The Reds have outfielders Michael Morse and Nori Aoki on their list of free agent targets, GM Walt Jocketty tells John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer (Twitter link). Jocketty said that he would prefer to find the outfield bat that the team needs on the open market rather than via trade.
Left field was a problem area for the Reds last year, as Ryan Ludwick performed at a below-replacement-level clip. The team did not pick up his option, preferring to pay a steep $4.5MM buyout rather than exercising it at $9MM.
Cincinnati does not figure to have a ton of payroll space to use in pursuing a replacement. After opening last year with a club record $114MM payroll, only to miss the postseason, the Reds currently have about $80.5MM in guaranteed money on the books for 2015 with upwards of $40MM in potential arbitration payouts yet to come.
Morse, 32, swings an impressive stick but has one of the league’s worst gloves on the outfield grass and comes with a reasonably concerning medical sheet. I recently predicted that he would ultimately land a two-year, $22MM deal this offseason, while noting that he probably makes more sense as a first baseman/DH playing in the American League. The 32-year-old Aoki, meanwhile, is more of an on-base specialist whose selling point is his all-around solid play. He could be somewhat cheaper than Morse, though he should receive wide interest.
Walt, we dont want another Adam Dunn in the outfield. Yes, we desperately need a player who knows how to hit a baseball on this team. I would much rather have a solid ballplayer like Aoki who knows how to make consistent contact and who plays solid defense, than another swing-and-miss defensive goon
Isn’t that tampering since he made the comments before the official time when teams can sign other team’s free agents?
No, free agents were able to sign as of November 4, and it’s also not tampering because he only said he was interested, without giving a price range.
So I’m confused. If FAs were able to sign with other teams on 12/4 then how come teams have until 12/7 to make a QO? How can you make a QO after a player has been signed. This doesn’t make sense to me.
QO’s have to be in before free agency starts. I don’t know exactly when the teams had to submit them though.
Players have till after FA starts to accept of decline the QO. (I think Monday, but don’t quote me on that.)
Na reds are fine they need to trade Brandon Phillips first before they sign anybody and if they trade Brandon Phillips they can sign rickie weeks and then they sign Morse or aoki
Phillips is a 10-5 player. He has to approve of any trades.
So basically the reds will trade Phillips is what your trying to say we)l then its settle
The Reds need to rebuild. Cueto and Latos are free agents after the season, and we know they won’t be able to retain them, so might as well trade them while they can still get value back in return. Add Phillips to one of those deals to be rid of his contract.
I think they should rebuild too. Their likelihood of competing next year is slim IMO. Like you said, if I were them, I’d start by trading Cueto and Phillips. I’m not sure about Latos however. I think they should keep him untill the trade deadline, to prove to that he is healthy and the consistent pitcher he has been the past few years. Of course, doing so could backfire but, if successful, could net some better prospects because as of now, it seems as though his value is at a lower value, probably only netting you a couple B-prospects. Also, another question, do you think they’d possibly trade Joey Votto and his albatross contract? I don’t think so but, it’d certainly allow them to have payroll flexibility, which they desperately need.
You might have the right idea about hanging on to Latos for a bit longer. I don’t think Votto is going anywhere though, that contract is pretty unmovable, plus who really needs a first baseman right now? Even LaRoche doesn’t seem to have much of a market.
Well, I think the Padres could be in on LaRoche, not sure about any other teams, though. Maybe the Marlins? Their 1st basemen weren’t that good last year I don’t think. Plus, I think a scatter team would be interested in Votto despite his contract, but the Reds would be smart to keep him for next year to re-establish his value after a injury-plagued season. One team could be my Red Sox, Napoli is gone after next season (and could be a good trade piece), and a lefty bat would be nice. Not sure the Red Sox would want his contract though and have to give up prospects. It’d be more of a salary dump on the Reds part, not sure they’d want to do that to their current face of the franchise.
Something fishy going on here. Walt never tips his hand
Go after and sign Aoki and call it a day. Give Cozart the first month to hit. If he doesn’t put Negron there and be done with it. Sign Cueto and Latos to deals and find a trade partner for Leake. If you are in contention you keep Phillips. If not then hope a contender wants him and that Phillips doesn’t exercise his trade rights.
No, no, no to Morse. To produce runs you need guys to get on base ahead of your 3, 4, 5, and 6 hole hitters. The Reds don’t need another power bat more than they need guys who get on-base. Look at the pathetic OBP’s of just about everyone on the team last year. They were embarrassing.
The Reds can’t afford to extend Cueto and Latos. Cueto is going to command atleast 20 million, and Latos probably 15 million. The Reds just don’t have the budget to do that.
I like the way you think. However, I would really like to see them send Bruce packing and go after the likes of Nick Markakis or Nelson Cruz. Move Aoki to Left and Hamilton in Center.
If they could somehow manage to unload BP’s fat contract, they could go after someone like Bonafacio, they could have Negron at 2B and Bonafacio at SS. Imagine a lineup with Hamilton and Bonafacio batting 1-2.
This looks awfully tasty to me:
1. Hamilton CF
2. Bonafacio SS
3. Votto 1B
4. Cruz RF
5. Frazier 3B
6. Mesoracco C
7. Negron 2B
8. Aoki LF