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Discussion: Reds Looking To Deal?

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SI.com's Jon Heyman reported yesterday that the Cincinnati Reds might field offers for Brandon Phillips, Francisco Cordero, and Bronson Arroyo.

We've heard plenty of speculation that the trade market will be more vibrant this offseason than the free agent market, with so few big names available through free agency. Phillips and Cordero would each match up well with the best free agents available at their respective positions, and even Arroyo posted a 3.84 ERA in 220.1 IP this season. Teams may be more inclined to inquire about their price tags than to dish out long-term contracts to similar or lesser free agents.

The Reds once again finished below .500 last year in the NL Central, and are looking up at the Cardinals, Cubs, and Brewers, who all seem more likely than Cincinnati to add an impact talent this winter. The Reds are not a large-market team; their 2009 payroll sat at $73MM, and we heard earlier this week that it'll be even smaller in 2010. It makes sense that they would explore the return on a few of their bigger contracts and attempt to rebuild around players like Jay Bruce, Edinson Volquez, and Joey Votto (or top first base prospect Yonder Alonso).

These contracts won't be easy for the Reds to move, however. Cordero's deal runs through 2011, with a club option for 2012. In each of the next two seasons, he'll make $12MM, and a limited no-trade clause could complicate matters even more. Arroyo will earn $11MM in 2010, with a $11MM club option for 2011. Phillips is a little cheaper for now, earning $6.75MM in 2010. He'll also make $11MM in 2011 though, with a club option for 2012.

An all-out fire sale seems unlikely, but the Reds could earn salary relief, and maybe even decent prospects, in exchange for Phillips, Cordero or Arroyo (or, for that matter, Aaron Harang). On the other hand, it might kill whatever hope the team has of contending in the near future. So what do you think, Reds fans? Would you like to see the club explore trade options, or is there a better way to restore the franchise to prominence?

Check out Tim's offseason outlook for the Reds to see all of the team's 2010 commitments. And if you missed it earlier today, click here for his analysis of the trade market for starters, which includes Arroyo and Harang.

Eyre Would Only Pitch For Phillies

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Scott Eyre had successful surgery on his throwing elbow and has filed for free agency, according to MLB.com's Todd Zolecki. Zolecki says that if Eyre doesn't retire, the left-hander only wants to pitch for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2010.

We heard earlier in the season that Eyre was leaning towards retiring, but Philadelphia's playoff run rejuvenated his interest in continuing his career. The team was waiting to see how Eyre's elbow surgery turned out before discussing the 37-year-old's future. Now that the surgery has been performed without a hitch, Zolecki indicates that the Phillies will be in touch with Eyre's agent about a possible return.

When he was healthy, Eyre was one of the club's most dependable relievers, posting a 1.50 ERA in 42 appearances (albeit only 30 innings). If the Phillies are confident in Eyre's health, I don't think they'd mind bringing him back on a one-year deal similar to the one he signed for $2MM last winter.

Odds & Ends: Astros, Schmidt, Callaspo

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A few Thursday evening links to browse through….

Mariners Rumors: Matsui, Lackey, Harden

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In his latest article, Larry Stone of the Seattle Times examines some names that have been linked to the Mariners, and speculates on how likely each player is to end up in Seattle. Let's take a look at some of his thoughts….

  • If Hideki Matsui were to leave New York, Stone doesn't expect the designated hitter to sign with the Mariners. Seattle would prefer a DH that could play the field occasionally, which Matsui probably can't do.
  • How aggressively the Mariners pursue John Lackey will depend on the market. If Lackey could be had at a reasonable price, Stone anticipates the team making "a big push."
  • Rich Harden heading back west to the AL West "has legs," according to Stone. He views Harden as a worthwhile gamble this winter, and one the Mariners could look into.
  • If the team's pursuit of Lackey, Harden, or other higher-profile pitching targets fell through, Doug Davis could be a cheaper option.
  • Among the free agents Stone doesn't see the Mariners being major players for: Jason Bay, Orlando Hudson, and Jarrod Washburn.
  • Stone also doesn't buy into the Lyle Overbay rumors.

Jim Riggleman Named Nationals Manager

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THURSDAY, 1:33pm: The Nationals have officially named Riggleman their manager, according to a team press release.

WEDNESDAY, 6:08pm: The Washington Nationals will bring back interim manager Jim Riggleman in 2010, according to Jim Bowden of Sirius XM's MLB Home Plate (via Twitter). Bowden does not have any specific details yet, but says the deal "is done."

Riggleman took over the as the Nationals' skipper halfway through 2009, leading the club, which was 26-61 at that point, to a 33-42 record over the rest of the season.

Riggleman had been considered the favorite to earn the full-time job throughout the search, despite the team considering higher profile candidates, such as Bobby Valentine.

Royals, Wilson Betemit Reach Agreement

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THURSDAY, 10:09am: Via a press release, the Royals announced they've agreed to a minor league deal with Betemit.

WEDNESDAY, 5:55pm: Wilson Betemit is likely to sign a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals, according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.

Betemit spent 2009 in the Chicago White Sox organization, after being part of the deal that sent Nick Swisher to New York. Betemit hit .200/.280/.311 in only 20 games for the Sox, but has had some major-league success in the past. As the FOX report points out, Royals GM Dayton Moore was part of the Atlanta Braves organization in 2005 and 2006, when Betemit enjoyed his two most successful seasons with the Braves.

Rosenthal and Morosi speculate that the team might see Betemit as a "low-cost alternative" to the recently departed Mark Teahen.

Rosenthal And Morosi On Yankees, Vizquel, Bradley

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Let's check in once more on Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi, as they continue to pass on rumors in their FOX Sports blog.

  • If the Yankees were to let Johnny Damon go, they'd have plenty of other options, and not just left fielders. Some baseball people feel that New York should be focusing on center field instead of left, and the team has long coveted Mike Cameron. He could potentially replace Melky Cabrera and Brett Gardner until Austin Jackson is major-league ready.
  • Omar Vizquel will not return to Texas in 2010. A source tells Rosenthal and Morosi that Vizquel is looking for a role similar to the one he had with the Rangers, but on a higher-profile team.
  • The Cubs and Rays are still discussing a possible Milton Bradley–Pat Burrell swap, but it doesn't sound like the two sides are close on the money issue. One of the report's sources describes talks as "worse than Chinese water torture."

Giants, Pirates Interested In Igarashi

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The San Francisco Giants and Pittsburgh Pirates are among the teams interested in Japanese reliever Ryota Igarashi, according to Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker.

Giants GM Brian Sabean says that while Igarashi isn't their main priority, he's someone they're "looking into." Meanwhile, Pittsburgh GM Neil Huntington says that acquiring Akinori Iwamura was a factor in their interest in Igarashi: "In acquiring Iwamura, we opened the door to getting Japanese players. We gave up a middle reliever to get Iwamura, so he [Igarashi] is a player we have interest in."

Igarashi is represented by Arn Tellem and the Wasserman Media Group, which Tim profiled earlier today.

Click here for more information on the 30-year-old reliever.

Diamondbacks Will Consider Multi-Year Pitching Options

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The Arizona Diamondbacks will consider making multi-year offers when they look at this year's pitching free agent class, according to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic.

Although Piecoro notes that GM Josh Byrnes has previously been reluctant to pursue free agent pitching, he writes that Byrnes could go that route this year. The free agent market looks particularly appealing given the Diamondbacks' relative lack of trade chips. Chris Snyder, who they've already discussed in at least one potential trade, has health questions and an unfavorable contract.

As for who the Diamondbacks might pursue, John Lackey is likely out of the question. Piecoro, however, suggests that a pitcher like Randy Wolf, Joel Pineiro, Jason Marquis, or perhaps a strong bullpen arm could be a possibility.

"Just looking at our payroll, we do have some flexibility going into 2011 and 2012," says Byrnes. "I don't think we'd do it just to do it, but if we felt like it was the right guy, we'd do a multiyear."

Odds & Ends: Griffey, Tigers, Torrealba

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Let's have a look at another handful of evening links….

  • MLB.com's Corey Brock reports that new Padres GM Jed Hoyer will sit down with Adrian Gonzalez next week to discuss the first baseman's future.
  • Keith Law of ESPN.com shares his thoughts on the trades that have transpired so far during the hot stove season.
  • Scott Miller of CBS Sports wraps up his observations from the GM meetings, and includes a quote from Angels GM Tony Reagins, saying the team will try their best to retain both John Lackey and Chone Figgins. I think they'd be doing very well if they were able to bring back even one of the two.
  • What do the Cleveland Indians need to do to improve in 2010? The Cleveland Plain Dealer's Paul Hoynes suggests that, considering the team's lack of payroll flexibility, the Indians just have to hope for better performances from many of their players.
  • In comments relayed by Larry Stone of the Seattle Times, Seattle GM Jack Zduriencik was vague when asked about Ken Griffey Jr.'s playing time in 2010. Griffey and the Mariners reached an agreement earlier today, but it sounds like Junior could have a lesser role next season — particularly if the team is able to retain Russell Branyan and add another bat or two.
  • Despite recent rumors about the availability of Curtis Granderson and Edwin Jackson, the Detroit Tigers don't intend to have a fire sale, according to MLB.com's Jason Beck (via Twitter).
  • Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune says that if Granderson is available, the Cubs need to pursue him.
  • Troy Renck of the Denver Post has additional details on Yorvit Torrealba's possible future with the Colorado Rockies.
  • After hearing Scott Boras compare Matt Holliday to last winter's big free agent prize, Mark Teixeira, Dave Cameron of FanGraphs takes a detailed look at how the two players' values compare.
  • ESPN.com's Buster Olney tweets that a few GMs came away from this week's meetings thinking that the market for the elite free agents this year will be "very, very limited."
  • Ever the optimist, Scott Boras disagrees with this assessment of the market, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today. Boras argues that "we hear this every year" and predicts that the top free agents will still receive "mega-contracts."

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