Rich Aurillia Likely To Return To Reds

[minus5]

Did anyone else see the artical that says Rich is likely to be signed by the Sunday deadline?

http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060104/SPT04/601040397/-1/CINCI

Rich Aurilia apparently will return to the Reds after all.

Aurilia's agent, Barry Axelrod, sounded optimistic Tuesday.

"I think the Reds are our most viable alternative," Axelrod said. "We've talked to some other clubs, but those have been contingent discussions."

The sides have a Sunday deadline hanging over them. If they can't work out a deal by then, Aurilia can't re-sign with the Reds until May 1.

"Both sides are trying to get it done," Reds general manager Dan O'Brien said.

Aurilia, 34, hit .282 with 14 home runs and 68 RBI in 114 games with the Reds last season. He led the club with a .343 average with runners in scoring position.

Both sides declined to exercise the option on Aurilia's contract. The Reds then offered Aurilia arbitration. He refused it Dec. 19, thereby extending to Jan. 8 the deadline to sign him

Aurilia's defensive flexibility - he can play shortstop, second base or third base - would give the Reds many options.

Aurilia's role is his main concern, and he has talked to Reds manager Jerry Narron about that.

"Jerry has talked to Rich," O'Brien said. "I don't want to speak for Jerry, but he outlined the way he intends to use the roster. It was a good conversation."

Aurilia would add to the crowd at second base. Ryan Freel and Tony Womack are already set to compete for time there.

But Aurilia also gives the Reds insurance at third. Edwin Encarnacion, 22, is slated to start there. If Encarnacion were to struggle, Aurilia could take over.

[redsfan30]

As long as the salary is resonable I like it. I surely don't want Tony Womack in the lineup everyday and Ryan Freel is better suited for the "super-sub" role.

[REDJAKE]

Not only do i like it but i hope he starts everyday as long as it isn't at shortstop anywhere else in the infield is ok with me. He was one of the most productuive players per at bat in the starting lineup and you got to love the guys confidence he thinks he should play or be giving a chance to regardless of whos at the position.I hope this is no rumor but fact. Now lets here some info. on another starter acquired.GO CINCY!!!!!

[BRM]

Not only do i like it but i hope he starts everyday as long as it isn't at shortstop anywhere else in the infield is ok with me. He was one of the most productuive players per at bat in the starting lineup and you got to love the guys confidence he thinks he should play or be giving a chance to regardless of whos at the position.I hope this is no rumor but fact. Now lets here some info. on another starter acquired.GO CINCY!!!!!

You'd like to see him starting at 3B over EE? By the way, he was only productive offensively at GAB last year. He was horrid on the road.

[Ravenlord]

your 2006 Reds opening day lineup:

2B Tony Womack
SS Felipe Lopez
CF Ken Griffey, Jr
1B Adam Dunn
3B Rich Aurilia
RF Austin Kearns
LF Wily Mo Pena
C Jason LaRue

and with that defense, a pitching staff that might end up surrendering a 1000 runs.

[BRM]

your 2006 Reds opening day lineup:

2B Tony Womack
SS Felipe Lopez
CF Ken Griffey, Jr
1B Adam Dunn
3B Rich Aurilia
RF Austin Kearns
LF Wily Mo Pena
C Jason LaRue

and with that defense, a pitching staff that might end up surrendering a 1000 runs.

That's got to be the worst defensive lineup in baseball.

[westofyou]

He was one of the most productuive players per at bat in the starting lineup He's the strawberry side in the Neapolitan ice cream; old and sticky and only looks good without the chocolate and the vanilla next to it.

I'd rather have a muffin.

[Puffy]

your 2006 Reds opening day lineup:

2B Tony Womack
SS Felipe Lopez
CF Ken Griffey, Jr
1B Adam Dunn
3B Rich Aurilia
RF Austin Kearns
LF Wily Mo Pena
C Jason LaRue

and with that defense, a pitching staff that might end up surrendering a 1000 runs.

Or, if this "allows" Kearns to be dealt then you have this

Womack 2B
Aurilia 1B
Griffey CF
Dunn LF
Lopez SS
Pena RF
LaRue C
Encarnacion 3B

[Strikes Out Looking]

I think this development shows that RA thinks much more of himself than the rest of baseball. This also may indicate why he couldn't be dumped for a prospect last July.

I hope they don't sign him by the weekend. No matter how much offense he can provide, I just don't believe he is a good fit with this team. By offering him arbitration and making a team give up a draft pick for him, O'Brien made it tough for someone to take him off our hands.

DanO if you are reading this, just say no!

[registerthis]

Or, if this "allows" Kearns to be dealt then you have this

Womack 2B
Aurilia 1B
Griffey CF
Dunn LF
Lopez SS
Pena RF
LaRue C
Encarnacion 3B

That might be the most ineffective #1-2 punch that baseball has seen for quite some time. But their knowledge of "how to win" will make them intellectually far superior to the other teams. Remember, according to the Reds, games are won and lost in your minds and in the clubhouse, not on the field.

[TOBTTReds]

I think this is a major mistake...UNLESS, he plays 3rd base. Move Encarnacion to 2nd base, he has very good range (played SS in minors and below), but his major problem is throwing across the diamond. He does have a very strong arm, but that does not do you any good if it is off line.

I would not mind this happening, I think there is ZERO chance, because that is just thinking out side the box (something the Reds don't do).

If he is going to play 2nd base, I would cringe. I would rather have a good defensive 2B in there in Womack than Aurilia, who might get a step or two before the ball is by him. Defense is being over looked by this management over and over again.

[Ravenlord]

Womack and Aurilia are almost the same defender at second. Aurilia has a better arm though.

[Puffy]

That might be the most ineffective #1-2 punch that baseball has seen for quite some time. But their knowledge of "how to win" will make them intellectually far superior to the other teams. Remember, according to the Reds, games are won and lost in your minds and in the clubhouse, not on the field.

Two words - - professional at-bats.

Two words from me - - I loathe the hiring of Dan O'Brien and all his fruit from the poisonous tree©.

[Heath]

I think this is a major mistake...UNLESS, he plays 3rd base. Move Encarnacion to 2nd base, he has very good range (played SS in minors and below), but his major problem is throwing across the diamond. He does have a very strong arm, but that does not do you any good if it is off line.

I would not mind this happening, I think there is ZERO chance, because that is just thinking out side the box (something the Reds don't do).

If he is going to play 2nd base, I would cringe. I would rather have a good defensive 2B in there in Womack than Aurilia, who might get a step or two before the ball is by him. Defense is being over looked by this management over and over again.

I'm going to bang my point over and over - LET THE KID PLAY 3RD BASE. We need to find out if he's going to be the next Mike Schmidt or Kelly Paris. Or somebody in between.

We need Rich Aurilia like DanO needs an Office Depot account to buy more binders.

Aves - I appreciate your thoughts - but if Tony Womack is the defensive answer at 2B, I don't want to know the question.

[flyer85]

Womack and Aurilia are almost the same defender at second. Aurilia has a better arm though.RA is much better at turning the DP.

I have no problem with RA coming back in a untility role who gets 2-3 starts a week. The problem I have is that the Reds spent players and money to acquire a piece of dung that they are likely to play at the expense of younger guys(Olmedo, Bergolla) who at least have some upside and far superior defense. BTW, Olmedo is out of options and will be lost if the Reds sign RA because he would have no spot on the roster unless the Reds plan to trade Freel.

[Redsland]

Freel.

Freel plus Womack. :confused:

Freel and Womack plus Aurilia. :confused:

Freel and Womack and Aurilia and Kearns and Pena, minus a CF and a 1B. :confused: :confused:

And did I forget a flurry of starting pitcher acquisitions and Dunn signings somewhere along the line? :confused:

[registerthis]

Two words - - professional at-bats.

Two words from me - - I loathe the hiring of Dan O'Brien and all his fruit from the poisonous tree©.

That's, like, 15 words.

The scary thing is, DanO's in desperate mode now, trying to save his job, which places him in "loose canon" status. Who knows what deals he could potentially uncork prior to being mercifully relieved of his responsiblities?

[deltachi8]

If the reds could play all 162 games at GABP, its a good signing.

Last i read, and I could be worng, they are slated to play something like 81 of those games on the road....

[StillFunkyB]

If the reds could play all 162 games at GABP, its a good signing.

Last i read, and I could be worng, they are slated to play something like 81 of those games on the road....

Are you sure about that? I coulda swore they only played 81 games at GABP! ;)

Rich Aurilia is the poster boy for what's wrong with this organization. Hell, can you even call it an organization?

[Puffy]

Last i read, and I could be worng, they are slated to play something like 81 of those games on the road....

Hey - this is teh internet buddy! Do you have a link for that "theory?"

[Johnny Footstool]

Aurilia's defensive flexibility - he can play shortstop, second base or third base - would give the Reds many options.

I love how freely the term "defensive flexibility" is thrown around. Just because a guy is *willing* to play multiple positions doesn't mean he can play multiple positions *well*. Aurilia is equally lousy at a bunch of positions, so that somehow means he provides "defensive flexibility?"

It reminds me of how people said, "Dmitri Young can play third base" simply because he owned a third baseman's glove and was willing to stand out there.

[deltachi8]

It reminds me of how people said, "Dmitri Young can play third base" simply because he owned a third baseman's glove and was willing to stand out there.

I can date Lindsay Lohan as well...

[TOBTTReds]

I'm going to bang my point over and over - LET THE KID PLAY 3RD BASE. We need to find out if he's going to be the next Mike Schmidt or Kelly Paris. Or somebody in between.

We need Rich Aurilia like DanO needs an Office Depot account to buy more binders.

Aves - I appreciate your thoughts - but if Tony Womack is the defensive answer at 2B, I don't want to know the question.

Heath, I agree. Just working with what I've got right now though. My point was, Aurilia should never play a middle infield position again, ever. Unless it was w/another team, then I could care less.

[flyer85]

The point is their are guys that are much worse than RA, the problem is we already have one of them. Where's Pokey?

[NJReds]

Where's Pokey?

He signed with the Marlins.

[KronoRed]

That's got to be the worst defensive lineup in baseball.
And they will blame the lack of sac flys and bunts for it.

[RedsManRick]

This is beginning to remind me of Jose Macias. Sure, he sucks at everything. However, he does everything and this somehow makes him valuable. If we didn't already have Olmedo, Bergolla, Womack, and Freel, Aurillia might make some sense. As it stands, it's idiotic -- especially if he gets 1.5-2MM.

[MartyFan]

If Aurillia signs he becomes our everyday 2B and Womack becomes the "Super Sub" while Freel is included in a package to get a pitcher.

[westofyou]

while Freel is included in a package to get a pitcher.That's why we gave him the 2million dollar contract?

Nah, Freel is here to stay, he'll get the Tony Phillips award in the fall and Womack will be a hacking mass hero.

Hopefully Aurilia will pass and try and be a hero elsewhere.

[BRM]

Hopefully Aurilia will pass and try and be a hero elsewhere.

I have a feeling the Reds might be the only team pursuing RA. Or at least, they might be the only team offering him a "respectable" contract.

[MartyFan]

That's why we gave him the 2million dollar contract?

Nah, Freel is here to stay, he'll get the Tony Phillips award in the fall and Womack will be a hacking mass hero.

Hopefully Aurilia will pass and try and be a hero elsewhere.

I'm with you, I hope that is the case...still I think Freel will be moved...having RA, Womack and Freel makes no sense and trading to get Womack is even more strange if this does not play out.

[creek14]

:lastyear: :cry:

[RFS62]

Let's see.... we've weakened an already putrid defense, and done next to nothing about the historically bad pitching.

Status Quo.

[registerthis]

Let's see.... we've weakened an already putrid defense, and done next to nothing about the historically bad pitching.

Status Quo.

Oh ye of little faith.

Tony Womack knows how to win. Says so right on the back of his Topps card. He'll lead us to the promise land.

[pedro]

Let's see.... we've weakened an already putrid defense, and done next to nothing about the historically bad pitching.

Status Quo.

Yeah, but they look like such "players".

http://www.classicpictures.co.uk/covers/large/DVD6076X.jpg

[pedro]

Even better, here is a picture of the Reds 2006 starting staff.

http://www.britishinvasion.ca/Index_files/British%20Invasion%202/THE%20STATUS%20QUO%201968%20%5BPYE-NSPL-18220%5D.jpg

[KronoRed]

Yeah, but they look like such "players".

http://www.classicpictures.co.uk/covers/large/DVD6076X.jpg
Is that Freel on the right?

[KronoRed]

I have a feeling the Reds might be the only team pursuing RA. Or at least, they might be the only team offering him a "respectable" contract.
Like we were with Milton

[westofyou]

Even better, here is a picture of the Reds 2006 starting staff.
Windows echo your reflection
When I look in their direction now
When will this haunting stop?
Your face it just won’t leave me alone

[Ron Madden]

And they will blame the lack of sac flys and bunts for it.

Now Now Krono,

You must listen to Marty and Jerry.

It's the "Little Things" that are most important....