Reds working on a deal with Volquez too?

[OnBaseMachine]

From John Fay:

But the Reds are working on a deal with Volquez as well.

“We’re looking at both — one-year and multi-year,” Walt Jocketty said. “We’re hopeful that we’ll get something done.”

http://cincinnati.com/blogs/reds/201...about-volquez/

I would love to see the Reds sign Volquez to a multi-year deal too. I was very impressed with his post-Tommy John surgery stuff, and he really seemed to get back in the groove of things the last month of the season. When healthy, his stuff is ace caliber. I really think he's going to be very good this season and in the future. Signing him now would be a smart move, IMO.

[reds44]

Is there anyway Mike Leake starts the season in the majors? I just don't see how he fits in.

Arroyo
Cueto
Wood
Volquez
Bailey (who is out of options)
Leake

I just don't see how he starts the year up here.

[The Operator]

Locking up Volquez this winter, if the price is right, could turn out to be a major steal.

I'll be interested to see how this progresses.

[camisadelgolf]

Is there anyway Mike Leake starts the season in the majors? I just don't see how he fits in.

Arroyo
Cueto
Wood
Volquez
Bailey (who is out of options)
Leake

I just don't see how he starts the year up here.

He was put in the bullpen to keep his innings down last year, and I would be surprised to see him start the year there. Also, don't rule out the possibility of injury forcing him into a spot.

[reds44]

He was put in the bullpen to keep his innings down last year, and I would be surprised to see him start the year there. Also, don't rule out the possibility of injury forcing him into a spot.

They put him in the bullpen after he started pitching poorly. The reason they gave for him pitching so poorly was he hit the innings wall. He only made an appearance or two out of the pen and those were bad too.

I'm not saying they won't need Leake at some point during the season, because they will. One of our strengths last year was the depth of our rotation. Somebody will go down and he'll be needed.

I just don't think he's a bullpen pitcher. If they're going to keep both him and Bailey up here and pitch one out of the pen, Bailey makes more sense than Leake. I think sending Leake down and keeping him stretched out makes the most sense, though.

[camisadelgolf]

They put him in the bullpen after he started pitching poorly. The reason they gave for him pitching so poorly was he hit the innings wall. He only made an appearance or two out of the pen and those were bad too.

I'm not saying they won't need Leake at some point during the season, because they will. One of our strengths last year was the depth of our rotation. Somebody will go down and he'll be needed.

I just don't think he's a bullpen pitcher. If they're going to keep both him and Bailey up here and pitch one out of the pen, Bailey makes more sense than Leake. I think sending Leake down and keeping him stretched out makes the most sense, though.

As far as I can tell, Bailey only makes more sense in the sense that he throws harder. It's been said that he's hardly a bullpen option due to how long it takes for him to warm up. He has almost zero bullpen experience, and the Reds don't seem all that interested in trying it out, which is understandable since his upside is widely considered to be higher than Leake's. I'm not saying it's impossible for Bailey to start the year in the bullpen, but I definitely wouldn't say it 'makes more sense'.

[Kc61]

I think Mike Leake will be in the Reds' rotation. Just a belief I have. I think his stuff is more suitable to starting than relieving.

I don't know who the odd man out will be, my guess is Homer, but it's only a guess.

But I wouldn't write off Leake for 2011 just yet. He pitched great before hitting the "wall".

[TRF]

I think Mike Leake will be in the Reds' rotation. Just a belief I have. I think his stuff is more suitable to starting than relieving.

I don't know who the odd man out will be, my guess is Homer, but it's only a guess.

But I wouldn't write off Leake for 2011 just yet. He pitched great before hitting the "wall".

no he didn't. He had a good May. maybe even very good. but he was lucky in April and stunk it up in June, July...

No SP should hit a wall the first week of June.

A year in AAA should help him understand pitching at a high level better.

[redsfandan]

I think Mike Leake will be in the Reds' rotation. Just a belief I have. I think his stuff is more suitable to starting than relieving.

I don't know who the odd man out will be, my guess is Homer, but it's only a guess.

But I wouldn't write off Leake for 2011 just yet. He pitched great before hitting the "wall".

Leake will be either in the rotation, traded, or starting in AAA. My bet is starting in AAA until they need him.


Now, back to the thread topic (how'd it veer off so quickly?), this could be an opportunity for the Reds to buy low on Volquez. With the way this offseason has gone I wouldn't be surprised by another multi-year deal.

[MikeS21]

So, did Leake "hit the wall" or did batters just figure him out?

[camisadelgolf]

So, did Leake "hit the wall" or did batters just figure him out?

I think it's both combined with regressing to the mean. He was pretty lucky early in the season.

[edabbs44]

This is one that scares me.

[reds44]

I think it's both combined with regressing to the mean. He was pretty lucky early in the season.

Agreed. Mix of both.

[RedsManRick]

This is one that scares me.

Me too. He reminds me a bit of Oliver Perez. Tantalizing talent including great strikeout potential. However, always plagued by control issues. Had a great year early in his career which was supported by some good batted ball luck and/or good defense.

High strikeout, high walk guys always scare me because they walk such a fine line. Throw in a TJ surgery resulting from a mechanical issue and color me scared. The guy is high risk, high reward. And that's the type of guy I go year to year with.

[TRF]

Volquez is listed at 6'0" tall, but I'd put him at 5'11'', making him about an inch or two taller than Cueto listed at 5'10"

Another smallish RH starter that throws really hard. Let someone else pay him when he gets expensive. I'd do 3 years if I were forced, but year to year is good too.

I'm betting Jocketty offers him a contract similar to Cueto's but one less year, and possibly fewer dollars per. That'd be the best Volquez should hope for before the season starts. I'm betting EV gambles he turns in a monster year and takes a one year deal instead.