The Reds acquired Mat Latos over the weekend, but they continue to search for a closer and a left fielder, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. GM Walt Jocketty explained that he expects to add an arm before he adds a bat.
"First, we'll address the bullpen a little bit," he said. "Once I get pitching done and know what we have left to spend, we'll know more about left field."
The Reds have resumed talks with free agent closer Francisco Cordero, though Jocketty says nothing is close. Free agent outfielder Cody Ross is still "part of the mix" and the Reds were in touch with his agent last week. The Reds had some interest in Jason Kubel before he agreed to a two-year, $15MM deal with the Diamondbacks. "The level money-wise, we weren't going to get to that level," Jocketty said.
“but they continue to search for a closer and a left fielder”. If I am Kenny Williams, I am calling up and offering Thornton and Quentin for Devin Mesoraco and others, but I am not so sure that the Reds want to trade Mesoraco after they just traded Grandal. Daniel Corcino seems like the type of guy Kenny would want too.
Yea, Reds are not going to move Mesoraco. That’s for absolute certain.
I wonder if they would take Pierzynski instead of either Thornton or Quentin. AJ + Thornton/Quentin + Cash for Mesoraco, Corcino, +prospect? I have no idea, I’m just dying for the Sox to do SOMETHING.
There is no trading Mesoraco, end of story, Mez, Votto, Bruce, Chapman, Cueto, and Latos are untouchable, it would have to be pretty lopsided to even consider Mez in a deal, a potential .300 hitting catcher is not something you trade for an .836 lifetime OPS hitter with mostly average skill set
I didn’t realize I suggested a 1-for-1 trade.
Doesn’t matter what they offer because the Reds are a small market team. As others have said, he isn’t being traded so its pointless to pose trades for something you are never going to see happen. Devin will be cheap and under team control for a long time while AJ is 34 and does nothing for the Reds long term. If they had wanted an older catcher they could have just kept Hernandez at half the price of AJ and keep their prospects. Same deal with Quentin … he made $5M last season and will get a hefty raise in arb. We couldn’t afford to give Kubel $7.5M … so Carlos makes zero sense for the Reds.
You are right, they wont be trading Mes for anyone especially now.
Who cares i dont see anything that has darvish in it lol
come on walt sign ross hed be a good platoon in LF
No thanks. Heisy had a higher BA and more HR’s in half the at bats. Ross hit something like .240 last year, which doesn’t solve any of our LF problems (though they should just give Heisy a chance at a full time job, so they shouldn’t even waste the money unless it’s Beltran).
heisey hit .254 and walked 19 times and struck out 78 times in 278 ABs last year and Ross just had a down year this yar hes been better in recent years
heisey>ross
ross plays in a WAY bigger park than heisey does and strikes out less
Really, really disappointed that Dave Sappelt doesn’t even seem to be in the conversation.
With only Scott Rolen on his last legs, the Reds must have more grizzled veterans who know how to win etc or Dusty might just have an aneurysm.
I’d rather look at a JD Drew or Connor Jackson. David Aardsma would be a cheap option for Closer.
My prediction: Reds sign Ryan Ludwick
Please no!!!! Not a fan at all.
Why ISN’T Sappelt getting any love? He struggled a bit at the plate, but he wasn’t SO bad. At least at sound like the priorities are straight. Bullpen first. Then let’s see how much dough is left for a LFer. Is CoCo finally coming to his senses?
Its cause Sappelt really didn’t do a whole lot in the Big Leagues so far.
As for Coco I am still ok if we get him back if his demands are down.
1 year deal with maybe team option. 2 Years Max offer.
Reds need an everyday LF. Not a platoon partner for Heisey. I suspect that Heisey will go in a deal for pitching even though it would be risky to deal him without another option readily available in house. How about this to Cleveland?
Reds get: Tony Sipp, Vinnie Pestano, Justin Masterson
Indians get: Chris Heisey, Aroldis Chapman, Travis Wood
Edit: That would free up the money to sign Beltran
NOOOO Thank You.
I take it you think the Reds lose this deal? I’m a Reds fan and would adore this deal. It would free up 25MM+ being paid to Chapman, who we still have no idea how to use, which would allow us to allot the money elsewhere.
Heisey would play everyday in the outfield for Cleveland, Wood would enter the rotation, and Chapman would be Cleveland’s problem.
Masterson would be the 3 starter in a rotation that would be Latos/Cueto/Masterson/Leake/ and Bailey or Arroyo. Pestano would be the closer, and Sipp would be the shutdown lefty setup man with Masset. The Pestano/Sipp combo would also bolster a bullpen that was flat exposed in the 2nd half last year.
You don’t just pass up on a 105 MPH throwing lefty so quickly. We would have nobody to play left, and bullpen will be just fine with the signing of a relatively cheap closer (Like it or not, Cordero had 40 saves last year and will likely re-sign with us). Chapman could also be our closer/#3 starter with a ceiling of a #1.
It’s been two years and all we’ve seen are flashes of immense potential, sprinkled in with inconsistency and multiple injuries. I’m not giving up on him, I’m freeing up money that would be of better use elsewhere.
Pestano would be plenty cheap. He’s making the league minimum, and isn’t arb eligible until after 2013.
Bringing back Cordero would be an enormous mistake. His K/9 has been plummeting for the last 4 years. It was only 5.43 this season. That is a recipe for disaster. He had a low ERA, but a FIP of over 4. Whoever signs him will be disappointed if the deal is over about 4MM per.
It’s been one year, and a few late appearances in ’10. He has potential to be one of the best in the game, and with 4 years left on his deal, I don’t get rid of that kind of talent that’s signed for that money, Indians would have to send Jimenez/Choo to touch chapman
Masterson is better, younger, cheaper, and more valuable than both Choo and Jimenez.
In his last 2 full seasons Choo has had a WAR over 6, Masterson has just one in his career over 2, I’m not arguing this, neither of these trades will happen, nor should they
You are correct about your past 4 year comment but Cordero actually improved on a lot of other numbers this past season. Will he continue to do that doubtful but if he is close to the same as last year I will take that. Well unless the Reds plan on getting Bailey or another closer that is younger.
Cordero won’t sign with us. We will low ball him so we either get him cheaper than any other team or let him go and take the compensation pick we would collect with him signing elsewhere to restock the farm system. Someone will pay Cordero more than us.
I would accept that deal in a NY minute. Masterson is the real deal and his style fits GABP. Cueto, Latos, Masterson, Leake, Arroyo/Bailey would be a very good rotation.
This deal would also set up our BP. The only thing left would be to fill LF which I think Sappelt could fill once he gets acclimated. He wasn’t as bad as his line suggests. He hit a ton of line drives right at defenders. The kid is a fastball masher who would thrive in the 2-hole right in front of Votto. Plus we still have Frazier who could provide pop out of LF if need be or use the money saved from dealing Chapman to bring in someone.
Cordero won’t sign with us. We will low ball him so we either get him cheaper than any other team or let him go and take the compensation pick we would collect with him signing elsewhere to restock the farm system. Someone will pay Cordero more than us.
I would accept that deal in a NY minute. Masterson is the real deal and his style fits GABP. Cueto, Latos, Masterson, Leake, Arroyo/Bailey would be a very good rotation.
This deal would also set up our BP. The only thing left would be to fill LF which I think Sappelt could fill once he gets acclimated. He wasn’t as bad as his line suggests. He hit a ton of line drives right at defenders. The kid is a fastball masher who would thrive in the 2-hole right in front of Votto. Plus we still have Frazier who could provide pop out of LF if need be or use the money saved from dealing Chapman to bring in someone.
You’re High
I’m wondering if they would be able to sign Madson as a closer since they freed up money by getting rid of Volquez and Alonso? He has a lower ERA than Cordero and he is younger. I do think Andruw Jones would be good. I also wonder if they could get Seth Smith from the Rockies now that they have Cuddyer signed.
Still think Madson is out of their price range. Walt stated that Kubel’s contract was too rich for the Reds and that was only 2/15mil. Madson would be awesome if we could find a couple extra quarters in the sofa.
Agreed. He is a Boras client to boot so you know he won’t be signing cheap
I have always believed that if someone is just out of the reach of your normal payroll and they would be a great pick up you go to the owner and say hey can we get this guy? He’s a tad over priced for what you gave me budget wise but. He would be a huge help to our team.
I’m wondering if they would be able to sign Madson as a closer since they freed up money by getting rid of Volquez and Alonso? He has a lower ERA than Cordero and he is younger. I do think Andruw Jones would be good. I also wonder if they could get Seth Smith from the Rockies now that they have Cuddyer signed.
just playing fantasy GM here, but I wonder if the Reds would take Niese and Parnell for Yasmani Grandal? I think that’s a fair deal. Neither has superstar writen on them but both are MLB tested and probably haven’t topped out yet. The reds still have a catching stud in their system, now have two pitchers that break 100 mph, and a young cheap lefty with a nice hook…and the Mets finally have a decent pitcher in the organization.
If you want Grandal you have to talk to the Padres, since that’s who owns his rights
boy don’t I feel dumb. Just looked it up. His name is mentioned as an afterthought in that trade, like he’s a throw in. I think he’s the best peice that the Padres got. I think he might end up beign better than Meseraco.
Grandal hasn’t seen an MLB pitch and now plays for the Padres, So IDK if you are referring to Meseraco, but he really isn’t “tested” yet either, but has potential to be a .300 hitting backstop which is hard to come by in the league
I meant that Niese and Parnell are tested and while they don’t have super high ceilings, they are at least good enough to play in the bigs. I know Grandal hasn’t played in the bigs yet but he’s skyrocketing through the minors.
Grandal hasn’t seen an MLB pitch and now plays for the Padres, So IDK if you are referring to Meseraco, but he really isn’t “tested” yet either, but has potential to be a .300 hitting backstop which is hard to come by in the league
My thinking is the Reds are looking for someone to play LF in the 4 million dollar range. Maybe even 5 per year. Closer wise I have this odd feeling Coco will be back.