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The Reds are trying to sign Jonny Gomes; Walt Jocketty is hopeful a deal will get worked out.
We already know that Laynce Nix declared for free agency, but it’s interesting to note that the Reds made an offer to Nix, and that offer remains on the table:
“They still may take it,” Jocketty said. “But they want to see what’s out there. We weren’t comfortable with what the arbitration figure would be. With Gomes, we wanted to keep some protection. I still think there’s a chance we’ll get something done with him.”
The rest of the transactions, you already know about thanks to Greg’s post and the discussion of yesterday. Added to the 40-man roster and, thus, protected from the Rule 5 Draft: RHP Enerio Del Rosario, OF Chris Heisey, RHP Logan Ondrusek, RHP Jordan Smith, IF Chris Valaika, LHP Philippe Valiquette and LHP Travis Wood.
Unfortunately, this is one transaction that hasn’t occurred yet. Keep your fingers crossed.
Why would you want the starting centerfielder and leadoff man cut from the team?
Kurt, I know you being facetious but I can’t help myself. IT’S BECAUSE HE CAN”T HIT OR FIELD HIS POSITION! Good, I got that out of my system.:lol:
My hope is the only reason Taveras is still around is as “insurance” in case we do not get a deal done with either Gomes or Nix. Granted, he is not “insurance” of anything other than lousy offense, but the fact they made offers to both Nix and Gomes suggests there is at least a chance they will get rid of Taveras in favor of another veteran OF.
Keeping hope alive.
Really would love to see some clever buy-low trades at some point out of Jocketty. I’m convinced that the best ways to make a bad team good (eventually) are:
–Savvy trades for YOUNG, talented players who are NOT proven yet, or who are coming off bad years for some reason.
–Drafting and developing very well, particularly at positions where talent is scarce (SS, C, CF, starting P).
–NOT signing marginal talent to overly long or expensive contracts.
I love a good trade! Let’s see a clever buy-low deal or two — something like the Phillips and Arroyo deals. It’s been a while since we had a reason to think our decision-makers are really savvy and forward-thinking. I’d like to feel that way about our guys again.
I’m just starved for ANYTHING to get excited about about the Reds. No playoffs since 1995, not even really relevant since 1999… It gets frustrating…
It’s hard to remember, but the Cincinnati Reds should be a proud franchise. We have a great history.
But great histories don’t win games when you’re run like the KC Royals.
My concern is if the Nix accepts the Reds offer, who is moved from the 40 man roster. I think we all doubt any movement/release of Taveras given history of those “in charge”.
Nix signing would really crowd the OF picture.
@Dan: Too bad Krivsky is gone, and so is our chances of seeing buy low trades. Walt isn’t that kind of GM, he goes after the bigger name guys and the win now mantra. Case in point the Mulder trade, trading away Haren, Calero, and Barton for a pitcher who broke down and was never effective right, & Haren was becoming a breakout star.
Perhaps the offer to Nix was a major league financial deal on the minor league roster, like they did with Lehr? Either that or they already have in mind amongst their 7 outfielders, which would go – Balentien or Taveras.
If both Nix and Gomes resigns, it is goodbye to both of them, isn’t it? I guess Stubbs still has options. That would be a bad idea, IMO. Dickerson or Gomes could get traded?
The 7 outfielders if Gomes and Nix both sign are Bruce, Stubbs, Dickerson, Taveras, Balentien, then Gomes & Nix.
We’ve got to kiss Nix and Taveras good-bye, in my opinion. Good teams get some pretty good offense from all 3 outfield positions — not OBP’s that start with a 2.
Scary thought of the day….and, unfortunately, based on historical analysis…
I just received Hardball Times 2010 Baseball Annual.
Bill James rates the players who would most likely have bounceback seasons in 2010…
In the top five was Willy Taveras.
Keeping in mind that he was the worst regular player in baseball last year, so everything is relative…
No doubt, though, someone is saying “Willy is not that bad…why trade him now when you know he’ll be better than last year? That would be selling low!!”
Here’s some preaching to the choir. Even if Taveras has a “bounceback” year, by his standards, his presence on the roster would hurt the team in 2010 (and beyond). And if he does “bounce Back,” you know he’ll be in CF and leading off every day.
I agree Dan. I am a lifelong Reds fan living in Indiana, and I was 6 years old when they won the World Series in 1990, not really old enough to appreciate it. I am STARVED for some playoff baseball.
My Reds suck, IU sucks (basketball and football), it if weren’t for the Colts I might have to do something drastic.
Like root for the Bengals?
@pinson343: No doubt. Bounce back to what? His 2008 in Colorado was almost equally as terrible.
@GregD: Right, and really, his best-case-scenario is lots of singles and steals… and not much of anything else. That’s still nothing special.
I still say, if we’re really trying our best to win (and not just sticking w/ someone out of stubborn pride), Willy needs to go, even if it’s just a straight-up release.
It takes a special player to make you miss Corey Patterson.
Semi-interesting useless fact: CP owns a giraffe.
Willy Taveras doesn’t make me miss Corey Patterson. Nothing or no one will make me miss Willy Taveras either.
I’m finding it difficult to give a crap about what the Reds are or aren’t going to do in the offseason when, no matter what they do, they’re just going to lose again next year.
I wouldn’t mind if WT had a bounce back season. I don’t dislike the guy personally. He can only help the team if he’s having a bounce back season. Incumbant in a bounce back season is having a good year.
But WT could bounce back from last season and still play at or below replacement level. I’m certain that one of Stubbs or Dickerson can do better than that.
True Travis G., true. As far as I’m concerned bring him here in the first place was a mistake. It took away from Dickerson who should have been our starting center fielder Opening Day in the first place. Dickerson has better than average defense, excellent plate discipline, a decent OBP, and is able to rake. He’s not always the best base runner, but he does have speed. What was waste!
Dickerson is a terrible baserunner…But, he actually gets on base, which is the opposite of WT.