Reds make offer to Arthur Rhodes

[redhawk61]

CINCINNATI -- Lefty relief help became a primary need for the Reds once Jeremy Affeldt departed for the Giants as a free agent.
Could that need be filled by veteran Arthur Rhodes?

The agent representing the free agent Rhodes, Dan Horwits, confirmed to MLB.com on Monday that Cincinnati has recently made an offer.

"We've been talking," Horwits said. "It's starting to get serious. There have been offers, though, from multiple teams for Arthur."

One of those clubs competing with the Reds for Rhodes' services is the Cardinals, who made an offer last week. Horwits would not reveal the details about any of the offers made for Rhodes.

On Nov. 17, Affeldt signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the Giants. Reds general manager Walt Jocketty has since increased his efforts to find another veteran lefty and expressed interest in Rhodes, along with other free agents like Joe Beimel, Darren Oliver, Will Ohman and Dennys Reyes.

The Reds have one experienced lefty in the bullpen in Bill Bray. But they could be looking for more veteran help in general since free agent right-handers David Weathers and Mike Lincoln have yet to be re-signed. Weathers, a Type B free agent, was offered arbitration on Monday night.

Last season for the Mariners and Marlins, the 39-year-old Rhodes was 4-1 with a 2.04 ERA in 61 games. After a July 31 trade to Florida, he posted a 0.68 ERA in 25 games.


Overall, lefties batted .157 (11-for-70) against Rhodes, while right-handers batted .309 (17-for-55). Over his 17-year big league career, lefties have batted .221 against him, while righties have hit .245.

A Type B free agent, Rhodes was not offered arbitration by the Marlins, and there are no compensation concerns for any club that wants to sign him.

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

[Az. Reds Fan]

Hopefully the Reds sign one of the Biemel, Rhodes or Ohman trio. Personally. I'd rather stay away from Oliver or Reyes.

[Bip Roberts]

Less oldies please

[BUTLER REDSFAN]

Is it written somewhere that the Reds can only go after guys who are 38 or older??

[Ghosts of 1990]

I like Rhodes a lot. A LOT.

This is great. The guy, regardless of age, is a nasty lefty. Has closing experience in a pinch as well.

[Emin3mShady07]

Rhodes is a decent option, he does strike out a lot of batters over 10/9 innings last year and 8.8/9 the years before, however he has had some control problems in the past and his HR/F rate has been well below the usual 11.0 % threshhold that most pitchers hang around. Usually this rate is semi-independent of pitching skill, but because Rhodes is primarily a lefty specialist, I can see why hhis rate is a little lower. http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/st...des&firstName=

Rhodes has had a decent xFIP over the past few years, but he really has not throw that many innings. It really depends on the contract in my opinio because is a 3+ million dollar deal worth 40 IP? Especially with Rhodes' age and control issues?

[Ghosts of 1990]

Good points Eminem, but I think Rhodes still has what it takes to throw 70-80 innings out of the pen. Especially as much as the Reds go to the pen. He will be used as much here (should he come here) as anyone. Plus thats another lefty who is nasty that Bruce and Votto don't have to face

[Atlas Jobinson]

Rhodes is a decent option, he does strike out a lot of batters over 10/9 innings last year and 8.8/9 the years before, however he has had some control problems in the past and his HR/F rate has been well below the usual 11.0 % threshhold that most pitchers hang around. Usually this rate is semi-independent of pitching skill, but because Rhodes is primarily a lefty specialist, I can see why hhis rate is a little lower. http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/st...des&firstName=

Rhodes has had a decent xFIP over the past few years, but he really has not throw that many innings. It really depends on the contract in my opinio because is a 3+ million dollar deal worth 40 IP? Especially with Rhodes' age and control issues?

I agree with your points, but I've said it before and I've said it again: I just don't get spending millions on retread relievers. The best bullpens are built from within. Even if we don't have the right guys in our system, there are plenty of minor-league type free agent guys who can give similar production on the cheap. Besides, if we were going to spend this type of money on a lefty reliever, we should have gotten the best one on the market: Affeldt.

[redsfandan]

I agree with your points, but I've said it before and I've said it again: I just don't get spending millions on retread relievers. The best bullpens are built from within. Even if we don't have the right guys in our system, there are plenty of minor-league type free agent guys who can give similar production on the cheap. Besides, if we were going to spend this type of money on a lefty reliever, we should have gotten the best one on the market: Affeldt.

we do have some decent prospects that could help us in relief... down the road. we may have help from one or two this year but imo it's foolish to bank on them to be the solution in march/april for all three spots.

as far as minors players, you say that like you're convinced there are options that could put up decent stats but you don't throw out any names. personally i'd be ok if one spot was for an in house pitcher and another spot was for a rule V pick (donald veal maybe) but i still wouldn't want all three spots taken up by pitchers with no experience, or very limited experience, in the majors.

[indyredleg]

Rhodes would bring some experience to the pen and he has proven to be effective. This would be a good move for the Reds. 39 yrs old or not the guy can still get batters out and that is the name of the game.

[Hondo]

I want Beimel... That guys lights OUT

[Az. Reds Fan]

According to the St. Louis Post Dispatch, Rhodes is leaning towards accepting the Reds offer....

Free agent Arthur Rhodes is believed to be leaning towards accepting a bid from the Reds.

The Cardinals also have an offer on the table, but Cincinnati's apparently is for more money. If the Cards fail to land Rhodes, then they'll probably look to trade for another left-handed reliever to go along with Trever Miller. All signs point to them non-tendering Randy Flores.

[BEETTLEBUG]

Do you mean Ron Flores non-tendered by Cards the Reds have signed him already.

[Kingspoint]

An offer to Rhodes to do what? Fill out his AARP forms for him?

[Ghosts of 1990]

If Rhodes wants to come here over st. louis that tells me one thing.

$$$ is better here. Anything else can't compare, no offense.