8:25pm: Reds GM Walt Jocketty stressed that he has not been instructed to dump salary. Still, that doesn’t mean an Arroyo or Adam Dunn trade couldn’t help the team.
4:12pm: Reds starter Bronson Arroyo commented today on the trade rumors:
"I’d really be disappointed if they made a trade for me. I feel like honestly if you trade me, you’re going ahead and saying we’re not going to build a winning team here…If you go ahead and trade me out now, you’re cashing in the money for a losing team."
It’s been rumored that the Yankees have scouted Arroyo. Arroyo actually has a career high strikeout rate going, but hits, walks, and home runs are also up. His salary jumps to $9.5MM next year, and he’ll earn $11MM in 2010 with a club option for ’11.
Based on their interest in Arroyo and Jarrod Washburn, it seems that the Yankees are hoping add an innings eater by spending money rather than top prospects.
