Reds Assistant GM On Trades, Minors, Draft
Bob Miller, the Assistant GM for the Reds, chatted with fans this afternoon on MLB.com. Here are some of the highlights:
- This year the Reds would consider dealing for a right-handed power bat, but they'll "play it by ear and see if the deal will help" the team.
- Of the trades he's been a part of, Miller's proudest of dealing Karim Garcia for Luis Gonzalez with the D'Backs.
- He metioned the Brandon Phillips and Bronson Arroyo deals as the best ones the Reds have made recently.
- The deal Miller's least proud of? Trading six players for Richie Sexson.
- Miller believes the Reds have a strong minor league system because of its depth. He specifically mentioned Yonder Alonso, who's hitting well lately.
- Miller compared the draft to "the biggest board game you can possibly imagine" in terms of the strategy it demands.
More Jocketty Talk On The Reds
C. Trent Rosecrans of TheLotD.com also talked with Cincinnati Reds general manager Walt Jocketty today. Here are some conversation highlights:
- The Reds are still talking to Jerry Hairston Jr. to play left field. “We’re still trying to get Hairston,” Jocketty told Rosecrans. “We’ll have a different look on our club, but we still have guys like (Joey) Votto, (Jay) Bruce, (Brandon) Phillips, (Edwin) Encarnacion and even (Ramon) Hernandez with power.”
- Jocketty hasn’t spoken with Pat Burrell in awhile. They are holding back on that one right now.
- Health remains a serious issue with Rocco Baldelli, Jocketty said.
- The Reds have been in discussion with the New York Yankees about their extra outfielders, but no deals are close.
- No Barry Bonds; no Sammy Sosa.
Brandon Phillips Signs Four-Year Deal
According to Hal McCoy of the Dayton Daily News, the Reds have agreed in principle to a long-term deal with second baseman Brandon Phillips. The arbitration hearing is off. The AP says it’s a four-year, $27MM contract. There is also a fifth year option that becomes mutual if he’s traded.
The deal buys out one year of free agency. Sometimes I have trouble evaluating deals of this nature, I’m not going to lie. The question is, what is the projected amount of savings the Reds are getting here? Chase Utley signed his extension in January of ’07. For his fourth through seventh years in the bigs he’ll get $38MM, plus a $2MM signing bonus. Robinson Cano will make $39MM for the same slice of his career if his 2012 option is exercised. Viewed that way, the Phillips deal seems solid.
Odds and Ends: Foulke, Ordonez, Feliz, Phillips
All sorts of odds and ends to discuss this morning.
- I will be appearing on Rutgers Student Radio this morning at 8:40am CST. You can go here and click the "listen" link to hear it live.
- Keith Foulke threw for the majority of teams in baseball last week, topping out around 84. The D’Backs may make an offer. I don’t believe they have signed a free agent yet.
- The New York Times says Jose Canseco has apparently dragged Magglio Ordonez into the steroid mess, with the FBI getting involved on possible extortion. I have to admit, I am going to read Canseco’s new book. The first one was interesting but poorly written.
- The Giants’ two-year offer to Pedro Feliz was rejected, and they seem inclined to fill third base internally. Joe Crede is not out of the question though.
- Seems that the Reds might be talking about a long-term deal with Brandon Phillips.
- Rewriting history: the Padres almost acquired Mark McGwire in 1995. Speaking of Kevin Towers, here’s a quick look at his trading record. It’s good.
- Team payroll data for ’07 is out; it’s not terribly surprising.