Reds Have Best Rotation in Baseball?

[Benihana]

Agreed. I'm even more conservative the Beni and really don't like anything beyond 3 years for a pitcher, but starters in demand get 5 years these days. Bailey will be 28 when he hits free agency, and ready for his age 29 season. A 3 or 4 year deal will take him past his prime and have him hitting the market again at age 32 or so. His free agent deal is going to be the big payday of his career. To get him to give that up, its going to need to be a good deal for him that pays for some of his past his prime seasons.

In my scenario, Bailey would be 31 when his contract expires. Latos would be 29. Both pitchers could likely score 4-5 year deals at that point.

Similar situations to Cueto's extension in 2011. I also wouldn't be opposed to a more expensive team option (something like $18-$20M) for 2018 in this scenario if they were bent on signing something that would mimic a 5 year deal. Bruce (and maybe Choo)'s contracts would be up that year, and Phillips would already be off the books, so those may still be affordable and well worth it.'

This would confirm a Reds window of contention through 2017, with 2018 looking to be a major rebuilding year. That would be awesome.

[mth123]

In my scenario, Bailey would be 31 when his contract expires. Latos would be 29. Both pitchers could likely score 4-5 year deals at that point.

Similar situations to Cueto's extension in 2011. I also wouldn't be opposed to a more expensive team option (something like $18-$20M) for 2018 in this scenario if they were bent on signing something that would mimic a 5 year deal. Bruce (and maybe Choo)'s contracts would be up that year, so those may still be affordable and well worth it.

No way Bailey would do it. Why should he when he sees what Jackson and Sanchez got? Think he'll just settle for less because you want him to? The Deals have gone nuts since Cueto signed his deal. Bailey turns 28 next May, so he'd basically have his age 31 season under that contract and hit the market ready for his age 32 season. He'd be in Kyle Lohse territory if he does that. He's going to want a couple of those backside years covered or he'll hit the market at his peak IMO.

Latos maybe under your scenario, but he could be a free agent after his age 27 season and in line for $120 Milion plus. IMO, he's going to be the hardest of the bunch to sign.

[Benihana]

No way Bailey would do it. Why should he when he sees what Jackson and Sanchez got? Think he'll just settle for less because you want him to? The Deals have gone nuts since Cueto signed his deal. Bailey turns 28 next May, so he'd basically have his age 31 season under that contract and hit the market ready for his age 32 season. He'd be in Kyle Lohse territory if he does that. He's going to want a couple of those backside years covered or he'll hit the market at his peak IMO.

Latos maybe under your scenario, but he could be a free agent after his age 27 season and in line for $120 Milion plus. IMO, he's going to be the hardest of the bunch to sign.

Perhaps, but I'd be nervous giving more years. Maybe option years a la James Shields or Ubaldo Jimenez's contracts with a decent sized buyout would placate their concerns. I'd be OK with that.

[nate1213]

I didn't know if I should make this a thread, but this seems like an alright place for it (sorry for derailing the OP's thread in advance).

With the reported Reds interest in Garza last year, and with him looking back to form, at least in his first start and a half, could you see Walt getting back into that conversation? This rotation would be downright scary if we added another quality #2 guy like Garza.

[mth123]

Perhaps, but I'd be nervous giving more years. Maybe option years a la James Shields or Ubaldo Jimenez's contracts with a decent sized buyout would placate their concerns. I'd be OK with that.

If they could do 3 years with a couple of option years, I'd love it. Hope it works. I dont want to see them all leave at once. We've been trough that decade before. Ease them out as relacements ripen one at a time.

[*BaseClogger*]

No--Detroit Tigers...