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."
While some people around Major League Baseball are losing their jobs for failing to win games, others around the league are being rewarded for their success. The Los Angeles Dodgers are getting ready to make their third appearance in the postseason in the last four years, and it looks like the man who is in charge of putting the team together is about to be rewarded for it.
There's word out of Los Angeles that the team has begun negotiating with general manager Ned Colletti about signing a long-term contract extension with the team. Colletti is currently working under a deal that includes a mutual option for 2010, and now the Dodgers would like that to last a bit longer.
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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.
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.
With the waiver trade deadline looming, the Diamondbacks sent Jon Garland to the division rival Dodgers. As fate sometimes works, Garland faced Arizona in his first start for his new team. He pitched brilliantly, allowing two runs in seven innings while striking out six batters and earning a win. As if that wasn't enough, Garland is scheduled to take the mound against his old team again in a rematch, this time in Arizona. Will he come out victorious again?
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.
On Thursday in Philadelphia, one of the game's best pitchers from years past squared off against arguably the game's best pitcher of today. Who would win the battle of old versus new? It turns out fantasy owners were the big winners.
Tim Lincecum struck out 11 batters, which isn't even close to a season high for the kid, and walked one over seven innings while allowing two runs, but all that got him was a loss.
Pedro Martinez, making his fifth start with the Phillies, moved to 3-0 on the strength of a nine-strikeout, no-walk performance. He threw 62 of his 87 pitches for strikes and looked completely dominant after a first-inning homer by Eugenio Velez.
Starting Five is our wrapup of the previous day's baseball action, with a quick nod to what is ahead.
You Oughta Know ... Jon Garland couldn't beat them. So he joined them. And then he beat the old them.
Traded from the fourth-place Diamondbacks to the first-place Dodgers earlier in the week, Garland on Friday faced Arizona in his first start for Los Angeles.
"It was fun. I grew up coming to games here, and getting a chance to pitch for this team is definitely a dream come true," Garland said. "It's kind of awkward the way it happened -- but nevertheless, it did -- and I was able to throw a good one up. I didn't leave too many tickets. I cut the phone off and told people if they want to come, they can pay for it and support the team."
The Dodgers bolstered their rotation and lineup by acquiring Jim Thome from the White Sox and Jon Garland from the Diamondbacks, squeezing the deals in just before the deadline for both players to be eligible for Los Angeles' postseason roster.
The Dodgers reportedly sent infielder Justin Fuller to the White Sox in exchange for Thome and cash considerations. Fuller, a former 11th-round pick, was hitting .254 with four homers as a 26-year-old at Single-A, so he's not much of a prospect. The move amounts to a dump for the White Sox, while the Dodgers are looking for Thome to provide some pop to their lineup.
You see, when it comes to marquee names like Pedro, the expectations are always a bit unrealistic. It would be nice if legends could harness the same stuff at age 37, but that's just not the way it goes. In fact, the Martinez we saw in his season debut Wednesday wasn't all that impressive from a fantasy perspective.
Editor's Note: FanHouse's Jeff Fletcher contributed to this report
While some people around Major League 
Looking to cycle spot-starters each day? Check out the 
Looking to cycle spot-starters each day? Check out the 
Looking to cycle spot-starters each day? Check out the 
Poppin' out of the box scores and right into your cubicle, the 
Starting Five
The 
Poppin' out the box scores and right into your cubicle, the 
