Reds & Indians Notes

- Cleveland has had a player with 4 hits in each of their 3 wins this season. Aaron Boone on Tuesday, Jason Michaels on Wednesday and Travis Hafner on Friday. Hafner had 2 homeruns of his 4 hits Friday.

- Reds SS Felipe Lopez appears to be poised to show that his All-Star appearance in 2005 was no fluke as he had 2 HR against the Pirates on Friday. On the season Lopez is 7-17 with 14 total bases and a 1.324 OPS.

- The Reds and Indians made a trade on Friday that leaves many of us scratching our heads. 2B/SS Brandon Phillips, once the main prospect in the Bartolo Colon for Phillips, Cliff Lee and Grady Sizemore deal, was traded to Cincinnati for a player to be names or cash. ESPN reports that Phillips will be a part of as the Reds have designated infielder Matt Kata for assignment.

- So now what are the Reds going to do in the middle infield? In the off season they signed Tony Womack, Felipe Lopez is an All-Star shortstop, Ryan Freel may be the best 10th man/utility player in Major League Baseball, and Rich Aurilia has been hitting cleanup for the Reds. Add Phillips to the mix and we have 5 guys that can play either 2B or SS. It will be interesting to see how the Reds expect to get each player any playing time at all unless another deal is close to being made.