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Thread: Free Agent Wish List

  1. #16
    Member mth123's Avatar
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    Re: Free Agent Wish List

    Quote Originally Posted by Vottomatic View Post
    I'd issue a private statement to all MLB teams that any player on the Reds is available for the right price. Then sit back and see if any crazy offers come in.

    But in my book, if Cozart and Rolen are healthy, the only upgrades that need to be done are starting pitching and the bullpen.
    Agreed as long as they don't give up Alonso, Votto or Bruce to get the pitching they need. They also need Cozart, Phillips and Mesoraco. If they can keep those 6 guys, they don't need to add any position players.

    People are overlooking the money here. The Reds have the money to make a splash to fix the rotation, but if they start nickel and diming it away on reclamation projects, relievers and iffy players they'll be stuck with in house options and IMO that is simply not good enough. Get the pitcher first.

    As far as the bullpen goes, leave Chapman out there and get a good starter to go with Cueto, Leake, Arroyo and Bailey and the bullpen will be fine. Arroyo should be healthy and go deeper into games in 2012. Cueto should be available all year and the team should get more innings from him. Leake is ready for a full 200 inning load now, so he should provide more innings as well. Bailey is still a bit iffy but has teh most talent of the bunch IMO. If they can get a consistent guy who can start 32 times and average about 7 innings, that bullpen should be much improved. The team won't need to use 5 or 6 pitchers every day and the whole lot of them should be better prepared to handle the dog days. Chapman, Bray, Arredondo, Masset, Ondrusek, Lecure and Wood (with Boxberger on the way and lots of reinforcements as 12th pitcher candidates) should provide a deep, well balanced pen who have guys who can give innings, provide heat late in the game and give multiple looks. The only thing this pen needs IMO is to leave Chapman in place and to be paired with a rotation that doesn't put them in a hole 5 times each week.
    All my posts are my opinion - just like yours are. If I forget to state it and you're too dense to see the obvious, look here!


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  3. #17
    AlienTruckStopSexWorker cincinnati chili's Avatar
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    Re: Free Agent Wish List

    Quote Originally Posted by Scrap Irony View Post
    CJ Wilson-- No chance he signs for less than $18 million per season. No chance the Reds can go that high. Sigh. He'd have been nice.
    Seriously?

    The Yankees can't be expected to be a bidder as his postseason record is 1-5 with a 4.82 ERA. The guy also led the league in walks two years ago and was pretty high this year. He's 31 next year, and I see him a prime candidate to go Eric Milton.
    Stick to your guns.

  4. #18
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    Re: Free Agent Wish List

    Quote Originally Posted by lollipopcurve View Post
    Buerhle's going to the Cards if he leaves Chicago. He's from the St. Louis area.
    Cards won't have the money. Buerhle made in the neighborhood (without looking it up) of $14M last season.

    After paying Pujols $25M per season, re-signing Berkman with a raise, picking up Wainwright's option, re-signing Carpenter and Garcia, the rest of the team might look like scrap heap guys.

    Best thing Reds fans can hope for is that the Cardinal players get fat and old this offseason and lay an egg next season.

  5. #19
    Member schroomytunes's Avatar
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    Re: Free Agent Wish List

    I would like to see the Reds do this in the offseason:

    1) Sign Andrew Jones to platoon with Alonzo/Stubbs in LF/CF giving us @ 200 AB's and allowing Heisey to be the super sub guy! This allows us to have 5 solid OF positions and one heck of a bench!

    2) Sign Clint Barmes to be the ss/3b/2b backup, he has some pop and would be a fine addition to share time with Cozart.

    3) Sign Edwin Jackson to fill the #3 spot in the rotation, he provides stability to the rotation.

    4) Trade Edison Volquez to KC for middle reliever Blake Wood, Wood is an extreme GB pitcher and should help the bullpen.

  6. #20
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    Re: Free Agent Wish List

    Quote Originally Posted by cincinnati chili View Post
    Seriously?

    The Yankees can't be expected to be a bidder as his postseason record is 1-5 with a 4.82 ERA. The guy also led the league in walks two years ago and was pretty high this year. He's 31 next year, and I see him a prime candidate to go Eric Milton.
    Yankees need some serious starting pitching, as three-quarters of their staff is testing free agency. Too, they got bounced from the playoffs largely because they couldn't pitch well enough.

    Because of the deep pockets, they'll chase the perceived best pitchers on the open market. Wilson is one of two (with CC being the other) who profile as having talent enough to be a TOR guy.

    Couple that with Boston's need for pitching and Wilson is going to be out of the Cincinnati price range really quickly.

    If both New York and Boston decide they could spend their money better elsewhere (Darvish and Sabathia, perhaps Buehrle and Kuroda), then, were I Jocketty, Wilson would be my first option on the market. Tons of innings, lots of Ks. Still in his pitching prime and took a huge leap forward last season.

    Sign me up for that, please.

  7. #21
    AlienTruckStopSexWorker cincinnati chili's Avatar
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    Re: Free Agent Wish List

    Quote Originally Posted by schroomytunes View Post
    I would like to see the Reds do this in the offseason:

    1) Sign Andrew Jones to platoon with Alonzo/Stubbs in LF/CF giving us @ 200 AB's and allowing Heisey to be the super sub guy! This allows us to have 5 solid OF positions and one heck of a bench!

    2) Sign Clint Barmes to be the ss/3b/2b backup, he has some pop and would be a fine addition to share time with Cozart.

    3) Sign Edwin Jackson to fill the #3 spot in the rotation, he provides stability to the rotation.
    Yuck on 1 and 2. Both are extreme outmakers and Jones is no longer a defensive asset. Jackson is fine for the right price.

    --

    Guys who I suspect will be worth the price to the Reds (in order of impact to Reds if signed)
    :
    1. Yu Darvish - if he stays healthy, he'll be the second Japanese player in Hall after Ichiro
    2. Roy Oswalt PHI
    3. Hiroki Kuroda LAD
    4. Javier Vazquez FLA
    5. Ryan Madson PHI
    6. Joel Peralta TB
    7. Jamey Carroll LAD
    8. Ramon Santiago DET
    9. David DeJesus OAK
    10. Jason Kubel MIN

    Guys I'd love to have but who will be priced out of the range of reason or who play positions where we are all set:

    Albert Pujols STL
    Prince Fielder MIL
    CC Sabathia NYY (player option)
    Jose Reyes NYM
    Heath Bell SD
    Edwin Jackson STL
    C.J. Wilson TEX
    Mark Buehrle CWS
    Aramis Ramirez CHC
    David Ortiz BOS
    Jim Thome MIN


    Avoid

    Paul Maholm PIT
    Josh Willingham OAK
    Michael Cuddyer MIN
    Grady Sizemore CLE (team option)
    Francisco Rodriguez MIL
    Freddy Garcia NYY
    Jose Valverde DET


    Extreme sleepers worth a flier perhaps
    Brandon Webb ARI (out until 2013; maybe worth a cheap deal with a club option for 2013)
    Conor Jackson OAK
    Justin Duchscherer OAK
    Last edited by cincinnati chili; 10-30-2011 at 10:23 PM.
    Stick to your guns.

  8. #22
    Member mdccclxix's Avatar
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    Re: Free Agent Wish List

    MLBTR's top 50 with their guesses on where players will end up:

    The sixth annual MLB Trade Rumors Top 50 Free Agents list is here! The entire list of available free agents can be found here, and you can filter by position and signing team with our free agent tracker here.

    This year, I'm excited to introduce a new contest that will allow you to test your free agent prediction abilities against those of the MLBTR writing team as well as other readers. After players start signing, we'll have a leaderboard showing the contestants with the best "batting averages" on their picks. Once everyone has signed, the winners will receive sweet prizes. Here are the top 50 free agents for which you'll be making predictions, along with my guesses.

    1. Albert Pujols - Cardinals. The Cubs, Blue Jays, Orioles, Mariners, Rangers, Marlins, Nationals, and Dodgers are other potential suitors, but a significant premium would be required to lure away the longtime Cardinal. $225-230MM over nine years seems a fair compromise for the Cardinals and their superstar first baseman.

    2. Prince Fielder - Mariners. Fielder has the same potential suitors as Pujols, with the Brewers also a possibility. The Scott Boras client is a tough free agent to place, as there are good reasons for every team to avoid a potential $150MM+ commitment. The Mariners and Cubs are the most likely matches for me. Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik drafted Fielder in '02 with the Brewers, and his team lacks a premium bat.

    3. Jose Reyes - Brewers. Reyes is another difficult top free agent to predict. The Nationals, Braves, Phillies, Giants, Pirates, Reds, Twins, Rays, and Cardinals could have a need at shortstop, but not all of those teams can or should spend $100MM+ on Reyes. The Mets will entertain re-signing Reyes, but the Brewers seem more likely to approach Ryan Braun's speculated $120MM price range.

    4. C.J. Wilson - Nationals. Wilson's poor postseason may have damaged his stock slightly, but in his defense he racked up 250 innings over 39 starts this season in total and started 37 games in 2010. $100MM is still possible for Wilson, though 78% of MLBTR readers think he'll fall short. Front-of-the-rotation starting pitching is a big need for many teams, including the Nationals, Marlins, Royals, Blue Jays, Yankees, Red Sox, and Cubs.

    5. Yu Darvish - Blue Jays. Darvish is not technically a free agent, and in fact he hasn't even decided about being posted at this point. If he does come over from Japan, a $100MM commitment will likely be required. The Yankees, Red Sox, Rangers, Nationals, Mariners, and Royals could put in bids, and it wouldn't be surprising to see a few "mystery teams" enter the fray.

    6. Edwin Jackson - Marlins. Jackson, a Scott Boras client, could also make sense for the Nationals and several other teams looking for a 200-inning starter with upside. Since Jackson is only 28, Boras could seek a four-year deal.

    7. Jimmy Rollins - Phillies. Rollins probably won't find the five-year deal he seeks, but the Phillies have the need and the means to reach a new agreement with him.

    8. Aramis Ramirez - Orioles. Ramirez seeks a multiyear deal, and as the best available free agent third baseman he's justified. He could give the Orioles a powerful corner bat on a three-year deal.

    9. Carlos Beltran - Red Sox. Beltran is a tough player to place, if the Giants are unable to re-sign him. He's a 34-year-old Scott Boras client who's likely to seek at least three years despite significant injury concerns in 2009-10 and a disinterest in being a designated hitter. It'll take a team with a right field opening and a tolerance for risk.

    10. Jonathan Papelbon - Red Sox. I can picture the Red Sox going as high as three years and $39MM to retain Papelbon, though the closer will test the market. A half-dozen teams could seek closers this winter, but the list is short on big spenders and it's been a while since we've had a $40MM+ reliever.

    11. Michael Cuddyer - Twins. Cuddyer would fit with the Rockies, Red Sox, or Cubs, but he's spent his entire career with the Twins and may prefer to stay.

    12. Mark Buehrle - White Sox. Buehrle is another player who is difficult to picture with another club. The lefty finds the National League enticing, however, and he could join Ozzie Guillen in Miami since the Cardinals don't have an opening.

    13. David Ortiz - Blue Jays. Ortiz backed off from his comments about Red Sox drama, and there's a limited market for an expensive player with no ability to play defense. Still, he'd give Toronto's offense a nice boost without requiring more than a two-year deal. That might leave Edwin Encarnacion having to play a significant amount of first base, however.

    14. Ryan Madson - Phillies. If the Phillies don't re-sign Madson, and the Red Sox keep Papelbon, who would give Madson big money to close? As a Scott Boras client, Madson could seek a four-year deal with a salary approaching $10MM.

    15. Hiroki Kuroda - Dodgers. Kuroda doesn't want to play anywhere else, according to Dodgers GM Ned Colletti.

    16. Carlos Pena - Pirates. Pena is a nice fit for the Pirates on another one-year deal, assuming they don't re-sign Derrek Lee.

    17. Francisco Rodriguez - Marlins. K-Rod, a Scott Boras client, would like to return to the closing role on a three-year deal. The Marlins would have the opening and the money, if they non-tender Juan Carlos Oviedo.

    18. Roy Oswalt - Rangers. Oswalt could return to Texas for a winning team, and he'll require a much shorter commitment than C.J. Wilson.

    19. Javier Vazquez - Retirement. There's a strong sentiment that Vazquez will retire, but he'd be in demand if not after posting a 1.92 ERA and 6.05 K/BB ratio since mid-June.

    20. Heath Bell - Padres. Bell hopes and expects to return to the Padres, perhaps on the first multiyear deal of his career.

    21. Coco Crisp - Giants. Though he posted a low on-base percentage in 2011, Crisp could fill the Giants' need for a center fielder and leadoff man.

    22. Hisashi Iwakuma - Twins. The Twins bid on Iwakuma last year when he was posted, and this year they can simply sign him as a free agent.

    23. Kelly Johnson - Dodgers. Johnson could provide the Dodgers some offense from second base, though the Blue Jays and Tigers could also be in the mix.

    24. Josh Willingham - Reds. As one of few affordable right-handed power sources on the market, Willingham could fit with the Reds, Rockies, Indians, and others.

    25. Paul Maholm - Rockies. Though Maholm does not appear to be on the Rockies' radar at the moment, he's coming off a decent season and won't require a huge commitment.

    26. Grady Sizemore - Marlins. Sizemore is a classic risk/reward case, and the Marlins don't seem interested in playing it safe this winter.

    27. Bartolo Colon - Red Sox. Colon had an excellent comeback season, but he will still have a hard time finding a two-year deal. Perhaps he could take an incentive-based contract and remain in the AL East with the Red Sox.

    28. Erik Bedard - Blue Jays. If the Blue Jays hit on a wild card like Bedard and also land Darvish, they'd have a fearsome rotation. Bedard is a healthy free agent for the first time, and perhaps he'll lean toward his native Canada.

    29. David DeJesus - Cubs. DeJesus could be an asset for the Cubs at the outfield corners on a one-year deal.

    30. Jason Kubel - Dodgers. Kubel could improve the Dodgers' offense as their left fielder, unless they go with Jerry Sands at the position.

    31. Ramon Hernandez - Pirates. Hernandez would give the Pirates offense out of the catcher spot, though GM Neal Huntington may balk at giving up a second-round pick to sign him.

    32. Jeff Francis - Pirates. Francis is one of many starting pitchers who could add depth to the Pirates' rotation at a reasonable cost.

    33. Chris Capuano - Mariners. After subtracting Doug Fister this summer, Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik seems likely to add a piece to his rotation.

    34. Tsuyoshi Wada - Orioles. Wada is expected to come to MLB as a free agent, though one question is his ability to handle a full rotation workload.

    35. Clint Barmes - Twins. Barmes provided good value this season, and the Twins have a clear middle-infield need.

    36. Casey Kotchman - Rays. Kotchman posted a fine 2011 season after signing a minor league deal, but his price should remain reasonable as teams wonder whether he can do it again.

    37. Freddy Garcia - Yankees. Even with Sabathia in the fold, the Yankees will need additional rotation depth. Another stint with Garcia makes sense if his price remains reasonable.

    38. Aaron Hill - Diamondbacks. Hill's stellar 142 plate appearances for the Diamondbacks this year provided hope he can bounce back in 2012.

    39. Johnny Damon - Orioles. Damon probably requires a designated hitter opening, yet his level of offense doesn't justify a full-time spot. He's a difficult free agent to place.

    40. Aaron Harang - Angels. Would Harang accept a below-market deal to stay close to home?

    41. Jamey Carroll - Tigers. The versatile Carroll fits at the top of the Tigers' order, playing mostly second base.

    42. Rafael Furcal - Cardinals. The Cardinals and Furcal are known to have mutual interest in a new deal; he showed promise in his Cards stint this year.

    43. Juan Pierre - Reds. Pierre will have to take a more reduced role next year, perhaps under Dusty Baker again.

    44. Frank Francisco - Mariners. Francisco was homer-prone this year, but he's still an asset in the late innings.

    45. Jason Marquis - Mets. Marquis may have to take a one-year deal with the Mets to realize his goal of playing in New York.

    46. Joel Pineiro - Cubs. Pineiro had great success in '09 in the NL Central, and could be a bargain if he rights the ship.

    47. Jonathan Broxton - Mets. Broxton had arthroscopic surgery to remove a bone spur and loose bodies from his elbow in September and expects to be ready for Spring Training. Though he may not be the Broxton of old, I expect incentive-laden offers to be plentiful.

    48. Joe Nathan - Twins. Nathan is excited about free agency, but after so many successful years closing for the Twins he may want to return to the role full-time in 2012.

    49. Kerry Wood - Cubs. It's Cubs or retirement for Wood, and there's no reason not to bring him back.

    50. Bruce Chen - Royals. As long as Chen's price tag doesn't get excessive, he's a good fit back with the Royals.

    I just can't see Juan Pierre being useful here in Cincinnati. Willingham would be nice on a 3 year 25 million type deal. He doesn't have much to prove, yet he always does. Must have been born under a bad star.
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  9. #23
    All work and no play..... Vottomatic's Avatar
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    Re: Free Agent Wish List

    Quote Originally Posted by mdccclxix View Post
    MLBTR's top 50 with their guesses on where players will end up:




    I just can't see Juan Pierre being useful here in Cincinnati. Willingham would be nice on a 3 year 25 million type deal. He doesn't have much to prove, yet he always does. Must have been born under a bad star.
    Already a thread about this:

    http://www.redszone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=92630

  10. #24
    Member mdccclxix's Avatar
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    Re: Free Agent Wish List

    Quote Originally Posted by mth123 View Post
    Agreed as long as they don't give up Alonso, Votto or Bruce to get the pitching they need. They also need Cozart, Phillips and Mesoraco. If they can keep those 6 guys, they don't need to add any position players.

    People are overlooking the money here. The Reds have the money to make a splash to fix the rotation, but if they start nickel and diming it away on reclamation projects, relievers and iffy players they'll be stuck with in house options and IMO that is simply not good enough. Get the pitcher first.

    As far as the bullpen goes, leave Chapman out there and get a good starter to go with Cueto, Leake, Arroyo and Bailey and the bullpen will be fine. Arroyo should be healthy and go deeper into games in 2012. Cueto should be available all year and the team should get more innings from him. Leake is ready for a full 200 inning load now, so he should provide more innings as well. Bailey is still a bit iffy but has teh most talent of the bunch IMO. If they can get a consistent guy who can start 32 times and average about 7 innings, that bullpen should be much improved. The team won't need to use 5 or 6 pitchers every day and the whole lot of them should be better prepared to handle the dog days. Chapman, Bray, Arredondo, Masset, Ondrusek, Lecure and Wood (with Boxberger on the way and lots of reinforcements as 12th pitcher candidates) should provide a deep, well balanced pen who have guys who can give innings, provide heat late in the game and give multiple looks. The only thing this pen needs IMO is to leave Chapman in place and to be paired with a rotation that doesn't put them in a hole 5 times each week.

    It's going to be tough to find a 200 inning pitcher on the FA market, but I would be thrilled if the Reds landed one. Cordero's option wasn't picked up, so that's a start. If you take out the deferments from Rolen and Arroyo, you may have 17+ million after arbitration to sign FA's. Adding a 14+ million contract like Buehrle would certainly stave off a Phillips contract and in 2013 you'd have to find a 2b. Votto's 19 million in 2013 is doable.

    Cueto
    Buehrle
    Leake
    Arroyo
    Chapman

    Trade Bailey and Volquez for a top prospect in the infield. Save Wood for injury insurance and/or to takeover when Chapman reaches innings limit.

    It's one way to do it. Lot's of ways to do it, though. Adding a FA bat while trading for a more affordable pitcher with pieces like Alonso, Stubbs, Heisey, Frazier, Bailey, Volquez, and Sappelt is another way to go.
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  11. #25
    Member mdccclxix's Avatar
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    Re: Free Agent Wish List

    Quote Originally Posted by Vottomatic View Post
    gotcha, just think this ranking will work well in this thread as well.
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    Re: Free Agent Wish List

    http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/

    Today's minor moves...

    Jared Burton elected free agency, according to MLB.com's Mark Sheldon (on Twitter). The 30-year-old right-hander showed promise out of the 'pen in 2007-08, but has appeared in just ten MLB games since 2010. He spent time on the 60-day DL with shoulder inflammation in 2011.

  13. #27
    Member mth123's Avatar
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    Re: Free Agent Wish List

    Quote Originally Posted by mdccclxix View Post
    It's going to be tough to find a 200 inning pitcher on the FA market, but I would be thrilled if the Reds landed one. Cordero's option wasn't picked up, so that's a start. If you take out the deferments from Rolen and Arroyo, you may have 17+ million after arbitration to sign FA's. Adding a 14+ million contract like Buehrle would certainly stave off a Phillips contract and in 2013 you'd have to find a 2b. Votto's 19 million in 2013 is doable.

    Cueto
    Buehrle
    Leake
    Arroyo
    Chapman

    Trade Bailey and Volquez for a top prospect in the infield. Save Wood for injury insurance and/or to takeover when Chapman reaches innings limit.

    It's one way to do it. Lot's of ways to do it, though. Adding a FA bat while trading for a more affordable pitcher with pieces like Alonso, Stubbs, Heisey, Frazier, Bailey, Volquez, and Sappelt is another way to go.
    I think Phillips is a goner. His resume, age and status have reached a tipping point. His resume and status suggests a free agent deal in the 4 year $50 Million range after 2012 is complete. His age and the Reds finances says the Reds should pass no matter who else they sign or what type of season Phillips has in 2012. Phillips contract status shouldn't have any impact on what the Reds do with the pitching staff IMO. If Phillips won't sign home town discount in the 3 year $20 Million range, I just don't see how the Reds could keep him. I like Phillips a lot. I think he's the best defensive 2B the Reds have had in the time I've been watching, which spans back to when Tommy Helms played 2B for the Reds. He deserves a big payday. I don't think the Reds can or should be the team to give it to him.

    I don't think Buerhle will get that much. I'm thinking 3 years, $35 Million would get him. The Reds could afford more in 2012 and should approach that with a somewhat front loaded deal with say a $5 Million signing bonus and Salaries in the $10 Million per year range. They could do it this year and I think it would be a move to go for it that I would applaud, but I understand its fairly risky to spend the entire playflex on one player so I really expect that a trade is more likely if they do anything at all.

    As I said earlier. I'm not optimistic about Chapman in the rotation for a couple years. He won't give the innings needed until 2014. He'll probably get hit fairly hard for a season or two as he figures out how to get hitters out while dialing his stuff back to the mid-90s. I'm just not optimistic that a guy like him who seems to get outs with a 100 MPH+ fastball setting up his low 90s slider. If he's starting and trying to get through a line-up three times, he won't be throwing 100 MPH + and if he's working at 95 or 96, I'm not sure that his slider will be nearly as effective as it is today. He's going to have to add to his assortment and figure out how to work through opposing line-ups multiple times and that will take a couple of seasons IMO. After 2013, he'll be arb eligible and the remainder of his current deal will convert to a signing bonus and then they'll have to sign him all over again or go to arb. The team will be dealing with paying that bonus as well as paying the new contract just to keep him until free agency comes around and it will only be a matter of time before he's priced himself out of town. Add that they'll also have to spend to replace him in the pen and that will cost money too which means they'll have to settle for a lesser starter. That means moving Chapman, in the short term, actually weakens two rotation spots - one devoted to Chapman as he takes his lumps and another where a lesser starter is added because some of the money needed to get help form outside will be reallocated to the pen to replace Chapman. They've been through those growing pain years with Bailey and now just as they are ready to realize the reward for sticking with him they're going to give his rotation spot to Chapman and start the whole process over again all while creating a hole in the bullpen that will require pricey help from the outside? I understand that Chapman could go on to a great career as a starter once this process is complete, but IMO that career will probably be mostly for teams that are not the Reds. Why go through all the short term set-backs just to let some other team with a bigger bank account swoop in and reap the rewards? Pass on the moving Chapman to the rotation. Let Bailey have that spot. Forget about acquiring a pricey reliever and use the cash on an established starter.

    I'd be all for a scenario where the Reds deal Alonso, Grandal and some other excess parts for somebody effective and less pricey like Shields and use the savings to sign somebody like Willingham to play LF. I'm just beginning to think that it will take more than Alonso and Grandal and lesser guys. There aren't many starters who are effective and cheap like that and probably even less that match up with the Reds for a deal. Signing Buehrle, even if they have to expand the budget a couple million, means that Alonso can play LF and the Reds can hold on to their trade chips for whatever other need may reveal itself. Even if it costs more on next season's budget, it may be the best fiancial move in the long run.

    All I know is, they need to bring in at least one established starter. The worst case scenario IMO is a rotation with Cueto, Arroyo, Leake, Bailey and Chapman. Too many question marks for me. I'm guessing those 5 will be the rotation though unless they make a spot for Volquez instead of Bailey.

    I agree that dealing Volquez for a prospect to save cash and sure up a weakness should be on the to do list.
    All my posts are my opinion - just like yours are. If I forget to state it and you're too dense to see the obvious, look here!

  14. #28
    Member mdccclxix's Avatar
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    Re: Free Agent Wish List

    FWIW, Walt did say when posed between a bat and a pitcher he would be looking for a pitcher. From the names that have come up, like Jiminez and Shields, he's looking to trade for a young, effective, cost controlled #2 or #3 starter. You can't say he's set his sights too low.

    On Chapman, you have one scenario that could happen, but parts of it have holes. If he struggles in 2012 and succeeds in 2013 to the point where he's too expensive, that means he had 4-7 WAR in 2013. In that case, let's get this started now! But, if he struggles and say progresses to a 4.25 ERA in 2013, I don't see Arb, or a reworked contract, being too expensive. And under no circumstance would any of his success or failure preclude him being on the Reds 2014-2016. If he's worth it, he'll get a contract to buy out his Arb years like Votto, Bruce, Cueto, etc. If he's not, he could go back to the pen as early as 2012, or at any point at any time. The point is, you have to start finding out now. Walt did say he could still be the closer in 2012. I imagine if he gets boxed in payroll wise he could decide Chapman will need to be closer. Personally, I hope he considers LeCure or perhaps Masset or a cheap vet FA and resigns Willis as a LOOGY.
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  15. #29
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    Re: Free Agent Wish List

    We need a TOR guy. Period. We need to look that way and in my opinion, that is the only place we need to look. Except if we can not resign Cordero to a one year deal at much less money. If we can't do that then we need to look at signing one of the relievers for a one year deal until Boxberger is MLB ready. Maybe a Madson type. Other than that, we need to be setting our sights on the TOR guy. A CJ Wilson type or trying our best to get someone like that. We have the other guys to move around with on the playing field and such, let's go after what we really need instead of going the 'stop gap' route or the aging veteran route and wasting time and money there.

  16. #30
    Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Posts
    3,868

    Re: Free Agent Wish List

    Quote Originally Posted by crazybob60 View Post
    We need a TOR guy. Period. We need to look that way and in my opinion, that is the only place we need to look. Except if we can not resign Cordero to a one year deal at much less money. If we can't do that then we need to look at signing one of the relievers for a one year deal until Boxberger is MLB ready. Maybe a Madson type. Other than that, we need to be setting our sights on the TOR guy. A CJ Wilson type or trying our best to get someone like that. We have the other guys to move around with on the playing field and such, let's go after what we really need instead of going the 'stop gap' route or the aging veteran route and wasting time and money there.
    I agree that the #1 priority for the Reds should be a good starting pitcher but I bet they'll make a trade instead of a signing and not for a CJ Wilson type.


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