FanHouse Bronson Arroyo

Footprints in the Snow is FanHouse's look at the paths to be forged by MLB teams this winter as they look ahead to 2010.

The Reds are at a crossroads. They've compiled some nice young talent at the major league level with guys like Jay Bruce, Joey Votto, and Johnny Cueto (plus the injured Edinson Volquez) and they have some prospects close to the big leagues in Drew Stubbs and Yonder Alonso, but that might not be enough to get them quite over the top in 2010.

This winter the Reds have to decide what to do with their roster. Should they keep some of their older, more expensive players and gun for what might be a weak division, or should they sell off on the veterans and try to rebuild a core around the younger guys before they leave town?

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Editor's Note: FanHouse's Jeff Fletcher contributed to this report

CHICAGO -- The Reds' need to slash payroll, according to a major league source, could lead them to explore trading second baseman Brandon Phillips as well as right-handers Bronson Arroyo and Aaron Harang.

Cincinnati's 2009 payroll was about $71 million. General manager Walt Jocketty said during a break Tuesday at the GM Meetings that he "might" have to move some high-salaried players to meet the 2010 goal.

"We're going to probably have less to spend this year than we have in the past," Jocketty told FanHouse. "It just depends on how [ticket] sales go this offseason."

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Wednesday night, while John Smoltz was in the middle of his worst start with the Cardinals, he could be seen constantly trading balls with the home plate umpire, clearly unhappy with something. After the game ended, he said it was because he felt the balls were improperly rubbed down, causing them to be more slippery than normal and preventing him from getting a proper grip.

The story could've ended there, but apparently Tony La Russa and Dave Duncan have been reading a little bit too much Raymond Chandler lately, because they got their Phillip Marlowe on and after some investigating, are charging the Reds with a larger conspiracy.

Looking to cycle spot-starters each day? Check out the Stream Team, where we tab pitchers that are likely to help you in your quest for fantasy gold.

We earned a pretty solid start from Wade Davis on Wednesday. The rookie Ray only gave up two earned runs in 5.2 innings in a no-decision, and a 6/1 K/BB ratio speaks to an even better performance than the final line indicates. He's definitely on the watch list for next year. Today, Bronson Arroyo pitched another gem against the Pirates, giving up one run in seven innings en route to another win.

Looking to cycle spot-starters each day? Check out the Stream Team, where we tab pitchers that are likely to help you in your quest for fantasy gold.

Yesterday we spot-started Hiroki Kuroda again, and he was brilliant yet again. He threw six innings while giving up two runs, but both were unearned. He also threw in six strikeouts on his way to an easy win for the Dodgers. His six innings with no earned runs drops our September ERA to 3.26, using pitchers that are available in a majority of your leagues. I hope you're winning your championship game, and now I'll do my best to give you a bigger lead.

Looking to cycle spot-starters each day? Check out the Stream Team, where we tab pitchers that are likely to help you in your quest for fantasy gold.

Man, you figured there was a good spot-start to be had somewhere yesterday, and there was. Wade Davis shook off a drubbing in his previous start to spin a complete-game shut out, striking out 10 Orioles along the way. My begrudgingly-made pick was Brandon Morrow, who pitched 5.2 innings and only allowed two runs, but walked six batters on the day. Those type of control problems are not a recipe for fantasy success.

Looking to cycle spot-starters each day? Check out the Stream Team, where we tab pitchers that are likely to help you in your quest for fantasy gold.

We suggested streaming Bronson Arroyo last night -- as soon as the article went live, I started having second thoughts. After all, every time it looks safe to pick up Arroyo and start him, he gives up a seven-run pounding and finds himself right back on the wire. Last night, he kept humming along, pitching seven innings and striking out six, allowing one run and earning a win. We've got a 3.61 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in September, with 9 wins and a K/BB ratio better than 3/1.

Poppin' out of the box scores and right into your cubicle, the Roto Rush is your double espresso shot of fantasy baseball advice every weekday.

After Tim Lincecum missed a start, fantasy owners still in the championship race had to have been holding their collective breath. Now is not the time to lose your staff ace. His next start would be a test of his health. Last year's NL Cy Young winner took the hill Monday night against the wild card-leading Rockies, and he passed the test with flying colors. While the 4 free passes were a bit disappointing, Lincecum more than made up for that with a win, 11 strikeouts and just 1 earned run in 7 innings of work. He's back, and he'll be a force the rest of the way (now if only someone could convince him to get a freaking haircut).

Looking to cycle spot-starters each day? Check out the Stream Team, where we tab pitchers that are likely to help you in your quest for fantasy gold.

We're back to rocking it on the Stream Team. After Vicente Padilla gave up just an unearned run in six innings for a Saturday win, Clay Buchholz went seven innings today while allowing one run in a no-decision. In 13 September starts, we now have 8 wins, a 3.81 ERA, and a 1.18 WHIP. We're also working on an eight-game quality-start streak. I was terrible at picking spot starters at the end of August, but I'm back, baby.

Looking to cycle spot-starters each day? Check out the Stream Team, where we tab pitchers that are likely to help you in your quest for fantasy gold.

Bronson Arroyo kept his streak of quality starts alive on Sunday, allowing two runs in 7.1 innings. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to secure the win, but this start gave the Team a solid weekend after a horrible week. Derek Holland will attempt to close out the month of August on a high note tonight, when he squares off against Toronto at home.