My Take on The Griffey Trade Talk

Ken Griffey Jr. should be traded. Ken Griffey Jr. should be traded ASAP. Now you know how I feel, let me tell you why.

The 2008 Cincinnati Reds lack much hope to contend this season. Even with only 33 games under their belts it is easy to see that this season is not going to end favorably. Let the "Chase for 600" talk begin. That's pretty much all the Reds have to hang their hats on this season. They are hoping that is enough to get the butts in the seats to watch a team that is already 7 games under .500. And it probably will... once he gets to 599. But the Reds are sitting on a golden opportunity here. Let me explain.

In a recent USA Today article, the President of the Seattle Mariners said that he wanted to see Ken Griffey Jr. retire as a Mariner. I am starting to think most Reds fans feel the same way. But the fact is, the Reds can't expect to get much in return for their aging outfielder. The guy is only a few birthdays away from the big 4-0. Getting his salary off the books would be big in itself. But using the "Chase for 600" as incentive, the Reds may be able to pull a prospect out of this.

Pretend your the Mariner's front office for a second. If the Reds were to offer you Griffey now, think about the exposure for the club and the city as he goes for the milestone. Think about how many more fans would be put into the seats. Giving up a prospect to the Reds for those benefits might be worthwhile. In my opinion, I would expect Griffey to put more butts in the seats in Seattle this season then he would in Cincinnati.

If the Reds can use that to their advantage, they may be able to get a blue chip prospect out of this.

Agree? Disagree?

(By the way, Peter Gammons saying Griffey to the Chicago Cubs is absurd. Never would they make that trade within the division)