Demoted Kearns asks to be traded
By Hal McCoy
Dayton Daily News
Austin Kearns, languishing these days at Class AAA Louisville, has asked about a trade and wouldn't mind if the Cincinnati Reds moved him to another organization where he would play every day, he told the Dayton Daily News.
"There comes a time when you want to get established with a team and play every day," he said. "Every time I'm with the Reds, they try to play four or five outfielders. You can't work your way out of any slump because they put you on the bench."
When he was sent down before the June 13-15 Boston series, Kearns asked about a trade and was told by general manager Dan O'Brien that there was no interest in him.
"I called him on that because I've heard there is," said Kearns. "When Washington was in town, (Nationals general manager) Jim Bowden told both Adam Dunn and me he continues to try to make trades for us."
Bowden, though, has said that his phone calls to the Reds are not returned and his e-mails to the Reds are not answered.
The Chicago Cubs have interest in Kearns and when the Atlanta Braves were in town manager Bobby Cox pointedly asked, "What's going on with Kearns and why is in Louisville? I sure like that kid."
Kearns is hitting .346 with five doubles in 26 at-bats in Louisville.