By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

SARASOTA, Fla. - Want the definition of a serious youth movement? When you trade away a solid, productive 26-year-old pitcher to get younger ones.

That's what the Reds did Friday when they sent right-hander Chris Reitsma to the Atlanta Braves for 23-year-old left-hander Jung Keun Bong and 22-year-old right-hander Bubba Nelson.

You could argue that the Reds gave up their best pitcher. Reitsma is the reigning Johnny Vander Meer Award winner, given annually to the club's outstanding pitcher.

"When you have a guy who's 26, throws 95 (mph) and has the best changeup in baseball, you'd think you'd want to keep him," closer Danny Graves said.

The trade was the first for Reds general manager Dan O'Brien. He said it is part of a plan.

"Right from the beginning we talked about the importance of improving our rotation - not only now but for the future," O'Brien said. "In that vein, the opportunity to acquire 22-year-old and 23-year-old starting pitchers is a rare opportunity."

But, as with all the moves the Reds make, there are financial implications. Reitsma will make $950,000 this year and is likely to get a huge raise in arbitration next year. Bong has one year of major-league service and Nelson none, so they both are years from making big money.

"I thought he was a bargain," Graves said of Reitsma. "He's a great setup guy and is capable of closing. That's the way it goes. It seems like the last few years when guys start to get good, we trade them."

The Reds say Reitsma was expendable because the bullpen is the club's strength as far as depth. The trade came one day after the team signed Todd Jones, a former closer, to a minor-league deal.

"The one thing we do have is some level of depth in our bullpen," O'Brien said. "With the possible addition of Todd Jones, even more so. When you can maintain the overall strength of the bullpen, the opportunity to obtain two starting pitchers was one we could not pass up."

The Reds plan to move 21-year-old Ryan Wagner into a more significant role. They also have John Riedling, Brian Reith and Todd Van Poppel in the right-handed setup mix.

But Reitsma leaves a void. He was 9-5 with a 4.29 ERA last year.

Reitsma and other relievers thought a move might be coming after Jones was signed Thursday.

"There was some whispering," Reitsma said. "At the same time, in this game, you never know. I was taken completely by surprise."

The trade is unlikely to have any effect on the Opening Day roster - other than possibly opening a spot for Jones.

The Braves were preparing Bong and Nelson as relievers. The Reds see both as starters, but it will take time before they both can pitch long enough to start.

Bong was due to report to major-league camp and was 1-0 with a 2.89 ERA in five appearances this spring.

He throws a fastball, curve and changeup, and O'Brien said his fastball is a tick above the major-league average.

"He's extremely poised," O'Brien said. "He's advanced beyond his years in terms of pitching knowledge."

Bong was used primarily as a starter after the Braves signed him as an undrafted free agent in 1997, but he was switched to relief last year.

"(The Braves) had a significant need last year," O'Brien said. "They simply felt he was the best left-handed pitching prospect they had."

Bong went 6-2 with a 5.05 ERA last year with the Braves. He faded after starting the season 5-0 with a 3.34 ERA.

Bong is from Seoul, South Korea, but the Reds don't expect any communication problems.

"We're told his English is excellent," O'Brien said.

Nelson, Atlanta's second-round pick in the 2000 draft, will report to minor-league camp. He also was used mostly as a starter before last year.

"After John Smoltz was hurt last year, (the Braves) thought they might need another arm for the pennant race. They thought so much of Bubba they put him in that role at Triple-A."

Nelson did not get the call to the big leagues, but his minor-league numbers - 34-26, 3.03 ERA - are outstanding.

"He is primarily a sinkerball, slider pitcher," O'Brien said. "He has some work to do on his changeup. He's extraordinarily aggressive on the mound. The word is he attacks hitters."

Nelson was rated the fourth-best prospect in the Atlanta organization last year by Baseball America. Bong was 15th in 2002.

But Bong is closer to being big-league ready.

"He's further along as far as baseball and his refinement," O'Brien said.

Reitsma started, closed and set up in his three years with the Reds. He was 22-32 since coming to the club in a trade with the Boston Red Sox in August 2000. The Reds traded Dante Bichette in an effort to get younger and cheaper.

Now, Reitsma has been traded for the same reason.

"It's an honor, I guess, to be going to an organization like the Atlanta Braves," he said. "Their record speaks for itself.

"At the same time, I'm sad to leave here. I've made friends with a lot of people. I have a lot of mixed emotions."

Reitsma's career

Here is the career record for Chris Reitsma, whom the Braves acquired from the Reds Friday.

Year	Club	IP	W-L	ERA
1996	Red Sox-R	26.2	3-1	1.35
1997	Michigan-A	49.2	4-1	2.90
1998	Sarasota-A	12.2	0-0	2.84
1999	Sarasota-A	96.1	4-10	5.61
2000	Sarasota-A/Trenton-AA	154.2	10-6	3.12
2001	Cincinnati	182	7-15	5.29
2002	Louisville-AAA/Cincinnati	159.1	8-12	3.82
2003	Louisville-AAA/Cincinnati	102	10-7	4.14
Totals		781	46-52	3.32

Bong's career

Here is the career record for Jung Keun Bong, who was acquired along with Bubba Nelson from the Braves Friday:

Year	Club	IP	W-L	ERA
1998	Gulf Coast-R	48	1-1	1.49
1999	Macon-A	109	6-5	3.98
2000	Macon-A	113	3-1	2.18
2000	Myrtle Beach-A	41	3-1	2.18
2001	Myrtle Beach-A	168	13-9	3.00
2002	Greenville-AA	122	7-8	3.25
2003	Atlanta	37	6-2	5.05
2003	Richmond-AAA	11	3-3	5.56
Totals		612	38-33	3.32