George Herron
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Reds on the move
Posted by George Herron on February 2, 2010
Welcome to Cincinnati, we could use your help immediately
For a team that was all but silent during the winter meetings the Reds sure have made a bevy of moves in the last couple days to try to become a better, more complete team heading into spring training. There were three critical areas heading into the off-season that I wanted the Reds to address. Shortstop, left field, and catcher.
They took a giant step forward a couple days ago with the signing of Orlando Cabrera. I personally like this signing. He might be 35, but he still has decent range and isn’t a huge liability in the field. He is no Paul Janish with the glove, not anymore, but he is such an offensive upgrade over Janish that Cabrera is a steal. So what do we get with Cabrera?
- His 162 game average is: 82 runs, 11 home runs, 71 RBI, 18 stolen bases, 59 strikeouts, .275 average, .322 on base percentage, .977 fielding percentage.
- 2009 Reds shortstops: 52 runs, 4 home runs, 42 RBI, 2 stolen bases, 76 strikeouts, .211 average, .277 on base percentage, .984 fielding percentage.
Big thanks to the wonder twins of Janish and Alex Gonzalez for those craptacular stats. Can you see why shortstop was such a need, have you ever seen two people converge to create such a black hole? Well maybe if Lindsay Lohan and Brittney Spears were in the same room together at the same time. So, what you are telling me is that by getting Cabrera I have upgraded SIGNIFICANTLY on the offensive side and only sacrificed maybe an extra error or two a year. SOLD!
The best part is that he is cheap and this is only a one year deal with a club option for next year. ”What the what?” How did HE agree to this? My brother and I were talking about this impending deal and I would have been OK with this deal had it been for a flat out two years, but CJ said that he only wanted a one year deal. He is a afraid of the age, and rightfully so, he is 35, soon to be 36. Not exactly a spring chicken. I told CJ he was dreaming if he thought that the Reds were going to be able to skate by on a one year deal. And looky here, a one year deal!
Did I mention that he was cheap? 2.02 million for this year, under a million is base salary and the rest is bonus. Seriously, that is all it took to get this deal done? And to think I was willing to drive to where ever he was and personally drive him here. He may not be great, and he may be a little old, but he is consistent and he actually knows what to do with a bat. Poor Alex kept thinking it was for a pinata!
So, shortstop is taken care of. Good. Now, I am going to go ahead and spoil the rest for you. The Reds did NOT address the left field situation or catcher. They will retain the combined services of Ryan Hannigan and Ramon Hernandez. Provided Hernandez can stay healthy, and provided the Reds don’t have to force him to play all over the place because of injuries, I think Ramon can still be of value. He can’t run, can barely hit anymore, but where he will shine is with the young Latin kids we have on this team. He can talk to them and coach them. I have no doubt that is why they brought him in here, the Reds knew that to be successful that they would have to go outside the US in free agency to make a difference. Foreign players tend to cost less.
He's not flashy, but he will get the job done in a pinch.
But the Reds did do something that made me wet my pants in excitement. They got rid of Willy Taveras. Talk about addition by subtraction! Willy was so bad at the plate it can only be described as vomit inducing. And his defense wasn’t too much better. He was one of the biggest fails the Reds have ever had, and that was after the Cory Patterson debacle. You would think they would learn. But perhaps they have? They were able to dump Taveras to Oakland for Aaron Miles. Not exactly a blockbuster deal, but it unloads Taveras and his worthless 4 million dollar price tag. Thanks Oakland, chumps. So what do we get with Aaron Miles? Someone cheaper and more versatile. No he is not great, but it will be nice to have someone adequate to fill in for Phillips at second base throughout the year. The Reds need to keep Phillips fresh.
Like Taveras, Miles did not have his best year last year. The good news is that he isn’t going to start. He will be a sub and will come off the bench. And even better he is able to play multiple positions. In his career he has played all three outfield spots and half the infield. Third base, shortstop, and second base, and much like our very own Paul Janish he has even pitched. Dusty loves those 6 tool guys. But in all seriousness, Miles will bring so many more options than Willy Taveras, who could only play center field and not very well at that.
So while nothing stunning, the Reds did a great job of adding depth, some decent veteran leadership, upgraded at the most important position on the ball field and most important they got rid of Willy “my speed doesn’t matter because I can never get on base” Taveras. Kudos to the Reds for thriving with thriftiness. Hopefully since the budget isn’t moving these little moves can help make a difference.
Bill Meinhardt said
Thanks for reminding me of Corey Patterson…Walt just needs to tell Dusty, “no more of your old washed up players comin here”! On the bright side as you mention, upgrade stick at the SS position…check! I think Walt figure’s give the farm system another year or two to develop someone (heard rumor they may try Yonder Alonso at catch)? Left field, don’t ya hate that position by committee stuff, good God put Dickerson, Francisco or Nix out there and live with it. Remind me again about the little utility player everyone loved but was always getting hurt (name escapes me), is he still in the league? The Reds have to quit playing musical chairs…get these guys figured out in Double and Triple A and get on with it.
I love Dean Wermer!!!
George Herron said
I am glad I can be the guy to help remind the masses of the great Corey Patterson, anything to keep his memory alive.
Speaking of Corey Patterson, Dusty had him with the Cubs. I think Dusty and Walt share an affinity for old guys that THEY like. Hence the signing of Scott Rolen and a trade for Aaron Miles. Aaron was more to get rid of Willy, but still Walt had him in St. Louis.
Yeah I am kind of tired of the left field carousel as well, but if you have three guys that are adequate but not great, and you don’t have any more money to go get a legitimate left fielder than you are kind of stuck. Shortstop was more important, so they did they right thing there. They will just have to play the hot hand in left, unless someone emerges as the clear cut winner early on.
I hope that rumor about Alonso catching isn’t true. That is one of the hardest positions to learn on the fly. You have to know the pitchers, you have to know all the signs, you have to be able to pay attention to the runners. There is SO MUCH to learn for a catcher that I am sure it would take away from his other development. If we are going to move him, lets choose a easier position to transition him into, PLEASE.
Ryan Freel might be the name you were looking for.
Josh Couts said
Just read where Johnny Gomes was in town yesterday talking about another minor league deal. He is my IDEAL left fielder and I hope Walt finds the $800,000 to get this done!
George Herron said
For that cheap, I would take him in a heart beat. 20 Home runs in 98 games, not too bad. And he was actually keeping his average up.
Fingers crossed.