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« Royals Pursue Guillen, Reportedly Set With Yabuta | Main | Breaking: Joe Kennedy Dies At Age 28 »
Reds In Serious Talks With Cordero
Ken Rosenthal is reporting that the Reds have approached closer Francisco Cordero, and that the two sides are working towards a deal. This would figure to top the Brewers current offer of four years, $42 million. This would be a major step for a team that finished 18 games below .500 in baseball's worst division in 2007.
According to Rosenthal, the Reds have emerged as front runners. Competing are the Brewers and a mystery team, possibly the Yankees, who expressed interest in Cordero if Mariano Rivera bolted town. The closer has since returned, though, likely eliminating the Yankees from consideration. The Astros are also believed to be interested in Cordero, though the same can be said for about 80 percent of the free agent market.
This would move David Weathers back to a setup role, where he would fit in well. The Reds bullpen would still be weak, but at least they'd improve on their league-worst 54.8 percent save conversion rate.
It appears that the Reds front office believes the team can contend in the next two years. Why else give big money (and forfeit a second round pick) for a big-name closer? The Reds have considerable young talent in Joey Votto, Josh Hamilton, Jay Bruce, Brandon Phillips, and Edwin Encarnacion, in addition to Ken Griffey Jr. and Adam Dunn.
Combined with Scott Hatteberg, who had an effective year in limited duty, the Reds might actually have a logjam of sorts in the outfield and first base. Could they possibly move some of the excess for some pitching help? Adding another bullpen arm or a starter to go along with Aaron Harang, Bronson Arroyo, and Homer Bailey could be the keys to the Reds contention.
Joe Pawlikowski is co-author of River Ave. Blues.
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Exciting as a Reds fan to see management willing to spend money. Its a good start, but EXACTLY what Joe said, ed another bullpen arm, and a starter. With the excess of OFers and 1B they CAN get pitching.
Trading Hamilton for Garza, and signing Riske would be my path, but I dont think WK is listening to me.
Posted by: GmblngPtchr20 | November 23, 2007 at 11:56 AM
Linebrink has signed with the White Sox:
4 years and 19 million dollars. What a crappy signing.
http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2007/11/23/linebrink-deal-a-bullpen-budget-buster/
Posted by: henry14theking | November 23, 2007 at 11:57 AM
Hamilton for Garza???? Are you serious? Not a chance Minnesota does that. Hamilton is a nice story and a decent player, but to get Garza they'd need to be talking about a much better prospect than hamilton. I don't know if hamilton would get them boof bonser in this market.
Posted by: SkiBolton | November 23, 2007 at 12:13 PM
Hamilton would clearly be the centerpiece of a trade.
Minnesotta needs a CF, has a surplus of young pitching. Hamilton player VERY well while he was actually on the field.
Posted by: GmblngPtchr20 | November 23, 2007 at 12:17 PM
Why would I want to give Hamilton up for a pitcher who allowed a .294 average? Thats almost Silva like! Nothanks to Silva or Garza. Both way way over rated!
Posted by: ericthered44 | November 23, 2007 at 12:23 PM
Not arguing that he's a good player, but with his age and injury problems, combined with the fact that over half the teams in baseball have at least as good a prospect in center to give up, there is just no way they get matt garza for him. Garza is one of the best pitching prospects in baseball, and pitchers are much more difficult to come by than outfielders. I agree minnesota needs a center fielder, but that doesn't mean they would make a stupid trade. If they decide to shop Garza, they will get a much better prospect than Josh Hamilton. Think Jay Bruce at the minimum.
Posted by: SkiBolton | November 23, 2007 at 12:27 PM
SkiBolton, that was the dumbest proposal in the world. I guess a team would trade in the minor leagues and peotential 50 homer power for a potential 3rd starter. Good deal dude...sike
Posted by: hotsaucenchickin | November 23, 2007 at 12:31 PM
No way on Bruce, Bruce >> Garza. Think Carlos Gomez
Posted by: Kyle | November 23, 2007 at 12:31 PM
.292 19 HR in under 298 at-bats? Looks like me thats significantly better than a prospect. Thats proof the guy can succeed at the major league level. He WAS a top prospect, got into trouble, and still managed to come back 4 years later and besides injury, do pretty well. One of the injuries wasnt even baseball-related. He had a stomach issue, which is unlucky, yet still an injury.
Id even be willing to throw in Freel, or the trade could even be expanded to include Encarnacion, since a 3B is needed. Bruce is untouchable. Hamilton also plays amazing defense and has a cannon on his arm. Hes better than a prospect, definitely.
Posted by: GmblngPtchr20 | November 23, 2007 at 12:33 PM
I'm not saying the reds should do that, that would be one of the dumbest trades ever. That is the only outfield prospect in the Red's system that could get them garza straight up.
Posted by: SkiBolton | November 23, 2007 at 12:35 PM
SkiBolton,
I agree with you completely.
It would be foolish as well as wasteful on the Reds part.
Posted by: Positive/Negative | November 23, 2007 at 12:38 PM
I think Hamilton and Encarnacion for Garza could be good for both teams. Twins have a huge surplus of young pitching but a real lack of young bats ready to step up and plug holes on the big league roster.
and SkiBolton, Garza isn't anywhere near as good as Bruce. If the Twins wanted Bruce it would have to be a deal for Santana. Not saying Bruce alone would get Santana, but he would be the main piece involved.
Posted by: ozziethesaint | November 23, 2007 at 12:39 PM
Hamilton and Encarnacion for Garza is a good trade...if you are on the Twins side of the trade. PEople undervalue Encarnacion way to much. The sky is the limit for this guy. The Reds are dumb if they trade him now because his stock could be much higher after this next year.
Posted by: hotsaucenchickin | November 23, 2007 at 12:42 PM
Hamilton and Bruce are both too good to trade for Garza.
Also, I think signing Cordero would be the wrong move for the Reds. It ties up too much money in too few innings, and it hurts the draft next year.
Posted by: Blue | November 23, 2007 at 12:43 PM
The draft doesn't mean much in baseball. The draft is all just a bunch of luck on players not getting hurt and how well your farm system can develop players. There are a few exceptions though.
Posted by: hotsaucenchickin | November 23, 2007 at 12:46 PM
You have to give up talent to get talent, Garza would be a great #2 behind Bailey for the next 10 years.
Plus from the Twins side it fills 2 huge needs and allows them to just go after the best available talent when they trade Santana
Posted by: ozziethesaint | November 23, 2007 at 12:46 PM
I realize that but i believe that the reds could get more than just Garza for 2 proven major league starters.
Posted by: hotsaucenchickin | November 23, 2007 at 12:50 PM
I would assume the Twins would throw in a releiver or something.
Posted by: GmblngPtchr20 | November 23, 2007 at 12:52 PM
It's possible to see the deal being 2 for 2 maybe the Twins add in someone from the minor league system, they have some decent pieces that are in the lower levels or maybe a reliever like Jesse Crain. But with the upside Garza has and how costly pitching is in today's market, he would be the key piece of the trade
Posted by: ozziethesaint | November 23, 2007 at 12:55 PM
Dusty Baker as manager. They won't contend.
Posted by: Teetz | November 23, 2007 at 12:55 PM
"Dusty Baker as manager. They won't contend."
Spoken by a true baseball fan who has no clue what they're talking about.
Posted by: GmblngPtchr20 | November 23, 2007 at 12:58 PM
Garza for Hamilton favor the Reds.
Garza for Bruce would never happen. Bruce is that good.
Garza is a step below Bailey, but a still a top young pitcher. To whomever said Garza wasn't that good because of his half season in the MLB is a joker. Bailey also struggled last season. Young pitchers usually do.
Hamilton made it to the injury list 3 times last season and I don't see him bringing in a top young starter. He's got talent, but he also has a very scary past. It's a great story, but very scary that there is a small chance that he could relapse.
Also Bruce can play CF, but he's ideally a corner Of'er. So I think Hamilton stays as a CF'er. Especially since Dunn is gone after 2008. And Griffey could have his option declined after 2008, but probably will stay until after 2009.
I think Bruce will start at AAA and wait until Griffey or Hamilton gets injured. Shouldn't take long.
Posted by: kab21 | November 23, 2007 at 12:59 PM
The cubs contended with him.
Posted by: hotsaucenchickin | November 23, 2007 at 01:00 PM
Well put Kab...
Posted by: SkiBolton | November 23, 2007 at 01:03 PM
kab21 very very good points.
I see Griffeys option declined, this has been a bitter contract issue since about 2002. One of Hamiltons injuries was his stomach though.
Dunn's option was picked up, which indicated to me that they want him there for a few more years.
Posted by: GmblngPtchr20 | November 23, 2007 at 01:04 PM
I am surprised the Twins aren't looking to see what they can get for Nathan this offseason. His contract is up after this year isn't it?
Posted by: hotsaucenchickin | November 23, 2007 at 01:08 PM
I'm sure the twins will listen to offers for nathan, but a top flight closer will probably bring as much at the trade deadline as they will in december.
Posted by: SkiBolton | November 23, 2007 at 01:14 PM
There already is a nathan discussion in the morning tidbits thread. I posted some comments there.
Posted by: kab21 | November 23, 2007 at 01:21 PM
Gmblngptchr - thnks
I think Dunn's option was picked up because he's a value at 13M for one year. I'm not sure if I see the Reds committing to a long-term contract to him. He's a monster, but that will be alot of money.
If Griffey is healthy he's also a bargain on his 2009 option.
Frankly I don't see Dunn or Griffey on the Reds long-term. Maybe Dunn, he's a monster. That gives you Hamilton, Bruce and ? in the Reds OF in the long-term. I don't see them trading Hamilton because of that scenario. Bruce will still get plenty of playing time this season even if he starts in AAA.
Posted by: kab21 | November 23, 2007 at 01:27 PM
Merely a joke, but seriously, Dusty Baker won't play the best players everyday and will manage the pitching staff horribly. This is his M.O.
Posted by: Teetz | November 23, 2007 at 01:32 PM
Adam Dunn is a middle of the order guy who walks a ton and isn't fast.....if the Reds buy into Dusty, there's no way Adam Dunn stays long term.
Posted by: Teetz | November 23, 2007 at 01:40 PM
He doesnt steal bases, and he he isnt the smartest runner, but he isnt that slow either.
Posted by: GmblngPtchr20 | November 23, 2007 at 01:51 PM
Reds fans will forget all about Dunn as soon as Jay Bruce shows up.
Jay Bruce will be insanely good, there isn't a doubt about it.
Posted by: Nantaico | November 23, 2007 at 02:03 PM
Jay Bruce will be good. Which makes Hamilton expendable. He has to have value to some teams. Maybe explore than Ian Snell thing again?
Hamilton and Stubbs for Snell?
Hamilton and Maloney for Snell?
Posted by: GmblngPtchr20 | November 23, 2007 at 02:10 PM
If the Reds can pry Snell for leftovers, then I would smack myself in the face for thinking Krivsky's as dumb as Rainman.
Posted by: Nantaico | November 23, 2007 at 02:14 PM
Rosenthal is reporting a 4 year deal for Cordero 46 million. Club option for a fifth for a grand total of 57 million!
Posted by: ericthered44 | November 23, 2007 at 03:44 PM
They signed him.
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7480854
Posted by: hotsaucenchickin | November 23, 2007 at 03:45 PM
Nantaico who were the leftovers you were talking about because Hamilton and Subbs or Maloney sure aren't leftovers.
Posted by: hotsaucenchickin | November 23, 2007 at 03:55 PM
They are not left-overs, both are good prospects.
Its official, good signing in my opinion.
Posted by: GmblngPtchr20 | November 23, 2007 at 04:20 PM