Loading ...John Fay reports that the Reds will send someone to scout workouts for Dustin Hermanson this week. The reports are that his back is now healthy. If so, he could hold down the closers spot and prevent them from rushing Guardado back from his elbow rehab.
Hermanson, 34, a right-hander, was limited to 6 2/3 innings last year by back problems. He is working out for teams this week in Arizona to show he’s healthy.
“We’re working on getting someone over to see him,” Reds general manager Wayne Krivsky said. “He’s going to throw a couple of times.”
Hermanson, from Springfield, Ohio, is an intriguing possibility. He saved 34 games for the White Sox in 2005 and had a 2.04 ERA. He had 17 saves in ‘04 for the San Francisco Giants.
Hermanson is an 11-year big-league veteran who has pitched in a variety of roles. He went 14-13 with a 4.45 ERA in 33 starts for St. Louis in 2001. He’s 73-78 with a 4.21 ERA for his career. His agent told ESPN.com that his back is fine.
Are the Reds interested?
“We’ll wait and see,” Krivsky said.
I also have to wonder if the Reds are able to land Hermanson if that might free up David Weathers for a deal. The Phillies pursued Weathers as a free agent before he signed with the Reds. The Phils also had recent talks about a Rowand for Linebrink. It seems to me that Rowand would be someone that would interest Krivsky and his defensive minded philosophy. Looks like there could be a match there, but, it’s all speculation on my part.
Also, I’ve seen where both Detroit and Toronto are seeking LH relievers and we have them to spare, Stanton, Cormier, Bray, Shackelford, Guardado, and Coutlangus. Both teams are rumored to have OFs available also. Again, just idle speculation on my part.
From the USAToday site:
Dustin Hermanson – RP – White Sox
Free agent Dustin Hermanson is working out for teams this week in Arizona.
The Phillies and Reds are among the teams interested in seeing the 34-year-old right-hander in action. “We’re working on getting someone over to see him,” Reds GM Wayne Krivsky said. “He’s going to throw a couple of times.”
Interesting that the Phils have interest also.
Here’s a low risk, high reward type signing that would make sense for this club. When healthy, this guy is a quality closer with the stones to get the job done. Assuming he’s healthy, this would stabilize the bullpen and enable everyone to have set roles from day one. Go get him.
Teams witness workouts all the time. This is nothing to get overly hyper about.
And the Reds ain’t trading Weathers. He basically re-signed with them because of proximity to his Tennessee home. Several teams offered more money.
I’ve said it before and repeat: Cormier is trade bait. That’s why the contract extension with him was important. I’ll also be surprised if Shackelford sticks.
And it’s gonna take more than a Weathers to get Rowand. Freel is where you start those discussions.
Mr. Redlegs,
I think the notion that the Reds wouldn’t trade Weathers because he signed here for less is way off base. Barring a no trade clause, everyone is expendable if it would help the team.
They think very highly of Weathers on and off the field. He’s a really great guy and for people like him you don’t pursue hard and sign cheap only to dump him. That’s illogical.
The difference is when you’re out of the race and you can send that player to a team with a shot at the ring. When such a team approaches you about the player, you ask his thoughts and then respond to the other team.
For all of the callousness of pro sports, there’s also many times a very real human element. A small example is how the Reds have felt about Mercker. Justifiably so. It’s too bad they couldn’t have him lounging around just for entertainment reasons.
I wish the Reds would trade him. Weathers is a great candidate to blow up and score an ERA over 5 this season.
Mr.R, you mentioned Freel in a discussion for Rowand. Was that just an expression of the caliber of player they’d need to offer (I agree that Weathers wouldn’t even come close), or do you think Freel is an actual fit for Philly? (I’m not even sure why they’re peddling Rowand – I see them as needing an OF, not having a surplus).