceable. According to the Crawfish Boxes, Jonathan Villar “has plus-plus speed coupled with a great arm. He has all of the tools to stick at shortstop and be a plus defender there, but needs to work on the skills aspect of his defense.” And Brett Wallace is one of the top first base prospects in the league. Which will be good for the NL Central, which is known for its shortage of awesome first basemen.

For the Reds, this trade means they will not face Roy Oswalt during the regular season again this year. The only way they would face him is if they made the playoffs. And with a first place lead 2 days shy of August, I’m feeling optimistic about the Reds’ chances.

Earlier this month, Sports Illustrated published the results of a player poll in which Gary Matthews Jr. was voted among the most overrated players in the league.

I’m not sure whether this was the same poll that voted Joey Votto the MVP for the first half of the season, but at least this Gary Matthews Jr thing the Reds agreed with. They had given the guy a minor league contract with an opt-out provision for him if he wasn’t called up by Saturday.

But whom would they have taken off the active roster for him? Jonny Gomes ain’t goin’ nowhere. Jay Bruce, Laynce Nix, and Chris Heisey have made themselves welcome characters on the Cincinnati stage. Even Drew Stubbs–who hasn’t exactly been outperforming Mr. Matthews so far–has enough potential in the possibility he’ll learn to lay down a bunt for a base hit to hold onto his roster spot over the overrated Matthews.

So, as of Saturday, Matthews opted out of the contract with the Reds organization and is now available to be hired by a team near you. Surely someone needs an outfielder. The Yankees are always hiring overrated players; maybe they’ll be able to hook up.