Reds Rumors

Central Notes: Reds, Chicago, Brewers, Pirates, Twins

By edcreech | December 2, 2012 at 5:44pm CDT

Here are the latest news and notes from the NL and AL Central divisions:

Sources tell FOXSports.com's Jon Paul Morosi and Ken Rosenthal the Reds like Dexter Fowler and the Rockies like Homer Bailey. Now the question is whether their mutual interest crystallizes into trade discussions during the Winter Meetings.
The Brewers are prioritizing a left-handed reliever with the available free agent possibilities including Sean Burnett, Randy Choate, Mike Gonzalez, J.P. Howell, and Tom Gorzelanny, tweets Morosi.
Cubs officials have yet to confirm or comment on reports of their signing of Japanese closer Kyuji Fujikawa, writes Carrie Muskat of MLB.com. The Cubs, however, are willing to talk about their need for a third baseman, an outfielder, and pitching depth. Muskat adds the Cubs could re-sign third baseman Ian Stewart after non-tendering him on Friday.
The White Sox and Phillies are the two most aggressive teams in pursuit of a third baseman, a source tells Dan Hayes of CSNChicago.com. Kevin Youkilis is the object of both team's pursuit. Hayes writes the Sox may have to move another high salary in order to afford Youkilis and floats the names of Jeff Keppinger, Mark Reynolds, and Eric Chavez as alternatives.
The Pirates feel they are better equipped to restock their bullpen, despite the free agency of Jason Grilli and the recent trade of Chris Resop, and may be interested in turning closer Joel Hanrahan into a much needed starting pitcher, according to MLB.com's Tom Singer.
The Twins plan to focus more on free agents than trades during the Winter Meetings, tweets Phil Mackey of 1500ESPN.com. The Twins have already dealt their best trade chip in Denard Span and plan on keeping Josh Willingham, writes Mackey in a separate piece.

Olney: Winter Meetings Preview

By edcreech | December 2, 2012 at 2:00pm CDT

The Winter Meetings begin shortly at the Gaylord Opryland in Nashville. ESPN's Buster Olney, in an Insider-only post, writes past Winter Meetings have been dominated by free agent signings, but some GMs say there is more groundwork laid for possible trades this year than they can remember in the recent past. Here are some of the storylines that could play out this week, according to Olney:

If Olney was Rangers' GM Jon Daniels, he would go all out to sign Zack Greinke and then trade some surplus pitching for offense.
Some rival officials remain convinced the Diamondbacks will eventually trade Justin Upton, whose contract ($38.5MM due over the next three years) has become more attractive in the wake of his brother's deal with the Braves.
The Indians have set the bar high in their demands for Asdrubal Cabrera and Shin-Soo Choo. "Time will tell on whether they've lowered (the asking prices)," said a rival GM.
The most likely of the Rays' established starting pitchers to be dealt is Jeremy Hellickson. On paper, the best matchup appears to be the Padres.
The Reds are looking to acquire a leadoff hitter and could target Dexter Fowler.
The Phillies continue to push on Angel Pagan. If Pagan signs with Philadelphia, the Giants could look to Shane Victorino, who is looking for $9-10MM annually.
The Pirates have let other teams know that closer Joel Hanrahan is available and they are looking for starting pitching.
In a separate tweet, Olney says the perception among rival executives is the signing of David Wright makes it much easier for the Mets to trade R.A. Dickey without fear of a PR backlash.
Nate Schierholtz received calls from nine teams within the first 12 hours of being non-tendered with the Yankees in the mix and the Rays also a good fit (Twitter links).

Reds Non-Tender Then Re-Sign Phipps & Negron

By Mike Axisa | December 1, 2012 at 8:23am CDT

The Reds non-tendered both Denis Phipps and Kris Negron prior to last night's deadline, reports MLB.com's Mark Sheldon. Both players then re-signed with the club on minor league contracts with invitations to Spring Training.

Phipps, 27, had three hits in ten at-bats with Cincinnati as a September call-up this year, his big league debut. The outfielder hit .231/.300/.422 in 419 minor league player appearances this season. Negron, 26, made his big league debut in June and went 1-for-4. The utility man hit .217/.287/.342 in 319 Triple-A plate appearances and has experience at every position other than pitcher, catcher, and first base.

Quick Hits: Simmons, Upton, Braves, Reds, Astros

By Mike Axisa | December 1, 2012 at 12:00am CDT

The third episode of Rosters and Rumblings, the new podcast featuring MLBTR's Ben Nicholson-Smith and Jason Martinez of MLB Depth Charts, was recorded today. Check out the podcast for discussion of the non-tender deadline, the David Wright extension and the Russell Martin signing. Here's the latest from around the league…

The Diamondbacks want Andrelton Simmons from the Braves in a Justin Upton trade, reports Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (on Twitter). Earlier this month we heard the Rangers tried to acquire Simmons so they could flip him to Arizona for Upton.
Meanwhile, Dave O'Brien of The Atlanta Journal Constitution says (on Twitter) the Braves have interest in free agent outfielders like Ryan Ludwick, Shane Victorino, and Cody Ross even after signing B.J. Upton.
Both the Braves and Reds are trying to acquire a leadoff hitting left fielder, reports ESPN's Jim Bowden (on Twitter). Both teams had interest in Denard Span before he was traded to the Nationals.
The Reds have had conversations with the representatives for Victorino and Angel Pagan, GM Walt Jocketty confirmed to John Fay of The Cincinnati Enquirer. "Nothing formal though," added the GM, who confirmed speaking with Ludwick's agent as recently as last week.
Even after claiming and signing Phil Humber, Astros GM Jeff Luhnow told MLB.com's Brian McTaggart that he is still in the market for pitching (Twitter link).

Reds Notes: Span, Latos, Bailey, Ludwick

By Mark Polishuk | November 29, 2012 at 5:45pm CDT

With B.J. Upton now a Brave and Denard Span now a National, the Reds' outfield/leadoff hitter options are thinning out, writes MLB.com's Mark Sheldon. The Reds tried to acquire Span from the Twins at last year's trade deadline, though Sheldon hadn't heard anything about the Reds continuing their pursuit for Span this winter. Sheldon believes Michael Bourn and Angel Pagan are too expensive for the Reds and Shane Victorino may be as well, though Cincinnati is one of at least seven teams who have shown interest in Victorino's services.

Here are some more items about of the Queen City…

In a separate piece from Sheldon, the Reds' recent history of locking up young players before free agency makes Mat Latos and Homer Bailey seem like extension candidates this winter. In his recent look at Cincinnati's arb-eligible players, MLBTR's Tim Dierkes noted that Bailey's injury history may keep the Reds from pursuing a multiyear deal with the righty, while Latos could receive a five-year, $60MM extension, though predicting a new Latos deal is difficult due to a lack of comparables.
Dustin Bledsoe, Latos' agent, tells John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer that the Reds have yet to approach his client about an extension.
Also from Fay, he hears from agent Dan Horwits that the Reds have "been in contact" with his client Ryan Ludwick about a possible return to Cincinnati. "There’s interest on both sides. Hopefully, we can [get] something done. We’re talking to other clubs. He has offers from other clubs,” Horwits said.

Reds To Sign Jonathan Broxton

By Zachary Links | November 28, 2012 at 8:45am CDT

The Reds and Jonathan Broxton have reached agreement on a three-year deal, the team confirmed. The contract is worth $21MM, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports (Twitter links). The deal will pay Broxton $4MM in 2013, $7MM in 2014 and $9MM in 2015. It also includes a $9MM club option for 2016 with a $1MM buyout. If the Reds trade Broxton, the guarantee increases to $22MM, with the 2016 option becoming a mutual option with a $2MM buyout. The Jet Sports Management client is ranked 45th on MLBTR's list of top 50 free agents.

Broxton is expected to serve as the Reds' closer, enabling them to shift Aroldis Chapman to the starting rotation. The 28-year-old posted a 2.48 ERA with 7.0 K/9, 2.6 BB/9 and a 53.8% ground ball rate in 58 relief innings last season. Broxton was limited to just 14 games in 2011 but underwent successful arthroscopic elbow surgery in September of that year and had an average fastball velocity of 94.7 mph this past season.

The Reds were also said to be looking at a pair of free agent relievers coming back from injury in Joakim Soria and Ryan Madson. However, Madson was scooped up earlier today by the Angels when the two sides agreed to a one-year deal.

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com first reported the agreement.

Seven Teams Interested In Victorino

By Steve Adams | November 26, 2012 at 7:33pm CDT

B.J. Upton's name has dominated the conversation regarding free agent center fielders lately, but Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports that the Indians, Rangers, Yankees, Giants, Rays, Red Sox and Reds all have interest in another free agent center fielder — Shane Victorino.

Several teams, according to Heyman, are willing to offer three years to Victorino in spite of his slow finish to the 2012 season. Victorino is willing to move to a corner outfield spot, though he has a track record of solid defense in center field.

Victorino stole a career-high 39 bases in 2012 (with a brilliant 87-percent success rate), but his 11 homers were his lowest total since 2009. He slumped at the plate following a trade to the Dodgers and finished the season with a .255/.321/.383 batting line, which will likely prevent him from securing the five-year contract he sought prior to the 2012 season.

In a recent Free Agent Faceoff, Victorino came up just short to fellow center fielder Angel Pagan when roughly 56 percent of readers voted that they preferred Pagan to Victorino.

Reds In Serious Talks With Jonathan Broxton

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | November 26, 2012 at 2:30pm CDT

The Reds are in serious talks about a three-year deal for free agent reliever Jonathan Broxton, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports. The deal could cover more than three years, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com suggests (on Twitter).

Broxton, a client of Jet Sports Management, ranked 45th on MLBTR's list of top 50 free agents. The 28-year-old spent the 2012 season pitching for the Royals and Reds. In 58 innings of relief he posted a 2.48 ERA with 7.0 K/9, 2.6 BB/9 and a 53.8% ground ball rate. Broxton appeared in just 14 games in 2011, but he underwent arthroscopic elbow surgery in September of 2011 and recovered to post an average fastball velocity of 94.7 mph this past season.

If the Reds agree to a deal with Broxton, it would play a role in shaping the rest of their pitching staff. Moving Aroldis Chapman to the rotation would be easier if Broxton returns. If the Reds don't add a late inning reliever such as Broxton or Ryan Madson, it will be more difficult to replace Chapman's high leverage relief innings. The Reds also had expressed interest in free agent right-hander Joakim Soria, Rosenthal reports.

Reds Sign Todd Redmond

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | November 26, 2012 at 9:28am CDT

The Reds re-signed right-hander Todd Redmond to a one-year, Major League contract worth $490K, MLB.com's Mark Sheldon reports. Acquired from the Braves midseason, Redmond was the lone pitcher outside of Cincinnati's starting five to start a game in 2012.

Redmond has only appeared in one game at the MLB level. The 27-year-old started the second game of an August doubleheader, allowing four earned runs in 3 1/3 innings. He spent most of this past season at Triple-A, where he posted a 3.63 ERA with 8.2 K/9 and 2.4 BB/9 in 148 2/3 innings for the top affiliates of the Braves and Reds.

B.J. Upton Rumors: Sunday

By edcreech | November 25, 2012 at 3:15pm CDT

Last night, we learned B.J. Upton is looking to make a decision sometime this week. Here are the latest rumors about the fifth-ranked player on MLBTR's Top 50 Free Agents list:

The Braves and Phillies are locked in a fascinating bidding war with a mystery third team, tweets Jim Bowden of ESPN.com and MLB Network Radio. The Braves are considered to have a slight lead with final offers due this week.
Dave O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution tweets he believes the Braves and Phillies are the two finalists for Upton, but the Reds also have some interest and possibly the Nationals.
O'Brien predicts the Braves will pay more than they wanted and sign Upton, although he thinks Michael Bourn is a better fit (Twitter links).
One aftershock of Upton's decision will be the pursuit of the Rockies' Dexter Fowler, tweets Troy Renck of the Denver Post. If the Braves do sign Upton, the Phillies and Nationals could emerge as trade partners and the asking price will be very high.

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