Hot Stove Rumors Thread

[Warner2BruceTD]

Red Sox, Tigers and Reds continue pursuit of Joe Saunders.

How do you feel about this?

To me, Joe Saunders is no better than the guys we already have. He does nothing for me.

[Rudi]

I think Joe Saunders is exponentially better than Bronson Arroyo.

[Warner2BruceTD]

Gio Gonzalez, Mat Latos and Jair Jurrjens are among the pitchers on the Reds’ wish list, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (Twitter links). Latos may be available in the right deal, Gonzalez could be had, but Oakland's asking price is high and Jurrjens also appears to be available. GM Walt Jocketty recently told Rosenthal that he’s looking aggressively at ways of improving his team’s pitching staff, despite the high asking prices sellers are setting for available arms.

Matt Garza, who could earn a salary approaching $9MM through arbitration, is too expensive for Jocketty’s liking and John Danks is less appealing than some alternatives, as he’s under team control for just one season, Rosenthal writes. James Shields appears to be out of the reach for every team, including the Reds, and Jocketty is aiming to obtain a better pitcher than Wade Davis.

Honestly I don't love any of these guys, and probably wouldn't trade Alonso for any one of them, let alone Alonso plus one of the catchers and other pieces.

Gonzalez walks the ballpark, i've never like Garza and he makes too much, Shields is the best but he's also the oldest, Jurrjens has health concerns, and guys like Danks and Davis are nothing special.

Obvioulsy i'd take any of these guys (aside from Garza, who I don't want at all under any circumstance) if you are talking one of the catchers as the centerpiece instead of Alonso.

[Warner2BruceTD]

I think Joe Saunders is exponentially better than Bronson Arroyo.

But that doesn't really matter, because Arroyo is going to be in the rotation no matter what as the #3 or #4.

This is what they are trying to do:

Cueto
???
Leake
Arroyo
Chapman/Wood/Volquez

I don't think Saunders fills the ??? any better than what we have in house. In fact, he basically is Arroyo. A lock to not miss any starts, 200 innings, some years good, some years bad.

I think Leake is better than Saunders, especially moving forward.

[nflman2033]

But that doesn't really matter, because Arroyo is going to be in the rotation no matter what as the #3 or #4.

This is what they are trying to do:

Cueto
???
Leake
Arroyo
Chapman/Wood/Volquez

I don't think Saunders fills the ??? any better than what we have in house. In fact, he basically is Arroyo. A lock to not miss any starts, 200 innings, some years good, some years bad.

I think Leake is better than Saunders, especially moving forward.

Two Good seasons, and gave up nearly 30 HR's last year in Arizona, I am seeing Eric Milton Pt 2 if we get him.. no thanks

[Warner2BruceTD]

After some analysis, of the realistic options, I want Latos.

[Rudi]

I def want Jurrjens if its possible

[Rudi]

And I dont think the chapman starting thing is going to take off yet.

[FedEx227]

After some analysis, of the realistic options, I want Latos.

You should. Latos is solid and not at all a byproduct of PETCO.

[Warner2BruceTD]

You should. Latos is solid and not at all a byproduct of PETCO.

Plus he's 24, under team control until 2016, and gives you the 9.0 k/9 without the walks that you get from Gonzalez.

I soured on him after the slow start last year, but his numbers ended up pretty strong.

[NAHSTE]

Plus he's 24, under team control until 2016, and gives you the 9.0 k/9 without the walks that you get from Gonzalez.

I soured on him after the slow start last year, but his numbers ended up pretty strong.

He had a sore arm to start the year. His 2nd half numbers were tremendous.

Here are his monthly ERA's last year:

March/April: 4.98
May: 3.38
June: 4.82
July: 3.69
Aug: 3.00
Sept/Oct.: 1.96

What is weird though is that his K/9 are inversely proportional to that. His highest K/9 was in March/April, and his lowest was in August. Not sure if that's just a fluke or if it represents a change in pitching philosophy.

[EmpireWF]

The Mets told Oakland they won't deal any of their top prospects for Gonzo...so that's pretty much dead.

However, there is momentum building to some package including Niese for OF Seth Smith of Colorado.

[NAHSTE]

The Mets told Oakland they won't deal any of their top prospects for Gonzo...so that's pretty much dead.

However, there is momentum building to some package including Niese for OF Seth Smith of Colorado.

Damn, I'm still hoping the Braves can land Smith. The Rockies seem determined to deal him.

[Warner2BruceTD]

Damn, I'm still hoping the Braves can land Smith. The Rockies seem determined to deal him.

Especially now with Cuddyer in the fold.

Heisey for Jurrjens. Do it. Do it.

[NAHSTE]

Especially now with Cuddyer in the fold.

Heisey for Jurrjens. Do it. Do it.

I don't think a Reds deal goes down without involving Frazier.