You may have noticed that I have added a random baseball quote generator over there at the top of the right column. If you have any quotations that are Reds- or baseball-related, put them in the comment section below. I’ll add them to the list.

Baseball history is full of great quotations, so let’s hear ‘em.

Scenario:

You’re a HOF voter….do you vote for Mark McGwire or not? Why or why not?

In light of some recent discussions (both on and off line) and the general slowness of the off-season, we’ve decided to solicit book reviews from our readers.

The review should be about baseball (generally) and/or the Reds specifically. They can be as long or as short as you’d like, but should be informative and readable.

If you have read something that you think would be of interest to our readers, submit your book review to one of the authors for posting. Please include your name or alias and your email address.

The editors of Redleg Nation reserve the right to post or not post any review that is submitted based on our own highly prejudiced and wacky viewpoint.

For what it’s worth, the Reds also extended a few contracts yesterday: head athletic trainer Mark Mann, assistant trainer Steve Baumann, strength and conditioning coordinator Matt Krause, physical therapist John Walker and medical director Dr. Timothy Kremchek.

The Reds signed Chad Moeller today to join David Ross and Javier Valentin in the Reds catching corps.

First question: why?

I’m perfectly willing to believe that Moeller was signed in anticipation of a move or two yet to come (possibly involving one of our catchers); I’ll give Krivsky the benefit of that doubt. And I can even believe that this signing is because Krivsky loves having three catchers on the roster. I disagree with that strategy, but it’s something we can discuss.

But can’t you find a hundred other catchers just like Chad Moeller who would sign a minor league contract, rather than a guaranteed one-year deal?

Aaaaah, whatever. Gimme an explanation, if you can. I can’t get too worked up about this signing; it’s just a backup catcher after all, and it isn’t likely to cost us much in the standings, if anything.

The Last Best League by Jim Collins

The book follows the exploits of the Chatham A’s of the Cape Cod League in the summer of 2002.

But the book is about more than just that summer of baseball. It gives you a look at the kids that are playing college baseball and their dreams of playing pro ball. It shows them warts and all, their maturity (or lack of it), their work habits (or lack of them), and their strengths and weaknesses on and off the field.

It also explains some of the intricacies of the MLB draft, gives you an idea of how much money is offered to draft picks, and the hierarchy of the college system.

It also has some Reds connections….2003 #2 draft pick, Thomas Pauly is one of the players featured in the book. Ex-Red farmhand, Ben Himes is also mentioned a couple of times.

It’s a couple hundred pages, but it’s a very quick read. I found it enjoyable and learned some things I didn’t know about how the system works.

From the Enquirer:

But the guess here is that the Reds aren’t going to do a lot more as far as free agents are concerned. The club is keeping its player payroll a secret, but I’d be stunned if it reaches $80 million.

Reds CEO Bob Castellini says the new ownership budgets to break even. I’m no accountant, but if the Reds broke even with a payroll that was $60.9 million for the 25-man roster at the start of the 2006 season, they’re not going to go to $80 million in ‘07 and break even. That’s despite the added money from a new television contract and a bump in ticket prices.

Krivsky wouldn’t talk about the payroll or free-agency plans Saturday.

With the insane deals being handed out in free agency, it means the Reds are going to have to make a few smart signings and build from within. That means having good drafts and waiting for that fruit to ripen in the system.

In other words, it’s going to be very difficult for this team, which IMO is worse than it was at the beginning of last season, is going to have a very difficult time competing in 2007. Especially if you believe what Fay says, that they’re basically done in free agency.

The Reds also have two big-ticket arbitration-eligible players in Aaron Harang and Kyle Lohse. Harang made $2.35 million last year. He led the National League in strikeouts and complete games and tied for the lead in wins.

The way arbitration works, he could ask for the moon and the Reds would be forced to counter with a slightly smaller celestial body.

Lohse made $3.95 million last year. He didn’t have the kind of year Harang did. But with arbitration, there are no losers. And Lohse is in his third year of arbitration.

David Ross is also eligible. He made only $500,000 last year, but with the year he had, he’ll be up to a million easily.

So say Harang gets $8 million, Lohse $6 million and Ross $1 million. That puts the Reds at $67 million, and they still have 11 roster spots to fill.

Saying Lohse didn’t have the kind of year Harang did is a small understatement (sarcasm intended). If I were the Reds, I’d be very tempted to non-tender Lohse. I just don’t believe he’s worth $6M a year. He was good at times, bad at times and to me, that’s just not worth $6M a year.

The rest of the roster will be filled with guys making $400,000 or less, but they’re probably not going to push the payroll north of $70 million.

I think the budget will be closer to $70M than it will be $80M, but believe they’ll be a little above the $70M number that Fay uses.

Krivsky guards what he’s doing as if it’s a state secret. But he did say the Reds probably will add a right-handed bat.

Hatteberg rarely started at first base against left-handers last season. Someone like Eduardo Perez, who made $1.75 million, would be a fit. Shea Hillenbrand would make sense as well. The fact that he plays third base also makes him very attractive, but he made $5.8 million last season.

Craig Wilson is also out there. He could be cheaper after he struggled in the second half.

I don’t see them signing a part time player for about $6M or so. But there is no doubt, this team needs help offensively.

As I mentioned above, I’d be stunned if the Reds went to an $80 million payroll. But Castellini is so competitive that after watching the Houston Astros sign Carlos Lee for $100 million over six years and the Chicago Cubs sign Alfonzo Soriano for $136 million over eight years, he might decide to do something drastic.

I hope so, but I’ll believe it when I see it.

From the AP:

The Houston Astros had one of the most anemic offenses last season and owner Drayton McLane Jr. showed he was willing to spend money to change that. Houston signed outfield Carlos Lee to a six-year, $100 million deal on Friday to bolster the worst offense in the National League. It was the largest contract in Astros history. Last season was Lee’s fifth straight with at least 30 home runs and 99 RBIs.

The Astros also signed pitcher Woody Williams to help a pitching staff that could be without Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte.

The Cubs have improved, the Astros have improved….can anyone say, without a doubt, that the Reds have improved?

The gang here at Redleg Nation would like to wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving.

What do you think of Cliff Floyd as a possible free agent acquisition?
Yes, he’s been super-injury-prone, a risk for a team with Griffey and Freel already being counted on, but he’s only 34 and absolutely murdered the ball two years ago (.273, .358, .505, 863). I have no clue what the price would be, but it might be worth a 2-year, $12M “flier.” I suspect that if he had the choice, though, Krivsky would add right-handed power (or middle relievers, of course).

EDITED: Let’s make this a semi-open thread, to discuss potential free agent signings for the Reds. What do you prioritize as the #1 need? Who’s your favorite bargain free agent? Any chance Jason Schmidt leaves the West Coast?

Some have questioned whether the Reds can, or should “afford” Adam Dunn at his current contract. The way this off-season is going, it’s a no-brainer.

Dunn’s extension, signed right after Krivsky took over last February, paid him $7.5M last year, $10.5M this year, and a club option of $13m next year (vs. a $500k buyout).  The Angels just signed Gary Matthews, Jr. to a 5-year, $50M deal. Juan Pierre will get $45M over 5 years from the Dodgers.

Let’s compare: >> Continue

While going to lunch today, I heard a caller ask, “Do you think we could get Boston to take Adam Dunn for Tim Wakefield?”

I never heard the host’s answer, I was too busy banging my head off the dashboard of the car….

Lancaster reports that LaRue will be traded to Kansas City for a PTBNL. This would be a pure salary dump (LaRue’s owed $5.2M next year). I expect LaRue to rebound from his horrific 2006, but this is a very, very nice move by Wayne Krivsky, who just paid for one year of Alex Gonzalez, while giving himself room to improve his bench.

UPDATE: Lancaster is now reporting that the Reds will be sending some cash KC’s way. Not sure if it’s just the extra $250k that LaRue gets for being traded, or something more substantive.

UPDATE 2 (by Chad): Here’s the MLB.com story on the LaRue deal. I have to admit that I’m disappointed with this, but it’s only for sentimental reasons. It’s probably a good move, but LaRue had been the longest-tenured Red, and it’s sorta sad to see him go. He’s been a good Red, and one of my favorites.

Can’t argue with the move, depending on how much money the Reds send to KC. If they’ve cleared up a lot of budget space, it may work out very nicely indeed.

Ken Rosenthal is reporting on The Fox website that the Reds will announce this week the signings of both Mike Stanton and Alex Gonzalez. Stanton filled in for injured closer Armando Benitez, converting eight of 11 save opportunities. It will be interesting to see at the official announcement to see if they name him the closer and how much he was signed for. He reports that it is a two year contract with a vesting option for a third for the 39 year old lefty reliever.

AFL

In yesterday’s AFL Championship game, Phoenix beat Grand Canyon 6-2. Cody Strait was 0 for 4 with 2 Ks. Javon Moran pinch ran and stole a base. Drew Anderson was 0 for 3 with a BB and scored 2 Rs.

Jon Coutlangus pitched a perfect one third of an inning.

In games on 11/16.

Phoenix beat Grand Canyon 7-4. Cody Strait was 0 for 3 with 2 Ks. Drew Anderson was 1 for 3 with a R, and 2 Ks.

Calvin Medlock started and went 4 innings givin up one run on 2 Hs and recorded 2 Ks. Phil Dumatrain pitched a scoreless inning, got the W, gave up one run, and had a K.

Final AFL stats for Red’s prospects.

Player        POS  G  AB  R  H 2B 3B HR RBI TB BB SO SB CS  OBP  SLG  AVG  OPS E
Drew Anderson  2B 21  67  7 18  2  2  0   3 24  5 17  4  2 .315 .358 .269 .673 1
Cody Strait    OF 27 109 19 28  6  1  1  12 39 14 28 12  2 .341 .358 .257 .699 2
Javon Moran    OF 20  58  4 13  2  0  0  10 15  2 11  2  1 .277 .259 .224 .536 0 

Player         W L  ERA  G GS SV   IP  H  R ER HR HB BB SO WHIP HLD GF
Tyler Pelland  0 1 4.95  7  4  0 20.0 25 16 11  2  0 11 15 1.80   1  0
Phil Dumatrait 2 0 5.59  7  5  0 19.1 27 12 12  3  1 13 12 2.07   0  0
Calvin Medlock 0 1 4.30 10  1  0 14.2 14  7  7  2  1  1 13 1.02   1  2
Jon Coutlangus 1 0 2.70 12  0  0 10.0 11  3  3  1  0  5 12 1.60   2  0

Mexican

In games on 11/16.

Navojo lost 6-5 to Culiacan. Jesse Gutierrez was 1 for 4 with a R, an RBI, a K, and a E.

Justin Mallet went 2 IP and gave up a R on 5 Hs with 2 Ks.

Dominican

In games on 11/17.

Escogido lost 4-3 to Aguilas. Chris Denorfia was 2 for 4 with a BB, a R, a RBI, and a K.

Venezuelan

Tiburones topped Caribes 6-4. Ray Olmedo was 0 for 2 with a BB and a K.

Pastora beat Cardenales 5-3. Anderson Machado went 1 for 2 with a BB.

Aguilas beat Tigres 5-2. Luis Bolivar was 1 for 3 with a BB and 2 RBI.

In games on 11/17.

Tiburones lost 10-7 to Leones. Ray Olmedo was 2 for 5 with a 3B, 2 Rs, and 2 Ks. Ruben Medina pitched two thirds an inning giving up a R on 2 Hs, a BB, and a K.

Pastora topped Magallanes 8-5. Anderson Machado was 2 for 3 with a BB and 2 Rs.

Aguilas beat Tigres 1-0. Luis Bolivar went 0 for 2 with a BB.

In games on 11/16.

Tiburones lost 6-5 to Magallanes. Ray Olmedo went 1 for 2 with a BB and 2 Rs.

Leones topped Aguilas 8-5. For Leones, Carlos Borhorquez pitched two thirds an inning giving up 2 Rs on 2 Hs and 2 BBs. For Aguilas, Luis Bolivar went 1 for 3 with 2 Ks.