So like many other fans I have been wondering if Harang or Arroyo are really available this offseason. I went looking on various blogs (skip Reds blogs, they all live in the past) and found very little. The Cincinnati Enquirer did have this though:

The Reds are trying to keep their payroll as last year’s level of $73.5 million. They are already close to that point.

Another rumor had Aaron Harang and Bronson Arroyo available. Jocketty said the Reds have heard from clubs on veteran pitchers.

"A little bit," Jocketty said, "not a lot."

His preference is keep them.

"A lot of clubs are asking because we have a lot of pitching depth," he said, "both starters and relievers. It’s a strength. I’d like to keep a strength."

Harang makes $12.5 million next season; Arroyo $11 million. The thought is the Reds may want to add budget flexibility by moving one of them. But Jocketty sounds like he’ll try to keep them.

"If I can make it work and keep everybody, we’d be better off," he said. "But we’ll see."

That is not say neither will be traded. But the offers so far have been underwhelming.

"Nobody’s really wowed us with deals yet," he said.

"Saying that though, if the Mets offer us a bag of balls and a stick of big league chew they can have who they want."

http://cincinnati.com/blogs/reds/2009/12/08/meetings-day-ii-part-iii/

Interesting story. The last line is made up.

So are the Reds really strapped for payroll and need to trade a starter? Or do they want to keep what they have? Is this story a way for the Jocketty to alert other teams of his need for a starter?

I think Maine for Arroyo might work for both teams.