The Reds are amid “serious discussions” with free agent reliever David Hernandez, though an agreement isn’t imminent, Zach Buchanan of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports. Cincy isn’t the only team after the right-handed Hernandez, per Buchanan, who notes that the Reds are also interested in other free agent relievers and aren’t necessarily limiting themselves to one-year deals as they look to improve their bullpen. On the heels of a strong 2017, Hernandez is seeking a multiyear pact, according to Buchanan. The recipient of a minor league contract last offseason, the 32-year-old Hernandez went on to toss 55 innings of 3.11 ERA ball and notch 8.51 K/9 against 1.47 BB/9 with the Angels and Diamondbacks.
More on a couple of Cincinnati’s division rivals:
- The Cubs and third baseman Kris Bryant haven’t engaged in long-term extension talks this winter, president of baseball operations Theo Epstein told Patrick Mooney of The Athletic on Friday (subscription required/highly recommended). The two sides avoided arbitration Friday when Bryant agreed to a $10.85MM salary – a record amount for a first-time arb-eligible player. While Bryant won’t become a free agent for at least four seasons, Nationals superstar right fielder Bryce Harper could hit the market next winter. If Harper does become a free agent, Bryant informed Mooney he “would love” for the Cubs to sign him. The two have been close friends since childhood, which could help the Cubs if they attempt to recruit Harper.
- The Cardinals’ current plan for their 2018 bullpen includes deploying the newly signed Luke Gregerson as their closer, president John Mozeliak told Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and other reporters on Saturday (Twitter link). They also plan to heavily rely on left-hander Tyler Lyons and get contributions from righty prospects Jordan Hicks and Ryan Helsley. Of course, with the season still a couple months away, the Cards could pick up another established reliever(s) to swipe Gregerson’s ninth-inning role in the coming weeks. They’ve been linked to the likes of Alex Colome and Addison Reed this offseason, though the latter came off the board Saturday when he agreed to join the Twins.
- In another tweet, Goold relays that the Cardinals turned their attention to Rays righty Chris Archer and third baseman Evan Longoria after acquiring outfielder Marcell Ozuna from the Marlins last month. The talks between the two sides “weren’t fruitful,” Goold writes. Longoria is now out of play, having gone to the Giants in a late-December deal, though Archer remains one of the Rays’ prime trade candidates.
I’d be fine with the Reds getting Hernandez, but not on a multi year deal.
I think his trade value is significantly diminished if it’s multi-year, whereas he’s a decent investment as a flip player to possibly help your team bridge the gap and get something from another team’s minor leagues at the deadline.
If Gregerson can get a two yr deal there is no reason why Hernandez can’t.
Who freakin cares
2 yr 7.5 including incentives
I guess time will tell on the Cards pitching staff! The offense doesn’t bother me near as much as our starting 5 and the latter part of the bullpen!!
Do you really need to yell everything you say, Rob Riggle?
Haha, Gregorson is their big pickup for relief??!! Holy crap, Cards are screwed. This front office is just garbage
You do realize that almost every team in the league, with very few exceptions, would fire their front offices if they could be guaranteed to hire that “garbage” front office?
I normally don’t have any issues with reading comprehension, but for whatever reason I’m having trouble following the logic of this statement…Please feel free to clarify further, apparently I’m having an idiot moment..lol
No we wouldnt. Cause theyd get some intern to hack the cards system and cost their new team draft picks as punishment.
Yea! Since the Padres have had so much success in the last 30 years right?
Never ever question what the Cardinals are doing. In the end, they know what they are doing.
My thoughts exactly
This is going to be hard to watch
Rolling with a closer-by-committee is the very last thing the cardinals should do. Gregerson isn’t the answer. Hicks and Helsley are not the answer. They can’t afford to lose games in the 9th inning idk why the FO can’t get something done to acquire an established closer.
Hensley may be the answer in two to three years.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Alex Reyes factor into the 9th inning mix at some point this season.
I don’t entirely believe the Cards intend to have Gregerson close. That would be the case if the season started today, but I gotta think they’re just being coy while pursuing closers under the radar.
I personally think this is a play to let free agent closers know they’ll go with gregerson if they have to
Lee that front office in stl lol
Keep*
It seems like there’s a pattern where some veterans with mixed success, like David Hernanez, have to prove themselves on rebuilding teams in order to get traded away to a contending team at the deadline.
Angels aren’t a rebuilding team
I think he meant the Reds, because the Dbacks arent rebuilding either
The Angels are indeed in a soft rebuild. There offseason moves prove that. They could have Giancarlo Stanton and Cesar Hernandez but they would have had to empty their farm again so they settled for a couple of very weak moves with Kinsler (old man) and Cozart (glove only).
The Angels know Trout is gone and they may put him on the trade block next winter.
Cesar Hernandez is some kind of savior? They added Kinsler and Cozart (who just had a great offesnive season) and Otani, there is no indications they will trade Trout. Who knows if Stanton would have played there? He didn’t want to play in San Fran. The only 4 places that he was known to be ok with were the Cubs, Dodgers, Yankees, and Astros. How does this nonsense comment have upvotes?
What are you talking about?
He’s signed through 2020 and with the extension given to Upton along with all their offseason moves they aren’t moving Trout next winter.
When the Angels finish with a losing record this year they will announce that they have to “make some structural changes because what we’ve been doing hasn’t been working” and then in November the Trout rumors will begin and that will be as big a story as the free agent market.
Cesar Hernandez is a potential four win plus player in 2018. Stanton should be at least six. That’s ten wins. Kinsler and Cozart have a two and one half win ceiling.
Billy Eppler isn’t profoundly stupid, he’s just not allowed to touch the farm system. They have a longterm plan and that plan doesn’t include Trout.
There is no chance Stanton would have played in Anaheim. He had no desire to go there, so why do you keep bringing him up?
Trout’s going nowhere. Idiots that can’t find L. A. on a map think Trout doesn’t belong anywhere other than an eastern team. Don’t be jealous.
You are a clown. No idea how the game actually works. You are just making stuff up as you go along.
Because he is a troll.
Trout isn’t a free agent until after 2021
You can’t produce one source to backup your statement of Stanton not wanting to go to Anaheim. It’s a hour from his families house in Los Angeles county.
2020
Trout is a FA for the 2021 season.
I just don’t understand the Cards front office
Signed Cecil last year for more than what the Twins just signed a much better reliever and closer for less money and years. Why?
Gregerson or Lyons will not be enough to close out games. We can’t rely on Reyes as a closer because of his control issues. Ugggh
Did you watch Reyes in relief in 2016? Domination. He would be a better closer than a starter IMO.
Reyes can be a #1 pitcher, Cy Young contender. Having him pitching just the 9th inning is a complete waste of his potential.
Agreed
He’s coming off TJ surgery. He’ll close this season because of innings limit, but will be in the rotation in 2019.
Or by July of 2018!
I agree that he could possibly be a great closer if that was the direction he was going to take, but with his skill set he needs to log innings as a starter from the get go. He will be the Cards ace in two years.
Remember, a man named Wainwright logged successful innings as a closer to start his career!
This is going to be hard to watch!
Any fan base in baseball would be thrilled to add Harper but with so much talent to end up paying down the road including KB will be hard for the Cubs to swing without some of them including Harper himself taking a little of a discount. For right now I like the tandem of Almora/Happ in center for the Cubs. Really hope we sign our two free agent pitchers on the market in Arrieta and Duensing. With just that accomplished would be satisfied with our off-season and in the belief that we have the ninth inning solution in Morrow. If we are to trade from our position core would rather part with Russell than Shwarber, Happ, Almora or Baez. If they could swing a quality reliever for Russell and as mentioned sign Arrieta/Duensing I believe we would be looking really good contending for at least five more years whether we could sign the likes of Harper or Machado next year or not.
Russell really rather have him then almora or happ Russell and Beaz work great together in the middle and for the bull pen 1 more starter witch I would like Cobb cheaper and get Holland for a little more help
Disagree, kycubs, on Russell. He and Báez make maybe the strongest middle infield combo in baseball. I want to see what a full season of THAT looks like! Maybe several!
I’m pretty sure the Gold Gloves and Silver Sluggers from Brandon Crawford and Joe Panik would say otherwise about who the strongest middle infield combo in baseball is. And oh by the way some duo in Houston probably has something to say about that too. Baez and Russell…lmao!
Houston, hands down.
He meant defensively, and he did say “maybe” so ease up.
Joe Panik only got a gold glove at 2nd because Baez plays every infield positions. Panik wishes he was an 8th of the defensive player Baez was. Or even Russell. Russell was hurt last year but was shafted a gold glove in 2016. As was Baez at 2nd.
Truth be told the entire infield plus contreas should easily win a gold glove yearly. Bryant is more difficult because of Arenado. KB can play 1st and all 3 outfield spots. What other team has 10 players that can play 2 or more positions and play them really well.
Don’t get me wrong I like Russell I just feel Happ, Almora, and Shwarb have a higher upside. Would be fine to keep them all and would only trade him for a closer.
To say you would trade Russell for a relief pitcher is absurd! Are you nuts?
This is rarified air for Cubs fans, but you guys shouldn’t worry to much about how the Cubs are going to pay Harper and keep their core players signed. The Cubs have a ton of money to work with. Plus high maintenance players like Heyward and Lester will free up some payroll in a few years. It’s ok for you guys to get excited and hope for the best. Just imagine how fun it would be to watch Rizz, Bryant and Harper play at the friendly confines. Should be a golden era for the franchise.
Cubs – Sux World Series 2020
And you manage to spit all over the extended olive branch…
Exactly! You sign Harper if he comes knocking and figure everything else out as it comes. Also I would rather have Russell than Happ. Addi had a tough year and had some personal stuff too. He’ll more gab likely bounce back. Happ’s glove is horrific. Schwarber plays better defense than happ and I mean that. Trade happ or almora. Everyone else stays.
Mozeliak is such a joke
Here’s the deal Cards fans, the organization is in the entertainment business and as such, they provide that product and as paying customers if you don’t agree with their model which I surely don’t, just don’t patronize the product and force them to change!
Let the market speak for that it’s the only stimuli they can relate to and only when the revenue flow is shut off or least diminished, that’s when you’ll see change!
To kill the snake (or at the very least alter its current course) you don’t gorge it, you cut off the forage…
Ticket sales are a pretty minor part of a team’s revenue stream, though. A lot of that money never leaves the stadium. I think Cardinals fans are some of the most knowledgeable in baseball and they always seem to think the team isn’t doing enough but they always seem to be a pretty good. team.
Most of MLB teams revenue comes from the huge TV contracts and not ticket sales!
Can someone in here tell me how i can make $2,500 a week working only 11 hours?
Become a stripper
lol!
Crack dealer
Start hooking at the local truck stop.
LMAO
Doesn’t work, already tried it…He said he wants $2,500 working only 11 hours…It took me at least 48 hours to make $500…
Hard work, and alot of sleepless nights…I suggest the guy try something else…The dealer one might work out for him…
Btw, apparently you can’t charge as much if you have a receding hairline, and premature greys, coupled with a 4-pack…
Lol
Upper end prostitution will do it
No way the cubs will sign Harper , How they gonna give Bryant an extension down the road, They could get Harper or Machado if they can get out of the Heyward contract.
I don’t know understand why people think the Cubs can’t sign Harper and not have KB. I laugh at those post. People have no clue. If the Yanks can take on Stranton and so call sign Harper and Macho next year that 1/2 Billion or. Close to it you think there a difference. Cubs don’t have to worry about KB for at the very least 4 years. Ben Z n Lester will be done. You people are just stupid or haters which one?
Heyward made less than 17 million last year. Not the over all contract that counts it’s the yearly amount.
That is exactly my thoughts! I love how people say for sure that the Cubs cannot afford to add Harper as if they were in charge of the Cubs finances. We aren’t talking about a small market franchise. The Cubs are loaded and can definitely afford it.
Won’t even effect the cap. To give people some idea. They still have 40 million this year they can dump. They just blew 10 1/2 on KB
Grimm is left. That 2 mil if they lose. Lol
So they have about 28 million that’s being low more like 30 yet to spend this year. Next year another story.
Even if you pay Harper 38 mil a year
Has no effect on Heyward who is less than 19. KB you don’t have to extend. By the time he comes up a lot changes in 4 years. You don’t think the Cubs can pay 2 guys st 38 million each. Not the length it’s the year amount that counts toward the tax. If they can get Harper at 15 years and 26 mil a year that’s a deal the cubs would sign any day. Lol
Cubs also will be signing a new TV contract soon that will be a top 3 deal in baseball. Lots and lots of revenue flowing in.
People forget the cubs have stupid money. Like the cubs could spend more than the Yankees and dodgers if they truly wanted to. Expect Bryce to be a cub or resign with the Nats.
Not true. Heyward made 28M in 2017. Check your sources. 21.5M base + 6.6M portion of signing bonus. Highest paid player on the the team in ‘17 & ‘18. What a joke! That albatross will hamstring them for years!
Heyward and Lester leaving in a few years + new tv deal = $$$$ for the payroll.
The cubs still need to fill the void in the rotation, and next year they really should make a run for andrew miller or cody allen.
Heyward doesn’t even make that much. People look at 186 million but it’s structured. He made a bit over 16 last year. That’s less than a QO lol
Heyward will make $23 million a year in his contract per year from now on!
No he won’t he make 21,500 in 2018 and 20,000 in 2019 and 21,000 in 2020. Know your facts. The signing bonus does not effect the cap. We’re talking cap here because money is not the issue for the Cubs please
Not to mention the Cubs can easily back load Harper contract so when Lester is gone and Ben Z are gone that alone will cover half. A 12 year 400 million dollar deal is easy for the Cubs with KB n Heyward. How much in Abatraion do you think it will cost. Lol. Look at the players figures this year. Other than KB which is a freak of nature you think any current players are getting 8-10 million. Your not very smart
Heyward has put up a combined 3.9 WAR and 76 OPS+ in two seasons with the Cubs.
I don’t see many scenarios where he opts out of an additional 4 year, $86 million contract in a few years.
Oh Angels fan … hahaha… Cubs are a cash cow
As a Cardinals fan, let me just say this is a big disappointment and dropping the ball on there part because they clearly know what they need but instead of going out and fixing the problems and getting top level talent to fix it, they want to keep going with band-aids in hope it works. If the season starts tomorrow, this team will not be a playoff team,. If the front office honestly believes that they are full of it. If the fans believe them, then it’s a sad day. The rotation needs one more guy. Anybody with a brain can see that.
You guy Martinez the only guy who proven to pitched 200 innings, Next is Weaver First full year as a MLB starter, yeah he will be good but innings are limited, Wainright they need stop looking at what he was and look at what he been, 4 years now since he last pitched a full season and was the Wainright we all knew. 3 years ago he got hurt and never been the same again. Now he 36 coming off another surgery and yet you guys in the front office expect him to be the Wainright of old when he shown nothing that says he has anything left. Of that, Wacha shoulder still a question and last year he was up and down as the second half he was more down than up. We lost Lynn the only other inning eater we had. We bring in a guy from Japan who can be good if most of what he was doing in japan transfer over. But we still have Wacha and Wainright questions. Reyes can only cover one.
This is why I would be going hard on Archer, and his club friendly deal. We have so many prospects that have no places to go but yet we are handing on to them instead of using them to get the peaces we need to not only make the playoffs but go deep in them. I would love for them to ask me the question of what stopping you in making a big offer trade with the Rays to gain Archer and Colome in a package deal. Instead of dragging your feet on it and walking away from a trade for Colome and Evan. Make the deal to gain two pitchers that will make you whole pitching staff a huge plus and not break the bank..
Take the money we all know you have and get Homser. Who will be a great bat to support Ozuna and give you a sure first basemen that improves the defense. Trade Carpenter if you have to gain those pitchers. As good as a lead off hitter he is, he not good at running bases and he not great at any position. As I know we all love Matt but lets look at the reality.
Trade Matt Carpenter for a decent pitcher and let Fowler lead off. Hosmer at first and get Arrieta or trade for Archer and so long as I’m drunk let’s get Holland to close our games too. WorldnSeries if that happens.
Why would we want hosmer over better cheaper version in carp?
Reading your writing gives me a headache. Try some contractions, like he’s for he is, not he looking or he not. It’s pieces, not peaces.
I certainly hope the Cubs stay away from Harper. They’re happy club house would be gone. Harper is a jerk.
He’s still just a kid. Get him around his buddy KB and Rizz with a longterm contract behind him and watch the punkid attitude melt away.
So glad you guys don’t run the Cards! Signing Hosmer is a terrible idea
and so is overpaying Arrieta!