Baker doesn't focus on Trade Deadline rumors

SAN DIEGO -- The Trade Deadline was less than 24 hours away and a countdown clock was on the television in his office as Reds manager Dusty Baker watched a Pirates-Cardinals game Tuesday afternoon.

All signs point to the Reds being quiet when the 4 p.m. ET non-waiver Trade Deadline strikes on Wednesday.

"I don't pay attention to it. It's mentioned to me," Baker said. "It's hard to make a trade. We have hardly made any deals during the season since I've been here. Most of them are called 'trade rumors.' They're not called trades. I don't have time to pay attention them.

"I don't like rumors. Realistically, what can I do about it? I can't stop it."

The Reds have made only two major acquisitions around the Deadline during Baker and general manager Walt Jocketty's tenure since 2008. In '09, the Reds traded for third baseman Scott Rolen from the Blue Jays and last season, reliever Jonathan Broxton came over from the Royals.

Cincinnati has been keeping its eye out for a right-handed bat, but is also hoping that bat can be supplied when Ryan Ludwick returns from the disabled list. Baker didn't expect the Reds to make the transaction wire on Wednesday.

"Probably," Baker said. "Even if it's quiet tomorrow, some guys end up getting traded after the Deadline anyway, which I've always wondered how everybody passes through [waivers]."