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Reds Reach Payroll Limit

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C. Trent Rosecrans spoke to Reds brass Bob Castellini, Walt Jocketty, and Dusty Baker today (Jocketty transcript here).  All three told him the team has reached its payroll budget.  It may be a slight increase from the ’08 payroll.

The Reds’ 2009 additions/re-signings include Ramon Hernandez ($6MM), David Weathers ($4.6MM or $3MM), Willy Taveras ($2.25MM), Jerry Hairston Jr. ($2MM), Mike Lincoln ($1.5MM), Arthur Rhodes ($2MM), and Jonny Gomes (minor league deal).  Many of the team’s veterans have significant raises for ’09: Francisco Cordero ($3.5MM), Aaron Harang ($4.25MM), Bronson Arroyo ($1.5MM), Brandon Phillips ($2MM), and Edwin Encarnacion ($2MM+).

On the flip side, the Reds will not have to pay Adam Dunn ($13MM in ’08), Ken Griffey Jr. ($12.5MM, partially deferred), Dave Ross ($2.525MM), Ryan Freel ($3MM), Javier Valentin ($1.3MM), Jeremy Affeldt ($3MM), Corey Patterson ($3MM) and Josh Fogg ($1MM).

Gomes Signs Minor League Deal With Reds

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Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times reports that outfielder Jonny Gomes has signed a minor league contract with the Reds.

The deal will pay him $600K in ’09 and provides $200K in performance-based incentives.  The Rays decided not to tender him a conract this offseason afer he hit just .182 with eight homers and 21 RBI in 77 games in ’08.  He’ll have a shot at some outfield at-bats with the Reds if he impresses this spring.  Gomes has flashed good power in the bigs in the past, and the Reds can control him for several years if he succeeds.

Reds Unlikely For Abreu, Sheets, Oliver Perez

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John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer talked to Reds GM Walt Jocketty, who is currently focused on hammering out one-year deals for arbitration-eligible players David Weathers and Edwin Encarnacion.

Fay inquired about free agents such as Bobby Abreu, Ben Sheets, and Oliver Perez.  Jocketty indicated that all three are out of the Reds’ price range.

Odds & Ends: Brewers, Votto, Manny, Montero

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A handful of Odds and Ends from around the bigs:

  • The Brewers declined to offer a contract to any of the former players that attended their tryout camp last Tuesday in Phoenix, says Tom Haudricourt. Among the auditioning were Mark Bellhorn, Randall Simon, and Robert Fick.
  • Mariners new GM Jack Zduriencik may find his patience will pay off as bargains begin to emerge in the free agent market, says Larry LaRue of the Tacoma News Tribune.
  • Bill Madden of the NY Daily News breaks down the Manny Ramirez market, team by team, including notes on the Dodgers, Mets, Giants, Angels, Yankees, Nats, and Tigers. He notes that if the Yankees failed to land Mark Teixeira, they "were ready to go at least two years and an option for Manny." Madden expects to hear the word "collusion" any day now.
  • According to Tom Krasovic, the Padres have a chance at drafting Stephen Strasburg, a San Diego native, in the 2009 draft if the Mariners and Nationals pass on the pitcher.
  • Nick Piecoro of azcentral.com says the Diamondbacks are not budging on their price for Miguel Montero: "a legit impact player, like a solid starting pitcher or an everyday bat." The Red Sox remain interested, but Piecoro writes,

    "It’s possible the Red Sox are using Montero as leverage to drive down [Jason] Varitek’s cost or get the Rangers to cave on their asking price for Jarred Saltalamacchia or Taylor Teagarden."

  • "No chance," says GM Walt Jocketty that Joey Votto will be traded, according to John Fay of the Cincinatti Enquirer.

Reds Predictions From John Fay

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John Fay has taken a unique approach to generating some more offseason predictions for this weekend. Rather than offer up ideas on what the Reds might do, Fay thinks he’s more likely to be correct if he takes a few guesses at what they won’t do.

  • The Reds will not acquire a veteran shortstop; Alex Gonzalez and Jeff Keppinger should be up to the task. If healthy, Gonzalez should start over Keppinger, says Fay.
  • Joey Votto will not be traded this offseason. Fay quotes Jocketty on this one; says the GM, "No chance."
  • Micah Owings will not play the outfield. He’ll pitch, as he well should.
  • The Reds won’t sign a veteran outfielder to a multi-year contract. If the Reds do sign such an outfielder, like Bobby Abreu, the deal will be for one-year. With the economy the way it is, such a deal may become increasingly more favorable to a player like Abreu.
  • As for Adam Dunn and Ken Griffey, Jr., however, neither player will suit up for the Reds in 2009. While both of these outfielders may also become amenable to a short-term contract given the current market, says Fay, "the Reds are set on moving beyond the Griffey-Dunn era."

Griffey Talking To Four Teams

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John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer talked to Ken Griffey Jr.’s agent, Brian Goldberg.  They’re talking to four teams, two in each league.  The Mariners are one; the Reds and Rays are not.  Nick Cafardo suggested the Nationals back on December 7th.

Fay believes Griffey could be signed for $3-4MM on a one-year deal.  His knee is said to be healthy now following offseason surgery.

Odds and Ends: Lowry, Kawakami, Lowe, Young

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Links for Wednesday…

Angels Do Not Have Interest In Dye

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WEDNESDAY: Bill Shaikin talked to Angels GM Tony Reagins, who shot down Cowley’s Dye rumor.  Reagins said, "No truth to that rumor."  Reagins apparently hasn’t talked to the White Sox for a while, though Shaikin’s source indicated the Angels did express interest in Dye before they re-signed Juan Rivera.

MONDAY: The Los Angeles Angels have interest in Chicago White Sox outfielder Jermaine Dye, Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

According to a major-league scout, the Angels are the latest team to express interest in acquiring Dye now that the Mark Teixeira ship has set sail to New York. Unlike the talks with the Cincinnati Reds that stalled during the Winter Meetings, the Sox and Angels actually have a fit, Cowley wrote.

Cowley speculates that the White Sox would want Chone Figgins in return. Figgins could play third base and lead off for Chicago.

Cowley also notes that the Angels have a surplus of outfielders, but the Angels want to add protection in the lineup for Vladimir Guerrero and Torii Hunter.

Cowley’s source also said the Angels do not like the rest of the free-agent outfield market and do not want to be pawns in the on-going Manny Ramirez saga.

The Angels are not one of the teams listed on Dye’s no-trade list, Cowley writes.

Heyman On Young, Pettitte, Dye, Cordero

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The latest from SI.com’s Jon Heyman…

  • It’s more likely that Michael Young will give in and move to third base than be traded.  Heyman runs through six (long shot) "potential contenders."  Most were addressed here, but Heyman adds the Yankees.
  • Yankees people believe there is less than a 50% chance of the team re-signing Andy Pettitte.  He could instead retire or sign with the Dodgers or Astros.
  • Heyman suggests Bobby Abreu or Garret Anderson for the Reds, noting that Abreu is probably too expensive.
  • The White Sox want "top pitching prospects" for Jermaine Dye, not necessarily big league-ready ones.
  • The Dodgers were among 12 teams who watched Chad Cordero throw on Friday.  The Mets, Twins, Brewers, Rangers, Tigers, Diamondbacks, and Nationals are among the other known attendees.

Dunn Back To Reds Unlikely; Reds Looking At OFs

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The Cincinnati Reds are still looking for outfield help, and a left-handed bat isn’t off the table.

Mark Sheldon of MLB.com wrote that much of the Reds’ search has focused on a right-handed bat, but since the market is drying up, the Reds are willing to look toward the other side of the plate.

“We’re open minded about it,” Reds general manager Walt Jocketty told Sheldon.

One slugger who could be on that list is former Red Adam Dunn, who was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks in August 2008, though Jocketty is pessimistic.

“I doubt it,” Jocketty told Sheldon when asked about the possibility of Dunn returning to Cincinnati. “Especially at the price he’s looking for.”

One name Sheldon listed was right fielder Bobby Abreu, but Jocketty said he hasn’t recently spoken with Abreu’s agent.

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