2013 Cincinnati Reds Thread

[Warner2BruceTD]

Reds GM Walt Jocketty tells Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports that Cincinnati could move one of their young shortstops (Zack Cozart or Didi Gregorius) if such a deal could bring the Reds a closer or a leadoff-hitting outfielder.

“It depends if we get back what we need,” Jocketty said. “If we don’t, then I won’t mind holding onto them.”

Cozart was the Reds' everyday shortstop in 2012, hitting .246/.288/.399 in an even 600 plate appearances and showing above-average glovework (a +9.0 UZR/150) in his first full Major League season. The 27-year-old Cozart was ranked as the 75th-best prospect in the game by Baseball America before the season, though he may have already been replaced by a newer model, as Jocketty considers the 22-year-old Gregorius to be "an everyday player...It’s just a question of when and how we manage it." Gregorius, a native of Amsterdam, has a .699 OPS in five minor league seasons.

If this surplus of controllable young shortstops wasn't enough, the Reds also have stolen base king Billy Hamilton, who Morosi notes was converted to center field last year. While Hamilton would command a much larger return in a trade than Cozart or Gregorius, I'd imagine Hamilton is next to untouchable.

The Reds are known to be looking for a leadoff hitter and an outfielder (preferably a player who can fill both roles), as well as closing depth in case the team moves Aroldis Chapman to the rotation. Morosi suggests the A's as a trade partner since they have both Coco Crisp and several good relievers, and also notes that the Reds could find a leadoff-hitting outfielder from shortstop-needy teams like the Twins or Diamondbacks.


Read more at http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/...erfeed&utm_medium=twitter#Dh3F8XrfH8xOQME8.99

 

[Rudi]

I would be fine with dealing one of those SS to get a lead off hitter...however I don't think Coco Crisp is the answer.

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

I would be fine with dealing one of those SS to get a lead off hitter...however I don't think Coco Crisp is the answer.

Yeah besides those two you still have Hamilton as a backup plan if there is a disaster, plus the low minors are stocked with SS's. SS for the Reds is like C was two years ago, so I expect one of them moved.

Speaking of which, how about Yasmani Grandal getting popped? Ooops! This buys Mesoraco some time to get his act together, because Grandal raked last year and Meso...didn't.

 

[Rudi]

I'm not worried about Meso yet. The guy is still young with hella potential. People seem to be wanting to write him off already. Dumb.

 

[Rudi]

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. -- The Reds, who tried but failed to acquire a leadoff hitter at midseason, are interested in Michael Bourn, according to sources.

The Reds can't be considered a favorite to land Bourn, and there's a real chance that his price will go higher than what they can afford to spend. But he's enough of a fit that they are monitoring the market and are expected to keep in touch with agent Scott Boras.

Reds leadoff hitters combined for a .254 on-base percentage, easily the worst in the majors. Bourn had a .348 on-base percentage last year with the Braves, and has been at .340 or higher each of the last four seasons.

While leadoff is an issue, the Reds have other significant needs this winter. They want to re-sign outfielder Ryan Ludwick, and would need to replace his 80 RBI if they can't keep him. They also want to sign a closer, allowing them to move Aroldis Chapman to the rotation.

The Nationals have long been considered the favorite for Bourn. The Braves like him, but expect to get outbid.

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

I've cooled on Bourne. But I wouldn't be upset if they signed him.

 

[Rudi]

I'm still 100% on board with getting Bourn. He is the guy I've wanted from day one..However obviously I've accepted the fact that he will be too expensive for us.

This does give me some hope that we might still get him though.

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

Reds signed minor league legend Mike Hessman, who has 384 combined HR's in the minor leagues, Japan, and MLB.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=hessma001mic

They also signed Marquez Smith, who is also a bit of a baseball underground legend due to his fielding prowess.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=smith-017mar

Between Hessman, Smith, & Billy Hamilton, the Reds will have three of the most talked about minor league players of the last decade playing in Louisville this year. I don't know what that means, other than maybe Louisville needs the attendance boost or something.

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

Dioner Navarro is a Cub.

$1.75M

 

[Woy]

Dioner Navarro is a Cub.

$1.75M

What ever happened to Mesoraco? They just didn't bring him back up after his concussion?

 

[Rudi]

What ever happened to Mesoraco? They just didn't bring him back up after his concussion?

Pretty much. He was barely hitting .200 though. He was lost at the plate. After he recovered from his concussion he played in Louisville then was added to the September roster.

 

[Woy]

How long does Hanigan have left on his contract? Is Meso still looked at as the future guy back there?

I'm only really interested cause Meso's kind of a local boy, so I'd like to see him to do well.

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

How long does Hanigan have left on his contract? Is Meso still looked at as the future guy back there?

I'm only really interested cause Meso's kind of a local boy, so I'd like to see him to do well.

2 more years for Hanigan.

Mesoraco had a lot of bad luck. His BABIP was .234 and his strikeout rate was among the lowest of his career, yet he only hit .212. Navarro hit so well that once Meso came back from the concussion & suspension, he never got his AB's back.

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

Bill James projections see Hanigan playing 69 games with 235 AB's, to Mesoraco's 123/471. Thinks Meso will hit 16 HR's.

Barring injury, there is no chance Hanigan plays only 69 games.

 

[Rudi]

Yeah thats crazy. Hanigan is this team's starting catcher. I believe his comfort level with our pitching staff plays a huge part. He will start 3/5 days IMO.

 

[Rudi]

Reds signed Emmanuel Burris from the Giants. He's terrible. Poor man's Wilson Valdez.

In 60 games with the Giants this past season, Burriss appeared at second base, third base, shortstop and right field. The 27-year-old posted a .213/.270/.221 batting line in 150 plate appearances.

Singles hitter, oh yes. Literally. Burriss had the least power of any major league position player, with only one extra base hit (a double) out of 150 PA

Probably won't even make the 25 man roster, but who knows.

In other news, this is really disturbing.

Scott Rolen has told the Reds he may play next season, but he isn't ready to make a final decision tweets Stark. The team wants him back in some role.

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

I'd take Rolen back without hesitation in the Cairo role as the backup corner infielder. That's a massive upgrade.

 

[Rudi]

We all know it wouldn't be that simple. Dusty would end up starting Rolen 3/4 times a week and we'd have to endure another year of the Frazier dilemma. Fuck all that.

 

[Rudi]

Reds are going to sign Broxton for 3 years according to sources.

This move means Chapman will be heading into the rotation. Neat.

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

Chapman to rotation = good

Broxton to the 9th inning = bad

I will be more comfortable with this if they bring Madson back or sign Soria or both. I know i've beaten this to death, but I don't trust Broxton.

Also, bye bye Mike Leake. He's a trade chip now. The way Bailey finished, with a no hitter, dominant postseason start, and increased velocity, make me think he's finally put it all together.