Alex Gonzalez to the Reds

[RedLegSuperStar]

God I hope Ken Rosenthal is wrong. If this is true, I think WK needs to take a step back and look at the big picture. $5 million per could be used as a nice piece of what it takes to get a decent pitcher.

A new shortstop in Cincinnati?
Free-agent shortstop Alex Gonzalez is believed to be close to signing a three-year contract with the Reds.

Gonzalez's agent, Eric Goldschmidt, said he expects to complete a deal by the start of next week, but would not specify with which club.

The White Sox, a team speculated to be involved with Gonzalez, have not contacted Goldschmidt, according to a major-league source.

The Blue Jays also have shown interest in Gonzalez, but a second source said they would balk at the rumored price — three years, $15 million.

Gonzalez, 28, is one of the game's top defensive shortstops, but his .179 batting average with runners in scoring position last season was the lowest in the majors.

The Red Sox are pursuing free-agent shortstop Julio Lugo, who would be a significant offensive upgrade over Gonzalez.


http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6182658

Adding to this..from RotoWorld.com:

Alex Gonzalez is believed to be close to signing a three-year contract with the Reds, FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal reports.

It sounds like Rosenthal is just going off Thursday's Boston Globe report, but with the added knowledge that the White Sox aren't currently in the running for Gonzalez. The Globe reported that Gonzalez had a three-year, $15 million offer on the table, likely from the Reds or the White Sox. If the Reds sign him, they'll have perhaps the best middle-infield defense in the NL. However, it'll be another blow to an offense that GM Wayne Krivsky has taken a lot away from since his July deal with the Nationals.

[Spring~Fields]

That's a very small window IMO to be judging a guy on. Also throw in a very tight pitching market.

No eye for pitching?

What about his acquisitions of Arroyo, Guardado, Cormier, Schoeneweis? And I think the verdict is still out on young (and inexpensive) arms like Balfour, Majewski, and Bray.

He didn't give out any Milton contracts. The trades/acquisitions he made were low risk/investment IMO. I don't see where they have hamstrung and/or set this organization back.

Face it FCB.... you never wanted Krivsky as our GM in the first place (and that is fine), and your "bias" against him would never allow you to give him any credit/due for anything he has done/accomplished.

And some on here, for whatever reason, are worried and scared to death that Krivsky is going to try and replicate the Twin's system here. More power to him. It would be a far cry better then the Bowden/Dano system.

The guy has been on the job for less than a year, and came into it late to begin with, and some expect him to be a miracle worker.

And I believe that simply stems and is motivated by deep ideological differences with Krivsky and the system he mentored under.

I'm sure Wayne learned a few things under Terry Ryan.

Appears that Mr. K is thinking along the same lines as you GAC.

Though Krivsky said he believes the Reds will have the financial resources to be competitive in a free-agent market destined to spiral out of control, remaking the team through trades seems just as likely.

The GM meetings were the first significant step in feeling out the wants and needs of other teams, and the process will continue through baseball's winter meetings, which run Dec. 4-7 in Orlando. It's only just begun, and Krivsky said he doesn't feel compelled to leap into the fray immediately.

"I'm not interested in doing things quickly just to say I did something," he said. "I'm more interested in doing things that are well thought-out and make sense for the team and are responsible and will result in more wins next year.

comments on Gonzalez rumors and other:

http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs....611180388/1027


http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.d...e7xbOSUEhJ8%3D

[edabbs44]

Though Krivsky said he believes the Reds will have the financial resources to be competitive in a free-agent market destined to spiral out of control, remaking the team through trades seems just as likely.

The GM meetings were the first significant step in feeling out the wants and needs of other teams, and the process will continue through baseball's winter meetings, which run Dec. 4-7 in Orlando. It's only just begun, and Krivsky said he doesn't feel compelled to leap into the fray immediately.

"I'm not interested in doing things quickly just to say I did something," he said. "I'm more interested in doing things that are well thought-out and make sense for the team and are responsible and will result in more wins next year.

Confirming my worst fears, this is a nice way of saying that Wayne will be waiting by the side of the table for the scraps to fall from the GM meetings table.

How long will it take Wayne to think about bringing back Rick White and Mr. Burns?

[Cedric]

Confirming my worst fears, this is a nice way of saying that Wayne will be waiting by the side of the table for the scraps to fall from the GM meetings table.

How long will it take Wayne to think about bringing back Rick White and Mr. Burns?

Confirming your worst fears is not throwing out mad cash in this insane market? Weird.

[deltachi8]

Confirming your worst fears is not throwing out mad cash in this insane market? Weird.

Had the same thought Ced...

[jimbo]

Confirming your worst fears is not throwing out mad cash in this insane market? Weird.

Exactly. So much talk about how the Reds need to spend spend spend in order to compete, but so much complaining about the Reds spending $5 mil a year on a great SS glove. I really don't think that $5 mil is going to break the bank and I seriously doubt it's the last move Krivsky makes. Instead of judging the offseason in November, let's wait until we have a bigger picture.

[GAC]

If true, then there is one piece.

Still a few other pieces to go after.

There is not much money committed there to Gonzalez (if true).

They need a pitcher and run producing OFer.

[GAC]

Exactly. So much talk about how the Reds need to spend spend spend in order to compete, but so much complaining about the Reds spending $5 mil a year on a great SS glove. I really don't think that $5 mil is going to break the bank and I seriously doubt it's the last move Krivsky makes. Instead of judging the offseason in November, let's wait until we have a bigger picture.

My sentiments exactly.

[GAC]

Confirming my worst fears, this is a nice way of saying that Wayne will be waiting by the side of the table for the scraps to fall from the GM meetings table.

I don't see it that way at all. Every year it goes the same way with practically everyone waiting for the BIG NAMES to be moved and for someone to open up the gates (so to speak).

When it comes to SS.... what is out there and available, and why would you consider AG "table scraps"?

I sure don't.

It fills a very dire need on this team in the form of defense in a critical position.

I agree that WK still has his work cut out for him, as far as replacing some of the lost run production; but he can do that in other areas. Unless you decide to really spend BIG TIME and acquire a Jeter or ARod type who combine both (O & D), then a majority of your today's SS's that are defensive specialists are typical weak hitters. And those that can hit, can't field.

[membengal]

Serious question, didn't Brandon Phillips come up as a SS? Doesn't he have the range and arm to be awfully solid over there? Why not Phillips to SS? Has anyone with the Reds addressed that question and answered it? (If so, I missed it, sorry)

[redsmetz]

Serious question, didn't Brandon Phillips come up as a SS? Doesn't he have the range and arm to be awfully solid over there? Why not Phillips to SS? Has anyone with the Reds addressed that question and answered it? (If so, I missed it, sorry)

IMO, the Reds approach to this offseason viz. 2B and SS and Phillips is to see what the market brings either through trade or free agency and put Phillips in the other slot. I don't think they've ruled out Phillips at short (although I think they prefer to keep him at 2nd - just my opinion), but I think they want to see what they can find. I think it's savvy, frankly.

[Cedric]

Serious question, didn't Brandon Phillips come up as a SS? Doesn't he have the range and arm to be awfully solid over there? Why not Phillips to SS? Has anyone with the Reds addressed that question and answered it? (If so, I missed it, sorry)

After watching Phillips at 2b this season I'm not sure he has the footwork and mechanics required to be an above average SS. I'd rather play him at 2b and take advantage of his athletic ability and not have to worry about his footwork and mechanics.

[GAC]

After watching Phillips at 2b this season I'm not sure he has the footwork and mechanics required to be an above average SS. I'd rather play him at 2b and take advantage of his athletic ability and not have to worry about his footwork and mechanics.

I agree. If it ain't broke then don't try and fix it.

[mth123]

After watching Phillips at 2b this season I'm not sure he has the footwork and mechanics required to be an above average SS. I'd rather play him at 2b and take advantage of his athletic ability and not have to worry about his footwork and mechanics.

This seems backwards to me. It seems you need better footwork at 2B to turn the DP where SS is more about speed, agility and arm strength. No pivot at SS.

I actually agree about his footwork and its exactly why I think he'd be better at SS than 2B. I'm not certain about his arm though. Not that I think its bad, I just honestly don't know. Playing 2B last year, we never really saw his arm challenged much.

[Cedric]

This seems backwards to me. It seems you need better footwork at 2B to turn the DP where SS is more about speed, agility and arm strength. No pivot at SS.

I actually agree about his footwork and its exactly why I think he'd be better at SS than 2B. I'm not certain about his arm though. Not that I think its bad, I just honestly don't know. Playing 2B last year, we never really saw his arm challenged much.

The best SS have the best feet and hands. Brandon can sometimes get his feet out of whack and with longer throws that leads to problems. It's a major problem for Felipe also.