Freel traded for Ramon Hernandez

[corkedbat]

Originally Posted by BCubb2003

As somebody else said, do the Orioles fans know about Farney?

Do the Baltimore Area cops?

[REDREAD]

Originally Posted by Rounding Third

Are they only giving us $1MM? I thought they were giving $3MM?

Sorry, the intial post said 1 million, then later someone said 3 million (although that is not confirmed).

I was replying to a very early post in the thread and didn't know the $$ was corrected.

[corkedbat]

Originally Posted by REDREAD

I wonder if Wayne just got Majed again

I just find it hard to believe that Freel is really 100% at this point. Freel would say he's 100% right after a leg amuptation.

Even if he's not 100%, he'll probably run through a fence or into another outfielder and have plenty of downtime to get to 100% while his new war wounds heal.

[WVPacman]

I will difently miss Freel's effort in a game.Yes sometimes it would cost him but on many occasions his effort helped us out.The trade was the right thing to do IF Hernandez plays even decent and can call a game good plus it gets rid of his contract.I will still miss Freel playing as hard as he could out there for the Reds and the reds fans.

Heres to you Freel Have a great time in Baltimore and keep playing like you always do HARD!!!!!!!!

[HeatherC1212]

Originally Posted by BCubb2003

As somebody else said, do the Orioles fans know about Farney?

The ones on the Orioles board know about him and most of them think it's hilarious. At the very least, they believe they'll be entertained by the guy, LOL :

[gm]

Ryan Freel was happy for a fresh start but still getting his mind around getting traded:

"A piece of me is excited. But I'm upset because of my relationship with the fans in Cincinnati. It's been tough. But you can't look at the past. I'm still playing baseball. But it's kind of an emotional time. I'm torn."

Is Farney the "piece" of Freel that's excited?

Ryan's goofy character will be missed, even though he did play ball like a spastic weasel. Never a dull moment, during some non-descript seasons

Could this trade be a poor man's version of the Hamilton-Volquez deal? (Win-win)

[Topcat]

I totally am loving this deal, salary wise it is a wash and prospect wise I can not believe how little we had to give up! Add to Freel's salary loss this deal was fantastic and anyone who is skeptical on it, is completely nuts. I also add to the glowing approval rating on this deal by Redzoner's as further proof this deal was great. A rare event has happened here today and should be seen as nothing but a positive thing.

[dfs]

I don't get the happy-face on this one. As reported the money isn't a wash. The reds are on the hook for 8 million for Ramon and were going to pay freel 3.

While neither Freel, Turner or Waring represent prime assets, it's just too much to give up for a player like this. Ramon Hernandez has been outhit by Greg Zaun over the last two years.

It's too much talent and money to give up for a player that doesn't drive you closer to being really good. He's 33 years old and a decent candidate to be out of the game in 2 years.

The O's won this one for sure.

[redsfan4445]

per traderumouers we either got 2 or 3 million along with Hernandez, NOT 1 milion

[corkedbat]

Originally Posted by dfs

I don't get the happy-face on this one. As reported the money isn't a wash. The reds are on the hook for 8 million for Ramon and were going to pay freel 3.

.

I thought Freel was to make $4.5M this year?

We've got plenty of Utility-types and can probably find more if we need them. I loved having Freel while he was there, but he was owed more than he was worth, considering he's more and more likely to be on the DL or dinged up from one thing or another,

Hernandez may not be the best C on the market, but I like him better than Laird, I like him better than any of the three we had last year behind the plate and I'm very comforable with what we gave up.

I like this deal, partly because I have a feeling that this is one of those cases where a change of scenery helps a bunch. I think that Walt did a great job, especially considering the market and the catchers that were apparently available.

[corkedbat]

nm

[corkedbat]

Originally Posted by redsfan4445

per traderumouers we either got 2 or 3 million along with Hernandez, NOT 1 milion

If Walt got more than $1M, then he did a hell of a job. I think that may be what the Baltimore GM meant about wearing him down.

[Krusty]

Originally Posted by REDREAD

Look at it this way, with Freel being shed and 1 million from Baltimore, it only adds 3 million to next year's payroll. It solves the catching problem for next year for only 3 million. Plus, Freel's roster spot might be available for someone more useful.

Do you think they can sign Hairston with what they were paying Freel?

[Mario-Rijo]

Just for the sake of argument can we all at least get some of the well know facts straight about this deal if nothing else.

#1 - Ryan Freel was due to make 4 Million
#2 - Ramon was due to make 8 million, has a club option for '10 at 8.5 million with a buyout of 1 Million (paid to him if we decline the option).
#3 - We were going to have to pay for a catcher with real money at some point.
#4 - Ryan Freel was making too much money for a UT/platoon player
#5 - We have yet to get a confirmation of how much money was sent to us, however we do know that it had to go to the commissioners office for approval due to the money involved being more than 1 million.

So we know for a fact that we got an experienced catcher who we will have to pay only 3 million at most for over our previous budget. We rid ourselves of a contract & player that most here felt needed to go in the process. I'd say that's a wise move especially when you consider that 1 of the 2 prospects will likely never even reach the majors. The other player is debatable but like many have stated we got an upgrade at a position of need and you gotta give up something to get that.

(*This part is opinion*)
Not too mention that Hernandez could reasonably be expected to have better offensive and defensive #'s here with a better staff throwing to him, the park, playing for a future contract, possibly playing for a winning team (depending on other moves) etc. It's interesting that people get on Hernandez for his defensive stats but fail to mention that his decline was right in line with the decline of the staff he was working with. Pitchers do have an effect on their catchers defensive #'s.

[WVRedsFan]

I'm so pleased I can hardly contain myself. We got rid of the attraction of Freel's hustle and in return we got a solid catcher who just might hit sometimes. How long has it been since we had one of those? Last year we were stuck with three catchers for most of the season--Ross (and his close to .200 average and his ability to muff catches), Valentin (who simply needed to be selling cars or starring in porn films), and Bako (who reminded me of a player on the 1962 Mets--lovable but not very good). We have gone from that to a solid major leaguer catcher and a promising rookie who will be an adequate backup. Not bad.

As for Freel, he was the epitome of what many lust for--the Pete Rose syndrome. Yes, he hustled, sometimes to the extreme, and didn't play very smart. He'd dive for a ball that was uncatchable or if it was he'd do it for effect (and some who panned Edmunds for that same thing, loved Freel for it), and then make a bone-headed move on the bases to take away runs. Managers loved him because of the hustle, and felt compelled to play him despite the fact that his OBP shrunk as he got older and steady play diminished his effectiveness. Good riddance. Wayne gave him a primo contract and now has him back. Thanks, Wayne!

Good move by Walt, who knows baseball talent when he sees it. I'm sure other moves will be made to shore up the outfield, but I can't help but be giddy about this. Besides the salary relief we get, we can give Farney to Baltimore and it's fitting. Yes, he made some plays, but often his minuses were more than his positives. Good luck to him and the Reds. I have a feeling the Reds will come out the winner in this transaction. We won't mis his 30 RBI's or his bad swings at bad balls, but the hope that there is another Pete Rose will continue. Freel wasn't Pete. Time for a new agenda.