Rumor: Reds looked into Tejada

[NJReds]

...but didn't want to give up Bailey.

From mlbrumors.com (http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2006/07/astros_talking_.html):


A couple more tasty Tejada nuggets: The Reds kicked the tires on the superstar shortstop, but a deal couldn't be completed without including stud pitcher Homer Bailey. In my opinion, if the Reds are really going for the gold this year, they should've pulled the trigger. Also, the reason the Angels are resisting a Tejada deal: Mike Scioscia. Scioscia doesn't want Tejada bringing his...influence...into the clubhouse

[kjwheels15]

I wonder who else would have been in a proposed deal?

[smith288]

Too much stuff is pointing to Tejada about juicing... no thanks. Especially with giving up Homer.

[RedEye]

I wonder if that was indeed the three-way deal with the Marlins we were all dreaming about?

Something like this:

Marlins get Bailey, Kearns, Bedard
Orioles get Cabrera, Lopez
Reds get Willis, Tejada

Whoa... that would have been INSANE!

[smith288]

I'd rather have Cabrera than Tejada.

[registerthis]

I'm not opposed to dealing Bailey, but not for Tejada. Good non-move.

[EKURed]

We can't move Bailey. He is untouchable.

[registerthis]

We can't move Bailey. He is untouchable.

No, he's not. Thinking that any minor league player--particularly one that has barely a month in AA ball--is "untouchable" severely restricts a team's ability to improve itself via trade. I'd say Bailey is a very promising commodity, and I'd like to see the Reds hang onto him. But should the right major league player become available, the Reds would be foolish to not consider every available trade chit at their disposal--including Bailey.

There should be no such thing as an untouchable minor leaguer. I'll take established, proven major league talent every single day of the week.

[RedEye]

We can't move Bailey. He is untouchable.

I think he's touchable, but only if we get a top starter in return (Webb, Schmidt), not for a juicing SS.

[redsfan4445]

I'd rather have Cabrera than Tejada.

I TOTALLY AGREE!

[EKURed]

I think he's touchable, but only if we get a top starter in return (Webb, Schmidt), not for a juicing SS.

The reason I say he is untouchable because this is the first time since Tom Browning came to the big leagues that the Reds will be bringing up a pitcher totally on their own from within the organization. And, Bailey is a much brighter star coming up...no offense at all to Browning. Gotta keep him and see how it plays out. You just don't trade a 20 year old star starter with a 95-97 mph fastball.

[registerthis]

You just don't trade a 20 year old star starter with a 95-97 mph fastball.

You do if it's for comparable major league talent.

This franchise shouldn't have anything labelled as an "untradeable commodity".

[princeton]

it's OK to look. Heck, we're no longer even married to our shortstop-- we can flirt, have an affair, enter the tabloids

and especially raise the price for our division rival ;)

[registerthis]

it's OK to look. Heck, we're no longer even married to our shortstop-- we can flirt, have an affair, enter the tabloids

and especially raise the price for our division rival ;)

Can we invite him over for dessert and a nightcap?

[Red Leader]

Can we invite him over for dessert and a nightcap?

No thanks, I don't wear them. ;)

[smith288]

Can we invite him over for dessert and a nightcap?
As long as Tejada isnt from Match.com.

[REDREAD]

Rob Bell, Tomko, Claussen, and Reith were all untouchable at one time as well.

I'm not saying Homer will be a bust, but if you can get a sure thing for him and Cast is willing to pay the salary, you do it. But not necessarily Tejada because of the steroids.

[steig]

I would trade Homer but only for a young, ace to lead the rotation. Somebody like Willis, Haran, Santana, etc.

[RedsManRick]

If we could've moved Bailey, Kearns, and Lopez and gotten Tejada and a legit major league pitcher, I'd have done it. But if it was simply Lopez and Bailey for Tejada, or something along those lines, it's a good non-move.

Moving Bailey to upgrade our current pitching makes sense. Moving Bailey to upgrade our current offense does not.

[Jpup]

The only reports I have seen linking the Reds to Baltimore involve Rodrigo Lopez.

[dunner13]

Tejada would have been nice, anyone know what his numbers are this year. I love homer bailey but im not sure i would consider him untradeable. If he doesnt start figuring out a pitch to throw besides a fastball hes never gonna make it past AA anyway. Mark Redman is available and looks like fairly cheap, I think he would be a nice addition to the rotation.

[Red Leader]

Tejada would have been nice, anyone know what his numbers are this year. I love homer bailey but im not sure i would consider him untradeable. If he doesnt start figuring out a pitch to throw besides a fastball hes never gonna make it past AA anyway. Mark Redman is available and looks like fairly cheap, I think he would be a nice addition to the rotation.

Tejada: .313/.364/.505/.869 18 HR, 67 RBI, 121 H, 65 R, 4 SB, 28 BB.

[Far East]

Maybe Baltimore would take Lopez straight up for Tejada...... Wait a minute, too late. The O's will have to talk to Bowden about that one.

[smith288]

Maybe Baltimore would take Lopez straight up for Tejada...... Wait a minute, too late. The O's will have to talk to Bowden about that one.
We wouldnt need Tejada if we had Lopez. I think thats the reason we inquired

[Falls City Beer]

I'd love to get Tejada. He'd rake at GAB.

[pedro]

We wouldnt need Tejada if we had Lopez. I think thats the reason we inquired

sure we would. tejada destroys lopez as a player.

[smith288]

Oh I agree. Im just saying the need isnt there if we still had Lopez.

I agree we have a hole at SS/2b (depending where Phillips goes).

[Jpup]

Oh I agree. Im just saying the need isnt there if we still had Lopez.

I agree we have a hole at SS/2b (depending where Phillips goes).

How about trading Phillips in a package for Tejada?

[smith288]

How about trading Phillips in a package for Tejada?
No... Like I said earlier, there are the juicing questions that keep pointing his way.

[dunner13]

Wow Tejadas numbers are better than I expected. Im not so sure I wouldnt consider trading bailey to get him. If we could do something without bailey all the better though. If you put him in GABP and in this lineup he would kill the ball and we would greatly increase our chances of winning the divison and possibly going deep into the playoffs. Theres also rumors that the Astros are trying to get Tejada and if they get him they become serious contenders for the wildcard and divison. My biggest concern would be how much money is he making and how long would we be tied to him. I believe hes in the third year of a 6 yr contract but not sure about the money.

[Handofdeath]

The reason I say he is untouchable because this is the first time since Tom Browning came to the big leagues that the Reds will be bringing up a pitcher totally on their own from within the organization. And, Bailey is a much brighter star coming up...no offense at all to Browning. Gotta keep him and see how it plays out. You just don't trade a 20 year old star starter with a 95-97 mph fastball.

You can trade that starter when he doesn't have a day of major league experience for a proven Major League starter. Homer Bailey is a minor league star with a 95-97 mph fastball. Keeping players and seeing how they play out has cost the Reds too many seasons in the past. But I must say in all fairness Brandon Larson can sack a bag of groceries like no one you have ever seen.

[Caveat Emperor]

You do if it's for comparable major league talent.

This franchise shouldn't have anything labelled as an "untradeable commodity".

Every start where Bailey dominates and exits feeling healthy pushes him further into the "untradable" camp. He's rapidly reaching the point where, unless monster value comes back in return, he is simply too close to the majors to make a trade worthwhile.

If he's not traded, I fully expect to see him make the rotation out of spring training next year. Whether thats a good thing or not is, of course, debatable.

[15fan]

He's rapidly reaching the point where, unless monster value comes back in return, he is simply too close to the majors to make a trade worthwhile.

That's backward thinking.

It's pretty easy to make the case that every other team in baseball would be interested in him. He's young, talented, and cheap starting pitching.

If you're ever going to deal him, you deal him now or in the very near future.

I'm certainly in no rush to deal him, but right now his value is as high and his market is as big as it is ever going to be.

[Falls City Beer]

If he's not traded, I fully expect to see him make the rotation out of spring training next year. Whether thats a good thing or not is, of course, debatable.

If what you're saying is true, then why shouldn't Bailey be traded right now? If he's just going to be rushed to the majors next year anyway, why not get something of real value, right now?

[Fullboat]

We have to take a chance with Baily.When we traded Williamson
to the Red Sox many here wanted Lester in exchange(the Sox
propably laughed at us)now Lester is in the majors and is 5-0!!
Younsters Don't always succeed but they don't always fail.

[Caveat Emperor]

That's backward thinking.

It's pretty easy to make the case that every other team in baseball would be interested in him. He's young, talented, and cheap starting pitching.

If you're ever going to deal him, you deal him now or in the very near future.

I'm certainly in no rush to deal him, but right now his value is as high and his market is as big as it is ever going to be.

I'd argue that once he hits the end of this season, his proximity to the big leagues makes it a value-loss to trade him for anything less than someone who is already at the point you project Bailey to reach.

If they're going to trade him, the time is absolutely right now. Past this point, the smart play is to hold him unless they get blown away with an offer that should never be refused.

[Ravenlord]

if Tejada really was juicing, he should sue his idiot 'alchemist' for giving him anti-performance enhancing drugs.

Year AB H 2B 3B HR BB K AVG OBP SLG
2000 607 167 32 1 30 66 102 275 349 479
2001 622 166 31 3 31 43 89 267 326 476
2002 662 204 30 0 34 38 84 308 354 508
2003 636 177 42 0 27 53 65 278 336 472
2004 653 203 40 2 34 48 73 311 360 534
2005 654 199 50 5 26 40 83 304 349 515
2006 386 121 20 0 18 28 41 313 364 505

06 Pace 645 202 33 0 30 47 68 313 364 505

Career 5277 1491 301 18 234 403 739 283 339 479

Avg 630 178 36 2 28 48 88 283 339 479

[Krusty]

With all of his moves, one thing Krivsky hasn't done is gut the core of the farm system which is showing signs of life.

Now if you want to package a deal involving Freel, Coffey, LaRue and others....fine. But then you have to contend with Tejada's salary and how it could limited other moves because of tight payroll flexibility.