Reds going all in, acquire Marshall from Cubs

If the Cincinnati Reds were playing Texas Hold 'Em, it would appear that they are going all-in. General manager Walt Jocketty made his second trade in a short few days and once again acquired a pitcher for multiple players. This time the Reds plucked left-handed relief pitcher Sean Marshall from the Chicago Cubs for left-handed starter Travis Wood and two minor-leaguers, outfielder Dave Sappelt and infielder Ronald Torreyes. Late last week, Jocketty obtained right-handed starting pitcher Mat Latos for four players starting pitcher Edinson Volquez and three high prospects in Yonder Alonso, Yasmandi Grandal and Brad Boxberger. So, in a one-week period Jocketty has acquired two players in exchange for seven players, five of whom are minor-league prospects. That seems to be an indication that Jocketty and the Reds are trying to load up for a 2012 run at the National League Central title. That seems a legitimate move judging from what has happened within the division. The St. Louis Cardinals have lost Albert Pujols and it appears that Milwaukee first baseman Prince Fielder is headed out of the division as a free agent. The Cardinals, though, did sign free agent Carlos Beltran on Thursday. When the Reds acquired Latos for their rotation, they snapped up a pitcher who will be under their control for the next four years. Not so with Marshall. He is in his third year of arbitration eligibility and can become a free agent after this season, during which the Reds will pay him 3.1 million. "I have a good relationship with his representative, (agent) Barry Meister)," said Jocketty. "There are no guarantees, but we'll sure try to sign him to a long-term deal. We hope he'll come in and see what a great team and organization we have and will want to stay." Asked if his cards are sufficient enough to go all in, Jocketty said, "We try to win every year, tried to win this year. We can't do things through free agency so we have to do it through trades. That's why we develop players. We either fit them into our team or use them to make trades. "You hate to trade young players and hate to call them and tell them they've been traded," he said. "But in the case of Sean Marshall, he was one of the top left-handed relief pitchers in the game and he can certainly help us win next year." While Marshall was primarily a set-up guy for the Cubs, look for him to be in the mix to become the team's closer. "That's a possibility," said Jocketty. "We're still talking to Francisco Cordero, but if that doesn't work out, we have people already on our club who can compete for it and Sean certainly would be included." That suits Marshall. "I had a couple of opportunities last year when Carlos Marmol struggled," he said. "I took the ball and really enjoyed it. I was very comfortable in the closing role." Marshall, 29 and 6-7 220 pounds, was a set-up man for Marmol last year and appeared in 78 games (75 23 innings), going 6-6 with a 2.26 ERA. He also finished 18 games and had five saves while walking 17 and striking out 79. Amazingly, pitching in the tight quarters that is Wrigley Field, Marshall gave up only one home run all year. "I was surprised by the trade, but I understand the business," said Marshall, the Cubs' sixth-round draft pick in 2003. "It will be an adjustment, but I know with the great players they have we have a chance to win and I hope I can help them win a World Series ring." Jocketty knows that Reds' left-handed hitters like Joey Votto and Jay Bruce came back to the dugout mumbling after trying to make solid contract against Marshall, but he was equally effective against right-handers, too. Ask Brandon Phillips. Or Drew Stubbs. "When we can't figure out how to hit a pitcher, we try to acquire him," said Jocketty with a laugh. Wood, 24, was 6-6 with a 4.84 ERA in 18 appearances for the Reds last year and made four bullpen appearances. He began last season as the team's No. 2 starter behind Volquez (also traded) and struggled enough that the team sent him to Class AAA Louiville for a significant portion of the season. Outfielder Sappelt, 24, was a spring sensation, hitting over .500, but didn't make the team until later in the season. He was eventually called up to be part of the revolving door that was left field and hit .243 in 38 games. Infielder Torreyes is only 19, a free agent signed out of Venezuela was a mini-mite0000. He is listed as 5-10, but is closer to 5-5. He played his first full professional season at Class A Dayton, where he hit .356 in 67 games. The Reds acquired another pitcher on Friday when they claimed right-hander Josh Judy off waivers from the Cleveland Indians. Judy, 25, was a 38th-round draft pick by the Tribe in 2007 and made his major-league debut last year, appearing in 12 games over 14 innings. He was 0-0 with a 7.07 ERA and gave up 18 hits, four of them home runs.