Loading ...For the second time this week, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports that the Reds are sniffing around Padres third-string catcher Dave Ross.
Ross hasn’t hit much, other than a really nice stint in LA in 2003. He’s supposed to be a little better than his numbers, and has a good defensive reputation. He’s a capable backup, certainly.
This would obviously require another trade, involving LaRue or the Latin Love Machine.
UPDATE (by Chad): As noted in the comments, Marc Lancaster is reporting this as a done deal:
Krivsky says nothing should be read into this, as far as other potential trades. I suppose we’ll play that one by ear.
“We like David Ross,” said Krivsky. “He’s a very good defensive catcher. It’s almost like pitching – you can never have enough catching. There aren’t any predetermined things here as far as the roster goes. The possibility of carrying three catchers exists. I’m not saying it’s an absolute, but we’ll have 10 or 11 days to evaluate it after getting (Ross) in here.”
Count me among the group that can’t figure this deal out.
Here’s the article on the deal from Reds.com, for what it’s worth.
Why would anyone trade for a third-string catcher who has run out of minor-league options? I don’t understand why, if they were really that interested, they wouldn’t just wait for him to be put on waivers and make a claim.
Not to mention the fact that they don’t even need another catcher. They have Sardinha at AAA if they want a defensive whiz to sub in for LaRue and Valentin, and if they want a better hitter than Sardinha, then, well, there’s LaRue and Valentin.
Unless they see LaRue dropping off a cliff offensively right now, I wouldn’t want to trade either of these guys either.
Lancaster is reporting this as a done deal. For Bobby Basham.
I think Valentin ends up at 1st.
krivsky has lost his mind.
what in the world is this about? why deal a young pitching prospect who just returned to form after an injury for a 3rd string catcher?
The Reds also DFA’s Jason Standridge.
Yeah, Krivsky is getting a little quick on cutting all the in-house pitching. Not that there is much to keep. It’s no big deal if the Reds trade their “26th” guy, like a Standridge, for the Padres “26th” guy, but you are right, Pinski, this deal stinks for the Reds.
This is definitely a case where you can complain about not perceiving the future value. Neither player has current value, IMO, and Basham is the only one with potential present value.
“The 26-year-old Basham, who emerged as one of the Reds’ top prospects in 2002, struggled in 2003 and missed 2004 following shoulder surgery. Back last year, he went 10-5 with a 3.36 ERA, 112 H and 88/15 K/BB in 101 2/3 IP between Single-A Sarasota and Double-A Chattanooga. His best chance of making it in the majors will be as a middle reliever. He’ll open this year at Double- or Triple-A.”
I wouldn’t be surprised if they flipped Valentin. It’d be selling high – he hit incredibly well last year, but he’s a 30 year old catcher who outperformed all reasonable expectations for half a season.
What? This makes no sense.
What’s Krivsky up to?
Ken, I would be very surprised if the Reds flipped LaRue or Valentin for the same reasons you listed. It just makes too much sense. 30 year old position players coming off career years seems to be Krivsky’s target.
30 year old position players coming off career years seems to be Krivsky’s target.
Who has Krivsky signed/targeted with that profile?
David Ross, for one.
I’m not trying to be dense here, but I have either completely missed the point, or am not picking up on the sarcasm. David Ross didn’t have a career year last year.
Jason LaRue..
This deal is done.
But as hurting as this organization is for pitching, and I know our minor league system isn’t highly regarded, but trading someone who was your best minor league pitcher 2 years ago for a journeyman catcher doesn’t make much sense to me.
Greg D., I think I’m picking up your double-sarcasm. Right? I mean, it’s true that Ross didn’t heve a career year last year, but doesn’t that make the deal worse?
Re Valentin: even though he’s highly unlikely to approach 281/362/520 in the future, I’ll bet at least one of the other 29 GMs thinks that he could come close to that – at least for one more year. Most teams, even good ones, have backup catchers that are essentially replacement level. Just as one example, the Yankees last year gave Flaherty 127 ABs, with atrocious results (165/206/252). You don’t think they’d be interested in a serious upgrade, even if it’s just for their backup catcher?
Note that Valentin, the stinking traitor, played in the WBC.
The reds are DUMB…First they trade WMP for Arroyo, who is at best a 3rd/4th starter on most NL teams and then they trade a young arm for a Catcher… yeah they really needed another one who is 29 yrs old at that, when they have Larue, Valentin and Sardinha.
Don’t forget Hanigan.
I’m still waiting to see the accompanying move (though I fear it’s LaRue for Deivi Cruz or Kirk Reuter or somebody). [Yes, I know Reuter retired]
I really don’t understand the “position cleansing” of all pitchers – they dumped two more today in Basham and Standridge. I sure haven’t noticed any surprises lighting up camp.
As for Basham, I should note that “informed” Reds fans (certainly including me) were also up in arms back in 1998, when control-oriented prospect Buddy Carlyle was traded to the Padres (for the immortal hard-throwing Marc Kroon).
Buddy ended his 54 IP career with a 7.41.
Brian B – no sarcasm intended. I’m trying to figure out your point. I think the Ross deal, by itself, is terrible. If there is another deal on the heels of it, then we can evaluate the deals in total to see if the Reds are better. I don’t understand your statement 30 year old position players coming off career years seems to be Krivsky’s target. WHO? David Ross does not fit that mold.
Bill – Jason Larue was signed to a 2-yr deal in December by O’Brien before the ownership change and Krivsky’s hiring. I do think his contract is a good bargain.
Chris – Wasn’t there a long list of mediocre minor league pitchers that everyone complained about losing back in the late 90’s early 00’s. The name Curt Lyons is one I can think of. (for Ozzie Timmons). Eddie Priest for Krivda is another. Weren’t there more?
GregD: But LaRue did have a career year last year, but I think Valentin was more who was being talked about.
Who has Krivsky signed or targeted in a trade that is 30 years old coming off a career year? Larue and Valentin were both arbitration cases and both signed prior to Krivsky being the GM.