Guardado Signed to a Minor League Deal

[VI_RedsFan]

He also gets an invitation to spring training. Good move in my mind.

http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070204&content_id=1794360&vkey=news_cin&fext=.jsp&c_id=cin

[Tom Servo]

Good to have Everyday Eddie back.

[Reds4Life]

Low risk with a good upside, not a bad move.

[RedLegSuperStar]

way to ruin the Super Bowl media day.. couldn't the breaking news wait till Monday? The nerve of the front office!

[Gallen5862]

Welcome back Every Day Eddie. I like the move.

[Gallen5862]

I like how the deal is structured to save a 40 man roster space and the 2008 club option.
http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/content/printer_friendly/cin/y2007/m02/d04/c1794360.jsp
Reds invite injured Guardado to camp
02/04/2007 6:30 PM ET
By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com

CINCINNATI -- The Reds don't have a closer for Opening Day, but they could have one before the All-Star break.
For that kind of opportunity, Cincinnati was willing to take a chance.

On Sunday, the club signed injured closer Eddie Guardado to a Minor League contract and invited him to big-league camp at Spring Training.

The signing will likely be announced on Monday.

According to a source, Guardado will earn a $500,000 base salary if retained on the Major League roster. The lefty can get up to $3 million if he's healthy and is the Reds' closer before the All-Star break.

But that isn't quite a sure thing.

Guardado is coming off September ligament replacement surgery on his throwing elbow. Recovery and rehabilitation often takes between nine and 12 months.

Cincinnati acquired Guardado from the Mariners on July 6 for Minor League pitcher Travis Chick. He earned $6.25 million last year.

The 36-year-old Guardado had lost his closer's role in Seattle but solidified the Reds bullpen by converting eight of 10 save chances with a 1.29 ERA in 15 appearances.

The nice run ended when Guardado blew out his left elbow on Aug. 19.

With this deal, which comes with a club option for 2008, the Reds wouldn't have to use up a 40-man roster spot for Guardado during camp. They would have the option of placing him on the 60-day disabled list when the season opens, which also would not tie up a roster spot.

The Reds haven't named a closer for their Major League roster. General manager Wayne Krivsky and manager Jerry Narron have previously said that right-hander David Weathers and lefty Mike Stanton would likely share the ninth-inning role with young lefty Bill Bray and others also in the mix.



Complete coverage >
Guardado, who broke into the Majors in 1993 with the Twins, is a two-time All-Star with a career high of 45 saves.

This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

[reds44]

Very good move. I approve.

[mth123]

Can't hurt

[MrCinatit]

It seemed the bullpen was at its best when he was there - he seemed to do a very apt job of rallying up the other BPers when it was showtime.

[flyer85]

a long shot but who knows. As far as I know he still has the shoulder problem that has never been repaired.

[mth123]

a long shot but who knows. As far as I know he still has the shoulder problem that has never been repaired.

That's correct.

[jojo]

Low risk with a good upside, not a bad move.

I have no problem with this move at all (I like Eddie alot) but in fact, it's a low risk move on a player projected to be mostly downside (Pecota's collapse rate is 46%)....

[minus5]

this move is a no-brainer. I like it.

[Handofdeath]

If Guardado is healthy(iffy at best) and at his best he's damn good. Look at what he did with a bad elbow. If the Reds can just stay in the race until he gets back and Cormier, Stanton, Bray, and et al hold down the fort until then and the Reds can create some offense(again, ify at best) and the pitching doesn't implode(not so iffy) the Reds have a real chance. Play solid .500 ball until Guardado gets back and there will be very few leads lost in the late innings like last season. Some of the relief staff is older than Moses but pretty solid. They will surprise, I guarantee it.

[edabbs44]

No risk and potentially a steal (though I expect nothing since older TJ victims aren't the best candidates for coming back from these things), but WK should be trying to address other areas of the team as well. How much time has he spent on the bullpen since he got here? My Lord..

[uks2h]

I really liked Guardado last season. I think he's the only true closer we have right now, and I hope he can come back strong when we need him.