Reds sign Jack Hannahan 2yr/$4MM

[Benihana]

Fair enough. I didn't realize that his glove is that good.

[LoganBuck]

Originally Posted by Benihana

Fair point, but why not just give H-Rod the opportunity? It's not like he's a huge prospect that we'd be spoiling by not playing everyday, but at the sametime, he is a switch-hitter who would be useful as a pinch-hitter, and 3B is his natural position. Then you save the $2MM to acquire someone if you really need them due to an injury, rather than spending it on someone who can't really fill in fulltime if Frazier or Votto goes down.

I am not sure H-Rod does any of that. He struggled in 2012 at Louisville, and he didn't do anything in September with the Reds. I think it is smart to put him in Louisville to start the season. If he is successful he can always be called up. I just don't like banking on a suspect prospect to be a backup should someone get hurt. That leads to ugly things like calling up the Joey Gathwrights of the world, if the suspect prospect struggles.

[membengal]

I love guys who can pick it. Hannahan can pick it. Plus plus plus. Great backup to Frazier and will be a real help if they need him to play more. And, they can carry weaker bat there better now if they need to with Choo in the lineup.

[11larkin11]

Yep, Hannahan is an absolute wiz at third with the glove, and my friends who are Indians fans tell me he has filled in and played pretty well at SS too.

[RedEye]

Originally Posted by Benihana

This is really nit picking as I couldn't be happier with the state of the Reds and Walt Jocketty, but am I missing something here?

$2MM for a (obviously backup) corner infielder who has a .671 career OPS and never hit double digit HR in a season? I'd think they could replicate his production for less with a Henry Rodriguez, Beau Mills or Neftali Soto, let alone bringing Rolen back for one more go-round.

I think the $2 mill is mostly for his glove. He's way better than H-Rod, Mills and Soto on that side of the ball.

[Kc61]

Reds now have Votto, Bruce, Choo, Paul, and Hannahan from the left side. Burriss, a switch hitter, in reserve at AAA.

Righties include Phillips, Ludwick, Frazier, Mes/Hanigan, Cozart, Donald, Heisey.

Much better balance than last two seasons.

Only question I have with the bench is whether Donald or Hannahan are adequate backups at shortstop. Just don't know, but no big deal with Burriss and others at AAA who can fill in if an injury.

Finally, this move likely marks the end of Scott Rolen's tenure as a Red.

[Crumbley]

85 OPS+ and a great glove. No problem with him being on the team.

[RedsManRick]

I've heard Hannahan compared to Doug Mientkiewicz but with less contact ability at the plate. For $2MM he doesn't have to do very much to be worth the contract.

He can't hit lefties at all, but he's actually decent against RHP (.270/.331/.381). In addition to being a PH and defensive replacement, I imagine he'll got 20-30 starts against tough RHP to keep Frazier fresh.

[hippie07]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/1...-hannahan.html

Why isn't this a sticky???

[Boss-Hog]

Originally Posted by hippie07

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/1...-hannahan.html

Why isn't this a sticky???

Done

[hippie07]

Thanks, Boss.

[Steve4192]

Originally Posted by Kc61

Finally, this move likely marks the end of Scott Rolen's tenure as a Red.

I don't think this move has any impact on Rolen's tenure as a Red. You don't turn away a guy like Rolen because you just signed a utility infielder. If Rolen wants to come back, Hannahan can start the year at Louisville and be the first guy called up in the event of injury. His $2MM salary isn't going to make or break the Reds budget.

[Rojo]

Originally Posted by RedsManRick

He can't hit lefties at all, but he's actually decent against RHP (.270/.331/.381).

Last year, with a high babip.

Lifetime he's .233/.318/.363 against RHP.

That glove better be fantastic.

[Blitz Dorsey]

Originally Posted by Steve4192

I don't think this move has any impact on Rolen's tenure as a Red. You don't turn away a guy like Rolen because you just signed a utility infielder. If Rolen wants to come back, Hannahan can start the year at Louisville and be the first guy called up in the event of injury. His $2MM salary isn't going to make or break the Reds budget.

Nah, I think he's saying that the Reds would not have signed Hannahan unless Rolen told them he's not coming back ... and I agree. I'm sure the Reds awaited word from Rolen and then when he decided he's not playing, they signed Hannahan.

[M2]

Originally Posted by Rojo

That glove better be fantastic.

Arguably, top five in all of MLB. He's pretty excellent.