There has been a lot of talk about the Reds dealing for big names like Holiday, Ordonez, Peavey and the like. Also, popular targets like the Texas catchers, Kelly Shoppach and JJ Hardy (a personal favorite) have been discussed. The Reds have some stuff to deal and its more likely that the Reds acquire lesser known guys who fit the team's needs. Some may be free agents, some minor leaguers, some coming off of injuries, but most will be guys who are blocked or on the outs with their current team or organization. Here is my under the radar list for the 2008 off-season (a couple already signed elsewhere):
Code:
Name Pos B or P Team Comment
Matt Diaz OF R ATL RH stopgap for LF. Should be cheap.
Conner Jackson 1B/LF R AZ Starting LF
Miguel Montero C L AZ Could share C with Hanigan
Dennis Sarfate P R BAL A flyer on a cheap comeback
Michael Wuertz P R CHC Would fit in middle innings
Ronny Cedeno SS R CHC Would be starting SS
Neal Cotts P L CHC Adds LHP for the Pen
Sean Marshall P L CHC 5th Starter
Angel Guzman P R CHC Could be a sleeper back from TJ
Brian Anderson OF R CHW Platoon partner for Dickerson in CF
Cole Armstrong C L CHW Good defender showing POP in AFL. Hanigan's other half?
Heath Taylor P L CLE Could be late inning Lefty by end of 09
Tony Sipp P L CLE 2nd year back from TJ. Should be able to help in pen
James Skelton C L Det Would platoon with Hanigan
Marcus Thames OF R DET RH power for LF
Andrew Sisco P L FA Could help pen with a comeback
Braden Looper P R FA Jocketty goes to his past for rotation help
Kevin Correia P R FA Good MRP, potential 5th starter if healthy
Kevin Millar 1B R FA RH 1B who can add "Veteran Presence" from the bench when Alonso arrives
Josh Phelps 1B R FA RH 1B
Sergio Mitre P R FA Solid Starter rehabbing TJ, 2010 Asset.
Travis Blackley P L FA LH Prospect before injury. A flyer on a minor league deal could pay dividends
Jeff Kent 1B R FA RH stopgap at 1B to buy time until Alonso arrives
Robert Andino SS R FLA Can Handle SS, better bat than Janish
John Buck C R KC Odd man out in KC. Would help the Reds.
Jimmy Gobble P L KC As a cheap non-tender FA
Justin Speier P R LAA Pricey but could help. Shouldn't cost much.
Kendry Moreles 1B/OF S LAA Could play LF or 1B with Votto moving
Kevin Jepson P R LAA Power Arm with control issues
Reggie Willits OF S LAA Useful OF option who can play CF
Chin Lung Hu SS R LAD Defensive SS with more offensive upside than Janish
Jason Repko OF R LAD LF?
Delwyn Young OF S LAD LF bat?
Jason Vargas P L NYM 5th Starter
Josh Thole C L NYM LH Catcher, Probably not ready yet.
Angel Pagan OF S NYM LF Stopgap with some upside
Wilson Betemit IF S NYY Could play 3B if EdE goes
Edwar Ramirez P R NYY Middle Inning Mix
Kevin Whelan P R NYY Middle Inning Mix
Brian Bixler SS R Pit SS Option???
Ronny Paulino C R Pit Could be starting C, not sure on defense.
Tyler Greene SS R STL Adds SS for the system
Bryan Anderson C L STL LH Catcher blocked by Molina
John Jaso C L TB Share with Hanigan, Power. ? on Defense.
Edwin Jackson P R TB Good Arm for Rotation
Johnny Gomes OF R TB RH Stopgap for LF. Should be cheap.
Joaquin Arias SS R Tex Texas Other SS propsect. Won't cost as much as Andrus
Ryan Spilborghs OF R COL .908 Career OPS against Lefty pitchers while still decent at .801 versus RH.
Jose Bautista 3B/OF R TOR RH Stopgap for LF. Should be cheap.
Brian Tallet P L TOR Solid Lefty for Pen.