|
Post by kinsm on Jan 23, 2015 8:16:10 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by redsfanman on Jan 23, 2015 10:11:19 GMT -5
Regarding C.Trent's article interviewing Price about the pitching staff, I share Price's concern about Rasiel Iglesias' unknown durability, for that reason I also rank him out of the top 5 rotation candidates. I think it's worth recognizing, however, that (albeit under different circumstances) they let Alfredo Simon start last year in the rotation, without the expectation of him throwing lots of innings (just a couple of weeks, then just a couple of months, then just half the season, then whaddayaknow, lets try a full season), with the early expectation of having to replace him in the rotation. If Iglesias DOES make the rotation I'd be surprised if they let him throw over 100 innings before moving him to the bullpen to rest his arm... after 150 innings I'd be shocked to see him still in the rotation. That would, of course, give other pitching prospects some time to work in AAA before taking over his rotation spot.
X-factor. It'll be interesting to see how things unfold with Iglesias. I'm glad Price seems open minded and willing to give multiple rotation candidates a chance.
I can't wait to see what the Brewers trade away for the honor of paying Jonathan Papelbon $13m in 2015 and 2016 (as new reports say Papelbon wants his option guaranteed in return for waiving his no-trade clause). I've long suggested that the Brewers should rebuild, trading away their veterans for prospects, and Papelbon would immediately jump to the top of the list of guys they should get rid of. Only he already has a limited no-trade clause to make it extra hard for him to trade in that rebuilding process, so they'd be stuck with him.
The Brewers recently acquired 23 year old Corey Knebel for Gallardo, I expected he'd get a chance at a closer role at some point, rather than be blocked by a new high priced aquisition.
Maybe the Brewers can give up OF Tyrone Taylor, SS Orlando Arcia, RHP Taylor Jungmann, or RHP Johnny Hellwig...the only noteworthy Brewers prospects at or above AA, aside from the treasured Jimmy Nelson.
|
|
|
Post by psuhistory on Jan 23, 2015 11:59:53 GMT -5
Phillies in Talks to Trade PapelbonESPN.com news services, 1/23/2015 The Philadelphia Phillies have engaged in discussions to send closer Jonathan Papelbon to the Milwaukee Brewers, according to ESPN sources and multiple media reports. Papelbon's contract, which calls for a $13 million salary this season with a $13 million option for 2016 that vests if he finishes 48 games this year, includes a no-trade clause that can block deals to 17 teams. A source told ESPN that Papelbon can block a trade to the Brewers, but would waive that if the vesting option for 2016 is guaranteed. The Phillies' desire to trade Papelbon is no secret as they start a massive rebuild that already has seen more than $40 million shaved off their estimated opening day payroll. The 34-year-old Papelbon had 39 saves and a 2.04 ERA last season, but his flagging velocity and perceived negative attitude -- Papelbon was suspended for seven games last September after grabbing his crotch following a blown save -- led to them looking for a trading partner. The Brewers, who traded Yovani Gallardo to the Texas Rangers earlier this week, have expressed interest in acquiring late-inning relief help. After seven successful seasons in Boston, Papelbon joined Philadelphia on a four-year, $52 million deal. Over his 10-year career, he has a 2.37 ERA, 325 saves and 721 strikeouts in 627 1/3 innings.
|
|
|
Post by psuhistory on Jan 23, 2015 13:42:18 GMT -5
I think it's a mistake for the Brewers to use their financial flexibility on an expensive closer, but at a $9m dollar savings or so, the Gallardo trade does give them the flexibility to make the trade without giving up much talent, if that's what they decide to do. Personal opinion is that spending on Papelbon wouldn't be such terrible news for the rest of the Central...
|
|
|
Post by psuhistory on Jan 23, 2015 13:47:31 GMT -5
Regarding C.Trent's article interviewing Price about the pitching staff, I share Price's concern about Rasiel Iglesias' unknown durability, for that reason I also rank him out of the top 5 rotation candidates. I don't think Price was excluding him from any top five list: if anything, he seemed to be making a more than usually strong statement for Iglesias as a starter...
|
|
|
Post by redsfanman on Jan 23, 2015 15:17:16 GMT -5
Regarding C.Trent's article interviewing Price about the pitching staff, I share Price's concern about Rasiel Iglesias' unknown durability, for that reason I also rank him out of the top 5 rotation candidates. I don't think Price was excluding him from any top five list: if anything, he seemed to be making a more than usually strong statement for Iglesias as a starter... I don't think it's a big distinction. He raved about Iglesias' talent and said his future likely is as a starter (in the final full paragraph of the article), but Price apparently listed Cingrani and DeSclafani as the favorites for the two open rotation spots at the moment... with his concerns about how little they know about him being the best explanation given. I was mostly trying to refer to the X-factor statement, that we don't know quite what role to expect for Iglesias, yet. And they might not be facing the typical situation where the guys who start the season in the rotation are expected to finish the season in the rotation.
|
|
|
Post by psuhistory on Jan 23, 2015 16:26:37 GMT -5
He raved about Iglesias' talent and said his future likely is as a starter (in the final full paragraph of the article), but Price apparently listed Cingrani and DeSclafani as the favorites for the two open rotation spots at the moment. Price has made some questionable statements as a manager. I really liked this brief, sharp statement of his view of Iglesias as a starter: it's clear, concise, someone who knows what he's talking about talking about it. As opposed to (festive) sacrifice bunting, for example...
|
|
|
Post by psuhistory on Jan 28, 2015 13:28:46 GMT -5
Pirates Send Travis Snider to Orioles Associated Press, 1/28/2015
BALTIMORE -- The Orioles have acquired outfielder Travis Snider from the Pittsburgh Pirates for a minor league pitcher and a player to be named.
The teams announced the trade Tuesday night. The Pirates got left-hander Stephen Tarpley.
The 26-year-old Snider hit .264 with 13 home runs and a career-best 38 RBIs in 140 games for the Pirates last season. He was a first-round draft pick by Toronto in 2006.
Snider has hit .246 with 50 homers in his major league career. He can provide outfield depth for the Orioles after they lost Nick Markakis and Nelson Cruz to free agency in the offseason.
The 21-year-old Tarpley was 3-5 with a 3.68 ERA with Class A Aberdeen.
The Orioles also designated catcher Michael Ohlman for assignment.
|
|
|
Post by psuhistory on Jan 30, 2015 17:28:34 GMT -5
Neal Cotts, Brewers Reach Deal Associated Press, 1/30/2015
MILWAUKEE -- Reliever Neal Cotts and the Milwaukee Brewers have agreed to a one-year, $3 million contract.
The 34-year-old left-hander was 2-9 with a 4.32 ERA and two saves in a career-high 73 relief appearances for Texas last season, a year after going 8-3 with a 1.11 ERA in 58 games with the Rangers. Cotts has held opponents to a .223 average during the past two seasons with 128 strikeouts in 123 ⅔ innings.
Cotts is 20-24 with a 4.05 ERA and four saves in 410 relief appearances and five starts for the White Sox (2003-06), Cubs (2007-09) and Texas. He appeared in all four games of the 2005 World Series and got the win in Game 2 against Houston.
He had Tommy John surgery in July 2009, did not pitch in 2010 and `11 because of arm and hip injuries, then spent 2012 in the Rangers' minor league system. He made his debut for Texas on May 31, 2013, his first big league appearance since May 25, 2009.
To make room for Cotts on the 40-man roster, infielder/outfielder Elian Herrera was designated for assignment Friday.
|
|
|
Post by psuhistory on Jan 30, 2015 17:33:13 GMT -5
MLB Network Ranks Cueto, Votto Among Top 10 C. Trent Rosecrans, Enquirer, 1/30/2015
Joey Votto is the fourth-best first baseman in baseball, and Johnny Cueto is the sixth-best starting pitcher, according to MLB Network.
MLB Network aired two new episodes of its "Top 10 Right Now" show on Thursday, with the first two Reds featured in the series. All three outfield positions and shortstop have been featured in previous weeks, all without a mention of a Reds player.
Cueto appeared on the list for the first time — the offseason show is in its fourth year.
The list for starting pitchers is:
1. Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers
2. Felix Hernandez, Mariners
3. Chris Sale, White Sox
4. Adam Wainwright, Cardinals
5. Max Scherzer, Nationals
6. Johnny Cueto, Reds
7. Corey Kluber, Indians
8. David Price, Tigers
9. Madison Bumgarner, Giants
10. Jordan Zimmermann, Nationals
The show featured two analysts - MLB Network's Brian Kenny and former Braves starter and closer John Smoltz. Kenny had Cueto ranked seventh and Smoltz had him sixth.
Votto was ranked fourth among all first basemen, despite playing in just 62 games in 2014. Votto had been ranked second twice in the past three years and first in 2013.
Here's the full list:
1. Miguel Cabrera, Tigers
2. Paul Goldschmidt, Diamondbacks
3. Jose Abreu, White Sox
4. Joey Votto, Reds
5. Freddie Freeman, Braves
6. Edwin Encarnacion, Blue Jays
7. Anthony Rizzo, Cubs
8. Mike Napoli, Red Sox
9. Adrian Gonzalez, Dodgers
10. Carlos Santana, Indians
Kenny had Votto ranked fourth, while former big league first baseman Carlos Pena said he had him ranked eighth.
Reds players could be featured in each of the remaining four episodes. Next week features the top 10 relief pitchers and second basemen, while the final week will debut the lists for third basemen and catchers.
|
|
|
Post by psuhistory on Feb 1, 2015 9:32:06 GMT -5
Another discussion of signing Cueto: solid overview, but the conclusion should be more emphatic...
Can Cueto Fit in the Reds' Price Range? John Fay, Enquirer, 1/31/2015
Johnny Cueto was walking through the Reds clubhouse one day last season when one of the television sets caught his attention. The talking heads on MLB Network were discussing the latest mega-signing of a Cuban player.
Cueto watched a bit and then said: "The Cubans are getting all the money. There's going to be nothing left for me."
Actually, there will be Brinks trucks full of money for Cueto. The question is: Will it be the Reds who deliver the loot?
Cueto is a free agent after this year. His agent has told the Reds they have until Opening Day to get a deal done, i.e., Cueto doesn't want to negotiate once the season begins.
Even though such deadlines mean little – if the Reds offer Cueto $300 million on April 7, he's not going to turn it down – but the clock is ticking on one of the Reds' biggest decisions.
After the Reds signed Devin Mesoraco last week, general manager Walt Jocketty spoke about how much the club values homegrown talent – like Mesoraco, Cueto, Homer Bailey, Jay Bruce and Joey Votto.
"You have to be confident in the player," Jocketty said. "You watch these kids grow up through your organization. You know their work ethic and what their abilities are and what kind of person they are."
The Reds know exactly what kind of person and player Cueto is – and it's all positive. He's a fierce competitor. He takes care of himself. He wants the ball in big games. And he's the best starting pitcher the Reds have developed since Mario Soto.
Cueto went 20-9 with a 2.25 ERA last year. I never thought you'd see a pitcher approach those numbers pitching his home games at Great American Ball Park. But Cueto is a once-in-a-generation pitcher. He can light it up to 95 mph and he can put five or six different pitches exactly where he wants to.
Reds owner Bob Castellini wants to keep Cueto. Castellini loves his own guys. He paid dearly to keep Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips and Homer Bailey in the organization.
But he knows it's going to be tough to keep Cueto. He was asked about keeping Cueto at every stop on the Winter Caravan.
"It's not over until it's over," he said. "He's a great guy. He's one of the best pitchers in baseball. We will try mightily to sign Johnny. What's the probability? I wouldn't know."
This is all about the money.
And, in the world where Max Scherzer gets a seven-year, $210 million contract, Cueto is likely to be too expensive for the Reds. Oddly enough, the danger is not so much in paying Cueto $25 million a year. It's in the length of the contract.
ESPN.com's Jayson Stark took a look at seven-year or longer deals for pitchers. It's not pretty. Kevin Brown, CC Sabathia, Barry Zito, Mike Hampton and Wayne Garland are on the list.
Sabathia's deal with the Yankees is probably the best of the lot, and he's 32-23 with a 4.21 ERA over the last three years.
Zito's deal with the San Francisco Giants and Hampton's deal with the Colorado Rockies probably rank No.1 and 2 on the worst contracts ever given.
Scherzer's deal with the Washington Nationals is a complicated one. He got a $50 million signing bonus and $105 million is deferred. The Reds have done their share of creative financing dating back to Ken Griffey Jr.'s contract.
But no matter how you slice it, you're going to eventually pay. The Reds are paying Ryan Ludwick $4.5 million and Jack Hannahan $2 million this year. Those contracts affected what the club was able to do this offseason.
In Cueto's case, the Reds could probably afford his annual salary in 2018. Phillips and Bruce are off the books.
They'll have a new local TV contract. Votto ($25 million) and Bailey ($21 million) are the only big contracts on the books.
So even if you could get Cueto to agree to a $25 million salary for that year, the Reds would have $72 million committed to three players.
If the Reds are still in the $120 million range on total player payroll, that makes it difficult to put together a competitive roster.
So as difficult as it is, the Reds may have to part with Cueto. As silly as that seems, it's the way you have to operate in modern baseball.
|
|
|
Post by Lark11 on Feb 1, 2015 11:41:14 GMT -5
To be honest, I'm a little concerned that the Reds seem to be seriously pushing to extend Cueto. Whether or not it's a good idea in a vacuum, the Reds aren't a team that can afford to lose a ton of payroll flexibility. If they sign Cueto, then the payroll really needs to rise. The mere fact that they are considering it just reinforces the notion that the Cast/Jock tandem is a very different animal than the Reds have had in recent memory.
|
|
|
Post by kramer1 on Feb 1, 2015 17:59:17 GMT -5
To be honest, I'm a little concerned that the Reds seem to be seriously pushing to extend Cueto. Whether or not it's a good idea in a vacuum, the Reds aren't a team that can afford to lose a ton of payroll flexibility. If they sign Cueto, then the payroll really needs to rise. The mere fact that they are considering it just reinforces the notion that the Cast/Jock tandem is a very different animal than the Reds have had in recent memory. They countin on that tv money, yo. Who knows? Maybe Fox Sports Ohio loses the contract to a local company?
|
|
|
Post by Lark11 on Feb 1, 2015 18:22:30 GMT -5
To be honest, I'm a little concerned that the Reds seem to be seriously pushing to extend Cueto. Whether or not it's a good idea in a vacuum, the Reds aren't a team that can afford to lose a ton of payroll flexibility. If they sign Cueto, then the payroll really needs to rise. The mere fact that they are considering it just reinforces the notion that the Cast/Jock tandem is a very different animal than the Reds have had in recent memory. They countin on that tv money, yo. Who knows? Maybe Fox Sports Ohio loses the contract to a local company? I thought that's how they paid Votto, Phillips, Homer, and Jay?
|
|
|
Post by kramer1 on Feb 1, 2015 18:40:22 GMT -5
They countin on that tv money, yo. Who knows? Maybe Fox Sports Ohio loses the contract to a local company? I thought that's how they paid Votto, Phillips, Homer, and Jay? I might be able to pay BP's salary alone in beer sales if they paid for me to go the games.
|
|