Seeing Reds

By Roch Kubatko

Jan 10, 2008 | 6:54 PM

I love how casually the latest batch of internet trade rumors has Melvin Mora possibly headed to Cincinnati as part of an Erik Bedard deal. Mora has a no-trade clause, and I haven’t heard anything about him being open to waiving it to play for the Reds.

I still believe if there’s no Jay Bruce in that deal, there’s no way Bedard is pitching for the Reds next season. Let them prove me wrong. I can take it.

The Mets reportedly are offering center fielder Carlos Gomez and pitchers Deolis Guerra, Kevin Mulvey and Phil Humber for Twins ace Johan Santana.

I’m not saying a word.

The Twins apparently will accept all four players, but they also want the Mets to toss in outfielder Fernando Martinez. And the Statue of Liberty.

I want to make sure I’m getting this right: Mike Cameron is suspended 25 games. Jay Gibbons is suspended 15 days.

And Bobby Petrino will stay at Arkansas for another 10 minutes.

Nationals pitcher Luis Ayala has nerve damage in his right arm after being accidentally shot in the biceps during a hunting trip. He has pellet shreds in the biceps and a hole the size of a BB. (Not a walk, for those of you scoring at home).

Ayala is expected to be ready for spring training. He’s also vowed never to go hunting with Dick Cheney again.

There’s quite a buzz building over the Orioles reportedly having an option agreement with Indian River County to move their spring training home to Vero Beach once the Dodgers head to Arizona – perhaps by 2009. A source confirmed it tonight with the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. But keep in mind that the Orioles, who declined to comment on the subject yesterday when I contacted a spokesman, also have an agreement to overhaul Fort Lauderdale Stadium. If the city ever gets approval from the FAA, which is necessary because the facility sits on executive airport land, the Orioles will sign a 15-year lease.

Alan Koslow, a Hollywood attorney who represents the Orioles, told the Sun-Sentinel: “My marching orders remain to get the FAA approval for the Fort Lauderdale site so we can go forward with the permanent facility.”

Does that sound like Vero Beach is a done deal?

Not yet, anyway.

My take: The Orioles don’t want to say too much about the option agreement with Vero Beach – actually, they don’t want to say anything about it – and risk alienating Fort Lauderdale officials and burning bridges. Dodgertown is their Plan B, their safety net. And what’s the worst that can happen? They relocate and their minor leaguers finally end up at the same complex? Vero Beach has six practice fields.

The Orioles will learn to hate those uncovered dugouts, however.

If you plan on tuning into the Hot Stove show tonight on WHFS (105.7 FM) and MASN, please note that the starting time is 7 p.m. on radio and television. No tape delays. I corrected my earlier entry.