Reds sign Willy Taveras to 2 year deal....

[dougdirt]

This just made me sick for the rest of the day. Seriously, my entire weekend is ruined by this.

[Rounding Third]

Originally Posted by Krusty

Come on people.......really, who didn't see this coming? You had to see this coming back in November when the rumor was exposed that the Reds were talking to the Rockies about Taveras, Atkins and Torrealba. They had interest in all three players. Basically they got Taveras for cash without giving up a player.

If you can name me one free agent outfielder that we could have put in the leadoff spot, let me know. And while everyone is on the Chris Dickerson's band wagon, obviously the Reds front office isn't. And to annoint a player a starting job based on 100 ABs, that is risky IMO.

Taveras to me is the Omar Moreno of our generation. And Moreno was able to play centerfield and a few Pirates championship teams back in the 70s. When you get something for free and it only cost you cash, it isn't a horrible deal. Not great but not horrible either.

The point is we didn't need a FA leadoff OF, like you said we had Dickerson.

[jesusfan]

I look for Walt's next move to be Rocco Baldelli... if that happens we would definitely have some speed and quality outfield defense, IF he's healthy.

Baldelli, Taveras, Bruce roaming the outfield would be a ridiculous defensive improvement over Dunn, Bruce, Griffey...

Baldelli would probably hit 2nd or 6th in the order with Phillips manning the other spot... I guess that leaves Edwin for the 4 hole...

[Krusty]

Originally Posted by Rounding Third

So we have Tavares, Gonzo and Hernandez could easily have an OBP of around .300.

Phillips and Bruce could be around .330, if we get Dye then there is another .330.

No longer excited about this year

Who would you rather have, Mark Teixeria? Would you have wanted the Reds to dish out 180 million on one ballplayer? Look at what the free agents are getting on the market with the Yankees setting the bar. Do you think the Reds can compete for some of the prime talent? Do you really want to pay 50 million for two years of Manny Ramirez?

You play the hand your dealt with. In defense of the Reds, they are buying Taveras when his stock is at an all-time low. His numbers will probably improve in 2009. There was no secret he was on the outs with manager Clint Hurdle in Colorado. He isn't the greatest leadoff hitter or centerfielder by far but this is the hand the Reds have to play.

[SteelSD]

Originally Posted by Krusty

Come on people.......really, who didn't see this coming?

Seeing a train wreck coming makes it more expected but not any less brutal an experience.

This was a horrible acquisition for a team needing to rip chunks out of its Run Differential gap offensively.

[Krusty]

Originally Posted by jesusfan

I look for Walt's next move to be Rocco Baldelli... if that happens we would definitely have some speed and quality outfield defense, IF he's healthy.

Baldelli, Taveras, Bruce roaming the outfield would be a ridiculous defensive improvement over Dunn, Bruce, Griffey...

Baldelli would probably hit 2nd or 6th in the order with Phillips manning the other spot... I guess that leaves Edwin for the 4 hole...

Better yet, what if the Reds sign both Baldelli and traded for Jermaine Dye. Baldelli would be the fourth outfielder with Dickerson as the fifth outfielder. And suddenly what was a weakness on the roster becomes a strength. Baldelli could back up Taveras in center and still get plenty ABs while slowly increase his playing time as the season goes on.

You see......not everything is raining and gloomy.

[corkedbat]

Oh well, maybe it'll work out...or maybe Castellini will just turn the team over to me and I can keep this kinda crap from happening in the future.

Womack, Patterson, Taveras...a fine tradition continues.

[Krusty]

Originally Posted by SteelSD

Seeing a train wreck coming makes it more expected but not any less brutal an experience.

This was a horrible acquisition for a team needing to rip chunks out of its Run Differential gap offensively.

It depends. It is only a two-year deal. If the Reds are paying more per season than what they paid Corey Patterson, I would be surprised. Plus, it didn't cost any personnel in regards to a trade.

As mentioned, I could see the Reds signing Baldelli and/or still trading for Jermaine Dye. Either way, the Reds aren't in rebuilding mode.

[Rounding Third]

Originally Posted by Krusty

Who would you rather have, Mark Teixeria? Would you have wanted the Reds to dish out 180 million on one ballplayer? Look at what the free agents are getting on the market with the Yankees setting the bar. Do you think the Reds can compete for some of the prime talent? Do you really want to pay 50 million for two years of Manny Ramirez?

You play the hand your dealt with. In defense of the Reds, they are buying Taveras when his stock is at an all-time low. His numbers will probably improve in 2009. There was no secret he was on the outs with manager Clint Hurdle in Colorado. He isn't the greatest leadoff hitter or centerfielder by far but this is the hand the Reds have to play.

He isn't even the best leadoff hitter or CF on the Reds team before he was signed, so why waste the money. You have a younger, better defensively, better at getting on base and better power, and cheaper option already at your disposal.

Originally Posted by Krusty

Better yet, what if the Reds sign both Baldelli and traded for Jermaine Dye. Baldelli would be the fourth outfielder with Dickerson as the fifth outfielder. And suddenly what was a weakness on the roster becomes a strength. Baldelli could back up Taveras in center and still get plenty ABs while slowly increase his playing time as the season goes on.

You see......not everything is raining and gloomy.

Just because we have a lot of crap doesn't make it good. No thanks for Tavares or Dye.

[Ltlabner]

Originally Posted by SteelSD

Seeing a train wreck coming makes it more expected but not any less brutal an experience.

This was a horrible acquisition for a team needing to rip chunks out of its Run Differential gap offensively.

But he's fast man. Fast.

[Krusty]

Originally Posted by Rounding Third

He isn't even the best leadoff hitter or CF on the Reds team before he was signed, so why waste the money. You have a younger, better defensively, better at getting on base and better power, and cheaper option already at your disposal.



Just because we have a lot of crap doesn't make it good. No thanks for Tavares or Dye.

Again, you don't see what I'm getting at. There is no way the Reds or pretty much any team can compete with the Yankees for star players when they deal out over $400 million for three ballplayers. And the free agent market isn't that great this year. You acquired a ballplayer that is coming off the worst season of his career. Odds are the numbers will be better than the 2008 season. There is no long term commitment and it buys time for the future centerfielder of the Reds, Stubbs, to develop and not be rushed.

[Ltlabner]

Originally Posted by Krusty

You acquired a ballplayer that is coming off the worst season of his career. Odds are the numbers will be better than the 2008 season.

Yea. He might improve all the way up to just plain bad.

[AtomicDumpling]

Are the Reds such a pathetic loser of a franchise that we have to grab players cut and released by bad teams and put them in our starting lineup?

Are the Reds (A) a small-market team just barely able to stay afloat in a city that is lucky to even have a team, or are they (B) a medium-market team making $10-20 million in profit every year with an owner that has hundreds of millions of dollars?

Hint: the answer is not (A).

Why are the Reds snapping up rejects and castoffs when there are still top-notch outfielders like Abreu, Ramirez, Dunn, Burrell etc etc etc still available for the taking?

Why don't the fans revolt when we see a team raking in huge profits (and playing in an expensive ballpark for free) while fielding one of the worst teams in the league season after season? We just have a loser mentality in this city.

[Krusty]

Originally Posted by Ltlabner

But he's fast man. Fast.

Who said we couldn't acquire fast Willy Mays Hayes from the movie, Major League?

[Rounding Third]

Originally Posted by Krusty

Again, you don't see what I'm getting at. There is no way the Reds or pretty much any team can compete with the Yankees for star players when they deal out over $400 million for three ballplayers. And the free agent market isn't that great this year. You acquired a ballplayer that is coming off the worst season of his career. Odds are the numbers will be better than the 2008 season. There is no long term commitment and it buys time for the future centerfielder of the Reds, Stubbs, to develop and not be rushed.

We have a CF right now that could possibly be the CF of the future in Chris Dickerson. Give me Dickerson every day over spending money to sign a worse player in every category, except speed, for 2 years.