Reds Free Agents and Arbitration eligibles...

[Matt700wlw]

Free agents, arbitration

From Rob Butcher:

Arbitration eligible
Phillips
Belisle
Cantu
Saarloos
Ellison

Free agents
Milton
Guardado (option)
Hatteberg (option)
Dunn (option)
Valentin (option)
Bellhorn


ARBIRTRATION
Phillips - duh...
Belisle - shouldn't command much, I guess I'd keep him around, but wouldn't be heartbroken if they didn't
Cantu - keep him. I like his stick; servicable on the field.
Saarloos - no thanks...go far far away
Ellison - no thanks...go far far away


FREE AGENTS
Milton - FINALLY!!! Off the books!!!
Guardado's option - I wouldn't touch it...not $3 Million
Hatteberg's option - I'll take my chances with Votto and Cantu - thanks for everything Hatte!
Dunn's option - they'd be pretty stupid not to pick it up
Valentin's option - I guess so....he can at least hit..I'll be fair, he became a better catcher with some consistant PT - how much is it?
Bellhorn - nice knowing you...actually, it really wasn't.

[redsmetz]

Valentin's option is $1.3 Million ($75,000 buyout).

I think we ought to pick up Hatte's option - very affordable and then consider moving him. We might as well get something for having the rights. I can't say for sure this will pay off, but I think it's a low risk gamble ($1.85 Million option, $150,000 buy out).

[pedro]

The Reds would have to be absolute morons to not offer Belisle Arb.

[Benihana]

Originally Posted by redsmetz

Valentin's option is $1.3 Million ($75,000 buyout).

I think we ought to pick up Hatte's option - very affordable and then consider moving him. We might as well get something for having the rights. I can't say for sure this will pay off, but I think it's a low risk gamble ($1.85 Million option, $150,000 buy out).

agreed. Move the Hatte for whatever we can get for him, but don't let him go for free. Worse case scenario, we got a high OBP guy and good veteran clubhouse presence coming off the bench.

[Matt700wlw]

Originally Posted by redsmetz

Valentin's option is $1.3 Million ($75,000 buyout).

I think we ought to pick up Hatte's option - very affordable and then consider moving him. We might as well get something for having the rights. I can't say for sure this will pay off, but I think it's a low risk gamble ($1.85 Million option, $150,000 buy out).

Didn't think of that, not a bad option....but I think they would ask Hatteberg that if he were to be a bench guy, would he want to stay?

He deserves that respect. He may rather retire or try to find a starting or platoon role with another team, than stay here and sit on the bench.

[RedsManRick]

Hatteberg is basically $1.6 more to keep him. Trade him and he costs nothing. Trade him midseason and you only pay the pro-rated salary. While the bench will be tight, I think it would be smart to maximize the return on an asset.

[Strikes Out Looking]

I look for Saarloos and Ellison to be non-tendered.

And don't be surprised if Eddie Guardado's option is picked up.

[redsmetz]

Originally Posted by Matt700wlw

Didn't think of that, not a bad option....but I think they would ask Hatteberg that if he were to be a bench guy, would he want to stay?

He deserves that respect. He may rather retire or try to find a starting or platoon role with another team, than stay here and sit on the bench.

I think there was a report near season's end where he told one reporter that he'd prefer they not pick up the option if he's going to be a back-up (which I think he presumes he would be). He made clear though that he understands that he signed the contract he did and was willing to accept that should it come to that.

[RedsManRick]

Originally Posted by redsmetz

I think there was a report near season's end where he told one reporter that he'd prefer they not pick up the option if he's going to be a back-up (which I think he presumes he would be). He made clear though that he understands that he signed the contract he did and was willing to accept that should it come to that.

Saw that too. I wonder if there's anybody out there who wants him cheap and would flip us a C level prospect for him.

- Boston if they let Lowell walk. Though I imagine they'd set their sights higher.
- Giants. Maybe he can platoon with Aurilia again.
- Mets. No way they exercise Delgado's option.
- Rangers. Have Salty and Laird and have stated they aren't looking for mediocre options.
- Tigers. Looking for a replacement for Casey.
- Yankees. Nobody wants Giambi playing everyday, but he hits better there and they have 4 OF for 3 spots as it is.

[PuffyPig]

Belisle is a no brainer, he's out third baest starter. A DIPS ERA around 4.50 is pretty good for the money. Should improve.

Hatteberg is a no brainer also, even if its just to trade him.

Cantu..depends on what he might get, buy probably.

[JaxRed]

I think Cantu is a no-brainer also. He'll be pretty cheap considering he spent most of year in minors. He'll also settle before going to hearing.

[Matt700wlw]

Originally Posted by PuffyPig

Belisle is a no brainer, he's out third baest starter.

That's the problem, and will be one next year if he still is by default...becuase that would mean the Reds didn't do squat to bolster their rotation.

Stick him back in the bullpen....he may have more consistantcy there.

[reds44]

If the Reds don't offer Belisle arbitration, then something is wrong.

He's the biggest no brainer on that list next to Phillips and Dunn.

[Mario-Rijo]

Originally Posted by RedsManRick

Saw that too. I wonder if there's anybody out there who wants him cheap and would flip us a C level prospect for him.

- Boston if they let Lowell walk. Though I imagine they'd set their sights higher.
- Giants. Maybe he can platoon with Aurilia again.
- Mets. No way they exercise Delgado's option.
- Ragners. Have Salty and Laird and have stated they aren't looking for mediocre options.
- Tigers. Looking for a replacement for Casey.
- Yankees. Nobody wants Giambi playing everyday, but he hits better there and they have 4 OF for 3 spots as it is.

Actually the way I read it, sounded to me like Hatte was a good short term solution for Texas. 1.85 Million seems to be right up there alley here until Mayberry and/or Chris Davis may be ready. 1.85 isn't bad for a starting 1B who actually has some value as a consistent performer.

Originally Posted by Unassisted

The philosophy makes it more likely the Rangers will pursue a center fielder on a long-term deal and that right field and first base, two other holes identified by manager Ron Washington and Daniels, would either be filled from within or on inexpensive short-term deals.

But the Rangers don't necessarily feel the need to get a long-term answer at either spot, with John Mayberry Jr. and Chris Davis (who could move back from third to first) excelling in the minor leagues. David Murphy, perhaps a Rusty Greer starter kit, might present the best cost-effective option. Nelson Cruz, who failed two auditions this season but who has fewer than 500 career at-bats, could also get a longer look.

[Cyclone792]

Dunn (option), Phillips (arbitration), Belisle (arbitration), Hatteberg (option), Cantu (arbitration), and Valentin (arbitration) are the guys I'd bring back.

Dunn and Phillips are obvious, and I'd actually look to extend Dunn long term beyond the 2008 option (or scrap the 2008 option and sign him long term anyway).

Belisle pitched quite a bit better than the traditional pitching metrics indicate, and that should help keep his salary very much in the bargain range. The Reds should get him fairly cheap next season, and he's a guy I'm looking at possibly putting up numbers similar to an average MLB starter.

Cantu should be cheap, and even though I loathe his offensive game (lack of walks), the team could really use a right-handed bat off the bench who can start a handful of games at first base.

I'm not a big fan of Valentin by any means, but there's a dearth of catchers out there and the only in-house option is well ... David Ross. Perhaps a guy like Hanigan can step up, but I probably wouldn't look to dump Valentin and depend on Hanigan or somebody else popping up. Plus, even though the Reds called up Hanigan, they rarely used him, which to me is an indicator that they don't consider him much more than a third string catcher or possibly a backup at best.

Hatteberg's the interesting one to me simply based off what he's supposedly stated about hoping to get a shot starting somewhere. If I'm the Reds, I'm trying to contact Hatteberg and his agent in an effort to persuade him to stay around beyond his playing years. What I'd like the Reds to do is pick up Hatteberg's 2008 option, start him sparingly/insurance policy for Votto, and let him become one of the NL's premier pinch hitters. If Hatteberg and Cantu are both on the bench, then the bench strength would be significantly improved.

Furthermore, I'd like to know what kind of longterm plans Hatteberg has. He's a guy I'd like to see kept in the organization in some capacity beyond his playing days. The best case scenario would be to transition him from starter (2006-07) to bench player (2008-??) to some front office/coaching position after retiring. Of course, the key would be to get him off the active roster and into a coaching spot/front office spot before he turns into a Juan Castro, but I doubt it'd get to that.

Saarloos, Ellison, Milton, Guardado, Bellhorn ... don't let the door hit you on the way out.