Reds are looking at Rockies' Garrett Atkins?

Bad contract, having a poor season, and a player whose bat finds the Rocky mountain air invigorating? I'd pass on that one. If the Reds can find a true upgrade over Encarnacion, go for it, but Atkins is not it.

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Reds express interest in Atkins
by Troy Renck on July 9, 2009


DENVER — The Reds have talked to the Rockies about acquiring Garrett Atkins while the Red Sox’s interest is waning, multiple sources said today. The Reds have liked Atkins since last winter when they considered a swap for Atkins and Yorvit Torrealba.

The complication comes over money. Atkins is owed roughly $3.4 million for the remainder of this season. For the Rockies to receive a reliever back in the deal like Nick Masset, they would have to eat some of his contract since Masset is making only $418,000. A closer salary match could be found with David Weathers — he has roughly $1.6 million left — but it’s unclear if he’s available.

As reported in The Post earlier this week, the Red Sox have talked with the Rockies about Atkins. They need to be prepared to get a bat if Mike Lowell (hip injury) is out longterm. They have bullpen depth that makes Takashi Saito expendable. But in talking to people familar with their thinking, their interest level in Atkins seems minimal. It’s hard to see the Rockies sending Atkins to Boston in a deal unless it involves Manny Delcarmen. These teams have so much bad blood in botched trades, Boston remains a longshot.

It’s worth keeping an eye on Seattle and St. Louis regarding Atkins. Miguel Batista would be a salary match with the Mariners. St. Louis is prepared to make a push for Roy Halladay so their focus is elsewhere based on published reports.

Also, I continue to hear buzz that the Giants are prepared to make a strong play for the Pirates’ Freddy Sanchez. The teams have previously discussed Jonathan Sanchez for Freddy Sanchez. There has been chatter about the Rockies going after Freddy Sanchez in a deal involving Eric Young Jr. That makes no sense. If the Rockies go after a Pirate, it would likely be a reliever like Matt Capps.

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Reds express interest in Atkins : All Things Rockies Colorado

I liked the Rolen rumor better.

From MLBTR,

Hal McCoy of the Dayton Daily News says the Reds are not trading for Rolen. The Blue Jays and Reds talked, but the Jays are not interested in Encarnacion and the Reds would have trouble taking on Rolen's contract.McCoy spoke with a Reds official who says the team has no room for Garrett Atkins.