According to Ken Rosenthal, the Reds signed southpaw Jeremy Affeldt to a one-year, $3MM deal plus performance bonuses. First and foremost the Reds view him as a cheap rotation option, but they’ll move him to the pen if it doesn’t work out.
I’m very surprised that he signed for just one year. Originally reports were saying four or even five years for the 28 year-old. Perhaps he’s thinking that if he can make 30 starts and keep his ERA around 4.50 he’ll get a huge deal next winter. The biggest hurdle for Affeldt will probably be his control.
I like this move for the Reds; their rotation now has Aaron Harang, Bronson Arroyo, Affeldt, and some mix of Matt Belisle, Homer Bailey, Edinson Volquez, and Johnny Cueto. Seems like if two of the last five work out they’ll have a decent rotation and a shot at contending.
