ESPN reports that the Red Sox are in the market to get rid of David Wells. The Cardinals, Dodgers, and Padres are the leading contenders, but the story also mentions the Reds as the very last word in the piece.

But consider this: David Wells is 43 years old and left-handed. He's just off knee-surgery but he appears to be coming back. In other words, it's a wonder this guy hasn't been with the Reds for a month.

Did you see the story “Notes: Reds show love for Valentin” on Reds.com?? I'm so excited!

No, not just because Javy's already signed to come back just seven months after the last time they signed him to come back, though of course I'm excited about that:

On Monday, Valentin was given a one-year, $1.25 million contract extension for 2007 with a club option for 2008.

The club option is for $1.3 million, which includes a $75,000 buyout. That option would escalate to $1.35 million if gets 250 plate appearances next year, and $1.4 million if he reaches 300 plate appearances.

That's awesome, of course, but what I'm psyched about is the headline on the story. Sure, you might think that including “love” is just a play on “Valentín”, but I choose to believe that's it's one-third of “Latin Love Machine.”

So, I hear we've picked up a new lefty reliever in Scott Schoeneweis. He comes to us from Toronto in exchange for a player to be named later or cash.

Schoeneweis brings with him a 2-2 record, 6.51 ERA, and the most friggin difficult name to type of the whole season. The deal for the two remaining lefty relievers who haven't yet played for the Reds this season is expected tomorrow.

Kent Mercker was moved from the 15-day DL to the 60-day DL en route to the infinity-day DL. Love Shackelford was optioned back to Louisville; that guy must be able to identify every match.com member between Cincy and Louisville by the sound of her footsteps by now.

After several consecutive poor performances, the Reds have optioned Elizardo Ramirez back to AAA Louisville and recalled reliever Brian Shackelford.

It's a shame: the Lizard was SO good for a while there. But he's just a 23. He's still got time to rediscover his awesomeness.

Kyle Lohse performed well his last outing and is pencilled in to start on Thursday. But if he's our fifth starter, who's going to be our fourth starter? Chris Michalak, Ryan Franklin, and Matt Belisle seem like reasonable possibilities.

General manager Wayne Krivsky picked up Todd Hollandsworth from the Indians yesterday for a player to be named later. Said Krivsky:

“Not only is he a veteran hitter that knows the National League, he's used to pinch-hitting and can play all three outfield spots,” Krivsky said. “He's a very versatile guy. He's been around and was what we were looking for.”

“Veteran”? “Versatile” “All three outfield spots”? Oh crap. You know what that means. Ryan Freel, you may as well sit down; you've been replaced.