Freel traded for Ramon Hernandez

[corkedbat]

I'd be OK with Freel/Turner/Wood. I won't like it if we hear names like Valaika, Francisco. etc.

Ramon's atitude concerns me a bit, but a change of scenery might help and a contract won't hurt. For all the talk about Dusty, he is a decent plauyer's manager, maybe he can connect with Hernadez. He might be inspried working with two young Hispanic starters like Voquez and Cueto also. (Put Ramirez in the 5th spot and trade for Sanchez and he might be ecstatic).

[Benihana]

Final guesses on the prospect(s)?

My guess:

1. Rosales
2. Cumberland
3. Henry

[reds44]

Update:


3:28 p.m. — Reds, O's agree on trade
The Reds have reached preliminary agreement with the Orioles on a trade that will send catcher Ramon Hernandez to Cincinnati for outfielder Ryan Freel and two prospects, according to a major-league source.

The deal is pending the approval of the commissioner's office, because it involves a cash transaction of more than $1 million.

On Monday, major-league sources said the deal would not be completed unless the Orioles picked up a significant portion of Hernandez's remaining salary.

Hernandez is owed $8 million in 2009 with a club option of $8.5 million or a $1 million buyout for 2010, meaning he is guaranteed $9 million.

I think we can change the title now and get a sticky. I think it's hard to argue that this doesn't make the Reds better.

[Mario-Rijo]

He hit something like .256 last year with 61 (?) RBIs and this was his down year. He tore up the place in 2006 (against AL pitching) so he's not that bad of a hitter. He's better than the two guys we had for most of last year!

Plus Heather as you pointed out on the O's board if he has his typical year in Cincy he's likely a type A FA next year. However do we get to collect on that if we turn down his option? Best case scenario is he has a great season and we keep him around another season.

[Mario-Rijo]

Final guesses on the prospect(s)?

My guess:

1. Rosales
2. Cumberland
3. Henry

I'm sticking with Jukich and Cumberland.

[Falls City Beer]

He's significantly better than what this team has had out of its catchers for years now.

He won't touch Ross's 2007. Pretty much a monster year with the bat. But I guess if he can replicate Ross's 2008, I'm okay with it.

[Matt700wlw]

Looks to be a bit of a defensive liability

- Threw out just 20% of runners last year
- Led the ML's in passed balls with 10
- Tied for 3rd in ML's with 9 errors

- www.thelotd.com/lance

[reds44]

He's much better than Bako, Ross or Valentin so I am fine with it.

Exactly. Replacing that trio of characters with Hernandez/Hanigan while giving up no production in the process is a big upgrade, IMO.

[Falls City Beer]

Looks to be a bit of a defensive liability

- Threw out just 20% of runners last year
- Led the ML's in passed balls with 10
- Tied for 3rd in ML's with 9 errors

He might be a defensive liability, but those numbers themselves don't reveal that fact.

[Rojo]

He won't touch Ross's 2007. Pretty much a monster year with the bat. But I guess if he can replicate Ross's 2008, I'm okay with it.

Going to say the same thing. Not sure he's much of an upgrade over a guy we just gave away.

[Falls City Beer]

Going to say the same thing. Not sure he's much of an upgrade over a guy we just gave away.

The real question is, for me, will he be better than Ross defensively?

I imagine he will. But offensively, probably not.

[lollipopcurve]

He won't touch Ross's 2007.

Ross had an excellent half-season with the bat. Most of the rest of the time he was sub-abysmal. And his defense was gigantically overrated, in my opinion.

[HeatherC1212]

Plus Heather as you pointed out on the O's board if he has his typical year in Cincy he's likely a type A FA next year. However do we get to collect on that if we turn down his option? Best case scenario is he has a great season and we keep him around another season.

I'm not entirely sure how this is going to work (and I'm reading both here and the Orioles board, LOL) but it's been speculated over at the Orioles board that they would also be paying his buyout amount. Does that mean he automatically becomes a FA at the end of next season if the buyout is all ready complete?

[Caveat Emperor]

He's a crummy hitter.

If you look over his last 5 years, his OBA is .329 and his SLG is .439 -- averages out to an OPS of .768.

That's still slightly better than LaRue's average over his last 5 years in Cincinnati (.330 / .411 / .741), and a damn sight better than what Paul Bako provided last season (.299 / .328 / .627).

And, in addition, we dump Freel.

[lollipopcurve]

Exactly. Replacing that trio of characters with Hernandez/Hanigan while giving up no production in the process is a big upgrade, IMO.

Take a look at Hernandez's career, factor in he's playing for a new contract, keep in mind how Hanigan looked in his debut, and I don't know how you could see it any other way.