Loading ...Mark Sheldon reports on today’s announcement by the Reds that they have signed reliever Nick Masset to a two-year contract to avoid arbitration. No terms for the contract are given. Jared Burton is now the lone Reds arbitration case pending.
Hopefully Masset can continue to perform as he did last season and position himself to take over for closer Francisco Cordero should the Reds become able to dispose of his big contract at the trade deadline.
UPDATE: Masset will earn $1.035 million in 2010 and $1.545 million in ‘11 in a deal that also comes with performance-based bonuses.
UPDATE 2: According to the AP:
Masset gets $1,035,000 this season and $1,545,000 next year. He can earn another $300,000 in performance bonuses based on appearances and games finished. Also, his 2011 salary could increase by as much as $780,000 if he reaches certain levels for appearances and games finished this year.
I’d assume this is where some of the $5M they’re saving on Rolen this year is going.
This is the type of 2 year deal that makes sense.
Nice Job Walt.
Good signing. Masset’s coming off a positive year, is a pleasure to watch, seems like a good team guy and is young enough to be part of the “build for the future” plan.
Ditto. Sure would love to see them be able to ditch Cordero’s contract. Masset might make for an excellent closer – he’s got the stuff. Just think what the $25 million from CoCo could be doing on this depressed free agent market.
I temper my excitement here with the 2 years deal Lincoln signed last year. Masset doesn’t have the injury past so hpefully it will be more positive.
Another topic!
Just a thought:
With Eric Byrnes being cut by Arizona does he have a chance to be this years Johnny Gomes?
@Mark in CC: Sorry, but Brynes is done. He is older than Gomes, past his prime years. Also, with as many leg injuries he has had the last couple of years, basically most of his value is gone because he can’t run anymore.
Love the two year deal in this case. Hitting his prime, has good stuff. This is the opposite of Lincoln, a guy well past his prime and stuff that isn’t all that great.
This past week has given me some reason to really look forward to watching this team. If only Dusty learns how to fill out a lineup card…
@Mark in CC:
Well, I think most who post on here would like Jonny Gomes to be this year’s Jonny Gomes.
@BJ Ruble:
That there is one mighty big “if only”.
The only thing better than signing Masset to a 2 year deal, would be a 3 year deal. But it could be his agent refused to tie him down past 2. If he is the closer later in 2010 and full-time in 2011 and does a good job, he will surely command alot more money than this. Now, let’s figure a way to get rid of WT.
Good signing for not a lot of money. Strengthens the pen.
@BJ Ruble:
Y’know, I think Byrnes has a little more left in the tank and would be a good 4th OF’er. I wouldn’t mind seeing him platoon. I would be more than a little interested in getting him to ST and see what he can still do. He’s been too injured the last couple of seasons to really judge, and I think he will be healthy this year. Call it a hunch, but I’d roll the dice.
@preach: I agree with Preach and Mark in CC. I think they have like 10 days to trade him or another club can sign him. Not sure entirely the mechanics of that, but he could be a good pick-up cheap for two years. I think he signed his extension in 2008 through 2011. Could be a good 4th outfielder at all 3 positions and a good experienced bat off the bench. I’m sure WJ is looking at him.
@preach: I guess it would depend on how much money it would cost. If it was the minimum, I wouldn’t mind throwing a bone because his power could translate well in GABP. He has never been a great OBP guy or AVG guy. His value was all his speed and then for a couple of years his power.
Off Topic:
The Reds Caravan: Is that worth going to? Do they do some kind of presentation or is it just a meet and greet. In live in Fort Wayne. Is it worth driving an hour to Lima to see it?
If for no other reason perhaps picking up Byrnes or someone like him could end the reign of terror that is Willy T.
All in favor of ending the Taveras era respond by saying ‘Aye’.
Opposed………
The Lincoln deal was 2 years for $4million, nearly twice the Masset signing.
My vote would be “no” on Byrnes – in both 2008 and 2009 he had a lower OBP than Taveras did last year. He has some pop and a good corner OF, but no reason to think he’d be better than Dickerson or Balentien.
@preach: aye-aye!
@preach:
“Aye!”
You have my vote.
Reds fans are so hungry for things to change that sometimes even lateral moves feel like progress. “At least they’re trying something.”
Some fresh, new faces — even if they’re old, tired faces — make us feel like things could be different or even better this year.
I imagine WJ knows all that and just tries to mix up the bench a bit and put together a team that hopefully will inspire more of us to buy tickets and merchandise in 2010.
Would be sweet to win a few more games, too.
Good signing!
“Aye!”
An aside –
another Red on his honeymoon! Masset was on Maui when he got the news.
No thanks on Byrnes, unless you’re looking to build a thoroughly mediocre LF platoon with Nix (Byrnes career: .267/.298/.422, Nix career: .236/.277/.421). I’m certain the Reds can do better than that.
I’m a big fan of Masset’s deal, btw.
@RedinFla:
^^^Amen brother.
I wish nothing but the best for Jonny Gomes… .
But I just do not see CIN giving him $2-3M to “Senor Sombrero” (which he deserves) to come back for another yr…Not w/ the # of COF options already going to Goodyear,AZ.
Massett: I like the signing. If he performs close to/at 2009 levels for the duration..the deal is a steal!!!
Now Walt needs to get Burton signed to something in the 1yr/$750K or 2yr/$2M range(w/ bonuses). (Anything over that would be overpaying, IMO.)
“with bonuses” would be the key here. Burton can be very good – I’m hoping he signs, AND earns himself some bonuses.
Good deal all around. This is Massett’s first arbitration year so that gives the Reds one more year under club control before Massett qualifies for free agency. That way they have an opportunity to lock him up to another deal pretty cheaply if Cordero serves out his contract. This deal ends at the same time as Cocos. They could probably get a good long term contract then.
Man, what a return on a two month deal for Dunn! Plus, the money they saved dealing Dunn for those two months will also pay for Massett during the time they’ve had him through the end of this contract. (With a few pennys left over of course
).
I think you meant Griffey. Griffey to White Sox for Massett and Richar. Dunn to Diamondbacks for Owings, Buck, and Castillo.
@Tom Diesman: I had forgotten that’s where Massett came from. That turned out to be a pretty good deal. And this two year deal seems to be a good one.
@Tom Diesman: Thank boss. You’re right. Same logic applies though.
You can’t compare this to the Lincoln deal. Lincoln had only pitched once in 5 seasons when he got the two year extension. Lincoln’s 2nd year (2010) is as much as Masset’s 2 years.
Also, I think Masset was eligible for arbitration this year because he was a Super 2. So, he should be under team control for 2 more seasons after 2011.