Thursday Winter Meetings Open Thread

by JD Arney on Dec 7, 2006 10:01 AM EST in News

Last day, so if anything's going to happen it has to be soon.

The Reds drafted a player in the Rule V draft.
The MLB draft might be televised soon. Pretty long overdue I think, I know I'd watch. Would make it slightly more fun to root for a terrible team, and that's not a bad thing. Draft day was the Bengals day back in the 90s, best day of the year by far.
This guy doesn't seem to really have a clue:
Alex Gonzalez, SS, Reds (3 years, $14,000,000)
The Red Sox had the right idea with him -- he's a potentially decent stopgap. He might enjoy a one-year resurgence in power thanks to the GABP, but otherwise Reds fans can expect more of the same from a player with a career .292 OBP and fading defense. This isn't nearly as bad news for Reds fans as the hiring of Thom "Amaaaazing" Brennaman and Jeff Brantley to the announcing team. Shudders.

I really think Gonzalez is one of the few things that Krivsky has managed to get right in recent months.
This is how you get relief pitching. Krivsky could definitely learn something from John Schuerholz.

This is your open thread for Thursday's Winter Meetings. Let's hope something actually happens today.

Tweet Comment 40 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Astros Acquire Jon Garland

Reportedly for Willy Taveras and Taylor Buckholz. Deal is being reported by the Houston Chronicle and MLBTradeRumors.com

Didn't Garland kill us in interleague last year. I think he had a cg and hit a home run.

Find me on MySpace- http://www.myspace.com/mixfmkyle

by MixFMKyle on Dec 7, 2006 11:00 AM EST reply actions

He pitched into the 9th

but he didn't finish it. He homered off of Esteban Yan, and gave up 1 run over 8 innings on 4 hits, striking out 4. That's his only career start against the Reds.

by Slyde on Dec 7, 2006 11:04 AM EST up reply actions

I was at that game.

...that was a crappy day.

Reds fandom: A study in futility and masochism.

by Ash on Dec 7, 2006 11:14 AM EST up reply actions

Looks like the deal is stalled

12:59 p.m., from Jayson Stark

* The White Sox-Astros deal that had Jon Garland going to Houston for Willy Taveras and Taylor Buchholz has no chance of happening as it has been reported. White Sox GM Kenny Williams said that he can't trade a second starter unless he gets two major pieces in return.

by Slyde on Dec 7, 2006 1:52 PM EST up reply actions

Rafeal Soriano to the Braves

Moves like this are why, like it or not, Schuerholz is the best in the biz. Mark it down Soriano will be better than anything we have this season out of the pen.

by WayneNarron on Dec 7, 2006 11:02 AM EST reply actions

Was I wrong...

for hoping the Reds would actually make a splash this off-season? So far it's a deafening silence.

by Gage on Dec 7, 2006 11:15 AM EST reply actions

Big Cannonball splash....

We got Josh Hamilton. Now, there's a 75% chance he goes Toe Nash on us.....but there's at least a 10% chance he gets to the majors.

Hamilton. Stubbs. Bruce.

Class of '08/'09.

Courtney for President, 2008

by ohiobobcat on Dec 7, 2006 11:48 AM EST up reply actions

What's the Rush?

Doubtful the Reds are going to be throwing around multi-millions for these grossly over inflated free agents. There's still three and a half months till play ball time.

by TR on Dec 7, 2006 11:32 AM EST reply actions

Probably should just write off 2007...

And see if the market corrects itself after JD Drew misses five months with turf toe, Soriano reverts to the player he was before he went to the Nats, Carlos Lee is forced onto a liquid diet after gaining 50 pounds and Vicente Padilla...well...pitches like Vicente Padilla in Texas.

Might as well keep Homer in the minors one more year at AAA, maybe bring him up for September, but don't give him enough service time for it to matter. By 2008, we hopefully have Votto and maybe get a September peek at Jay Bruce.

Don't mind me...just thinking positive and pitching to contact, that's all...

by Paul Householder on Dec 7, 2006 12:32 PM EST reply actions

And don't forget

the $55 million man Gil Meche, who'll either:

A. Last a full season, but go about 9-17 with a 4.40 ERA.

B. Get about 12 starts before going on the DL.

Meche gets my vote for the absolute worst free agent signing I've seen this year. Just awful.

by cesarhernandez on Dec 7, 2006 2:26 PM EST up reply actions

Yes.

That was a vomitous signing.

I wonder what the people of Kansas City did to deserve such management?

Don't mind me...just thinking positive and pitching to contact, that's all...

by Paul Householder on Dec 7, 2006 3:49 PM EST up reply actions

From commenters on 'Royals Review'

"This is the first time since David Cone that the Royals went out and did whatever it took to bring in a guy that everyone wanted. What a great time to be a Royals fan. This is a huge signing, sure we had to overspend a bit but we got the guy we wanted even though a lot of other teams wanted him just as much. It's a new day for KC fans, we have a savvy GM and the ownership seems to be behind him and is showing it with money."

and

"Wowser..... I am so happy I could explode...."

by indy on Dec 7, 2006 4:08 PM EST up reply actions

Poor guys

I wish Meche luck, but this looks a lot like the Darren Dreifort signing in 2000. The big difference is the Dodgers had enough resources to overcome Dreifort's injuries.

And clearly losing has destroyed the souls of those Royals fans. When you are celebrating the fact that your team simply did something, that's a scary place to be.

by Slyde on Dec 7, 2006 4:13 PM EST up reply actions

Pot calling the kettle black...

There are those around here who would think that if the Kansas City GM didn't do anything, they would be calling for him to be fired...

Don't mind me...just thinking positive and pitching to contact, that's all...

by Paul Householder on Dec 7, 2006 5:04 PM EST up reply actions

from AP article re: Josh Hamilton

"Reds general manager Wayne Krivsky said he got a scouting report from manager Jerry Narron's brother, whose kids played against Hamilton in an amateur league in North Carolina."

Did this make anyone else laugh?

by greg456 on Dec 7, 2006 1:47 PM EST reply actions

and....

"all, sans Hamilton, enjoyed a hearty buffett featuring peanut butter and Levi Garrett. Hamilton certainly showed signs of increased maturity, as he demonstrated the desire to learn the new mumbling, gutteral language the clan spoke at the postgame feast".

Courtney for President, 2008

by ohiobobcat on Dec 7, 2006 1:52 PM EST up reply actions

Boy...

The Cardinals are trying to corner the market on USDA Grade A Jerks.

They want to talk to Bonds.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2689475

Don't mind me...just thinking positive and pitching to contact, that's all...

by Paul Householder on Dec 7, 2006 2:58 PM EST reply actions

jockety said no

this morning.

winter is boooooooring

by Daedalus on Dec 7, 2006 3:33 PM EST up reply actions

news

The top two headlines in my yahoo news are "Reds sign C LaRue to two-year contract" and "Hammond agrees to contract with Reds".

I almost fell out of my chair until I saw the small print "11 months ago".

by Brian B on Dec 7, 2006 3:41 PM EST reply actions

The Natural

Who knows. Maybe this Josh Hamilton guy will be the next Roy Hobbs of baseball. You all know the story. Roy Hobbs had all the potential in the world, but tragically, his career was cut short by an injury stemming from his shortcomings off the field.

But Hobbs, getting past his youthful indiscretions, made a comeback to lead an underdog team to the World Championship.

Baseball is all about second chances.

Did I say that?

by dmcgee on Dec 7, 2006 6:46 PM EST reply actions

Cincy interested in Gagne?

I just found this item deep in an Associated Press winter meetings story:

"Also, a pair of relievers seemed to be moving toward decisions: Eric Gagne and Octavio Dotel. Cincinnati liked Gagne and Boston was interested in Dotel."

I've read that Gagne only wants a one-year deal, so he can restore his value and make bigger bucks next year. One-year, $5 million I think could get it done. Jeez, if only the Reds hadn't already wasted the money on Stanton and Weathers.

by cesarhernandez on Dec 7, 2006 6:57 PM EST reply actions

Gagne

Would you really pay $5 million to a pitcher that has thrown 15.1 innings in the last 2 seasons? I'd love to take a chance on Gagne, but $5 millions seems like an awful big risk.

by Slyde on Dec 7, 2006 7:02 PM EST up reply actions

It's Castellini's money

Who cares about money on a one year deal? We paid Eddie Guardado what, 2.5 million last year? (his full salary was 6.25). Given how risky he was, 5m seems like a perfectly reasonable risk for Gagne.

by teb7 on Dec 7, 2006 7:46 PM EST up reply actions

It's worth it.

With no long term commitment, offering up a fairly large chunk of change honestly isn't a huge deal. Gagne is two years removed from having the most dominant three-year run any reliever has ever had. Offer him something like $5.5 mil in base salary and the possibility of $10 mil through incentives, based mainly on appearances and saves. If he returns to form, then we get a dominant closer at a reasonable price and the inside track on re-signing him next year. If he can't stay healthy, then Castellini's really not out of a whole lot of money. This team desperately needs a closer, and Gagne could definitely come back and be the best closer in the entire league.

by Geki on Dec 7, 2006 8:06 PM EST up reply actions

Closer

I guess I don't believe in the desperate need for a closer. And $5.5 million seems like a whole lot of money to me, especially for the risk of him not pitching.

by Slyde on Dec 7, 2006 8:13 PM EST up reply actions

Too bad...

We couldn't pay Joe Mays and Ryan Franklin not to pitch last year.

Don't mind me...just thinking positive and pitching to contact, that's all...

by Paul Householder on Dec 7, 2006 8:17 PM EST up reply actions

I can't say I like the Weathers/Stanton duo

We have nobody who even comes all that close to qualifying as a closer. We don't even have somebody in the entire organization who could be considered a closer(unless Homer was used at closer this year, something I wouldn't be totally against).

Honestly, I just don't see a very big difference between $80 mil and $75 mil over the course of one season, and I hope Castellini agrees with me. Would I give Gagne a multi-year deal at $5 mil per? Hell no, but it's worth the risk for this season.

by Geki on Dec 7, 2006 8:30 PM EST up reply actions

Closer/K man

It's not that Gagne's a closer; it's that Gagne at least has a shred of a chance of striking guys out. Our bullpen didn't have a guy who came close to 8K per 9. I'd like to have someone out there who can miss bats, and if it fits into 2007's budget without hampering any other acquisitions, who cares?

by teb7 on Dec 7, 2006 11:09 PM EST up reply actions

Closer in waiting

Someone recently said "We create closers." I couldnt agree more. I'm hoping that Bray can be groomed for that roll. The sky would be the limit on his value if he succeeds.

That's the better risk to take than shelling out $5 million on Gagne.

If Bob C. is going to bust his budget, I'd say we would need to trade for a legitimate number 3 hitter, if we're still in the race come July.

Did I say that?

by dmcgee on Dec 8, 2006 11:00 AM EST up reply actions

mlbtraderumors.com

says that Dotel is about to sign with Kansas City, and the red sox are going to be after Gagne. I doubt the Reds want to get in a bidding war with Boston. But Gagne might be worth the investment for a year or two.

by KAredsfan on Dec 8, 2006 1:44 AM EST up reply actions

what's with people

not providing links?

winter is boooooooring

by Daedalus on Dec 7, 2006 8:38 PM EST up reply actions

Sorry I couldn't post

a link to the Gagne info because I didn't get the info off the internet. I have access to the Associated Press wire feed.

by cesarhernandez on Dec 7, 2006 8:40 PM EST up reply actions

Found it here

http://www.onelocalnews.com/duntonsprings/ViewArticle.aspx?id=32931&source=2

by Slyde on Dec 7, 2006 8:43 PM EST up reply actions

I'd much rather have Dotel

Gagne is coming off shoulder problems, which were caused by chronic back trouble, IIRC. Back and shoulder problems are not something that go away as you get older.

Dotel, on the other hand, could be had for much cheaper. $1.5mil guaranteed plus incentives should do it. He'll be exactly 18 months removed from Tommy John surgery on opening day, which is the standard time frame for 100% recovery. Less guaranteed money, and a better chance of getting back where he was.

"Karma - there it was. The meaning of life, straight from Carson Daly's lips to my morphine-laced ears." -Earl Hickey

by BLee2525 on Dec 7, 2006 9:05 PM EST up reply actions

Looks like Dotel has been overpaid

From Rotoworld, citing the Boston Herald:

Octavio Dotel and the Royals have reportedly agreed to a one-year, $5 million contract.

Dotel, who will go into the closer's role, can make an extra $2 million in incentives. A healthy Dotel is a terrific reliever, but he showed little last season after returning from Tommy John surgery. It's another risky pickup for a Royals team still likely to finish in fifth place, but this one won't hurt in 2008 and beyond if it doesn't work out.

by cesarhernandez on Dec 7, 2006 9:23 PM EST reply actions

That's why the Royals....

are the Royals.

Dotel missed more than a year with TJ surgery, came back to post a 10.80 ERA/2.90 WHIP, and earned a $3mil RAISE??

"Karma - there it was. The meaning of life, straight from Carson Daly's lips to my morphine-laced ears." -Earl Hickey

by BLee2525 on Dec 7, 2006 9:33 PM EST up reply actions

at least

They can easily flip him at the deadline for a prospect.

by Red Menace on Dec 7, 2006 9:47 PM EST up reply actions

Which is a better investment?

In the Reds' position, I'd much rather guarantee Dotel $5M for one year than Stanton $5M for two.

by sidnancy on Dec 8, 2006 11:00 AM EST up reply actions

There must be something

about Hamilton that was pretty unreal. I looked up the 1999 draft today and he was taken #1 ahead of the likes of Barry Zito, Ben Sheets,Josh Beckett, Brett Myers, Mike McDougal, Craig Munson, etc. Granted that many times a hyped-up player will be a bust, but it doesnt seem like he has had a real chance to show what he can do at this point. And even if he comes into Spring Training putting up Brandon Larson (in the majors) type numbers we didnt lose anything in the process to find out. I'm pretty excited

ukty

by ukty on Dec 8, 2006 12:51 AM EST reply actions