Loading ...Shoulda mentioned this earlier:
The Reds announced three minor roster moves on Monday, including agreeing to terms on a Minor League contract with utility man Wilkin Castillo. …
Unlike Castillo, outfielder Darnell McDonald has chosen to look elsewhere for playing time in 2010. The Reds announced on Monday that McDonald, who was outrighted off the 40-man roster on Thursday, has elected to become a free agent.
McDonald appeared in 47 games for the Reds last year, batting .267 with 10 RBIs and 12 runs scored.
The Reds have also lost right-hander Ramon Ramirez, who has been claimed off waivers by the Rays. Ramirez made 11 appearances out of the bullpen for manager Dusty Baker in ‘09, finishing with a 3.65 ERA in 12 1/3 innings. Ramirez went 6-7 with a 4.03 ERA in 31 games (20 starts) for Louisville.
Ramirez is the only one of the three that I would’ve wanted to keep. McDonald and Castillo are AAA-roster-filler.
Given the number of prospects they need to protect this year, and how close non-40-man guys like Frazier, Cozart, and Klinker are to the 25-man roster, I don’t see the Ramirez loss as big as it would have been in past seasons when they lacked the talent depth.
The Reds finished the season with 40 players on the 40-man roster and four players (Edinson Volquez, Danny Richar, Wilkin Castillo, and Mike Lincoln) on the 60-day DL for a total of 44 players.
Teams cannot protect more than 40 players from the Rule V draft and cannot keep players on the 60-day DL during the draft.
Kevin Barker, Darnell McDonald, Justin Lehr, Corky Miller, and Richar had previously been removed from the Reds roster. Those five players plus the two Monday moves, should have the Reds pre-Rule V draft roster at 37.
Obvious pending transactions include declining Ramon Hernandez’s 2010 option and Kip Wells free agency. That would bring the roster to 35. Fan favorite (to drop) Willy Taveras would bring the roster to 34. It also seems that either Nix or Balentien will need to be released. (33)
I don’t see Craig Tatum getting claimed on waivers. (32)
And this could probably wait until spring training, but a decision will need to be made about the 2010 health and contribution of Lincoln, Bray, and Thompson.
I wonder if the Angels would be the club that might take a shot at trading for Coco Cordero. Of the clubs near the top in payroll, I’d say them or the Phillies might be the club that might make a deal for a closer.
I stated my sentiments about Ramirez on another thread. I like the way he pitched at the major league level, he was not at all intimidated.
But there’s probably too much young talent that needs to be protected, to keep him on the 40 man roster.
I don’t mind Castillo as a utility guy at the AAA level, as long as he doesn’t make the big club. McDonald elected for FA, which is good, there is plenty of depth in the OF at AAA. Ramirez never really impressed me. He was solid at times, but never really consistent with it. I think there are plenty of young guys that can handle his role. Plus with the 40 man crunch I had a good feeling this was going to happen.
Something else has to be done with all the outfielders on the 40 man before the rule V. You have one or two spots for Taveras, Nix, Gomes, Dickerson, and Balentien. The rest will have to be waived, traded, or something. I would like to see Taveras gone (duh) and see if they can get Nix on a minor league deal. If they lose Nix it’s no big loss, but he is a good guy to have around. Gomes is a great guy, who may have produced past what they want to pay for him. I would say he has maybe one more year with the team and that is about it. Balentien is an interesting player that hits the ball harder than just about anybody. I would hate to lose him for nothing, but it is more important keeping a couple of the guys from being exposed to the rule V.
I don’t know if anybody else has seen this yet or not:
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/11/reds-to-cut-payroll-big-names-could-be-dealt.html
I don’t understand why they aren’t focusing on trading Cordero, he had a great season, he’s getting older, and they can’t afford a guy pitching 60 innings to get paid 12 mil a year!
Trading Phillips surely could be an option, but only if Frazier is fully ready. I think Phillips is a deadline deal guy if the Reds fall out of it.
There is NO way is see them trading Votto. You simply cannot do that, he is the best player on the team, makes the minimum, and is a fan favortie. You trade him and people really won’t be coming to your park, no matter who you get in return.