By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The Reds unloaded another top player today, sending outfielder Jose Guillen to the Oakland Athletics for right-handed pitchers Aaron Harang, Joe Valentine and Jeff Bruksch.

Harang stats

The Reds, throwing in the towel on a disappointing season, traded reliever Scott Williamson to the Boston Red Sox Tuesday night.

Guillen hit .337 with 23 home runs and 63 RBI for the Reds in only 315 at-bats. He's on a one-year contract and can become a free agent after the season.

The Reds had talks about re-signing him.

"He was willing to come back for a very reasonable offer," assistant general manager Leland Maddox said.

"I've got to appreciate the opportunity the Reds gave me," Guillen said. "They gave me a chance for a new life."

Guillen didn't even make the team out of spring training. He was called up the first week of the season after Ken Griffey Jr. got hurt. He's been the Reds' best hitter.

Harang, a 25-year-old right-hander, started the year at Triple-A Sacramento and was 7-2 with 2.38 ERA before being promoted to Oakland. He went 1-3 with 5.34 ERA with the A's, then was sent back to Sacramento. He was 1-0 with a 3.78 ERA in three starts. The win came Tuesday when we allowed two runs over six innings.

Valentine, 23, was 1-3 with 4.38 ERA at Triple-A. Bruksch, also 23, was 10-8 with a 5.13 ERA at Single-A Modesto.

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