Are the Reds sending Junior packing?
That’s what Fox News is reporting, saying that Cincinnati has a deal set to send Ken Griffey, Jr. to the Chicago White Sox, pending Griffey’s approval.
The Sporting News is chiming in, as well.
Paul Daugherty talks about it on his blog here.
Don’t know what the Reds are getting in return, but if the report is true, I like the deal. Junior’s time in his hometown has come and gone. Cincinnati is not going to pick up his option for next year, nor should it. Griffey is hitting below .250 this year, with reduced power. He’s on the downhill slide, and seems to have lost his spark.
Plus, the recent ugliness between Junior and broadcaster Jeff Brantley hasn’t helped. After hitting a home run last weekend, Griffey made the finger-across-the-throat gesture at Brantley in the booth. Seems Junior thought Brantley made a comment that Griffey was pouting about his option not being picked up. Brantley says he only criticized Griffey’s lack of defense on a particular play.
Update: Chicago Tribune confirms trade and says Junior will play center.
