Trent sez:

The Reds acquired IF Jeff Keppinger from the Royals for RHP Russ Haltiwanger, and designated for assignment Ray Olemdo.

Keppinger was traded to the Royals last season from the Mets. HE hit .300 in 87 games for Class AAA Norfolk and .354 in 22 games for Omaha. He hit .267 with 2 HR and 8 RBI in 22 games for the Royals last season. Haltiwanger, 22, appeared in 40 games, starting five and had a 0-4 record with 4.15 ERA and a save.

If Olmedo doesn't clear waivers and end up back in the organization, I'll miss the little fella.

Noah Hunt and the All-Stars perform “Under the Lights” at Redsfest in December 2006. Hunt definitely has a Jason LaRue-esque hotness going on, only with less John Deere hat.

Maybe I was imagining things, but as I watched the performance live, it seemed like the entire band was pissed off at Noah, like maybe they'd been fighting back stage just before going on. But, c'mon, how could you be mad a such a cutie?

From the press release on Reds.com:

CINCINNATI -- The 2007 Reds Winter Caravan, sponsored by Cincinnati USA Regional Tourism Network, is scheduled to make 26 stops in 21 cities and towns in four states covering four days and 1,300 miles. The caravan kicks off Thursday, Jan. 25 and will include 13 fan stops that will be open to the public, 12 Hot Stove stops at Reds on Radio affiliates, a field renovation dedication ceremony in Louisville and a visit to Shriners Hospital for Children in Lexington.

The 2007 version will consist of two separate caravans touring simultaneously. The 13 stops open to the public will be free, and at each stop the Reds will raffle off 2 tickets to the 2007 Opening Day game against the Chicago Cubs.

Last year's Caravan made eight stops and covered 1,165 miles.

The very popular Reds Winter Caravan provides fans with the opportunity to interact with Reds executive vice president and general manager Wayne Krivsky, manager Jerry Narron, players, broadcasters and other members of the front office staff. At each stop, the group will field questions from fans, sign autographs and pose for photographs. Sales representatives will be on hand to discuss season tickets and group sales, while the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum, the Reds Community Fund and Cincinnati USA Regional Tourism Network also will attend selected stops.

Already scheduled to appear in stops on the Northern Leg are Narron, pitcher Todd Coffey, outfielder Chris Dickerson, new Reds broadcaster Thom Brennaman and senior vice president of business operations Phil Castellini.

The Southern Leg group includes Krivsky, executive vice president and chief operating officer John Allen, Hall of Fame broadcaster Marty Brennaman, infielder Brandon Phillips and the organization's Minor League Player of the Year, which will be announced at the LaSalle High School Stag on Jan. 24.

NORTHERN LEG FAN STOPS (free and open to the public)

Date: Location Time

Thursday, January 25
Columbus (OH), Flannagan’s Dublin 7:00 to 9:00

Friday, January 26
Marion (OH), BW3s 10:00 to 11:00
Findlay (OH), Fricker’s Noon to 2:00
Lima (OH), Lima Mall 6:00 to 8:00

Saturday, January 27
Muncie (IN), Damon’s 3:30 to 5:30
Indianapolis (IN), location TBA 7:00 to 9:00

Sunday, January 28
Dayton (OH), Fricker’s in West Carrollton Noon to 2:00 p.m.

SOUTHERN LEG FAN STOPS (free and open to the public)

Date: Location Time

Thursday, January 25
Louisville (KY), Metro Parks/Louisville West Sports field renovation ceremony 5:00 to 5:30
Louisville (KY), Louisville Slugger Museum 7:00 to 9:00

Friday, January 26
Cynthiana (KY), Cynthiana Country Club 11:00 to 1:00
Lexington (KY), Shriners Hospital for Children 2:00 to 3:00
Lexington (KY), Beaumont Centre Family YMCA 5:00 to 7:00

Saturday, January 27
South Point (OH), Big Sandy Superstore 2:00 to 3:00
Huntington (WV), Huntington Mall 4:00 to 6:00

Sunday, January 28
Ashland (KY), Ashland Town Center Noon to 2:00 p.m.

See also the story about the caravan on Reds.com and comments on Marc's blog.