Valentin signs extension for 2007, club option for '08
 

He and the team have agreed to a 1 year extension with a club option for 2008 according to the team press notes. Financials weren't given.

Re: Valentin brought back next year
 

Seems like a good move. Javy certainly is a viable backup catcher.

Re: Valentin brought back next year
 

So what do they do with LaRue? He is under contract for '08 I believe.

Re: Valentin brought back next year
 

or Ross? I can't imagine the 3 headed catcher will continue.

Re: Valentin brought back next year
 

They seem happy with the three catchers, but I can't see it happening again next year.

Re: Valentin brought back next year
 

I've grown to like Javy. As a backup, with a reasonable contract, I think he brings the ablity to PH and speak spanish to the table. He's so-so defensivley but has some pop in his bat when he is hitting well.

But as mentioned, can the three-headed catcher continue?

Re: Valentin brought back next year
 

LaRue has to go. Somehow we have to package him with someone that we can afford to loose so that we can dump that salary, even if it's only for a minor league prospect. I doubt anyone would trade for LaRue outright after the season he has had. That money could then be used to sign Ross to a multi-year deal. 5.2 million a year is way too much for a sub .200 benchwarmer.

Re: Valentin brought back next year
 

It's a difficult situation.. Javy's best role on the team this year has been as a PH and unless we have 3 catchers we can't really use him as a PH all the time because we need to save a backup catcher just in case (unless we decide to completely throw that strategy out the window)

Re: Valentin brought back next year
 

Best decision eva.

Re: Valentin brought back next year
 

Has Ross had asny experience at first base? If so, it could keep his bat in the lineup.

Re: Valentin brought back next year
 

I think we need to move LaRue as soon as possible or just cut our losses there and not go with the three headed catcher next season AT ALL!!! Ross for the most part and then Valentin backing him up and also as a very viable pinch hitter.

Re: Valentin brought back next year
 

Good, one of the better backup catchers in the league. Im hoping this will be the nail in the coffin for LaRue and the Reds.

Re: Valentin brought back next year
 

In games where Larue has batted 2 or more times, the Reds are 30-22.

I wasn't sure where to find the W-L numbers on games he had started. I figured if he had two ABs or more he caught most of the game. If anyone has the exact number, that would be great.

Larue is the best defensive catcher on the Reds and I don't think it is coincidence that the Reds are much better when he catches, even if he is a blackhole at the plate.

Defense matters.

Re: Valentin brought back next year
 

Keep in mind that LaRue catches for Harang, our leader in wins, and I believe that he caught most of our games in April when we went 18-8, back when LaRue actually knew how to hit the ball and we had Kearns/FeLo. I'd be willing to bet our record with LaRue starting since June or so isn't so good.

And hell, look at the fact that David Ross hit that pinch hit HR to beat the Cards when LaRue started.

Re: Valentin signs extension for 2007, club option for '08
 

Larue was hurt in April and only caught six games.

Since the end of June the Reds have gone 23-28. In games Larue has recieved two or more ABs in that time, the Reds are 12-11. That means they are 11-17 when he doesn't play.

Its more than Aaron Harrang IMO. Ross puts up great numbers, but we win more with Larue. The Reds didn't win any games in July with Ross as the starter. None.