I'd argue adding Gonzo to the SS to improve the up the middle defence, something that was sorely lacking last year, for a reasonable contract was also an improvement to the team. And it happened post trade.Originally Posted by reds44
I'd argue adding Gonzo to the SS to improve the up the middle defence, something that was sorely lacking last year, for a reasonable contract was also an improvement to the team. And it happened post trade.
Ross pre all star break: 119 ABs, .311/.384/.681
Ross post all star break: 128 ABs, .203/.325/.484
Phillips had a similar dive in the 2nd half, though not as drastic.
Let's see what happens this season before singing the praises of the moves...especially Ross'. IMO, he had a pretty overrated season in 2006. Phillips, even if he drops off in the hitting realm, he can still help with the glove. Ross, on the other hand...
And if Keppinger has any sort of meaningful success for this team in 2007, it will be a miracle.
http://www.baseballamerica.com/today...ws/263090.html
Keppinger Hits The Road Again
By Jim Callis
January 10, 2007
The Deal
After designating Jeff Keppinger for assignment eight days earlier, the Royals sent him to the Reds on Wednesday for Class A righthander Russell Haltiwanger.
The Big Leaguers
A fourth-round pick by the Pirates in 2001 after leading Georgia to the College World Series, the 26-year-old Keppinger never has found a niche in his three previous organizations. A career .315 hitter in the minors (including .323 in Triple-A), he doesn't do anything else particularly well. He has little power, draws few walks and isn't much of a runner or a defender. The Mets acquired him in the three-team Kris Benson trade in July 2004, then sent him to the Royals last July in a straight-up deal for Ruben Gotay. Keppinger spent most of the year in Triple-A and September in Kansas City, seeing time at all four infield positions as well as the outfield. In 55 games and 176 at-bats in the majors, he has hit .278/.319/.386 with five homers and 17 RBIs.
The Prospects
Haltiwanger, 22, was a 29th-round pick out of Newberry (S.C.) in 2005. He spent all but one game in 2006 at low Class A Dayton, where he went 0-4, 4.15 in 40 games (five starts). He had a 78-45 K-BB ratio in 82 innings. Haltiwanger has a plus fastball and flashes a promising slider, giving him a chance to become a big league reliever if he can straighten out his command.
Quick Take
It's a minor trade that could help both clubs. Keppinger might be able to stick with the Reds as an offensive-minded utilityman, while Haltiwanger is a worthwhile if unpolished arm to add for a player designated for assignment.
« Trade Central 2007
Guys like these have value.
I not sure if this has been discussed, but could it be that Harris was dealt for Hamilton? Hamilton being the PTBNL if he doesn't make the 25 man, and they get cash if he does.
You need a guy like Harris around, but he may of had to give him up to protect Hamilton, so he went out and found another Harris.
I'd argue that this team is in no position to dole out $14 million for a guy who probably won't be anywhere near Cincinnati when they become a serious contender. That signing was a move that a big market team can do...enough offense at the other positions, good pitching and needing to fill a hole that will be a positive in the field. When rockets are being bounced off the bater's eye, his glove won't mean squat.
Trust me...this board will turn on the guy when he is wielding his sub-.300 OBP in July. I am still in awe that such an OBPcentric board didn't trash this signing more.
How many errors did Lopez have last year? Not a single one of those balls were bouncing off the batters eye. And the screaming about Aurrila and Clayton's range? Why would people care about their range if their weren't some balls heading their way (via the ground, not the batters eye)?
There will be more than enough balls heading his way to make his defense a value to this team. His offence output is certinally weak, no doubt there, but between his defence and the GABP boost, I think he'll carry his weight.
And if you were the GM and had $14 million to spend over the next 3 years however you wish, would you have signed Alex Gonzalez? Or would you have dumped it into scouting, int players and the draft? Just curious.
Let's see...
Spend it on Gonzo and listen to people moan about his OBP/OPS
or
Spend it on scouting, int players and the draft and listen to people moan about how we are "punting" and not serrious about competing.
I'll take what's behind door number three Alex.
BTW - I think the Keppinger move is odd considering Harris but it's minor in the scheeme of things. Olmedo.....good luck but I'm not sheding any tears.
Speaking of the Royals, did they ever name the PTBNL for LaRue?
Well, I think everyone knows that Ross wasn't going to keep putting up a 1.065 OPS like he did in the first half, but I think the .809 OPS he put up isn't too far off of what we could expect from him going forward. I'm expecting him to be around a .780 OPS next season, which I believe would be above average offensively for a catcher.
Phillips on the other hand, slipped from a .795 OPS the first half to a .703 OPS the second half. I wouldn't be surprised if he is around a .730 OPS next season. I really wish they'd have switched him over to SS and spent the money used for Gonzalez elsewhere. Like maybe SP or offense in the OF.
Phillips AB AVG OBP SLG OPS
Pre-All Star 281 .306 .357 .438 .795
Post-All Star 255 .243 .287 .416 .703
Later,
Tom
"One thing about Adam is he wants to play every day. He's played hurt the last couple of years. A lot of people get on him about a lot of different things, but he plays. A whole lot of people look at what he can't do instead of what he does do for us." - Jerry Narron on Adam Dunn.
I'll take .809 OPS from my catcher everyday. Especially, considering it was one of those "25th man" moves.
Last edited by reds44; 01-10-2007 at 11:17 PM.
I was talking about Phillips and Ross being "25th" man moves. However Gonzalez improved the team. His defense will be fantastic, it will improve everybody elses defense, and GABP will inflate his numbers some.
I wasn't thrilled when Harris was cut loose to make room for Conine either, but then they deal for Keppinger, who is a fairly similar player, though a bit worse in my estimation. Why not just DFA Olmedo to make room for Conine, and hold on to Harris? That's a puzzling string of transactions that don't really amount to much.
Here's a few quick numbers comparing Keppinger and Harris.
2006 AAA AVG G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB K SB CS OBP SLG OPS
Keppinger .316 119 450 57 142 19 1 4 43 40 30 0 4 .368 .389 .757
Harris .300 102 367 59 110 28 1 10 60 40 85 5 2 .381 .463 .844
07 Zips Projs. P Age AVG OBP SLG G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB K SB CS
Jeff Keppinger 2b 27 .286 .338 .360 115 419 48 120 17 1 4 35 33 27 3 3
Brendan Harris 3b 26 .258 .318 .431 127 418 64 108 25 1 15 61 32 79 3 2
If I got to choose, I'd take Harris and his better walk rate and power over Keppinger.
Later,
Tom
"One thing about Adam is he wants to play every day. He's played hurt the last couple of years. A lot of people get on him about a lot of different things, but he plays. A whole lot of people look at what he can't do instead of what he does do for us." - Jerry Narron on Adam Dunn.
Isn't this just a minor deal? They lose a pitcher that no one has really heard of. They lose a weak hitting middle IF who has bounced back and forth between AAA and the majors over the past 5 years. Olmado really didn't have a place on this team with the signings of Gonzales and having Castro on the roster. Keppinger just seens like a guy who may be the 25th man on the roster who is a pinch hitter sent up to make contact.
Rotoworld lost all objectivity with me when they said the Cubs stole Josh Hamilton and wrote all praise and glory to Chicago - and when the Reds traded for Hamilton, Rotoworld does a complete 180 degree turn. Someone on rotoworld.com got the "red rear" from someone in Cincinnati.
Here's the C.Trent Rosecrans' Post article. Looks like AAA fodder/ utility player type.
Infielder Keppinger adds clout for Reds
By C. Trent Rosecrans
Post staff reporter
Wherever Jeff Keppinger has gone, he's hit.
A career .315 hitter in the minors, Keppinger's hit better than .300 at every stop since hitting .276 in his first season in professional baseball. Reds general manager Wayne Krivsky thinks Keppinger, a .278 hitter in 176 major league at-bats, can hit at the major league level, trading a minor league pitcher to the Kansas City Royals to acquire the 26-year-old second baseman on Wednesday.
"To hit at the major league level is the hardest thing to do, but if a guy has hit at the every level, he's got a chance," Krivsky said.
To make room for Keppinger on the Reds' 40-man roster, the team designated Ray Olmedo for assignment.
"This might be good for Ray, too," Krivsky said. "He's out of options. We've got 10 days, a lot of things can happen. I'm sure I'll get some calls and I'll be making calls. We'll see if I can get something in return to help our team."
Olmedo played in 171 games in four seasons with the Reds, hitting .230. He hit .271 with Cincinnati last season in 30 games, playing mostly second base, shortstop and third base. He also made one appearance in right field last season, but it was the only outfield appearance of his career.
In 22 games with the Royals last season, Keppinger played at second base, third base, first base, left field and as a designated hitter. He played exclusively at second base with the Mets in 2004. Keppinger was a shortstop in college at Georgia.
"When I spoke to him today, he knew the more positions he's able to play, the more valuable he'll be," Krivsky said.
One thing Keppinger has consistently done is put the bat on the ball. After striking out 33 times in his first season in the minors, he hasn't struck out more than 30 times in a minor league season. As a minor leaguer, he has 125 strikeouts and 163 walks. He also has 21 minor league home runs, but five in the majors.
"He's an aggressive player and puts the ball in play," Krivsky said. "His walks and strikeout numbers are similar to Norris Hopper. He's very capable defensively."
The Royals received right-hander Russ Haltiwanger, 22. He spent last season at Dayton, where he was 0-4 with a save and had a 4.15 ERA.
Some people play baseball. Baseball plays Jay Bruce.
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