By Kevin Kelly
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Former Reds general manager Jim Bowden broke his silence Thursday.

Bowden, who was fired as Cincinnati's general manager Monday, was a guest on ESPN radio and served as an analyst on ESPN's trade deadline special.

During the course of the trade deadline program, Bowden spoke positively about the Reds' flurry of trades for pitching and admitted that the Reds and Yankees discussed a trade that would have sent Ken Griffey Jr. to New York.

Talks ended after Griffey suffered a season-ending ankle injury July 17.

"If he had been healthy this year and continued after he hit those five home runs in five days (July 8-12), I think he probably would've been traded, probably to the Yankees right now," Bowden said.

"The reality is you're going to have to be healthy in order to move that contract. ... There were discussions."

Though surprised by the number of moves since his dismissal, Bowden said the Reds addressed needs by acquiring seven minor-league pitchers for relief pitcher Scott Williamson (Red Sox), outfielder Jose Guillen (A's), third baseman Aaron Boone (Yankees) and relief pitcher Gabe White (Yankees).

"Obviously it's got to be tough for guys like Sean Casey and (Adam) Dunn and (Austin) Kearns and Jason LaRue," Bowden said. "The good part is, at least for Reds fans, is they've gone out and traded for a lot of young pitching. Hopefully that will turn the franchise in the long run."