- The Reds are on the verge of getting some much-needed rotation help, writes MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon. Right-handers Homer Bailey and Anthony DeSclafani are each nearing the end of their minor league rehab assignments, as is left-hander John Lamb, who tossed eight innings in a rehab outing on Wednesday. Raisel Iglesias and Brandon Finnegan figure to remain in the rotation regardless, but Alfredo Simon and Jon Moscot could find themselves on the outside looking in, Sheldon notes. With righty Robert Stephenson and left-hander Cody Reed also on the precipice of MLB readiness, the Cincinnati starting unit could see a significant amount of turnover, which could have some positive trickle-down effects into what has been a dismal bullpen so far in 2016.
Reds Rumors
Todd Frazier Sought Extension With Reds Prior To Trade
Prior to being dealt to the White Sox, third baseman Todd Frazier sought to reach agreement with the Reds on a deal to stay in Cincinnati for the long haul, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports (Twitter links). Frazier was ultimate swapped in a three-team trade that brought Jose Peraza, Scott Schebler, and Brandon Dixon in from the Dodgers.
According to Heyman’s report, Frazier and his representatives at CAA “made many proposals” to the Reds, one of which looked something like the seven-year, $100MM pact between the Mariners and Kyle Seager. Indeed, Frazier met with ownership just before he was dealt in an effort to find a way to add years to his contract and stick with the Reds.
Certainly, it isn’t surprising that the organization decided it was time to move on. While some have criticized the quality of the return, the decision to part with Frazier — a 30-year-old who is set to reach free agency after the 2017 campaign — made sense for a team in transition. It certainly would have been difficult to take on another significant contract for an older player with so much already committed to pieces like Joey Votto and Homer Bailey.
It’s obviously not entirely clear what kind of arrangement Frazier might have settled for, but the Seager comp doesn’t exactly scream value. To be sure, the veteran has largely matched the production of his competitor in Seattle over the last couple of seasons. But Frazier is also about three years older than Seager was at the time of his deal, and the latter’s extra year of control doesn’t really close the gap all the way.
The report is mostly of historical interest now, of course, as Frazier is under control of the White Sox until qualifying for free agency before the 2018 campaign. But the information about Frazier’s price point and interest in a long-term deal could certainly become relevant again if the Sox are more inclined than were the Reds in a significant extension.
Reds Release Ryan Mattheus
The Reds have released right-hander Ryan Mattheus, the team announced (hat tip to Zach Buchanan of the Cincinnati Enquirer). Mattheus was non-tendered by the Reds following last season and re-signed on a minor league contract.
As per the arbitration projections from MLBTR’s Matt Swartz, Mattheus was slated to earn $1.3MM in his first time through the arb process. Despite that fairly modest sum and some offseason needs in the bullpen, the Reds chose to cut Mattheus loose, ultimately saving themselves some money since they were able to re-sign him anyway.
Mattheus, 32, came to Cincinnati after being claimed off waivers from the Angels last May. The righty posted a 4.09 ERA, 5.7 K/9, 2.06 K/BB rate and 52.7% grounder rate over 55 innings with the Reds, a solid bounce-back campaign for Mattheus after a pair of ineffective, injury-plagued seasons in 2013-14 with the Nationals. Mattheus held right-handed batters to a .256/.345/.301 slash line last season.
Reds Outright Tim Melville
- The Reds announced that right-hander Tim Melville (who was designated for assignment Friday) cleared waivers and has been outrighted to Triple-A Louisville. The 26-year-old Melville allowed 11 earned runs in nine innings — including two starts — while recording eight strikeouts against nine walks before the Reds designated him. Melville worked to a 4.63 ERA in 151 2/3 innings at the Triple-A level last year in the Tigers organization.
Latest On Anthony DeSclafani
- Reds righty Anthony DeSclafani, who’s working his way back from an oblique strain, began his rehab stint Saturday at the Double-A level and threw four innings, allowing three runs, four hits and a walk while striking out five. He’ll next start for Low-A Dayton, per Zach Buchanan of the Cincinnati Enquirer (Twitter link). DeSclafani posted a 4.05 ERA with a 7.36 K/9 and 2.68 BB/9 in 184 2/3 innings for the Reds last season.
Reds Designate Tim Melville
The Reds have designated righty Tim Melville for assignment, per a club announcement. His roster spot will go to fellow righty J.C. Ramirez, whose contract was selected by Cincinnati.
The 26-year-old Melville had been up for his first major league stint. He ultimately allowed 11 earned runs in nine innings — including two starts — while recording eight strikeouts against nine walks. Melville worked to a 4.63 ERA in 151 2/3 innings at the Triple-A level last year in the Tigers organization.
As for Ramirez, 27, this will be his third MLB team in parts of three seasons of action. All said, he owns a 6.42 ERA over 47 2/3 innings, with 6.0 K/9 and 4.9 BB/9. But he’s been better at the Triple-A level. That’s especially true in the present season, as Ramirez has struck out ten in six innings and has yet to allow a run.
Hoover Out As Reds' Closer
- Right-hander J.J. Hoover will no longer serve as the Reds’ closer, manager Bryan Price told reporters, including C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer. The Reds will mix and match, perhaps turning to options such as Tony Cingrani, Blake Wood and Caleb Cotham, though Price said that none of the three is ready to take over the closer’s role on a full-time basis. The Cincinnati bullpen has struggled across the board this season, with Jumbo Diaz already having been optioned to the minors and Keyvius Sampson finding himself designated for assignment earlier today. Hoover posted a strong 2.94 ERA in a setup role last season, though his modest strikeout rate, elevated walk rate and excellent fortune on balls in play all served as warning signs that he could struggle to repeat that success. Hoover won an arbitration hearing this winter, resulting in a $1.4MM salary.
Orioles Have Made Offer To Kyle Lohse; Reds, Tigers Also Interested
5:18pm: Detroit does not appear to have present interest in Lohse, Chris Iott of MLive.com tweets.
4:47pm: Free agent right-hander Kyle Lohse is drawing interest from the Tigers, Reds and Orioles, and Baltimore has made an offer to the Scott Boras client, reports MLB Network’s Jon Heyman (via Twitter). It’s not known whether the 37-year-old has received any other contract offers.
Lohse hit the open market after arguably the worst season of his career — the final campaign of a three-year, $33MM deal with the Brewers. Though Lohse had logged a 3.28 ERA in his four prior seasons combined (796 1/3 innings), his production evaporated entirely, as he lost his spot in the rotation following a 6.31 ERA over his first 124 innings (22 starts). Lohse was said to take the demotion professionally and, to his credit, turned his season around to an extent once he was transferred to the bullpen. In 28 1/3 relief innings to close out 2015, Lohse posted a much more characteristic 3.81 ERA with 22 strikeouts against 13 walks.
Over 15 years in the majors, Lohse has worked to a 4.37 ERA. But his best work has come relatively late in his career; since 2008 (his age-29 season), that ERA is a much stronger 3.99 over 1358 1/3 innings. Teams looking at his potential to contribute even at a fairly advanced age will surely also note that Lohse has maintained his roughly 89 mph fastball velocity rather consistently, and has even managed to elevate his swinging strike rate over recent years (topping out at 9.1% last season). To some extent, his struggles in 2015 trace to an uncharacteristically high 15.3% HR/FB rate, a somewhat elevated .314 BABIP, and a 68.7% strand rate that fell below the league average of 73.4%.
Heyman notes that Lohse is looking for the “right fit,” though it’s not clear what exactly that would mean for him. Veterans in his situation could prioritize any number of factors, such as the promise of a rotation spot (or at least the opportunity to earn one in relatively short order), playing near their home, and/or signing with a team that is a postseason contender (to name a few). Wherever he ends up, Lohse seems likely to sign a minor league deal, which would allow him to head to Triple-A to see some work in a game setting, though he may not need to build up too much durability, as Heyman also tweets that Lohse has been throwing weekly simulated games that consist of 90 pitches.
Any of the three listed clubs makes some sense for Lohse. The Orioles have a questionable big league rotation, and while Lohse is hardly a lock to add any form of stability, he’d give Baltimore a much-needed depth option, as their collection of MLB-ready arms in the minors is limited. The Reds have a number of rotation options, but few that have much in the way of big league experience, and Lohse could help to shoulder the load. The Tigers, meanwhile, have a full rotation at the Major League level, but Mike Pelfrey has struggled early, and others such as Anibal Sanchez and Justin Verlander have dealt with injuries in recent seasons, so Lohse could serve as a depth option there as well.
Homer Bailey Could Return Next Month
- Reds right-hander Homer Bailey is making progress in his recovery from May 2015 Tommy John surgery and is poised to begin a rehab assignment. Bailey will start at least three minor league games before potentially rejoining the Reds next month, according to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. Injuries have befallen Bailey over the last two seasons, but he put up back-to-back 200-inning campaigns from 2012-13 and combined for a 3.58 ERA to accompany a 7.92 K/9 and 2.29 BB/9. Bailey inked a six-year, $105MM contract in 2014 with the Reds, and his career has taken an injury-influenced turn for the worse since. The Reds could certainly use a healthy Bailey, as their rotation has been disastrous this season aside from Raisel Iglesias and Brandon Finnegan.
Reds Considering Moving Dan Straily To Rotation
The Reds are considering moving Dan Straily into their rotation, C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer writes. “We’ll have to take a look at Dan Straily with the job that he’s done. Unfortunately, we’ve had to utilize him in some games that have gotten out of control early,” says manager Bryan Price. “He’s done a really nice job managing those opportunities. So we’ll see how it goes.” Straily, who arrived near the beginning of the season on a waiver claim from the Padres, has fared well thus far in long relief (allowing three runs and four walks while striking out eight in 8 1/3 innings so far), and the Reds’ rotation has put pressure on the team’s bullpen so far with a number of short starts. The Reds are also dealing with a variety of rotation injuries, although one of their injured pitchers, Jon Moscot, will return Sunday to pitch against the Cardinals. Here’s more from around the game.
