Angels interested in Hatteberg?

[Newman4]

I read this on prosportsdaily.com:

Orange County Register (scroll down) (registration required): " The Angels apparently have decided first base is the position they would like to improve by the July 31 trade deadline, with Ben Broussard, Sean Casey and Craig Wilson three of their top targets. Scott Hatteberg and Doug Mientkiewicz appear to be fallback positions."

I never heard Mr. Hat mentioned before in trade talks.

[Benihana]

I read this on prosportsdaily.com:

Orange County Register (scroll down) (registration required): " The Angels apparently have decided first base is the position they would like to improve by the July 31 trade deadline, with Ben Broussard, Sean Casey and Craig Wilson three of their top targets. Scott Hatteberg and Doug Mientkiewicz appear to be fallback positions."

I never heard Mr. Hat mentioned before in trade talks.

The Hat for Ervin Santana? Erick Aybar? :devil:

In all seriousness, as productive as he's been I would deal Hat for an upgrade either in the rotation or at SS in a second. It would solve the Aurillia/EdE crisis with Rich moving to 1B fulltime. Plus Hat has a history of fading production down the stretch. His value now is at an all time high. Maybe package him with LaRue for...Brandon Wood??

[Roy Tucker]

Perusing Reds stats this AM, Hatteberg has passed up Adam Dunn for team lead in OPS.

And that's saying someting since Adam has been hitting a ton since the AS brak.

[redsmetz]

The Hat for Ervin Santana? Erick Aybar? :devil:

In all seriousness, as productive as he's been I would deal Hat for an upgrade either in the rotation or at SS in a second. It would solve the Aurillia/EdE crisis with Rich moving to 1B fulltime. Plus Hat has a history of fading production down the stretch. His value now is at an all time high. Maybe package him with LaRue for...Brandon Wood??

I've been fine with the Hatteberg signing and he's been a great asset all season (some Redzone folks notwithstanding), but I'd trade him in a heartbeat for prospects (and all the more if we can package LaRue in there too - the more the merrier). He's been a great presence on the club, but I agree with the other poster who mentioned it would help with the Aurilia/EE dilemma.

[RisingReds]

i would like to see them keep hatteberg unless its a deal that you can't pass up, because i think he will be a solid playoff guy, and help the younger ones during the playoffs.

[TOBTTReds]

i would like to see them keep hatteberg unless its a deal that you can't pass up, because i think he will be a solid playoff guy, and help the younger ones during the playoffs.

Jerry is that you?? Actually I agree we should keep him, could care less about his playoff experience (didn't they lose consistantly?) and helping younger guys. His numbers show what he can do.

[Johnny Footstool]

It's generally better to trade guys like Hatteberg (aging vets having a career year) than keep them.

Lots of people wanted to keep Joe Randa last season. How's he doing now?

Sell high on Hatteberg, move Aurilia to first, and put Edwin in as the everyday 3B.

[registerthis]

It's generally better to trade guys like Hatteberg (aging vets having a career year) than keep them.

Lots of people wanted to keep Joe Randa last season. How's he doing now?

Sell high on Hatteberg, move Aurilia to first, and put Edwin in as the everyday 3B.

If they can truly sell high on Hatteberg, I'd be all for it. But if the deal is for some middling 4.50 ERA reliever, or some chump AA prospect who may never amount to a hill of beans, then forget it. Keep him and his .900+ OPS bat in the lineup for the rest of the season. I like his defense at first, and I like the way that he hits. But I REALLY like the fact that he's doing it for the baseball equivalent of peanuts.

The reds can be very choosy if they're shoppig Hatteberg, and if there aren't any offers that bowl them over they can continue to benefit from the production that he has been giving them thus far.

[Kc61]

No Hatteberg means you have 6 or 7 righty hitting starting players (depending on the pitcher) with only two lefty bats. You lose probably your most consistent, solid hitter this season.

For what? Some decent AA prospect?

No way.

[Newman4]

If they can truly sell high on Hatteberg, I'd be all for it. But if the deal is for some middling 4.50 ERA reliever, or some chump AA prospect who may never amount to a hill of beans, then forget it.

Pfft, who in the world trades everyday players for middle relievers nowadays? :D

[Johnny Footstool]

The biggest danger in not trading Hatteberg is not the loss in offense for the Reds. It's that Krivsky will be extremely tempted to sign him to a 2 or 3 year deal after the season. Hat is all but guaranteed to be overpaid next year -- I'd rather someone other than the Reds gets stuck with the bill.

[Cedric]

The biggest danger in not trading Hatteberg is not the loss in offense for the Reds. It's that Krivsky will be extremely tempted to sign him to a 2 or 3 year deal after the season. Hat is all but guaranteed to be overpaid next year -- I'd rather someone other than the Reds gets stuck with the bill.

The biggest danger in trading Hatteberg is losing this season.

This league is horrible and the Reds need to get a playoff berth.

[Johnny Footstool]

The biggest danger in trading Hatteberg is losing this season.

This league is horrible and the Reds need to get a playoff berth.

I thought the key to making the playoffs was shoring up the bullpen.

Are you saying it's Hatteberg?

[registerthis]

I thought the key to making the playoffs was shoring up the bullpen.

Are you saying it's Hatteberg?

Losing Hatteberg from an already depleted offense wouldn't help matters, that's for sure.

As far as what Krivsky might or might not do next year, that concerns me far less than the prospect of giving up arguably our most consistent hitter for a bag of Japanese beetles.

[flyer85]

Losing Hatteberg from an already depleted offense wouldn't help matters, that's for sure.depends on if you expect this career season to continue or think a regression to the mean is at hand (his current OPS is over 100 points higher than his career best).

[Cedric]

Even at a drop he's still extremely valuable to this offense now.

[flyer85]

Even at a drop he's still extremely valuable to this offense now.over the last three years he has struggled in the 2nd half of seasons. Anecdotally, with his approach at the plate and his propensity to lay off pitches low in the zone it is hard to imagine a deep slump. That would only likely occur if he starts chasing bad pitches

[corkedbat]

If the offer brings true value do it, but I don't give him away. I don't see how anyone could prefer Casey to Hatteberg (unless WalMart is looking for a Greeter)

[Johnny Footstool]

Losing Hatteberg from an already depleted offense wouldn't help matters, that's for sure.

As far as what Krivsky might or might not do next year, that concerns me far less than the prospect of giving up arguably our most consistent hitter for a bag of Japanese beetles.

Then I guess that's another reason to hate the Kearns/Lopez trade. Suddenly offense is at such a premium that the Reds can't afford to give up a 36 year-old having a career year, even though with Krivsky's ability to identify talent (and I'm only being 25% sarcastic here), the Reds are likely to end up with a lot more than a bag of beetles. And even though doing so would free up playing time for Edwin Encarnacion (with Aurilia going to 1B).

[jmcclain19]

Sell High - Hatteberg will probably be a backup to Joey Votto next year (or at least, that's what I'm hoping will happen) so sell high and see what you can get for him.

The Angels dealt Alberto Callaspo, to Arizona for a middle reliever during ST, so they've shown a recent willingness to give up prospects to fill holes. And their minor league system is deep.

[flyer85]

Sell High - Hatteberg will probably be a backup to Joey Votto next year IMHO Hatty is likely to be resigned to play first again next year.

[Falls City Beer]

Sell High - Hatteberg will probably be a backup to Joey Votto next year (or at least, that's what I'm hoping will happen) so sell high and see what you can get for him.

The Angels dealt Alberto Callaspo, to Arizona for a middle reliever during ST, so they've shown a recent willingness to give up prospects to fill holes. And their minor league system is deep.

I have no problem moving Hatteberg, either, but the Angels better know that the Reds don't have to get rid of him.

[Red Leader]

Sell High - Hatteberg will probably be a backup to Joey Votto next year (or at least, that's what I'm hoping will happen) so sell high and see what you can get for him.

The Angels dealt Alberto Callaspo, to Arizona for a middle reliever during ST, so they've shown a recent willingness to give up prospects to fill holes. And their minor league system is deep.


They've always got 2-3 good catching prospects in their system, it seems. They also have a buttload of MI prospects at the moment and some good pitching prospects as well. It'd be tough to move Hatteberg, but if you are clearly winning the trade, I'd be fine with it. Aurilia can start at 1B (he's obviously going to continue starting vs RHP, and EE can play 3rd full time). Having said that, I doubt the Reds move Hatteberg.

[Jpup]

trade them "Richie" instead.

[flyer85]

Having said that, I doubt the Reds move Hatteberg.or Aurilia. Afterall, the scrappy vet gets the worm.

[ThornWithin81]

Unless its a really great offer, keep Hatteberg. He's been a great asset this year, and unlike the situation last year with Joe Randa, we're in the playoff hunt.

[Marc D]

Agree 100% sell high. Move RA to 1B and play EE daily. Hatteberg's offense is easily replaced right there. Unfortunately I don't think he can gets us the starter we need by himself. I would still deal him to the Angles for one of their better SS prospects if they would go for it.

[penantboundreds]

why would we trade hat?

[cincy09]

just reported:
he's been signed through 07

[ickey333]

And according to Marc's blog, the Reds just signed Hatteberg to a one-year extension at $1.5 million with a club option for 2008.

[Cedric]

Agree 100% sell high. Move RA to 1B and play EE daily. Hatteberg's offense is easily replaced right there. Unfortunately I don't think he can gets us the starter we need by himself. I would still deal him to the Angles for one of their better SS prospects if they would go for it.

Highest OPS on the team is easily replaced?

This team is winning the wild card right now.

We are going to trade Hatteberg just to worry about next year? Wow, a baseball team is just a list of numbers to flip around any way you desire.

[Benihana]

Will it really be a huge downgrade to the offense to replace the Hat with Encarnacion on a daily basis? Because that's what we would essentially be doing. I agree, there is no need to move him for a fringe prospect- its not like the Randa situation where he is stuck on a team going nowhere, he can still help. But if we could get pitching help or a top-notch MI prospect that could team with BP for the next 5 years, I pull the trigger.

[Gandalf the Red]

...Afterall, the scrappy vet gets the worm.

But sadly, not the chicks, because scrappiness can never quite trump the longball in the pantheon of aphrodesiacs.

"Hi, my name's Rich and I'm a scrappy vet."

"Umm...okay. I just remembered I have to go grocery shopping."

[remdog]

Maybe (hopefully) the signing will make it easier to trade Hatteberg now that he's locked up relatively cheap for next year.

Rem

[Javy Pornstache]

I've been wanting the Reds to sell high on Hatteberg for a while. It wouldn't KILL me to keep him at all, but he is a vet having a career year that chances dictate he probably will not repeat. The Angels would be a perfect fit for him, and also would have been for Dave Ross as a sell-high candidate during his torried streak. However, it wouldn't behoove the Reds to move BOTH of them at this point. Prior to the Kearns-Lopez trade, sure, we probably could have moved both to the Angels and gotten quite a booty back from them. But I still think one or the other could be moved, provided the Angels make a good return.

I know some will say if they did, they could lose even more offense, but face it; Encarnacion's probably not going to be regularly playing and putting him in the lineup without Hatteberg wouldn't drop the offense. Even Chris Denorfia added to the outfield mix with Dunn going to first (I know, I know, he doesn't like to play there but his name is all over first). And career stats overriding this season, I'll still take LaRue over Ross for the total package as an everyday player. I think something could be done with either guy without losing a step in our own playoff chase.

[puca]

Highest OPS on the team is easily replaced?

This team is winning the wild card right now.

We are going to trade Hatteberg just to worry about next year? Wow, a baseball team is just a list of numbers to flip around any way you desire.

Of course in order to think Hatteberg will continue to hit this way means you believe he has suddenly become a good hitter at age 36. The scary thing is how putrid his numbers would have to be in the last 60 games in order for him to approach his career seasonal norm.

[Johnny Footstool]

Highest OPS on the team is easily replaced?

This team is winning the wild card right now.

We are going to trade Hatteberg just to worry about next year? Wow, a baseball team is just a list of numbers to flip around any way you desire.

Are you still hanging onto some internet stock from the early 90's?

[registerthis]

The scary thing is how putrid his numbers would have to be in the last 60 games in order for him to approach his career seasonal norm.

....which is why I seriously doubt it will happen. people have been waiting for the other shoe to drop all season with Hatteberg, when the truth may very well be that it won't. Unlikely as it may be, we're likely witnessing a career year from him at this point. I could buy in May and June that he wasn't going to maintain his pace, but since that time he's actually improved--and here we are in late July and he's leading the team in OPS, slugging over .500 and getting on base at a clip over 40%.

If you get an amazing trade proposal for him, go ahead and deal him. But I'm not anxious to push him out the door. I'm not worried about next year at the moment, I'm thinking about right now. And right now Hatteberg is the best thing this offense has going for it.

[flyer85]

Maybe (hopefully) the signing will make it easier to trade Hatteberg now that he's locked up relatively cheap for next year.

RemI think most other teams realize who and what Hatty is and know the chances of a repeat performance in 2007 are very small.

[registerthis]

I think most other teams realize who and what Hatty is and know the chances of a repeat performance in 2007 are very small.

The same could have been said going into this year.

Sometimes we may analyze too much.

[Johnny Footstool]

Sometimes we may analyze too much.

Or not enough.

[flyer85]

The same could have been said going into this year.
That's exactly right. THats why nobody wanted him, they realized the chances of a career season were very small. He did it, hats off to Hatty but betting that he has somehow reinvented himself at 37 is just sticking your head in the sand. The smart play is to say thank you and cut bait like the Cards did with Womack and Grudz.

Why do you think the Cards did not resign Womack and Grudz after each had a good season for them at 2b in the last 2 seasons? Answer:They realized their seasons for what they were, which is highly unlikely to be repeated the next season at their age. The Reds have signed up for very long odds on this one.

[Cedric]

Is this thread now about the extension or the trading of Hatteberg right now? Because that's two totally different arguements.

[registerthis]

That's exactly right. THats why nobody wanted him, they realized the chances of a career season were very small. He did it, hats off to Hatty but betting that he has somehow reinvented himself at 37 is just sticking your head in the sand. The smart play is to say thank you and cut bait like the Cards did with Womack and Grudz.

Who said anything about a reinvention? Hatteberg has a career .770+ OPS and .360 OBP. Even if he put those numbers up next year in a reserve/back-up role (assuming Votto gets handed the first base job, by no means a sure thing) I'm fine with paying $1.5 million for that.

I see an awfully lot of faith being put into a guy who has yet to don a major league uniform. And yet bringing hatteberg back next year is a big gamble? I don't follow.

[registerthis]

Or not enough.

No amount of analyzation could have predicte dthe kind of season Hatteberg is havign this year, so anyone claiming to know with any degree of certainty what will happen with hatte, Votto, or any others next season must be privy to some information I'm not seeing.

[flyer85]

Who said anything about a reinvention? Hatteberg has a career .770+ OPS and .360 OBP. Even if he put those numbers up next year in a reserve/back-up role (assuming Votto gets handed the first base job, by no means a sure thing) I'm fine with paying $1.5 million for that.
Hatty will not be in a reserve backup role. He will be the everyday 1b unless he fails so miserably they take it away. By then the damage will be done.

[registerthis]

Hatty will not be in a reserve backup role.

We don't know that, but whether or not he is, Votto needs to prove that he's capable of playing everyday in the majors before we hand him the job.

Like I mentioned in another thread, I'm seeing an awful lot of concern for a guy yet to don a major league uniform.

[Johnny Footstool]

No amount of analyzation could have predicte dthe kind of season Hatteberg is havign this year, so anyone claiming to know with any degree of certainty what will happen with hatte, Votto, or any others next season must be privy to some information I'm not seeing.

You're right, it was a total surprise. And why was it so surprising? Because Hatteberg had sucked wind for the previous couple of seasons and was in his late-30s. You don't have to be a genius to realize that those are signs of a career in decline. You also don't have to be a genius to know that the odds are long for Hatteberg to put together more seasons at a pace he's never matched before.

Just because he caught lightning in a bottle once doesn't mean he can do it again. Unless, of course, he's been talking to Luis Gonzalez's pharmacist.