Ramon Hernandez Rumors

Jocketty Downplays Payroll Concerns

If the Reds are really slashing payroll this winter, $3MM on Ramon Hernandez seems an unnecessary luxury. Talking to MLB.com's Mark Sheldon, Reds GM Walt Jocketty explained that his team isn't necessarily slashing payroll: "All of that stuff was speculation by a number of different writers. They see that our attendance is down and so that must mean our payroll will go down. We were grouped in with clubs that are reducing payroll but we're not in that position and hopefully won't be." Still, even maintaining a $73MM payroll won't be easy. Counting Hernandez, the Reds already appear to be...   Continue Reading

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Reds Re-Sign Ramon Hernandez

12:06pm: MLB.com's Mark Sheldon tweets the contract details: $3MM in 2010, with the vesting option worth $3.25MM. 9:59am: The Reds re-signed catcher Ramon Hernandez to a one-year deal, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Rosenthal says the deal includes a 2011 option that vests with 120 games played in '10. The dollars are not yet known, but the Reds had declined Hernandez's $8.5MM option for next year. Hernandez, 33, hit .258/.336/.362 in 331 plate appearances this year for Cincinnati after coming over in a December trade from the Orioles. He missed time with arthroscopic knee surgery. Hernandez was out-hit...   Continue Reading

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Reds Talk: Votto, Budget, Olivo

John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer has the latest on the Reds, after talking with GM Walt Jocketty. Asked about trading Joey Votto, Jocketty replied, "Oh God, no." The Reds are restricted by their payroll, but Jocketty said, "not yet" as far as trading players to make the budget. Check out our Reds Offseason Outlook for details on their commitments. If the Reds can't negotiate a new deal with Ramon Hernandez, Fay feels that they might consider free agent catcher Miguel Olivo.   Continue Reading

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Reds Notes: Ramon Hernandez, Hardy

MLB.com's Mark Sheldon has the latest on the Reds... GM Walt Jocketty told Sheldon the Reds will decline catcher Ramon Hernandez's $8.5MM option, as expected. Jocketty hopes to negotiate a new deal with Hernandez. Bad news for Ryan Hanigan, who posted a .361 OBP in 293 plate appearances this year. Jocketty hopes to re-sign catcher Corky Miller and outfielder Darnell McDonald to minor league deals. Jocketty said he talked to the Brewers several times about J.J. Hardy, but "We didn't match up and they didn't want to trade within our division, which was understandable." It's a sign that the Reds...   Continue Reading

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Reds Negotiating With Ramon Hernandez

The Reds seem certain to decline their $8.5MM club option on catcher Ramon Hernandez for 2010 and buy the 11-year veteran out for $1MM. The only question now is whether or not Cincinnati will part ways with Hernandez or whether they'll bring him back at a more club-friendly price. Cincinnati GM Walt Jocketty told John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer that he had met with Hernandez's agent, and gave a very neutral view of the negotiations between the team and the player: "We’ve made some progress. I don’t know if we’re close. But we’ll try to work something out.” As...   Continue Reading

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Odds & Ends: Holliday, Putz, Lopez, Teahen, Reds

It's been a busy first day on the hot stove, so here's another batch of links... Derrick Goold of The St. Lous Post Dispatch says there are eight teams "that have the need and the financial wherewithal" to sign Matt Holliday. It's the usual suspects (i.e. big market clubs), and Goold explains why each may be interested in Holliday. Craig Landis, agent for J.J. Putz, said that his client "hasn't ruled out returning to the Mets with a cheaper, incentive-laden deal," according to Bart Hubbuch of The NY Post. Earlier today we learned that the Mets informed Putz that they...   Continue Reading

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Odds & Ends: Reds, White Sox, Shimizu

More Thursday linkage... MLB.com's Mark Sheldon guesses the Reds will buy out Ramon Hernandez's option for $1MM, but then try to re-sign him. Sheldon also runs through the upcoming important hot stove dates. White Sox GM Ken Williams wouldn't reveal much about his offseason plans, talking to MLB.com's Scott Merkin. "I'm always looking at all the possibilities," said Williams. WEEI's Rob Bradford talked to Tim Wakefield, who is aiming for 200 victories. He's 11 shy, so he could pull it off in 2010. The Sox figure to exercise his $4MM option once again. Ryo Shinkawa of NPB Tracker says 33-year-old...   Continue Reading

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Discussion: What's Next For Baltimore?

The Baltimore Sun's Dan Connolly details the questions facing a Baltimore team with some young offensive talent, some terrific young pitching on the way, and a lot of extra cash. Connolly writes that while the 64-98 record Baltimore had in 2009 was the third-worst in team history, "there is a sense that the future has promise because of the emergence of young starting pitchers Brian Matusz, Chris Tillman and Brad Bergesen, catcher Matt Wieters and outfielders Nolan Reimold and Felix Pie." Left unsaid, of course, is the emergence of Adam Jones and Nick Markakis continuing to be a tremendous player....   Continue Reading

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Don't Expect Big Changes In Cincinnati

John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer talked to Reds GM Walt Jocketty, who implied a quiet offseason lies ahead. Jocketty said, "I wouldn't think so" when asked if the Reds will be big players in free agency. The team is likely to stay internal for improvements at center field, shortstop, and catcher, with Drew Stubbs, Paul Janish, and Ryan Hanigan. Jocketty admitted catcher Ramon Hernandez's $8.5MM is "a pretty big option." Keep in mind that the Reds have a stellar defensive infield, and their offense will benefit from more Jay Bruce and less Willy Taveras. Jocketty wants a "quality RBI...   Continue Reading

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Trade Candidates: Catchers

The market for catchers has been silent this year, as many contenders are set behind the plate. It’s partially a coincidence, but still noteworthy that so many of baseball’s best teams have catchers performing well. Here are a few backstops who could be available this month: Ramon Hernandez - Likely expendable because of Ryan Hanigan's emergence, Hernandez has hit .252/.333/.368 with five homers and more walks than strikeouts this year. He doesn't come cheap though, as he makes $8MM. Yorvit Torrealba - The Rockies have Chris Iannetta, so Torrealba and his career OPS of .700 are expendable. He'll earn $3.5MM...   Continue Reading

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