Reds, Encarnacion Work Out Deal

[Ron Madden]

Good for Edwin! It's seems like a pretty good deal for both EE and the Reds.

[osuceltic]

Originally Posted by REDREAD

Unless EdE steps it up, I don't think anyone else will be willing to pay that salary. I predict the Reds will end up paying it. (If he plays well enough to earn it, they won't want to trade him).

Nah, one year at that salary will make him attractive, even if he has just a so-so year. I think the Reds are trying to get a cheap year out of him to bridge the gap to Frazier next year. They'll deal EE after the season -- or maybe even before the deadline if they're out of it or if they can use him to help add a piece for a stretch run (and feel they can get by with in-house options during that stretch run).

I think the only way he stays is if he has a monster season. We'll see.

[membengal]

Originally Posted by princeton

Reds are sandbagging Frazier, who should have spent a half-year in Chattanooga last summer. they might not like him, but I suspect that he's heard that all his life. he'll show 'em different, I think.

in fact, in spite of the sandbagging, I suspect that he'll be ready this year. In which case, it's unfortunate that the guy that you just might want to nontender has a guarantee for 2010. it cuts off that option. Kudos to EdE's agent.

at least the Reds can't figure out positions for either of 'em. Gold Glove incentive... I love it.

I like Frazier too, and the Reds' handling of him makes it less than clear he would ready for a full-time gig in 2010. Especially since they won't seem to find him a position. IF he really is ready this year, and EE has a good year, they could always deal EE.

[Crosley68]

Originally Posted by JaxRed

Sure it does. To get a higher guarantee (5 mill) he takes less per year. Now he doesn't have to worry about injuries or poor performance.

Clubs should do this every time: Give me an incentive to not go Year to Year.

I bet EE is glad you are not his agent Jax.

[princeton]

Originally Posted by membengal

they could always deal EE.

like we could always deal Dunn.

next stop: "there's just no market."

personally, I don't have a problem with a $5mill slugger. there are worse problems. But the Reds do need to deal out of surplus and into need, and trust those surpluses.

[reds44]

Uh, we didn't deal Dunn?

[princeton]

Originally Posted by reds44

Uh, we didn't deal Dunn?

skin of our teeth

[reds44]

They still trade him, right?

[LINEDRIVER]

Originally Posted by Always Red

EE's ego is delicate enough without being subjected to the trashing that occurs during an arb hearing.

This takes some pressure off EE, hopefully will allow him to relax and just play ball, and also seems to be a fair deal, at least, for the Reds.

This team really needs for Eddie to step up and play well at 3B. IMO, he'd make a great #4 hitter b/w Bruce and Votto.

Hopefully, EEE will step up his game and prove me wrong…BUT…I’ve been hoping EEE won’t bat 4th and between Bruce & Votto in ‘09.

IMO, his mental game is too fragile to handle batting clean-up. A muffed grounder here and a bad throw there can easily put him in a 1-for-19 cold streak at the plate.

I looked at some numbers and found that EEE has hit a career .263 (64-for-273) when batting fourth BUT has batted .212 from the fourth slot over 2007 & 2008 (21-for-99) and batted only .190 (11-for-58) while batting fourth in 2008. He was a .235 hitter vs RHP in '08.

Did You Know? EEE is a .340 career hitter when batting in the 7th slot (.315 in 2008).

[OnBaseMachine]

I'm hoping Edwin hits cleanup. He's a much better option there than Brandon Phillips. JMO.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Originally Posted by OnBaseMachine

I'm hoping Edwin hits cleanup. He's a much better option there than Brandon Phillips. JMO.

I agree. Edwin doesn't appear to alter his hitting approach when he's in the 4 slot or somewhere else. Brandon, however, turns into a completely different guy in the 4 slot. It's almost as if he's trying to force himself into becoming a homerun hitter when he's there. It's the one slot I don't want Brandon in at all. I think he could be successful in just about any other slot though.

[*BaseClogger*]

Originally Posted by _Sir_Charles_

I agree. Edwin doesn't appear to alter his hitting approach when he's in the 4 slot or somewhere else. Brandon, however, turns into a completely different guy in the 4 slot. It's almost as if he's trying to force himself into becoming a homerun hitter when he's there. It's the one slot I don't want Brandon in at all.

Originally Posted by _Sir_Charles_

I think he could be successful in just about any other slot [below #6] though.

So true!

[*BaseClogger*]

Originally Posted by LINEDRIVER

Hopefully, EEE will step up his game and prove me wrong…BUT…I’ve been hoping EEE won’t bat 4th and between Bruce & Votto in ‘09.

IMO, his mental game is too fragile to handle batting clean-up. A muffed grounder here and a bad throw there can easily put him in a 1-for-19 cold streak at the plate.

I looked at some numbers and found that EEE has hit a career .263 (64-for-273) when batting fourth BUT has batted .212 from the fourth slot over 2007 & 2008 (21-for-99) and batted only .190 (11-for-58) while batting fourth in 2008. He was a .235 hitter vs RHP in '08.

Did You Know? EEE is a .340 career hitter when batting in the 7th slot (.315 in 2008).

Are these numbers from the Mexican Pacific League though? :

[Highlifeman21]

Originally Posted by OnBaseMachine

I'm hoping Edwin hits cleanup. He's a much better option there than Brandon Phillips. JMO.

Against RHP, sure.

Against LHP I have no problem with BP batting 4th.

[Ron Madden]

As everyone here probably knows, I'm one of Edwins biggest fans.

We have heard from every Manager EE has ever had that nobody works harder or cares more about improving his game than Edwin.

Yet it's so easy for many of us to forget the circumstances in which Edwin has been learning his trade. EE was thrown from the frying pan into the fire at a very young age. Most of his lessons learned have been at the highest level of the game. (and he has done well) We forget he is only a few months older than Joey Votto.

I hope and pray he gets off to a good start in 2009 or the local media will slip the noose around his neck so that the fanbase might hang him.