Reds, Logan Ondrusek Agree To Deal

[_Sir_Charles_]

Originally Posted by Plus Plus

To be fair, there was no way that Ondrusek would be making 500k as a super-two arbitration player. Websites had him estimated around 900k, so it looks like it will break down to be 900k and 1.4m, which could likely represent a small savings over what his salaries would be if arbitration ran its course.

I think the second year was just the Reds way of avoiding having to go through this stuff next year too. They clearly don't like dealing with arbitration.

[PuffyPig]

Originally Posted by mth123

The arbitrator doesn't have anything to do with year 2.

But you have the arbitrator giving him $500,000 this year, when there is zero chance of that. Your $1.8M number for the second year is not an accurate number.

[Kc61]

Originally Posted by mth123

No kidding. Agreeing to the secnd year for $1.4 million was not only unnecessary, it was an overpay.

Overpay sometimes is in the eyes of the beholder.

Walt likes to have bullpen depth, veteran depth, locked up. He showed that giving Masset two years last winter after Nick had an off-year.

Walt would prefer to pay Logan a modest contract for two years than to find his bullpen depth in the minor leagues and on the waiver wire.

He trusts Logan better than some unknown guy he might find to provide depth. He may even have told Logan that he might pitch some at AAA, and Logan may have agreed for the two-year commitment.

I'm very comfortable when Jocketty makes moves like this. He knows his personnel and doesn't give away money. Sometimes GMs pay for insurance and Walt decided Logan was a worthwhile policy.

Walt is creating a logjam for the bullpen on opening day, but he's obviously willing to live with that.

[Roy Tucker]

Originally Posted by Kc61

Overpay sometimes is in the eyes of the beholder.

Walt likes to have bullpen depth, veteran depth, locked up. He showed that giving Masset two years last winter after Nick had an off-year.

Walt would prefer to pay Logan a modest contract for two years than to find his bullpen depth in the minor leagues and on the waiver wire.

He trusts Logan better than some unknown guy he might find to provide depth. He may even have told Logan that he might pitch some at AAA, and Logan may have agreed for the two-year commitment.

I'm very comfortable when Jocketty makes moves like this. He knows his personnel and doesn't give away money. Sometimes GMs pay for insurance and Walt decided Logan was a worthwhile policy.

Walt is creating a logjam for the bullpen on opening day, but he's obviously willing to live with that.

Eactly what I was going to say. They know Ondrusek, they know where to slot him, he'll be in the mix for the bullpen (but not a lock), he has some usefulness, and provides depth. Better the devil you know than the one you don't know.

If he has some success, great. If he gets sent down or released, ok.

[Vottomatic]

Look at the entire team. It's called continuity.

[mth123]

Originally Posted by Plus Plus

To be fair, there was no way that Ondrusek would be making 500k as a super-two arbitration player. Websites had him estimated around 900k, so it looks like it will break down to be 900k and 1.4m, which could likely represent a small savings over what his salaries would be if arbitration ran its course.

If he was non-tendered, he'd be in that group of guys looking to hook on and probably getting only a minor league deal. I don't believe that Broxton was in the fold and Masset is still a question mark, so I understand the Reds offering him a contract, but I don't understand eliminating the ability to non-tender him after 2013. He's signed for 2014 at $1.4 Million and will probably fall further down the list as guys like Villareal transition the to the pen and guys like Ravin, Partch and Contreras develop.If those guys don't develop, there are always guys available as Spring Tarining begins who would be as good as Logan and probably cost less than $1.4 Million.

[mth123]

Originally Posted by PuffyPig

But you have the arbitrator giving him $500,000 this year, when there is zero chance of that. Your $1.8M number for the second year is not an accurate number.

Not what I said at all. I said anything over $500K is an overpay because I think there will be guys to be had for the minimum and the chance at major league service time who I'd rather have than Ondrusek.Some of those guys will be pitching in Louisville in 2013 without the Reds even making a move.

[mth123]

Originally Posted by Kc61

Overpay sometimes is in the eyes of the beholder.

Walt likes to have bullpen depth, veteran depth, locked up. He showed that giving Masset two years last winter after Nick had an off-year.

Walt would prefer to pay Logan a modest contract for two years than to find his bullpen depth in the minor leagues and on the waiver wire.

He trusts Logan better than some unknown guy he might find to provide depth. He may even have told Logan that he might pitch some at AAA, and Logan may have agreed for the two-year commitment.

I'm very comfortable when Jocketty makes moves like this. He knows his personnel and doesn't give away money. Sometimes GMs pay for insurance and Walt decided Logan was a worthwhile policy.

Walt is creating a logjam for the bullpen on opening day, but he's obviously willing to live with that.

Well, I guess we'll see what happens. If the Reds want to pay Ondrusek a 2 year major league deal to be insurance at AAA, I don't have a problem with it. OTOH, if this deal means the guy who is at best the 15th best arm on the roster is going to get 60 or 70 innings while better guys are stuck in AAA, then its less than optimal IMO.

Add that if the Reds are willing to pay a premium for depth at AAA, wouldn't you rather have had Kyle Farmsworth, Juan Carlos Oviedo or a much needed lefty? I would.

I guess its just a motter of my opinion of Ondrusek. Not only do I think he's, at best, the 15th best pitcher on the roster for opening day, but I also think there are others in the high minors who will pass him as the season wears on. This doesn't even mention the slew of other guys available for the picking who are also better.

All this said, if this is all there is to complain about, the Reds are in pretty good shape. Walt has done a great job and I'm looking forward to big things from this team.

[PuffyPig]

Originally Posted by mth123

If he was non-tendered, he'd be in that group of guys looking to hook on and probably getting only a minor league deal.

If he was non-tendered and became a UFA, he'd get a number of major league offers. I'm not a huge fan of Ondrusek, but teams are always lining up for pitching.

[edabbs44]

Originally Posted by PuffyPig

If he was non-tendered and became a UFA, he'd get a number of major league offers. I'm not a huge fan of Ondrusek, but teams are always lining up for pitching.

Veras got $1.85 MM this year. Frasor got $1.5MM.

[mth123]

Originally Posted by PuffyPig

If he was non-tendered and became a UFA, he'd get a number of major league offers. I'm not a huge fan of Ondrusek, but teams are always lining up for pitching.

Yet there are a bunch of better guys looking to hook on. We'll see.