Willy Taveras Rumors

Reds Notes: Taveras, Owings, Gomes

MLB.com's Mark Sheldon cleaned out his inbox and answered a few questions from Reds fans today. Here are some of the more pertinent details... The team would like to move Willy Taveras if they could, but there are very few takers for a player who posted a .240/.275/.285 line in 2009 and is due to make $4MM next season. Given his limited abilities and how Shelton feels that Taveras wouldn't be happy on the bench, the Reds have to consider cutting their losses with Taveras and releasing him. Micah Owings will likely not be used as trade bait, given that...   Continue Reading

---

Odds & Ends: Cubs, Byrnes, Orioles

Links for Wednesday... Chris De Luca of the Chicago Sun-Times doesn't expect much to change with the Cubs under the Ricketts family. He says to expect a payroll around $143MM. That might leave GM Jim Hendry with around $8MM to work with. Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic believes Eric Byrnes' time with the Diamondbacks might be nearing an end. They may attempt to trade him before releasing him. John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer wouldn't be surprised to see the Reds release center fielder Willy Taveras, who is still owed $4MM. Sox Machine reader Chris Pummer makes the case...   Continue Reading

---

Reds Report: Volquez, Bruce, Gomes

To put it mildly, this has been a rough year for Reds fans. Edinson Volquez had the Cincinnati faithful buzzing after posting a 3.21 ERA with 9.5 K/9 in his first full season in 2008. After logging just nine starts in the 2009 campaign, Volquez needed surgery to repair damage in his right elbow. The Reds faded fast as their depleted staff wasn't getting much of a lift from their sagging offense. Injuries to Joey Votto and Edwin Encarnacion (prior to being dealt to Toronto) certainly didn't do them any favors. However, if the team's recent performance is any indication...   Continue Reading

---

Odds & Ends: Soriano, Reds, Diamondbacks

A couple more links for tonight... Derrick Goold of The St. Louis Post Dispatch tweets that the Cardinals and Braves discussed closer Rafael Soriano earlier this year. We heard some rumblings of a Joe Mather for Soriano deal over the summer. MLB.com's Mark Sheldon wonders who should start in center field for the Reds next year - Chris Dickerson, Drew Stubbs, or Willy Taveras. Taveras is under contract for $4MM next year, plus Dusty loves his veterans, so he might get the job by default. Steve Gilbert of MLB.com notes that the Diamondbacks and manager A.J. Hinch will wait until...   Continue Reading

---

Heyman On August Trades

Executives tell Jon Heyman of SI.com that we saw the "softest deadline ever" last week because there's still the possibility for trades this month. Here's an explanation of how trades can occur after the deadline and here are the players Heyman deems likely to clear waivers (player who clear waivers may be traded): Bronson Arroyo, Adam Dunn, Jose Guillen, Aaron Harang, Adrian Beltre, Aubrey Huff, Jason Giambi, Melvin Mora, Miguel Batista, Juan Cruz, Ty Wigginton, Ron Mahay, Willie Bloomquist, Lyle Overbay, Willy Taveras. Some players who could clear waivers: Jon Garland, Doug Davis, Gil Meche, Alex Rios, Carl Pavano, Mark...   Continue Reading

---

Odds And Ends: Draft, Nady, Kinsler, Snell

A few links to start the morning off... Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star says the draft picks who ask for big bonuses aren't always the bad guys. The biggest bonus so far belongs to Tony Sanchez of the Pirates ($2.5MM). Check out our updated list of first rounders to sign. Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News reports that Xavier Nady suffered a setback during his rehab assignment. Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic shows how the D'Backs missed out on Ian Kinsler even though they drafted him twice. Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette suggests we...   Continue Reading

---

Rosenthal On White Sox, Pedro, Baker

The latest from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports... The White Sox are still trying to figure out their center field situation, but they are not involved on pricey veterans such as Juan Pierre and Gary Matthews Jr. Fantasy alert: Rosenthal names David Aardsma as the likely leader for the Mariners closer job, with Chad Cordero and Brandon Morrow lingering. The Dodgers "continue to balk at Pedro Martinez's $5MM asking price." Rockies utility man Jeff Baker, who is out of options, is drawing interest from the Phillies, Astros, and Pirates. Rosenthal suggests recently-demoted Kyle Kendrick as a possible target for Colorado,...   Continue Reading

---

Jones Doesn't Fit In Cincinnati

John Fay has an update that addresses the recent rumors suggesting newly available Andruw Jones might be headed to the Reds--in short, Fay doesn't see it happening. As for reasons specific to the club, the Reds just picked up Willy Taveras to play center field, which is Jones' position. Taveras' status with the club makes it extremely unlikely that Jones would have a starting role, which he is apparently looking for. More generally, Fay cites Jones' rapidly declining OPS as a reason for the Reds to stay away. Unfortunately for Jones, that reason to stay away applies for every team.   Continue Reading

---

Reds Sign Willy Taveras To Two-Year Deal

WEDNESDAY: Taveras' deal with the Reds is worth $6.25MM over two years. SATURDAY: The Reds have signed Willy Taveras to a two-year contract according to Hal McCoy of the Dayton Daily News. The terms of the deal aren't yet known. The 27-year-old figures to play center field and lead off for the Reds. He's stolen at least 30 bases in each of the last four years, including 2008 when he set a career high with 68 steals in spite of a .308 OBP.   Continue Reading

---

Jocketty On Taveras, Hairston, Baldelli

John Fay has a quick update following a discussion with Walt Jocketty, providing us with some interesting quotes from the Reds GM. Regarding Willy Taveras, Jocketty likes his solid defensive ability in center field, as well as his potential to lead off. That "potential" depends on Tavares' ability to replicate his 2007 offensive numbers, featuring an on-base percentage of .367, as opposed to a repeat of 2008, in which he posted a .308 OBP. Jerry Hairston Jr. remains a possibility for the Reds. Says Jocketty: "He could end up being the left fielder if we can't get that RBI man,...   Continue Reading

---

Top Stories

Search MLBTR

Lijit Search

MLBTR Features

Recent Posts

MLBTR Mailing List

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Rumors By Team

Monthly Archives

Live Chats

Tuesdays at 2 p.m. CST