Reds focused on acquiring bullpen help

[OnBaseMachine]

Reds focused on acquiring bullpen help
Need left-handed reliever as a result of Affeldt going to Giants

By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com

CINCINNATI -- As expected, following free-agent left-handed reliever Jeremy Affeldt's departure earlier this week, the Reds have increased their efforts to get more bullpen help.

"Ideally, we'd like to acquire another left-hander," Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said on Thursday night.

Jocketty said Cincinnati had interest in lefty reliever Trever Miller, who appeared close to signing a two-year deal with the Cardinals. That signing has reportedly been held up, however.

"We looked at Trever Miller and thought about it," Jocketty said. "But we didn't want to go for the amount it was going to cost to have what is basically a situational left-hander."

There are other veteran left-handed free agents still out there -- including Arthur Rhodes, Will Ohman, Darren Oliver, Dennys Reyes and Joe Beimel. Jocketty indicated the Reds would take a closer look at all of them.

Affeldt signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the Giants. The Reds currently have Bill Bray as their only lefty in the bullpen with significant experience.

"Left-handed relief is tough to find and the market is a little inflated," Jocketty said. "We'll see if it comes down."

As for Reds free agents, there have been talks this week with relievers David Weathers and Mike Lincoln. Negotiations also continued on Thursday with Jerry Hairston Jr.

The search continues for a right-handed-hitting run producer for left field. At this stage, the hopes of any fan that the Reds go after free agent Pat Burrell should begin to fade.

"I'm looking to see what we can go after in trades first," Jocketty said. "He might be a little out of our price range."

The Reds have been more focused on trades than getting serious on the free-agent market. Cincinnati was one of the teams that wanted to trade for center fielder Coco Crisp, but the Red Sox dealt him to the Royals on Wednesday for reliever Ramon Ramirez, who has more experience than any of the players the Reds were offering.

"A lot of clubs have been calling, especially the last couple of days," Jocketty said. "I think a lot more clubs are looking for trades. Prices seem to be too high for free agents. I believe people are trying to protect what dollars they have to spend."

http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/news/...=.jsp&c_id=cin

[jesusfan]

Good... we don't need Burrell at a high price anyway...

[Benihana]

Great news! This team is one lefty reliever away from a world series contender!!

[OnBaseMachine]

For gosh sakes, let David Weathers go. There are better options available in the minors.

I'm glad the Reds stayed away from Trevor Miller. I would also stay away from Darren Oliver - he's a Type A free agent which means the Reds would have to forfeit their second round pick to sign him. I think I like Will Ohman the most of the available lefties, but Rhodes, Reyes, and Beimel are also solid options. I'd be fine with any of those four.

[Chip R]

I think I like Will Ohman the most of the available lefties, but Rhodes, Reyes, and Beimel are also solid options.

I think Will Ohman is liked, but not well liked.

[Highlifeman21]

Bullpen help?

Really?

IMO, seems like putting a simple knuckle band aid on a patient who just lost a limb and is now an amputee....



I mean I guess on the surface it makes sense to replace Affeldt with another lefty (although IMO Bray will fill in nicely...), but we're more than replacing Affeldt from being a playoff team, and we're definitely more than strengthening the bullpen from being a playoff team....


Get us a legitimate leadoff hitter, get us an actual SS, and maybe a CF or a C and then we might talk....

Until then, I guess we wait in anticipation...

Or at least I do...

[PuffyPig]

Bullpen help?

Really?

IMO, seems like putting a simple knuckle band aid on a patient who just lost a limb and is now an amputee....



I mean I guess on the surface it makes sense to replace Affeldt with another lefty (although IMO Bray will fill in nicely...), but we're more than replacing Affeldt from being a playoff team, and we're definitely more than strengthening the bullpen from being a playoff team....


Get us a legitimate leadoff hitter, get us an actual SS, and maybe a CF or a C and then we might talk....

Until then, I guess we wait in anticipation...

Or at least I do...

Based on your theory, unless we can land a legitimate lead off hitter, and actual SS, a CF and a catcher (presumably at the same time), you don't make those moves.

You improve the team one move at a time.

Just beciase SS is probably our greatest need, doesn't mean you do nothing until that problem is solved. There may not be a reasonable solution to that problem this year. So you improve the team any way you can.

Otherwise, you will never be close enough to being a contender to make that final move.

[Highlifeman21]

Based on your theory, unless we can land a legitimate lead off hitter, and actual SS, a CF and a catcher (presumably at the same time), you don't make those moves.

You improve the team one move at a time.

Just beciase SS is probably our greatest need, doesn't mean you do nothing until that problem is solved. There may not be a reasonable solution to that problem this year. So you improve the team any way you can.

Otherwise, you will never be close enough to being a contender to make that final move.

Improving the team one move at a time, to me, doesn't include adding a situational LHP to the pen.

IMO, position players will have more impact than situation bullpen arms, and we need to solve the position player problems/needs before we address the fringe issues of shoring up the bullpen.

This team has been trying to address the bullpen since what, 1999? Where's that gotten us?

Let's address more pressing needs, shall we?

[Mario-Rijo]

Improving the team one move at a time, to me, doesn't include adding a situational LHP to the pen.

IMO, position players will have more impact than situation bullpen arms, and we need to solve the position player problems/needs before we address the fringe issues of shoring up the bullpen.

This team has been trying to address the bullpen since what, 1999? Where's that gotten us?

Let's address more pressing needs, shall we?

If all needs are addressed it doesn't really need to be in any particular order. And a loogy could help I think, especially if we can't get a LH who can get both LH and RH hitters out equally well. It's not a neccessity but certainly wouldn't hurt. I'm sure Walt's fully capable of fielding/placing calls for both a SS and a Loogy on the same day without it hurting the bottom line.

[Highlifeman21]

If all needs are addressed it doesn't really need to be in any particular order. And a loogy could help I think, especially if we can't get a LH who can get both LH and RH hitters out equally well. It's not a neccessity but certainly wouldn't hurt. I'm sure Walt's fully capable of fielding/placing calls for both a SS and a Loogy on the same day without it hurting the bottom line.

I would hope so, but I don't see a LOOGY having the same roster impact as a position player.

It's a given that we need a LOOGY, and I think we should get one, but what's the point of shoring up a bullpen if we have a defense that can't help the pitching, and an offense that can score runs?

Right now we have a crappy defense, and an even crappier offense.

[PuffyPig]

Improving the team one move at a time, to me, doesn't include adding a situational LHP to the pen.

IMO, position players will have more impact than situation bullpen arms, and we need to solve the position player problems/needs before we address the fringe issues of shoring up the bullpen.

This team has been trying to address the bullpen since what, 1999? Where's that gotten us?

Let's address more pressing needs, shall we?

Gee, if you wait until the positionlayers problems/needs are met before you look at the bullpen, you may well see all the LOOGY's gone.

I think Walt can multi-task and discuss improving the team in all areas at the same time.

[Highlifeman21]

Gee, if you wait until the positionlayers problems/needs are met before you look at the bullpen, you may well see all the LOOGY's gone.

I think Walt can multi-task and discuss improving the team in all areas at the same time.

I thought this team had a great farm system.

Trade away the kids for position players and bullpen.

Let's infuse some actual talent to this roster, as opposed to keeping our fingers crossed that one or two of those kids on the farm might turn out to be something...

I'm sure Walt can multi-task, but I don't see the logic in addressing a LOOGY need before a position player need. Like I said to Mario-Rijo,

It's a given that we need a LOOGY, and I think we should get one, but what's the point of shoring up a bullpen if we have a defense that can't help the pitching, and an offense that can score runs?

Right now we have a crappy defense, and an even crappier offense.

[edabbs44]

I have never, ever, seen a franchise continually obsess on one aspect like Cincy has been obsessing about the bullpen.

Sure they need to look at some relievers, but why does it always seem like this is the #1 area of concern year after year?

Get some guys who will get the team some leads, then worry about patching up the pen.

[missionhockey21]

I have never, ever, seen a franchise continually obsess on one aspect like Cincy has been obsessing about the bullpen.

Sure they need to look at some relievers, but why does it always seem like this is the #1 area of concern year after year?

Get some guys who will get the team some leads, then worry about patching up the pen.

Amen. Year after year we seem to hear the bullpen mantra. It matters, of course it matters, but this too often is such a core focus when other issues are plaguing the team and contributing toward losses in a much more meaningful way. The Reds are not absent complete talent in the pen, and supplementing the talent that is there either through trade, free agency or a few of the young promising arms we have in the minors should be one of the easier tasks facing Jocketty.

[Mario-Rijo]

Amen. Year after year we seem to hear the bullpen mantra. It matters, of course it matters, but this too often is such a core focus when other issues are plaguing the team and contributing toward losses in a much more meaningful way. The Reds are not absent complete talent in the pen, and supplementing the talent that is there either through trade, free agency or a few of the young promising arms we have in the minors should be one of the easier tasks facing Jocketty.

I agree, but besides the title I don't really see anywhere in that article that Walt comes off as overly concerned about it. At least not anymore so than any other need. Sounds like the writer is just trying to make it more dramatic to get people to read it.