Valentin signs extension for 2007, club option for '08

[Danny Serafini]

He and the team have agreed to a 1 year extension with a club option for 2008 according to the team press notes. Financials weren't given.

[flyer85]

Seems like a good move. Javy certainly is a viable backup catcher.

[Strikes Out Looking]

So what do they do with LaRue? He is under contract for '08 I believe.

[flyer85]

So what do they do with LaRue? or Ross? I can't imagine the 3 headed catcher will continue.

[redsfan30]

They seem happy with the three catchers, but I can't see it happening again next year.

[Ltlabner]

I've grown to like Javy. As a backup, with a reasonable contract, I think he brings the ablity to PH and speak spanish to the table. He's so-so defensivley but has some pop in his bat when he is hitting well.

But as mentioned, can the three-headed catcher continue?

[Jefferson24]

LaRue has to go. Somehow we have to package him with someone that we can afford to loose so that we can dump that salary, even if it's only for a minor league prospect. I doubt anyone would trade for LaRue outright after the season he has had. That money could then be used to sign Ross to a multi-year deal. 5.2 million a year is way too much for a sub .200 benchwarmer.

[Tornon]

It's a difficult situation.. Javy's best role on the team this year has been as a PH and unless we have 3 catchers we can't really use him as a PH all the time because we need to save a backup catcher just in case (unless we decide to completely throw that strategy out the window)

[Javy Pornstache]

Best decision eva.

[919191]

Has Ross had asny experience at first base? If so, it could keep his bat in the lineup.

[crazybob60]

I think we need to move LaRue as soon as possible or just cut our losses there and not go with the three headed catcher next season AT ALL!!! Ross for the most part and then Valentin backing him up and also as a very viable pinch hitter.

[keeganbrick]

Good, one of the better backup catchers in the league. Im hoping this will be the nail in the coffin for LaRue and the Reds.

[MaineRed]

In games where Larue has batted 2 or more times, the Reds are 30-22.

I wasn't sure where to find the W-L numbers on games he had started. I figured if he had two ABs or more he caught most of the game. If anyone has the exact number, that would be great.

Larue is the best defensive catcher on the Reds and I don't think it is coincidence that the Reds are much better when he catches, even if he is a blackhole at the plate.

Defense matters.

[Tom Servo]

In games where Larue has batted 2 or more times, the Reds are 30-22.

I wasn't sure where to find the W-L numbers on games he had started. I figured if he had two ABs or more he caught most of the game. If anyone has the exact number, that would be great.

Larue is the best defensive catcher on the Reds and I don't think it is coincidence that the Reds are much better when he catches, even if he is a blackhole at the plate.

Defense matters.
Keep in mind that LaRue catches for Harang, our leader in wins, and I believe that he caught most of our games in April when we went 18-8, back when LaRue actually knew how to hit the ball and we had Kearns/FeLo. I'd be willing to bet our record with LaRue starting since June or so isn't so good.

And hell, look at the fact that David Ross hit that pinch hit HR to beat the Cards when LaRue started.

[MaineRed]

Larue was hurt in April and only caught six games.

Since the end of June the Reds have gone 23-28. In games Larue has recieved two or more ABs in that time, the Reds are 12-11. That means they are 11-17 when he doesn't play.

Its more than Aaron Harrang IMO. Ross puts up great numbers, but we win more with Larue. The Reds didn't win any games in July with Ross as the starter. None.

[BoCcc2832]

Valentin is a better option than LaRue for the reason that he is a switch hitter. FLo was, but obviously he isn't with the team anymore. Javy is now the only switcher we have, which makes him more valuable. No matter what, you can't argue that LaRue is worth his 5.5 million tag next year. Only Jason Varitek (not this year, however), Jorge Posada and Joe Mauer are worth that much...not Jason LaRue

[RollyInRaleigh]

I don't think Jason Larue has had much of anything to do with the Reds winning or losing this season. Non-factor.

[pedro]

Valentin is a better option than LaRue for the reason that he is a switch hitter. FLo was, but obviously he isn't with the team anymore. Javy is now the only switcher we have, which makes him more valuable. No matter what, you can't argue that LaRue is worth his 5.5 million tag next year. Only Jason Varitek (not this year, however), Jorge Posada and Joe Mauer are worth that much...not Jason LaRue


You do realize that over the last three years Javy's OPS as a RHB is .471?

That is not a mistype. .471.

He has NO VALUE against LHP.

[Blimpie]

Has Ross had asny experience at first base? If so, it could keep his bat in the lineup.That might complicate things with the recent contract extension for our current First Baseman in Hatteberg. Although...Say, Hatteberg can catch, right? Hey--I say they just switch positions for farts and giggles.

Problem solved.

[redsupport]

Epic move, frankjly cataclysmic, balance of power has clearly shifted, reverberation felt in the Ross Sea

[lucky bugle boy]

It's a difficult situation.. Javy's best role on the team this year has been as a PH and unless we have 3 catchers we can't really use him as a PH all the time because we need to save a backup catcher just in case (unless we decide to completely throw that strategy out the window)

Good post. Javy is still the best LH bat off the bench, unless Hatteburg doesn't start. I suppose Hatteburg could be considered an emergency option at Catcher. Have to have a back-up for Ross. Sounds like the Reds brass are sold on Ross as the starter, or at least Narron is for the rest of this year according to a Reds.com article this morning.

[pedro]

I think everyone make too big a deal out of carrying three catchers.

Valentin is this years Jacob Cruz. And I think it;s better to carry a PH who can catch than one who is an awful OF and 1st baseman. Really, what difference does it make?

[mth123]

I think everyone make too big a deal out of carrying three catchers.

Valentin is this years Jacob Cruz. And I think it;s better to carry a PH who can catch than one who is an awful OF and 1st baseman. Really, what difference does it make?

I've been thinking this all year.

[Redus]

Javys whiffed in two recent ph at bats in crucial points of crucial games. If he's our best pinch hitter we have no one. He had to at least make contact and couldnt. I think we overpaid for him. I wouldnt have minded him and Larue departing next year and bringing in someone new behind Ross but what the hell do I know?

[Ltlabner]

Javys whiffed in two recent ph at bats in crucial points of crucial games. If he's our best pinch hitter we have no one. He had to at least make contact and couldnt. I think we overpaid for him. I wouldnt have minded him and Larue departing next year and bringing in someone new behind Ross but what the hell do I know?

Have they listed the financials? The orginal announcement didn't include the contract amount.

[puca]

If someone is willing to pay for David Ross' career year, I would hope the Reds would listen. I don't like carrying 3 catchers, especially when your regular 1b is a coverted catcher. Javy is our best pinch hitter largely due to the fact that we have 2 catchers and 2 no-hit middle infielders on our bench most nights. LaRue is likely unmovable and, IMO, is just as likely to bounce back next year as Ross is to repeat this year's performance. According to Vin Scully, Ross is eligible for arbitration. I'm not sure how big a bump in salary he's going to get, but I wouldn't want to be on the Reds side of that hearing.

So if Ross can be dealt in the offseason immediate or near-term MI, CF or pitching help, I say do it.

[Always Red]

I agree with the general "sell high" theory, and also agree that Ross is not likely to repeat this performance.

I also think we're stuck with LaRue; he's unmoveable right now, unless you just want to throw him away. Last year was also a career year for LaRue, and the Reds paid dearly for that. He also led the league in % of swings and misses last year, in his career year, with 25%, so seeing him struggle is not really that much of a surprise?

Hatte would be a decent emergency catcher; I don't think he can be a #2 anymore because he's had some arm issues.

I'd be more willing to trade Ross if I knew there were a good young catching prospect in AAA or AA. But ti doesn't sound as if there is.