Reds undecided with Deadline nearing
Club has many pieces to deal, but .500, Wild Card is a goal
By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com
CINCINNATI -- July 31 isn't just a date on the calendar. In Major League Baseball, it comes with a big flashing red light and alert sirens.
No one in the Reds clubhouse understands the meaning of July 31 more than reliever David Weathers. As of Thursday, the deadline where teams can make trades without needing players to clear waivers is exactly one week away.
"Where am I going?" a smiling Weathers has often asked reporters.
A 38-year-old right-hander and a veteran of 17 seasons with nine teams, Weathers knows to always keep his suitcase handy. He's been traded four times in midseason -- twice at deadline time.
On July 31, 1996, Weathers was dealt from the Marlins to the Yankees for Australian right-hander Mark Hutton. On July 30, 2001, Weathers went from the Brewers to the Cubs in a four-player trade.
Weathers is in the final year of a two-year contract that's paying him $2.75 million this season. A likely free agent this offseason, his versatility as a closer and setup man -- in combination with his postseason experience -- has made him marketable.
"Whatever happens, happens -- there's nothing I can do about it," said Weathers, who is 2-5 with 3.35 ERA, and owner of a 1.93 ERA over his last 19 games. "I just know there are a few teams I can decline. Other than that, I have to grin and bear it."
Weathers, who sports a 4.43 home ERA -- compared to 2.18 on the road -- said he doesn't remember which teams were included in his limited no-trade clause.
"If [management] just wants to trade people for the sake of trading people, I would say I'd be at the top of the list, just because everyone is looking for bullpen help," Weathers said. "I've got experience and all that good stuff. I've pitched three different years in New York. If you can pitch in that place, they figure you can pitch anywhere."
Despite having been out of contention most of the season, rumors have been light surrounding the Reds. A fire sale is far from a guarantee. Cincinnati has played better in recent weeks, and is three games below .500, at 50-53. However, the club is still nine games out in the National League Wild Card race.
To this point, Reds general manager Walt Jocketty has not fully signaled his intentions.
"I've gotten more calls the last few days, which is typical of this time of year," Jocketty said. "A lot of it is really a lot about nothing. Clubs will call and run different scenarios by you. A lot of times, it's not considered. We're looking to improve our club not only for this year, but next year."
In other words, don't look for the Reds to wipe out their farm system to land a rent-a-player for a stretch run. And don't look for a full-fledged salary dump, either.
"We're still close enough in the Wild Card race," Jocketty said. "We still have a good, long winning streak ahead. We're getting some injured people back in a week or two. Who knows what can happen?"
Unlike Weathers, starting pitcher Bronson Arroyo is locked into a long-term contract. Arroyo is signed through 2010, with $25 million remaining on his deal and a club option for 2011, but has also been in the rumor swirl.
There have been reports that the Yankees have interest in Arroyo. The right-hander, who came to the Reds from the Red Sox in a March 2006 trade for Wily Mo Pena, has also kept abreast of the deadline situation and heard the rumors.
Arroyo doesn't want to go anywhere.
"I obviously hated to come here when I got traded -- now, being here for three years, I'm comfortable in my surroundings," Arroyo said. "I love the city. I love my teammates. We haven't put a stretch together and won as much as I'd like to. But I feel a vibe here that the ball is rolling. We have an opportunity to do some things we haven't done here in the last three years."
Ironically, Arroyo has only increased his worth to other teams lately. In his last five starts, he is 5-0 with a 3.19 ERA. Overall, he is 9-7 with a 5.60 ERA, bloated in part because of two bad outings.
"When I see [Reds owner] Bob Castellini, I feel like it's a guy that wants to win here," said Arroyo, who won a World Series title with Boston in 2004. "I don't think he's ready to say, 'That's it, I've put in as much as I want to put in,' and start ripping pieces apart. I hope the vibe I get from him is for real. If it's not, I have another surprise coming my way."
With 13 potential free agents this winter, the Reds have other chips, should they decide to sell off. Jeremy Affeldt is signed to a one-year, $3 million contract and should be drawing attention as a left-handed reliever. Adam Dunn and Ken Griffey Jr. have significantly more complicated situations, and reportedly have drawn scant interest.
Dunn, who is making $13 million before looming free agency, is on a tear lately, with a Majors-leading 76 walks buffering his .237 average. Tied for the Major League lead with 29 homers, he has a limited no-trade protection of 10 teams he can refuse. Griffey is in the final year of his nine-year contract but has full no-trade protection and a $16.5 million club option for next season as leverage.
Saying, "We're not going to lose anymore," Castellini replaced former GM Wayne Krivsky with Jocketty in April. Dumping players now when .500 is within reach would seem to run contrary to his previous edict.
"A lot of people kind of say, 'Why do they want a record this year? Why is that such a big deal?'" Weathers said. "Well, it is a big deal. You have to walk before you crawl. We need to see if we can have a winning record. If they want to do that, then I don't think they move me at all."
It appeared the front office held finishing with a winning record in as high esteem as the players did.
"It's important to get to .500," Jocketty said. "If we can get to .500 and keep trying to improve, we get to have a winning season. It just shows progress and that's what we need to do."