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Reds Notes: Taveras, Owings, Gomes

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MLB.com's Mark Sheldon cleaned out his inbox and answered a few questions from Reds fans today.  Here are some of the more pertinent details…

  • The team would like to move Willy Taveras if they could, but there are very few takers for a player who posted a .240/.275/.285 line in 2009 and is due to make $4MM next season.  Given his limited abilities and how Shelton feels that Taveras wouldn't be happy on the bench, the Reds have to consider cutting their losses with Taveras and releasing him.
  • Micah Owings will likely not be used as trade bait, given that he is expected to compete for the fifth spot in the rotation and is also valuable out of the bullpen or as a pinch-hitter.
  • Sheldon thinks that between Jonny Gomes and Laynce Nix, Gomes has "the better chance" of being tendered a contract.
  • If neither man is brought back, Cincinnati will turn to a variety of in-house options for the left field job, including Wladimir Balentien, Chris Dickerson or prospects Juan Francisco, Chris Heisey and Todd Frazier.
  • Sheldon believes Joey Votto "has earned the right" to remain as Cincinnati's everyday first baseman, and the Reds would only consider moving their young slugger to left field if prospect Yonder Alonso proved he was ready for the major leagues.
  • No surprise here, but Shelton confirms that the Reds don't have the payroll to go after major free agents like Matt Holliday or Jason Bay.

Reds Report: Volquez, Bruce, Gomes

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To put it mildly, this has been a rough year for Reds fans.  Edinson Volquez had the Cincinnati faithful buzzing after posting a 3.21 ERA with 9.5 K/9 in his first full season in 2008.  After logging just nine starts in the 2009 campaign, Volquez needed surgery to repair damage in his right elbow.  The Reds faded fast as their depleted staff wasn't getting much of a lift from their sagging offense.  Injuries to Joey Votto and Edwin Encarnacion (prior to being dealt to Toronto) certainly didn't do them any favors.

However, if the team's recent performance is any indication of what lies ahead, Reds fans might have something to cheer about in 2010.  Dusty Baker's squad has gone 19-11 since September 1st, thanks in part to stronger pitching (3.39 team ERA) and the return of Jay Bruce, who missed two months with a broken wrist.

Buster Olney, Baseball Prospectus and the ESPN Insider staff compiled a glance at this past season and what to expect next year in Cincy.  An ESPN Insider account is needed to read the article, but here are the brass tacks for those without:

  • It's no secret that the Reds don't have a top-flight budget.  They opened this season with a payroll of $73MM and owner Bob Castellini isn't going to "go all Steinbrenner" and tack-on much more.
  • Further exacerbating their financial woes are their pricey commitments to Bronson Arroyo, Francisco Cordero, Aaron Harang and Scott Rolen.  Combined, these four players are owed $46.5 million next season.
  • Olney says that considering their lack of flexibility this offseason, Homer Bailey might be their best chance for improvement as he recorded a 2.41 ERA in September.  The velocity that made Bailey such a highly-coveted prospect has returned, with his fastball being clocked at an average of 94.5 MPH this year.  This is a big step-up from his previous big league work and could spell an even bigger jump in 2010.
  • Baseball Prospectus says that their "acceptable" rate of 4.5 runs allowed per game is due in part to their much-improved defense.  It will be interesting to see if defensive-minded yet weak-hitting shortstop Paul Janish will be the Reds' starter next season.  Manager Dusty Baker said on Friday that a "definitive decision" hasn't been made yet.
  • Jay Jaffe of Baseball Prospectus notes that the combined efforts of all Reds batting in the top two lineup spots resulted in a slash line of .245/.301/.354.  When Willy Taveras hit the DL in August, Dusty Baker put rookie Drew Stubbs and the aforementioned Janish at the top of the order.  The team has gone 27-15 since then, but Jaffe attributes most of the credit for that to the improved performance of the pitching staff.
  • The "Rumor Central" portion of the piece encourages Reds fans that are anxious to see the team acquire a big bat to consider what the offense is capable of if they are healthy.  Injury-free seasons from Bruce and Votto should give Cincinnati a major boost.
  • The report says to expect the Reds to tender Jonny Gomes an offer as he is arbitration-eligible.  This should come as no surprise as Gomes has belted 20 HRs in 311 plate appearances while posting .266/.338/.540.
  • Jaffe says that Jocketty could deal Arroyo or Harang to give the team room to make a mid-level signing this winter.  He adds, "…It's difficult to envision this team breaking out of the middle of the pack without keen vision and bold steps."

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Webb, Soria, Red Sox, Pirates, Verlander, Felix

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On this date five years ago, Carlos Delgado hit his 300th career home run. He would go on to hit three more home runs that game to become just the 15th big leaguer to hit four in one game. Now in the final year of a five-year, $60MM contract, Delgado has a season average of .298 with four homers and 23 RBI in the 26 games he played before his hip surgery. Jon Heyman reported that the Mets are open to bringing him back next year. However, Adam Rubin wrote that the Mets will not offer Delgado arbitration. With one week remaining before the off-season starts for most teams, let's take a look at what is being written in the Blogosphere…

  • MLB Notebook looks at where Brandon Webb could end up if the D'Backs decline his option.
  • Royals Authority wonders if the Phillies would be a good trade partner to land Joakim Soria.
  • The Bottom Line writes that the Red Sox either have to re-sign Jason Bay or pick up Matt Holliday.
  • Bucco Fans says the Pirates have money to spend this off-season and speculates on where that money might be spent.
  • Jorge Says No! speculates on what it might take to sign Justin Verlander to an extension.
  • Prospect Insider looks at what it might take to sign Felix Hernandez to an extension.
  • Blogging Mets lists Omar Minaya's worst moves.
  • Sports: A Game Of Inches compares Jonny Gomes to Adam Dunn. Gomes will be arbitration-eligible after the season.

Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com. If you have a suggestion for this feature, Cork can be reached here, and followed on Twitter here.

Reds Chat With Assistant GM Bob Miller

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Reds assistant GM Bob Miller chatted with fans today for MLB.com.  A few hot stove highlights:

  • Miller expects all four of the Reds' infielders to return for 2010.  Presumably he is referring to Paul Janish as the shortstop, along with Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips, and Scott Rolen.  The fan from the chat had a point – that is a stellar defensive infield.  Miller shot down a fan's idea of pursuing Orlando Hudson.
  • Miller hopes the Reds can come to an agreement with Jonny Gomes for next year.  Shouldn't be too hard, since Gomes is under control as an arbitration-eligible player.
  • Miller's philosophy on trades seems to be that everyone is available at the right price.  Hard to argue with that.
  • Expect the player-to-be-named from the David Weathers trade to be finalized around mid-October.
  • Miller admitted that the offense is a weakness that needs to be addressed.  A healthy, effective Jay Bruce and less Willy Taveras might be sufficient upgrades, in my opinion.  What do you think about a Mike Cameron reunion?

Odds & Ends: Brewers, Sizemore, Gomes

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Curious about how untouchable Grady Sizemore is? I had to create a category for him just for this post. In the entire history of MLBTR, no one ever bothered to write any rumors about him…

  • ESPN's Keith Law writes that the Brewers "are closer to noncontention than contention, and trying to prop the playoff window open for another year or two could lead to a miserable bottoming-out not far down the road." He suggests they trade megastar Prince Fielder to help fill other holes, and build the team around Ryan Braun and Yovani Gallardo.
  • Jim Ingraham of The News Herald believes that the recent trades of Cliff Lee and Victor Martinez have effectively shortened the Indians' window to win with Grady Sizemore. Sizemore's contract runs through 2011 with a dirt cheap option for 2012, but Ingraham says there's "no reason to believe when Sizemore becomes a free agent after the 2012 season he won't leave whatever team he is with and sign a monstrous contract with one of the big-market teams."
  • Jonny Gomes is open to returning to the Reds next season, but says he'll "go where I can get the most at-bats," according to Hal McCoy of The Dayton Daily News. Gomes is making $600K this season and is arbitration eligible next year, so he can expect a hefty raise thanks to his .281/.355/.555 batting line.

Jonny Gomes’ Future With The Reds

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The Reds' signing of outfielder Jonny Gomes has been one of the best minor league deals of the year, up there with Garrett Jones, Ryan Roberts, Kevin Correia, and Juan Uribe.  Gomes, 29 in November, has a .279/.349/.558 line with 18 home runs in 261 plate appearances.

Gomes feels he's proven that he's more than a platoon player, and John Fay's article for the Cincinnati Enquirer addresses his future.  Given his service time (less than five years), Gomes is arbitration-eligible after the season.  The Reds simply have to tender him a contract, and he's theirs for 2010 whether he likes it or not.  Fay's article seems to imply that the Reds might non-tender Gomes, which would be odd (but not unprecedented). 

And then there's Gomes telling Fay he'd accept arbitration if the Reds offer, which makes even less sense.  If the Reds tender him a contract, Gomes' only say in it is regarding his 2010 salary.  If the two parties can't find common ground, there would be an arbitration hearing.

Odds & Ends: Gomes, Mets, Compensation Picks

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A few links to kick off Labor Day weekend…

  • The legendary Hal McCoy of The Dayton Daily News says that if the Reds "don’t give (Jonny) Gomes a shot at playing left field next year they’re missing out." The 28-yr old Gomes is hitting .285/.357/.566 in 249 plate appearances this year.
  • Joel Sherman of The NY Post writes that the Mets will have essentially the same problem this offseason that they had last offseason: a need for pitching even though they don't necessarily have the means to acquire it.
  • Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports says that baseball's free agent compensation system is broken, but neither MLB or MLBPA leaders think it's a big enough problem for "either side to re-jigger it" before the new CBA in 2011.
  • Bob Nightengale of USA Today points out that seven of the nine highest paid teams would make the playoffs if the season ended today. Brewers owner Mark Attanasio said it's "very discouraging, from a data standpoint."

Reds Not Likely To Make A Move

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According to Tom Groeschen of the Cincinnati Enquirer, Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said Saturday afternoon that his club plans to sit tight as the August 31 waiver trade deadline approaches.

"Nothing has changed," Jocketty told Groeschen via text message.  This backs up a similar report that was published earlier in the week by the Enquirer's John Fay.  Not a single team showed interest in closer Francisco Cordero and his monstrous contract, and it appears the Reds will hang onto trade candidate Jonny Gomes as well.

Reds Seem Unlikely To Make Trades

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It doesn't look like the Reds will make any more trades between now and the end of August, according to John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Aaron Harang's emergency appendectomy and Bronson Arroyo's substance taking and oversized contract mean a trade involving either pitcher would be a surprise. Francisco Cordero has $27MM remaining on his contract and a no-trade clause, so it doesn't appear that the Reds will trade him, either.

Just last week, Fay wondered if the Reds could move Jonny Gomes, who makes just $600k, or five percent of Cordero's annual salary.

Odds And Ends: Padilla, Strasburg, Gomes

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Another round of links…

  • Ted Green of the LA Times says Vicente Padilla will be an "angel" with the Dodgers because he has no other choice.  
  • As Monday night's deadline to sign picks neared, we had no idea whether Stephen Strasburg would sign. Neither did Chico Harlan of the Washington Post, so he wrote this story in case the Nats failed to sign him.
  • We've heard lots of talk about Bronson Arroyo and Aaron Harang, but John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer wonders if the Reds could deal Jonny Gomes, who has 15 homers, to a contender.
  • Maury Brown of the Biz of Baseball shows how much teams spent on draft picks Monday and argues that the recommended slotting system isn't working as intended.
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