This might be an OK deal if not for the field manager who will misuse him. I predict six weeks of Taveras leading off, hitting .193.

Cincinnati Reds President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Walt Jocketty announced Saturday the signing of free agent OF Willy Taveras to a two-year contract through the 2010 season.

Taveras, 27, in 133 games last season for the Colorado Rockies hit .251 and led the Major Leagues with 68 stolen bases and a .907 stolen base percentage (68-for-75).

Since 2005, Taveras leads the majors with 207 infield hits and ranks fifth in stolen bases with 168. In 2005 he won the The Sporting News’ National League Rookie of the Year Award and finished second to Philadelphia’s Ryan Howard in the BBWAA Rookie of the Year Award voting.

Warning: The word “fuck” appears in the following quip about three dozen times. If you’re offended by such language, well, that’s your own fault for coming to Red Hot Mama when the Reds trade Freel.

You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. You’re telling me that Ryan “Adored by every woman in Cincy” Freel was traded, and his name didn’t even make it to the motherfucking headline on Reds.com?

But other than that, spot on trade, idiots. Dusty Baker never liked Freel, and if theres one thing we’ve fucking learned this year, it’s that Baker fucking knows best. And halleluja that they sent him off to get another fucking catcher. God knows that the Reds can’t do without sixteen fucking catchers at a time. Just can’t fill the fucking void after the Cardinals salvaged LaRue. Just can’t seem to bounce back after the fucking Bench years.

Not to worry, though. David fucking Weathers will be back next year to keep things interesting. Gary Majewski will be there to put butts in the fucking seats. I can’t wait to tune in to see fucking Alex Gonzalez be injured. It’ll be fucking compelling baseball.

Overall, though, I like the trade. I bet Hernandez is going to be a real fucking asset.

You’d probably like the details. Here’s the important parts of the story on Reds.com:

LAS VEGAS — The Reds on Tuesday completed a trade in which they acquired catcher Ramon Hernandez from the Orioles for utility player Ryan Freel and two prospects.

Baltimore will also receive Reds infield prospects Brandon Waring and Justin Turner. Cincinnati is believed to be receiving $1 million in cash from the Orioles in the deal.

Hernandez is slated to make $8 million in 2009, with a 2010 club option worth $8.5 million and a $1 million payment.

Freel is scheduled to make $4 million next season.

Dammit. This sucks.

On Thursday, the Brewers signed Ken Macha to a two-year manager contract. From the official release:

Macha, 58, has four seasons of Major League managerial experience with the Oakland Athletics (2003-06). He owns a career record of 368-280 (.568). Under his leadership, the Athletics won 96, 91, 88 and 93 games, respectively, and captured the American League West Division championship in 2003 and 2006. The Athletics’ winning percentage ranked fourth in the Major Leagues during Macha’s tenure, trailing only the Yankees (.608), Red Sox (.577) and Cardinals (.577).

My first thought upon hearing the news was to remember in Moneyball how the role of the A’s manager was that of impotent figurehead. That wasn’t Macha, of course, but I’ll still be interested to see how he works out.

In other Brewer’s press releases, the team has declined Craig Counsell’s option:

MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Brewers today declined the 2009 club option for infielder Craig Counsell. The Brewers and Counsell will continue to negotiate. The announcement was made by Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Melvin.

Counsell batted .226 with one HR and 14 RBI in 110 games in 2008.

If it doesn’t work out, there’s another NLC team in need of a shortstop and in current possession of a GM who loves the Scrappy White Guy.

The Chicago Cubs rewarded the success of General Manager Jim Hendry this week by signing him to a 4-year extension. That will keep him guiding Cubby blue through 2012.

I’ve always felt that Hendry is, at best, a mediocre GM. The albatross of a contract he gave Alfonso Soriano is already being regretted. His results are impressive, though: 3 post-season appearances in 6 years on the job. That’s good for any baseball team. For the Cubs, it’s unbelievable.

Still, extending Hendry immediately following the Cubs 9th straight loss in the playoffs is a move that brings its fair share of chuckles in the RHM household. Maybe Hendry will improve his post-season record before 2012. It wouldn’t take much.

Now that’s a way to light a fire under under-performing players as they head into the end of the season. Milwaukee has gotten rid of Ned Yost, often referred to ignorantly as the worst manager in the majors (see: Baker, Dusty).

I know the Brewers have dived into the crapper for the second straight September, but I’m surprised to see this move. We’ll see if the surprising move helps right the sinking ship. Honestly, I doubt it will hurt.

I’m hoping the Reds will take some hints.