Are the Cincinnati Reds giving up?  Are the Reds’ beat writers giving up? The team is in second-place in the NL Central, one-half game behind the first-place St. Louis Cardinals and John Fay of The Cincinnati Enquirer suggests an Aaron Harang trade scenario in exchange for young talent could help in the future?

Fay says the Reds’ bullpen has been shaky at times, but has been good enough as of late. The rotation has been solid most of the season.

Harang has been the least effective of the top four starters with a 5-7 record and 5.15 ERA in 17 starts. Bronson Arroyo, Johnny Cueto and Mike Leake are a combined 19-6.

Fay suggests that if Edinson Volquez returns strong, the Reds will have to consider moving Harang. Voquez is currently out for a 50 game suspension for drug use and is recovering from Tommy John surgery.

If the Reds decide to trade Harang and the prorated portion of his $12.5 million salary for 2010, a shortstop could be high on the team’s priority list.