The Reds look to be in for a relatively quiet offseason, writes C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer, though GM Dick Williams did acknowledge that he’ll remain open to trade scenarios involving Zack Cozart at this week’s GM Meetings. “He can be a part of grooming players and he can be a part of a winning clubhouse,” said Williams of his veteran shortstop. “But if there’s something that really puts the franchise in a better position for ’18 and ’19 that works, it’s something we’d have to consider. We’ve shown the willingness to trade guys who have been with us if it helps us get better.” Williams also said that both Jose Peraza and Dilson Herrera will get opportunities next year, though the timing of those opportunities is tied to what the Reds accomplish this offseason. Rosecrans adds that solidifying the bench with a right-handed-hitting outfielder and adding to the team’s bullpen are on the to-do list this winter.
A few more notes on the Reds…
- Cincinnati has “no intention” of trading Joey Votto, tweets USA Today’s Bob Nightengale. Votto’s name has come up a bit over the past few months due to reports of some prior trade talks with the Blue Jays, but a trade has never seemed especially likely due to the fact that Votto is owed $179MM over the next seven seasons and has full no-trade rights. The star first baseman has previously said he hopes to remain in Cincinnati despite the team’s rebuilding status at the moment, and Nightengale notes that the Reds value his leadership with a wave of young players on the horizon.
- While the Reds’ rotation is largely set for next season — Anthony DeSclafani, Brandon Finnegan, Dan Straily and Homer Bailey are all penciled in at the moment — Williams wouldn’t rule out the possibility of signing a veteran starter this winter, writes MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon. The Reds have a number of young options lined up to compete for that fifth spot already, including Cody Reed, Amir Garrett and Robert Stephenson, but Williams sounded open to adding to that mix. “There’s certainly a chance we could sign starting pitchers,” he said. “Whether they’ll be targeted with a Minor League deal to serve as a Triple-A starter or whether we’ll go after a starting pitcher remains to be seen. We have good competition there, but it’s young guys. We have a bunch of young guys for that last spot.”
- Also via Sheldon, Williams said that the team expects Devin Mesoraco to be ready for Opening Day of the 2017 season, but the team is looking at contingency plans this winter after seeing Mesoraco play in just 38 games over the past two seasons. Mesoraco signed a four-year, $28MM contract extension prior to the 2015 campaign, but he’s had two hip surgeries and a shoulder surgery since that time, which has kept him from delivering any on-field value to the Reds over that time. “I think it’s important to prepare a contingency plan,” said Williams. “…We probably have to do some of that now. You can’t wait until after mid-January to come up with a plan. The fact that we’re optimistic that he’ll be back means you’re not going to try to go big on catching. … We’re optimistic he’ll open the season ready for catch, but probably on some sort of schedule.” As Sheldon notes, adding a veteran backstop on a low-cost or minor league deal makes sense for the Reds. Mesoraco will begin catching in mid- or late January, and he’ll share time behind the dish with Tucker Barnhart once again in 2017.
Votto had a 158wRC+, a .413wOBA, and a 5WAR. That is an extremely valuable player and considering his AAV is $25.5mil I think that is a pretty good deal for a franchise player.
The team may not have the best 25man, but they have good pieces to continue building around. That Bailey contract I’m sure still has people scratching their heads.
If not for the injury which can’t be predicted the Bailey contract would be fine. Prior to it he’d improved every year and looked like a front end starter.
The reds had five starters going into fa and very few teams would turn over a rotation so they had to get one at least. Bailey latos ir leake werereally there only choices. Cueto wasn’t going to sign coming off injury and till he proved health I doubt the reds would offer.
Bailey contact was good just a bad break. Much like mesoraco
Yes Bailey was much like the Porcello deal a projection contract both had pretty much the same arc of improvement only Bailey got hurt. Bailey also had a case of very bad luck with a fip of 3.10 and ERA over 6 in very limited innings, he did prove he can still miss bats though.
And here comes another top 5 pick in 2018 draft….reds need more top end prospects. And trim fat
I have been against the trading for Cozart especially if it is the Gohara for Cozart deal. I would however change my mind if we did a Gohara and Vogelbach for Cozart and Votto. I am sure there would have to be a couple players thrown in there maybe one of the BP arms and a prospect or two but I would do that deal. It would give the Reds a SP that is 2-3 years but probably 2 away from the majors. We have some pretty good RHBP arms and some good SS/2ndbm type players pretty close to coming up. Which those spots are blocked. Cozart would be a fill in for Marte for part of the season to get his bat going and cut down on the easy throwing errors he makes. I know they say no on Votto but he would sure answer our problem at platoon at 1st.
Gohara and Vogelbach isn’t nearly enough to even come close to a Votto deal, let alone Votto AND Cozart.
Those two wouldn’t even start the conversation haha
In fairness he did say 1 or 2 prospects would have to be thrown in. Maybe 2 really good ones wouldn’t be that bad if that was the case considering the financial freedom.
Amir Garrett is ready. Having him start 2017 in the minors would be a mistake
Cozart is a FA in 12 months, no matter what – he’s not a part of this organization’s 2018 plans. His replacement is not only in the system but is MLB ready – time to trade him.
Like last year, they’ll spend little money (Simon/Ohlendorf) and don’t be shocked if they wait out the other 29 teams before making a move.
In my SHOW franchise the Red Sox traded for Votto, and that’s the most realistic baseball video game ever created.
Yikes
Twins fan here; what kind of player would the Reds want for Cozart?
The kind that the Twins won’t give up for one year of a SS. They’re not trading prospects for rentals.
Yeah, the Twins would have to show a willingness to compete, and that requires investment in pitching. If they accomplish that and have enough cash to pay most of Cozart’s salary, they certainly have the players to complete a deal.
Cinncy should try to trade BPhillips to LAD, for some young minor league pitching. lAD needs help at 2B, and they have a chance at the WS again, which would be appetizing for Brandon I would certainly think.
There are three major problems to that idea. First, he doesn’t fit the mode. He’s a below average obp guy. Second, his defense took a huge hit. Third, he has a no trade clause. So essentially they’d be trading for an older more expensive Howie Kendrick.
I wouldn’t trade upside Gohara for aging Cosart anyways. 1 year on contract and no OBP skills.
I was trading the upside of Gohara for Votto not Cozart. Dipoto was going to supposedly make that deal at the trade deadline though.
Lol no GM is taking Votto and his contract for nothing in return and you guys want other teams’ top prospects for him?
Unless your the Dodgers in the agon deal. (Votto is better than agon to)
Hello,
I am in a Baseball Statistics cl;ass this semester. We’ve been using saber metrics and R to analyze baseball players and teams. For our current project we each have a team to analyze and predict their off-season trades. My team is the Cincinnati Reds. I know they are in a rebuilding phase and plan to be contenders in the 2018 season. Is there any additional insight you could give on who the Reds may target or should target for the 2017 season?
Thanks!