Discussing the team's inability to reach agreement with pitcher Homer Bailey before today's deadline to submit arbitration figures, Reds GM Walt Jocketty indicated that the sides were discussing a long-term extension, reports MLB.com's Mark Sheldon. He further indicated that the club was not concerned with the situations of either of its two prominent remaining arbitration cases, Bailey and closer Aroldis Chapman.
The sides have reportedly had previous discussions on a significant extension. They came close to getting something done today, according to John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer, 'We talked a one-year and a multiyear deal," said Jocketty. "We'll keep talking."
In his discussions with Sheldon, Jocketty raised expectations that something would get worked out, saying that he is "optimistic" about reaching a long-term deal. As the GM explained:
"In Bailey's case, we were working on a multi-year [deal]. The agent [Casey Close] has [Clayton] Kersaw and he has [Masahiro] Tanaka also, so he's been tied up with that. We just didn't anticipate getting it done, but we exchanged numbers in the event and we will continue to negotiate and hopefully get something done before the hearing date."
Discussing the terms of the contract, he said:
"I just think it depends on where they feel the market settles in on free-agent pitchers. Hopefully, we're not too far with our estimate and with their estimate about the market going forward. What it will be based on is what market for a guy like Bailey will be in the future."
The recent Clayton Kershaw extension would not be a comparable deal, but would nevertheless play a role, Jocketty explained. "I don't think it affects this one directly with Bailey, but it affects the market as a whole," Jocketty said. "Any time you sign a free agent to a contract, it drags it up a little bit. Kershaw is a special case."
Bailey has been projected by MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz to earn $9.3MM through arbitration in his final run through the process before reaching free agency. He filed at $11.6MM, with the club countering at $8.7MM.
Regarding Chapman, Jocketty said that he had not had much discussion with his representatives at Hendricks Sports. "Actually, this week was the first one we've had," Jocketty said. "I'm not that concerned about it." Swartz projects a $4.6MM tab for the fireballing lefty. That is the exact figure that the team submitted, while Chapman filed at $5.4MM, leaving a modest gap to bridge.
Jocketty's comments indicate that the Reds do not intend to take a "file and trial" approach, at least with these two players. An agent had told FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal (Twitter link) that Cincinnati was adopting such a policy. It turns out that the team has only taken that position with respect to players whose deals were valued under the $2MM level, tweets Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports.
I’m pretty sure stating “Clayton Kershaw’s extension is not a comparable deal” is going to be the first thing out of the mouths of every GM for the next several years when negotiating any contract extension with one of their pitchers.
It ups the ante for the Scherzers of the world, of which there aren’t many. Any good, reliable, uninjured, proven starter is going to get paid though. But few are even close to Kershaw’s level.
Homer Bailey’s future contract should be in line with Zack Grienke’s contract.
Good idea. Bailey is very good and underrated.
It sure would be nice getting Bailey locked up long term. Hopefully we can get Latos and Leake locked up as well. A future rotation of Latos, Bailey, Leake, Cingrani, Stephenson/Holmberg looks very promising.
But do the Reds have the cash for that? Bailey, Latos, and Leake on top of the Votto extension . . . that’s gonna be a lot of dough, no?
EDIT: It’ll help when Phillips is off payroll, but that’s not for a bit yet.
Yeah that’s what concerns me.
I hope they lock them all up. With Reds fans steadfastly refusing to show up and attend game. A big contract extension only weighs down a cash strapped team father in to mediocrity in future years.
You have a lot of teams locking up players before they reach free agency. If a player has been in the teams system their whole career, they may sign for sentimental reasons. It doesn’t leave much on the free agent market. It makes it more difficult for big market teams that want to build their teams with free agency.
For every Cal Ripken there’s an A-Rod, Cano, Pujols, etc. who will go for the money.
I’d rather see Latos signed long term
I would overpay if he changes his last to Simpson.
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Extend Bailey and Latos. I would offer Leake one as well, he’s young, durable and will continue to improve. Cueto, Cingrani and Stephenson fill out the rest of the rotation options. Reds will have 6 very solid SP. Keep drafting and developing pitching. The Reds need to operate like the Rays.