Offseason Deals and Rumors

[Raisor]

I think McLouth signed with the Nats.

"Scratch him off then."

[webbbj]

As currently constructed this team will be better than the 2012 team but less than the 2013 team. Assuming good health.

[757690]

As currently constructed this team will be better than the 2012 team but less than the 2013 team. Assuming good health.

So they are likely to win more than 97 games, but less than 90

[UCBrownsfan]

So they are likely to win more than 97 games, but less than 90

How many games do we get against the Astros?

[Gallen5862]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/

Jason Knapp Attempting Comeback

By Steve Adams [December 17 at 5:09pm CST]

It's been more than four years since the Indians traded reigning Cy Young Award winner Cliff Lee to the Phillies in exchange for a package of four prospects headlined by right-hander Jason Knapp. Since that time, Knapp has undergone a pair of shoulder surgeries and been released by the Indians, but ESPN's Jerry Crasnick reports that the former top prospect will be attempting a comeback at age 23 (All Twitter links).

Knapp hasn't pitched professionally since 2010, but Crasnick reports that his fastball is back up into the 90s. As Crasnick notes, if Knapp truly is healthy, he figures to draw interest from plenty of teams. Knapp is the type of player teams will dream on -- a low-cost, low-risk pickup of a player that was once one of the game's best pitching prospects. From 2008-10, Knapp posted a 3.63 ERA with 12.0 K/9 and 4.1 BB/9 across two minor league levels with the Phillies and Indians.

[JayBruceFan]

At this rate, it's looking like Choo may end up with us by default.

And I'm totally ok with that as long as they don't give him too many years.

[Kc61]

At this rate, it's looking like Choo may end up with us by default.

And I'm totally ok with that as long as they don't give him too many years.

As I said in an earlier post, you get the impression that the Rangers are the big competition for the Reds. Walt has to be creative.

If he needs to go five or six years, and the dollars aren't ridiculous, Walt may have to do it. Ok with me.

[Gallen5862]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/

The Twins signed right-hander Yohan Pino to a minor league deal, according to the MLB.com transactions page. Pino, who turns 30 on Dec. 26, spent the bulk of last season with the Reds' Triple-A affiliate, posting a 3.26 ERA with 7.9 K/9 and 2.2 BB/9 in 16 starts and 15 relief appearances.

[50YrRedsFan]

How many games do we get against the Astros?

Zero....Zip....Nada

[Mike Honcho]

No Lastros but the Cubs are pretty terrible

[RED VAN HOT]

As I said in an earlier post, you get the impression that the Rangers are the big competition for the Reds. Walt has to be creative.

If he needs to go five or six years, and the dollars aren't ridiculous, Walt may have to do it. Ok with me.

I could be reading this with my heart and not my head, but I get the sense that both Choo and Arroyo would like to sign with the Reds and that the Reds are, in turn, looking for a way to get one or both back but have been unable to clear sufficient payroll to make it happen. It is almost as if they are giving the Reds a little time to get it done.

[Gallen5862]

http://www.rotoworld.com/headlines/m...s-7-year-offer

Shin-Soo Choo rejected a seven-year, $140 million contract offer from the Yankees, reports Yahoo! Sports' Jeff Passan.
Choo's agent Scott Boras countered that he was looking for "Ellsbury money," according to the report. New York signed Jacoby Ellsbury to a seven-year, $148 million contract earlier this month. Passan reports that the Astros are one team with an offer on the table to Choo. If Houston can pull off the stealthy signing, they could field an impressive outfield of Dexter Fowler, George Springer and Choo in 2014. Choo, 31, hit .285/.423/.462 with 21 home runs and 20 stolen bases in 154 games this past season for the Reds.

[Gallen5862]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/

Choo Turned Down Seven-Year Offer From Yankees

By Steve Adams [December 18 at 11:14am CST]

While the market for Shin-Soo Choo has been slow to develop, he could have already found a home had accepted a lavish offer from the Yankees. Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reports that even after signing Jacoby Ellsbury to a seven-year, $153MM contract, the Yankees offered Choo a seven-year, $140MM contract. Agent Scott Boras reportedly countered by asking for Ellsbury money, and the Yankees instead elected to sign Carlos Beltran to a much cheaper three-year, $45MM pact.

With Choo no longer a fit in New York, Boras will have to look elsewhere to try to top that $140MM figure. The Rangers are one team that has been said to be interested in Choo, but reports have indicated that they prefer him on a five-year deal. Beyond that, according to Passan's report, Texas has instead turned its focus to Masahiro Tanaka.

[Kc61]

I could be reading this with my heart and not my head, but I get the sense that both Choo and Arroyo would like to sign with the Reds and that the Reds are, in turn, looking for a way to get one or both back but have been unable to clear sufficient payroll to make it happen. It is almost as if they are giving the Reds a little time to get it done.

Could be correct on Choo.

Very doubtful that the Reds are raising money for Arroyo. My guess is that the market for him isn't that competitive. Reds interest in BA would spike only if they need to trade a current starter.

[Ohayou]

Stubbs to the Rockies.