Reds pursuing reliever Mike Gonzalez

[marcshoe]

A couple of nice bullpen moves for the Brewers. They might be looking at a slightly less distant third place now.

Seems like there's something the Brewers would need in order to make a bullpen relevant, but I can't put my finger on it.

Oh wait, I remember! Starting pitching!

[DGullett35]

The Brewers 5 year window turned out to be a 2 year window although they did play nicely the last month and a half last year. I agree that they need starting pitching to compete with the Reds and Cards. They will battle the Pirates all year for 3rd place. Something around a .500 record or a little worse sounds about right. I was really hoping for Gonzales. It had to be about the money because if winnning was a top priority then he would have picked the Reds or Nats.

[marcshoe]

Originally Posted by DGullett35

The Brewers 5 year window turned out to be a 2 year window although they did play nicely the last month and a half last year. I agree that they need starting pitching to compete with the Reds and Cards. They will battle the Pirates all year for 3rd place. Something around a .500 record or a little worse sounds about right. I was really hoping for Gonzales. It had to be about the money because if winnning was a top priority then he would have picked the Reds or Nats.

Maybe he just likes beer and cheese.

[Vottomatic]

Originally Posted by cinreds21

Reds balked, Gonzalez to sign with Brewers.

This may be the non-move that kills the Reds world series chances.

[Tom Servo]

Nats are now pursuing JP Howell, wonder if Walt is in on him as well.

[*BaseClogger*]

Originally Posted by Tom Servo

Nats are now pursuing JP Howell, wonder if Walt is in on him as well.

I would hope so--we're running out of lefties to be "in on"...

[blumj]

Originally Posted by *BaseClogger*

I would hope so--we're running out of lefties to be "in on"...

The Red Sox might be looking to trade one, not sure any of them are all that appealing, but they appear to only have room for 2 of Franklin Morales, Craig Breslow, and Andrew Miller.

[Kc61]

It's reported Gonzalez got $2.25 million plus incentives from the Brewers. I can understand if Walt didn't want to go that high.

He'll get someone.

[mth123]

Originally Posted by blumj

The Red Sox might be looking to trade one, not sure any of them are all that appealing, but they appear to only have room for 2 of Franklin Morales, Craig Breslow, and Andrew Miller.

Not really liking any of those. Looking at the available names, I think if Howell is out of the Red's price range, then I'd just go with Cingrani. I know he may have a future as a starter, but he's probably one of the best 12 now and only behind Marshall as a lefty for the pen. I'd use him to try to put the best team out there in 2013.

[Nathan]

Originally Posted by blumj

The Red Sox might be looking to trade one, not sure any of them are all that appealing, but they appear to only have room for 2 of Franklin Morales, Craig Breslow, and Andrew Miller.

Of the three, Breslow would probably be my pick.

[Steve4192]

Originally Posted by *BaseClogger*

I would hope so--we're running out of lefties to be "in on"...

The Reds don't NEED to add a second lefty in the pen. We already have one of the best LH relievers in the game in Marshall. Getting worked up about who will play the LOOGY role from April to July seems a bit silly. If it becomes a problem, Walt will make a move to address it at the trading deadline. Heck, they've already got a monster lefty down at AAA (Cingrani) who could be shoehorned into the bullpen down the stretch if need be.

[Kc61]

Originally Posted by Steve4192

The Reds don't NEED to add a second lefty in the pen. We already have one of the best LH relievers in the game in Marshall. Getting worked up about who will play the LOOGY role from April to July seems a bit silly. If it becomes a problem, Walt will make a move to address it at the trading deadline. Heck, they've already got a monster lefty down at AAA (Cingrani) who could be shoehorned into the bullpen down the stretch if need be.

I don't see anyone getting "worked up."

But having six righties and one lefty in the bullpen doesn't make sense to me. They may get through with Arredondo facing lefties, but I'd prefer a second lefty reliever.

Last year many posters said we shouldn't get "worked up" because the Reds were the only team in baseball with only two lefty hitters among position players. But the stats against RHP were poor and clearly there was a need for more lefty hitters.

Same with pitching. There is, of course, a chance that Chapman will be in the bullpen early in the season. That would suffice IMO and then they could add another lefty when Chappy begins pitching in the rotation.

Lefty/righty balance is important whether it be hitting or pitching and I think Walt knows this and will address it one way or the other.

[Joseph]

Back in the day we only had the one lefty outta the pen. I tell ya, you kids got it good with all these hi falootin spec'lists an' what not.

[marcshoe]

Originally Posted by Joseph

Back in the day we only had the one lefty outta the pen. I tell ya, you kids got it good with all these hi falootin spec'lists an' what not.

Yeah, and he also worked as the team bus driver and groundskeeper!

[Steve4192]

Originally Posted by Kc61

I don't see anyone getting "worked up."

But having six righties and one lefty in the bullpen doesn't make sense to me. They may get through with Arredondo facing lefties, but I'd prefer a second lefty reliever.

Last year many posters said we shouldn't get "worked up" because the Reds were the only team in baseball with only two lefty hitters among position players. But the stats against RHP were poor and clearly there was a need for more lefty hitters.

Same with pitching. There is, of course, a chance that Chapman will be in the bullpen early in the season. That would suffice IMO and then they could add another lefty when Chappy begins pitching in the rotation.

Lefty/righty balance is important whether it be hitting or pitching and I think Walt knows this and will address it one way or the other.

I'm not saying it wouldn't be nice to add another lefty to the bullpen mix. I'm just saying it's not a huge need. They already have one of the best lefty relievers in the game (Marshall) and a couple of other very talented southpaws who may (or may not) play big roles in the 2013 bullpen (Chapman, Cingrani). The Reds have quality in-house solutions if the free agent market doesn't work out for them.