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http://www.columbussports.com/content/hotNews/reds-rap---winter-0708---hot-stove-league.shtmlReds Rap - Winter '07/'08 - Hot stove league
Follow the Reds rumors and moves in the offseason
Foggy Outlook -- The muddled race for the final 3 starters jobs just got cloudier. Veteran Josh Fogg, 31, has signed a $1 million one year contract with the Reds and no doubt expects to be the 3 or 4 starter. So what becomes of Johnny Cuetto? Homer Bailey? Jeremy Affeldt and Edinson Volquez? Is there no threat of signing Joe Blanton for the A's any longer? This is a tangled woven web as spring training moves forward to game action, and Cuetto is the top prospect but the only one of the bunch without any MLB experience. The Fogg signing is economical and intriguing, getting a moderate thumbs up here. Fogg was 21-18 in his last two years at Coors Field, and 60-60 overall with 2007 and career ERAs hovering around 4.90. A tad high of course, but he's won many National League games, and not always for good teams (see years with Pittsburgh). Pressure's on, pitchers . . .
Brandon's Back -- It's a done deal. Popular 2B Brandon Phillips has signed a four year $27 million contract with the Cincinnati Reds. Phillips had a breakout 2007, batting .288 with 30 homers and 32 steals. His 30/30 chase was followed closely here game by game in Reds Rap. GM Wayne Krivsky also praises Phillips' defensive skills, and at age 26 looks like he has many fine years ahead. Take that, Cleveland! The Indians gave up on Phillips after 3 and a half underwhelming years. Phillips has stated that Cincinnati is his home now as the Reds gave him that second chance he needed.
Vet Clinic -- No, the Reds aren't going to the dogs, but they're apparently looking for a vet or two. There's interest in 41 year old OF and former speedster Kenny Lofton, but his signing would make an awfully crowded outfield. If acquired, lefty Lofton would probably platoon in center with righty Ryan Freel or Norris Hopper, but which one? And what about phenom Jay Bruce, who Reds Rap earlier predicted was the favorite? He's never had an MLB at bat, but he's focused on making the squad. Something might give with an outfielder perhaps as the Reds try to woo A's free agent P righty Joe Blanton, a starter. Blanton was 14-10 with a 3.95 ERA and 140 K's to 40 walks in 2007. Incidentally, Dublin native and MLB vet Kent Mercker was given a minor league deal and invited to spring training. Get ready fans, pitchers and catchers report in a very few days!!
Desert Bloom? -- The Reds are another step closer to moving to Goodyear, AZ in 2010 for spring training, as the town council will vote on a motion to allow the Reds to join the Cleveland Indians at a $75 million sports complex in the Phoenix suburb. Cleveburgh will start play there next year. If this works, the two Ohio teams would share a main stadium but would have their other facilities separate. Last year, voters in Sarasota, FL turned down a referendum that would have helped keep the Reds in the Grapefruit League. Spring in Florida is not looking too bad for 2008, though, as the Reds have a number of noteworthy novices up for inspection. Of course, there's Jay Bruce (OF), last year's minor league player of the year. In the infield, Joey Votto will vie for the 1B job of Reds Rap and Moneyball favorite and OBP king Scott Hatteberg, who was re-signed in the offseason for a bargain $1 million. Votto had a nice year end in the bigs with 4 homers while hitting .321. Edinson Volquez and Homer Bailey will compete for rotation jobs. Johnny Cuetto draws Pedro Martinez comparisons from some, but is likely to start his pitching year in AAA. The three plus Jeremy Affeldt add interesting additions to Aaron Harang, Bronson Arroyo & Co. for the 2008 campaign, though
Jeremy Joins -- The Reds have signed now "veteran" lefty Jeremy Affeldt to a 1 year contract for $3 million. Affeldt is likely to be in the rotation, though one of his best years was as a reliever for Colorado in 2007, including a great postseason, for those who were watching. His year ERA was 3.51, and he can almost maintain a strikeout an inning when going well. With Edinson Volquez and Homer Bailey competing for starting jobs, GM Wayne Krivsky feldt it was right to bring in some lefty experience to heat up the spring pressure. Affeldt also had 18 saves with the Royals previously, and gets clocked at up to 94 mph.
Scramble for Center -- There's a battle for centerfield in Cincinnati, and it doesn't include Ken Griffey, Jr. Griffey missed the end of last year with a groin injury and will see a shift to right. It could be his last year shagging balls with Adam Dunn as well, as Junior's contract is up at the end of the year. No fear, fans, as the Reds have a number of serviceable though not all-star options in the middle of the outfield. First, there's Ryan Freel, a fan favorite from 2006. Freel, though, missed half of 2007 and batted only .245 when available. He is also a "super-sub" who can play many other positions. Then there's Norris Hopper. Norris has no power -none. Nonetheless, he's a great fielder and bunter and hit .329 with 14 steals last year. The 800 pound gorilla in the back of the room is Jay Bruce. Bruce is supposedly the savior, but has never played in the bigs. He hit .319 with 26 homers and 46 doubles in the minors last year, though he may give Dunn some strikeout competition. Bruce is probably the favorite for the job right now, but it'll be an interesting spring, if the last one for the Reds in Florida. There is talk now of joining with the Indians at a new complex in Arizona for 2009 . . .
Nuts & Bolts -- Reliever Bill Bray of the infamous Washington Senators trade had an appendectomy this week but should be OK for Spring Training. For anyone planning to travel to Sarasota in March, game tickets are now on sale. The Reds' first home game is with the Twins on 2/28. Pitchers and catchers report 2/16. The Reds have claimed AAA outfielder Drew Anderson from Milwaukee, and he is now on the 40 man roster. He hit .291 with 17 steals in AAA last year. The Reds Winter Caravan will be hitting Flanagan's Dublin on Jan 24, for anyone interested.
Good Counsel -- Wayne Krivsky now has the close confident he'd wanted as a team advisor - Walt Jocketty. To be more exact, the press releases are describing Jocketty's role as a special advisor to CEO/owner Bob Castellini, but the reality is that Jocketty will be assisting in many aspects of baseball operations with GM Krivsky, who is under contract through this year.. With Jocketty in the front office, the Cardinals had 7 post-season appearances. Castellini used to be a minority holder in St. Louis. All three give lip service to the expected success of the Dusty Baker era.
Revolving Door -- Josh Hamilton, heralded for staying clean and having a remarkable comeback in 2007, is out the door and packing his bags for Texas, while the Reds receive promising yet inconsistent right-handed pitcher Edinson Volquez. Hamilton hit .292 with 19 homers despite injuries. Volquez was the Rangers' minor league pitcher of the year in 2007, throwing around 94 mph, with 166 K's in 144 innings. However, he struggled in MLB callups in 2006 and was sent back to Class A ball. The Reds believe Volquez is a Homer Bailey quality prospect who will compete for the rotation. They also obtained minor league pitcher Danny Herrera, who is likely destined to be a left-handed situational pitcher. Hamilton's departure makes room for a possible promotion for OF Jay Bruce, who will compete with Ryan Freel and Norris Hopper.
Closer Coco Cordero Under Contract -- The Reds pulled a coup this week by inking top closer Francisco "Coco" Cordero to a deal reported at 4 years and $46 million, insane numbers for a reliever. Cincinnati beat out Cordero's 2007 club, Milwaukee, as well as Colorado and Houston in the sweepstakes. Coco has 177 career saves, with a season high of 49 in 2004. He had been averaging over a strikeout per inning, but jumped to 86 K's in 66 innings last year while recording 44 saves for the resurgent Brewers. David Weathers seems assured of staying with the Reds in a setup role after 33 saves last year. Cincy's bullpen had an NL high 5.13 ERA in 2007.
John Allen Resigns -- Reds COO John Allen is voluntarily stepping down from his top position, effective 12/31. He will continue as a consultant to help Cincinnati find a new spring training home. The current Sarasota, FL grounds failed to get needed funding this year and will likely be abandoned after 2008, with Allen indicating that no Sarasota options are being considered. Allen will be fondly remembered for his rise through the baseball ranks after coming in from an accounting firm background. Marge Schott often referred to Allen as her "bookkeeper".
Hall of Famers? -- Three Reds are looking at potential hall of fame induction on the coming ballot, and all have noteworthy reasons for inclusion. Dave Parker, Davey Concepcion and Jose Rijo are vying for election this term, but folks in the River City shouldn't hold their breaths for the necessary votes. It is Concepcion's final chance, and he will need some sympathy votes recognizing his importance to the Big Red Machine. Rijo had five seasons of 13+ wins and seven seasons of 150+ strikeouts. Rijo also averaged 7.69 K's per game and was the 1990 World Series MVP, so he may have some shot, though it is his first full ballot. Parker hit over .300 six times and had nine 20+ homer seasons, plus was elected to seven All-Star teams. Still, it is his 12th ballot, and he may well fall short. The prediction, unfortunately, is that all will be unable to garner the required votes.