Volquez for Hamilton

It had to be tough for Krivsky to deal Josh Hamilton, especially because acquiring him via the Rule 5 draft was one of the best recent moves they've made, his comeback has been inspirational and he seems like a phenomenal talent and a good guy as well. But if we're going to refuse to give up Jay Bruce to get Bedard, I'm very excited about this deal they made Friday. Here are just a few reasons why:

Volquez's numbers in the minors were filthy. Combined at Class A, Double-A and Triple-A, he was 14-6 with a 3.67 ERA and 166 strikeouts over 144 2/3 innings. Sounds like just the type of guy we desperately need.

Hamilton is great, but we have a glut of outfielders (as I mentioned before) and another solid starter is what we need. And of course there's the obligatory need (especially now that we've dealt him) to point out that Hamilton's body is susceptible to breaking down after everything he's been through and considering how long he was out of the game.

And the reds.com article points out, "By moving Hamilton after he spent just one season in Cincinnati, the Reds clearly bought low and sold high." That's the idea.

The southpaw we got in the deal, Danny Herrera, has impressed in the minors ... and he's only 23.

Only other thing from the article that bears mentioning: "Volquez first reached the Majors with Texas in 2005 as a 21-year-old. He was a September callup again in 2006, but he went all the way back to Class A ball before last season. Krivsky wasn't concerned about the yoyo-esque movement of his new pitcher."

But I don't expect this to be another trade like the debacle with the Nationals. Hard to see Hamilton go but I like it.