Reds Interested In Taveras, Wigginton, Miles

Just say no to Tavares. Wigginton I can live with. His non-tender is a mystery since he is coming off a pretty decent year. Miles doesn't look any better than what the Reds already have.

Now I understand the appeal of Tavarez with his speed but I don't care how many bases you steal, putting up a .296 SLG is horrendous.

PLEASE SIGN TAVARES.

I am deathly afraid that the Nationals will sign him if someone else doesn't do so quickly.

so Reds, White Sox...hurry up and sign him please!

protect Jim Bowden from himself!

Wigginton was non-tendered because the Astros are cheap and dumb.

I don't understand what the hell the 'Stros were thinking in non-tendering Wigginton. The guy put up a .876 OPS and can play 5 positions. Unless he is somehow seriously injured, there is no excuse for that idiocy.

"Now I understand the appeal of Tavarez with his speed but I don't care how many bases you steal, putting up a .296 SLG is horrendous."

Ignore the power numbers. If his .296 SLG was a result of a .296 AVG, that wouldn't be such a bad thing, especially if he drew enough walks to turn that .296 AVG into a .345 OBP.

Tavarez at center for the Reds wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing. He'll be a short-term signing, maybe a year or two, until the Reds young guys are ready. He's better than Patterson offensively, as he can at least get on base. And he's a centerfielder. Most CFs don't even have big power numbers, so his .296 SLG isn't even that bad, as long as he can get his ass on base and get some steals, jumpstart some offense.

I like the Wigginton at 3rd and EE at LF idea. It'll improve the infield defense a little, as I think Wigginton is much better defensively than EE. This'll make their infield look like Votto, Phillips, Keppinger, Wigginton, which doesn't look that bad. Plus, it'll make the outfield look like EE, Tavarez, Bruce.

They wouldn't have blown their payroll by that much with those small signings.

Ctown, Jerry Hairston earned his playing time last year. Maybe you missed that the Reds were extremely better when he played. I'm not saying he can duplicate that. Quit whining about things that haven't even freakin' happened.

Out of all three options I like the idea of Wigginton the most.

BankStreet,

Norris Hopper earned his playing time for 2008 by having one of the highest Batting Averages in ALL of the National League during the second half of 2007. While he was leading off, the Reds ALSO had a MUCH better Winning Percentage. But Toothpick Baker was dead set on having Corey Patterson on the tam and starting in Center Field.

Both Freel and Hopper were healthy when Patterson was starting (and sucking) in the lead off spot in 2008.

As far as JHJ goes, he is a career .260 hitter and has only had three seasons, out of 11, where he has hit above .270. He is 32 years old and before 2008, only had one season where he hit better than .300. He has only had two seasons where he has had more than 400 At Bats and three seasons where he has had mroe than 300 At Bats.

Unlike the Steroid Ers, where old guys miraculously have career eyars and then continue to put up big numbers, I think JHJ is a one year wonder. So, let some OTHER team overpay for him and watch as his numbers revert back to his real self.

Because remember, Dusty Baker himself said that guys usually revert to the stats on the back of their baseball cards. He said that last year as an excuse for why Patterson was continually allowed to play and bat lead off while hitting under .200.

So, if Toothpick believes his own BS then he should agree that JHJ is nothing more than an injury prone, .260 hitting utility player who should be coming off of the bench instead of starting.

I don't necessarily need a slugging CF, but a .296 SLG - in Colorado!! - is HORRIFIC. Being fast alone does not make you a good baseball player.

I like the Wigginton idea.

If I could play GM for a moment, here's what I'd like the Reds to do...

--Sign Wigginton and put him at 3B.

--Sign Jonny Gomes and put him in LF.

--Sign Hairston and platoon Dickerson/Hairston in CF - SO much better than Taveras.

--Trade Edwin to SF for Jonathan Sanchez.

I think Wigginton and Gomes would be nice additions, and Sanchez is about to be a breakout power lefty in the mold of Oliver Perez or Al Leiter - mark my words.

Why the Heck would the reds trade Freel, let go off Hopper and then pursue a player that is essentially the same as those two. It doesn't make any sense to me.

When did they sign him? I haven't seen any information on him getting signed. Please expand my knowledge

"I guess since Baker can't have his Boy Patterson back then he is telling Ca$htellini to order Jocketty to "do whatever it takes" to sign Tavares."

I'm glad you're not a doctor. There wouldn't be a hospital in the WORLD that would put you under their insurance policy, that's for sure.

Right on - Thanks BSG

I agree Rob, ive read so many of these comments in the past year from the same guy putting down baker and the owner. i'm waiting for a positive comment from ctownboy. sounds like a cubs fan...

Wigginton is gonna get a higher bid then most people realize. The Reds are only one of 3 major suitors. The Indians are looking at him, as well as the Twins. Realistically, the Twins have only one spot to fill, which is right handed power bat at 3rd. And they have about 12 to 14 million under their budget. Also rumors out of MN is that the Twins are possibly willing to offer a 3 year 25 to 26 million dollar deal. I dont think the reds would give up that much considering they still have many holes to deal with. The indians could make a push, but signing kerry wood takes from their budget a bit. May the best bidder win.

Wigginton is a defensive upgrade...Taveras could help in Center and leadoff. We may actually contend here if we get some of that Tampa Bay luck. Ok walt is trying to make it work in tough times...Maybe I will buy a package of tickets just not season tickets.

"Id also like Gathright to platoon with Taverez"

News flash: Gathright signed with the Cubs already.