4:31pm: The two sides are close to a one-year contract worth around $1.6MM, reports Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes (via Twitter)
10:52am: Reds GM Walt Jocketty expects to reach an agreement — likely a one-year deal — this weekend with arbitration-eligible starter Edinson Volquez, tweets John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer.
It has seemed likely that the Reds and Volquez would avert an arbitration hearing all along, but the question has persisted whether they'd agree on a one- or multi-year deal. Volquez apparently preferred a one-year deal, blogs Fay.
Cincinnati's other young, arbitration-eligible stars — Jay Bruce, Joey Votto and Johnny Cueto — have all signed multi-year deals this offseason, buying out their arbitration eligibility.
Volquez, though, is coming off consecutive truncated seasons on account of Tommy John surgery and a 50-game suspension for using PEDs.
At least its not a multi year to an injury prone pitcher. They gave cueto too much in my opinion.
Is Volquez injury prone? He’s essentially been on the DL just once, from May 2009-July 2010 (he was brought in for one start in June 2009 before going back out for TJ surgery). Most pitchers come back from that injury alright, and I can’t remember Volquez having other problems.
That said, I also prefer the one year deal. Until he shows he can reliably find the strikezone,Volquez isn’t someone you sign for top-of-the-rotation dollars.
No.
He missed that time for failing a PED test. (as stated in the article…)
Then had TJ surgery.
Actually he had TJ surgery and while recovering from that, he failed the drug test. He served the 50 game suspension while on the DL.
Yeah, I remember that! Is it just me or did that seem lenient? Full disclosure: I’m a Cards fan so I’m probably biased. But even if the same thing happened to a player on the Cards or one of my other fave teams, I’d still feel like the player got off easy. Did it have something to do with MLBPA rules? I’d be interested in knowing the scoop.
Doesn’t matter if a player is on the D/L or not … 50 games is 50 games
Although I am a Reds fan, I agree with mattevilspawn. The suspension certainly did not hurt he Reds and barely hurt Volquez. He lost a little less than a third of his salary but was able to continue to rehab as her served his suspension. He didn’t miss any more time than he would have had he not been suspended. Most likely the PED allowed him to com back from TJ surgery sooner, which in turn allowed him to cash in a bit more on arbitration.
BTW – One year at 1.6M. Good deal. I like short-term contracts for pitchers. Good job, Walt.
Josh Hamilton!
As a Reds fan, the words “Josh Hamilton” break my heart. Having said that, Volquez is one of my favorite Reds
Volquez is nearing a one year deal as Josh Hamilton is polishing his MVP trophy…..
Funny, haha. I’t too early to fully evaluate the trade. Right now looks like the Rangers came out miles ahead. But if next year EV wins 20 games and Hamilton finds himself buried in a mountain of cocaine, who’s the winner? Hopefully, both players go on to long and productive careers for their respective teams.
Definitely still too early. Hamilton is obviously a great hitter, but has only played >140 games once in his career (2x 90 or fewer), and he turns 30 in May. If Volquez returns to somewhat near his 2008 performance for his 3 arb seasons he is going to provide top of the rotation pitching for cheap.