Will Dunn deal happen?

Ken Rosenthal: Teams should still consider trading for Dunn

The Rays might want Dunn - they contacted the Reds about him on Wednesday - but their preference is for a right-handed hitter such as the Pirates' Jason Bay.

The Diamondbacks also made a run at Dunn, according to SI.com, but the interest from other clubs appears minimal, putting the Reds in a potentially tenuous position.

SI.com's Jon Heyman: Updates as MLB trade deadline nears

The Rays appear to be adjusting to their new role as trade-deadline buyers ... it appears that Adam Dunn may be their best shot. It is believed the Reds are seeking some of the Rays' vaunted young pitching, including Jeff Niemann and Jeremy Hellickson.

Star-Ledger's Dan Graziano: Should New York Mets pursuit of an outfielder be a Dunn deal?

Dunn is the man without a rumor. The Reds would deal him, but none of the teams out there looking for outfield help seem to be interested, and it's one of the more confounding aspects of this year's deadline.

Negatives include his astronomical strikeout totals and the perception (articulated last month publicly and somewhat embarrassingly by Toronto GM J.P. Ricciardi) that Dunn is a soft, unmotivated player who doesn't come through in the clutch.

Griffey gets slammed

CBS' Gregg Doyel: Griffey is a baby

Griffey is the latest big-name player to show his soft side. ... Griffey would be eaten alive in Chicago.

Doc: It just didn't work out

Griffey was the most overtly sensitive star I’ve covered in 20 years here.

Me: Whatever, Griffey is Chicago's problem now. But the Reds couldn't get more than Nick Masset and Danny Richar? AND they're (reportedly) paying at least some (conflicting reports) of the $4 million still owed to Griffey?

Masset is 26. He was an 8th round pick in the 2000 draft. Last year he had a 7.09 ERA and 1.98 WHIP in 39 1/3 innings. This year he's improved to 4.63 ERA and 1.70 WHIP in 44 2/3 innings. He's given up at least 10 earned runs on 18 hits in his past 10 appearances. Very unproven, but who knows.

Richar is 25. Plays second base. Signed as an undrafted free agent by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2001 (he's from the Dominican Republic). He's hitting .262 with 9 homers, 39 RBIs and 11 stolen bases for AAA Charlotte. He had 187 at-bats for the White Sox last season after he hit .346 in Charlotte (he was traded from the D'backs to the White Sox last year). Doesn't look like he walks much. He wasn't on Baseball America's Top 10 White Sox prospects list or anything. I think I would've rather had Chris Getz (also a second baseman).

All about running game for Bengals

SportsLine's recently (yesterday) posted Bengals camp report and Bengals: Five things to know are worth checking out.

A couple of highlights:

• Their "Out of Nowhere Man" is rookie running back James Johnson from Kansas State. I guess there's so much uncertainty at this position that you never know, right?

• No mention of defense in the main camp report.

• I learned very little from the Five Things. Chad's there but not practicing (right, you mentioned that in the main camp report), Carson's little brother is in camp, Odom got hurt, etc. If you ever listen to sports talk, you already knew about everything mentioned in the Five Things. The only one I thought was worth anything was the last one about Dhani Jones just because there's a good quote from Lewis about him.

Trade rumors involving Reds

• Alright, I know I'm like a day late on this, but here's the San Francisco Chronicle column that includes the mention that the Reds have expressed interest in Huston Street. Which is crazy by the way. I know people keep saying that you can never have too much pitching but unless we're trading Cordero, this just doesn't make sense because I really don't think Street would want to be a set-up man here.

• Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal says the Yankees have pondered a trade for Arroyo (as well as A.J. Burnett) but ultimately could turn to internal solutions with Ian Kennedy looking sharp at Class AAA.

• The Rocky Mountain News says the Rockies like Arroyo. Too bad they probably won't get a first-hand look at him this weekend.

• In Jon Heyman's 'Market shirts as deadline nears' column on SI.com, the only Reds-related mention is that David Weathers is among other viable relievers who could be dealt.


Personally, I don't think the Reds will do much before the deadline. I doubt they'll deal Arroyo, but you never know. And I think they'd be more likely to deal Weathers if Burton weren't hurt, but you never know there either. Maybe they think they'd be fine with Lincoln, Affeldt and Burton when he gets healthy.

Carson hates Ohio State

This is just now getting back to Ohio (don't ask me how my friend found it on Cavsboard ... didn't know he was a Cavs fan) but Carson isn't exactly endearing himself to those who are fans of both the Bengals and the Buckeyes with comments he made last week to a Los Angeles-based sports radio station (KLAC) when asked how he feels about Ohio State.

Henry back to Bengals?

ESPN.com is reporting that Chris Henry's agent says the Bengals are among several teams interested in the wide receiver.

The story includes this Henry quote: "Going back to the Bengals is possible,'' Henry said. "I wouldn't mind it happening because I loved playing in Cincinnati. I got real close with all the guys out there and I planned on being out there for a long time. I really had a good time playing ball out there in Ohio."

Reds get 'F' at midseason

SportsLine's Midseason Report might be of interest because Scott Miller graded all 30 teams and gave the Reds not a "C" or a "D" but an "F." Miller had harsh words for a team four games below .500.

Mayo best of the class?

SportsLine's Gregg Doyel is pretty high on former North College Hill standout O.J. Mayo. He explains why he's going out on a limb in saying Mayo will be a better pro than Derrick Rose, Michael Beasley or anybody else from this past draft.

Spore

Don't get to tackle gaming very often, but USA Today's got a cool feature about Spore, the latest game from The Sims creator Will Wright.

A free trial version is at spore.com.

Peko makes 'breakout player' list

SportsLine.Com's Pete Prisco has a list of 30 breakout players - defined as "players who have already done some things, some even really good things, but appear poised to do a lot more."

Breakout players No. 21 through 30 were rolled out today and Bengals defensive tackle Domata Peko made the list.