When it comes to Reds’ all-time worst trades, the name Justin Germano might be added to the list.
The San Diego right-hander is currently 6-3 with a 3.55 ERA. He pitched 6 1/3 innings of four-hit, no-run baseball yesterday against Arizona. Germano was drafted by the Padres in the 13th round in 2000. When the Padres were making a playoff push in 2005, they traded Germano and Travis Chick to the Reds for third baseman Joe Randa. Ex-Reds GM Dan O’Brien made that trade. But last year, with the Reds trying to stay in the playoff hunt, new GM Wayne Krivsky traded Germano to Philadelphia for veteran pitcher Rheal Cormier. The Phillies then placed Germano on waivers this March, when he was taken back by San Diego.
Germano’s numbers in the Reds’ organization were not bad. He was 3-2 with a 4.01 ERA in eight starts with Triple-A Louisville in 2005. He was then 8-6 with a 3.69 ERA with Louisville in 2006. He was 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA in just six major-league innings with the Reds last year.
Germano got off to a flying start with San Diego this season, going 4-0 with a 1.73 ERA over his first five starts. He slipped a bit toward the All-Star break, giving up five runs in 6 2/3 innings to the Dodgers on July 1 and seven runs in just four innings against Atlanta on July 6. He bounced back Sunday.
As for Cormier, the 40-year-old hasn’t pitched in the majors since April 18. He was designated for assignment on April 28.
Meanwhile, Germano is 24 years old.
