Winter Meetings start today

If Jayson Stark is right, forget Erik Bedard coming to Cincinnati.

"So far, though, several teams that have asked about Bedard have come away saying they don't see how any team can meet an asking price that eclipses what the Twins want for Santana -- i.e., at least four young, big-time players."

Obviously Castro looks like the odd man out inasmuch as he can't hit.

I assume there would be some marginal interest around the league in Jorge Cantu, but I haven't seen his name discussed in any trade rumors.

Not sure if you've ever been to the Opry, Slyde, but nobody is allowed to speak while Little Jimmy Dickens is waxing sentimental about the pure country goodness of Maple Valley Farms Original Potato Biscuits.

Not sure how many takers he'd find, or what kind of price Farney would fetch, but he seems expendable.

I'd hope that Krivsky will also be exploring what interest is out there for Hatteberg and Junior, but those two would be tougher to trade, and I don't believe that he would put too much effort into moving them.

Castro... maybe he can handle Hamilton's per diem.

However, I am pretty sure we need to go the trade route, as I don't think there is much tempting in the FA market.  

It is pretty obvious to get a starter we will have to give up one of Votto, Hamilton, or Encarnacion.  I say you gotta keep Edwin, because we badly need his RH bat.  Take it away, and our only real power threats from the Right side is BP and Alex Gonzalez.  

Castro shold be gone. All other candiddates would be trade bait. I guess it is too much to hope that Jr. might get traded before he . My guess is that several guys mays be gone by opening day: Freel, Hamilton and Hatteberg lead the list, although Cantu could be of interest. I just don't think you'll get much for any of these guys except Hobbs. Despite his talent, he is an unproven comodity though. I think it will take giving up a prospect to get a pitcher and that is what is needed. Problem is who would you want to give up. Nobody really.

He says they've drafted a deal that would send Hamilton, Freel, and Coffey to Baltimore for Bedard.

they have these "winter meeting" thingees, right? well, try to imagine them.  so there are thirty GMs moseying downstairs from their hotel rooms to the hotel conference room...are they served breakfast or is it the get up and go to the buffet yourself kind of thing?  i say buffet.  lots of coffee consumed - the hotel staff in their little maroon vests and white shirts and black pants can't keep the coffee brewing fast enough.  the meetings probably start at 9am, but none of the GMs really sits down until 9:15, the last one (probably Leatherpants) arriving about 9:25 and slowly filling his plate with blueberry muffins, a pig's worth of bacon, and some fancy scrambled eggs with a dash of oregano and basil.  the other GMs impatiently watch him fill his plate because they are ready to start the meetings, but he has no regard for them.

finally, he sits down.  what happens next?  i mean, what do they actually talk about?  do you think billy beane starts it off by saying, "ok, thanks for coming out today.  here's what i've got on the table." names names.  "we need some bullpen help and we're willing to give up a couple of prospects in exchange for a reliable arm or two."  

it goes on like this for awhile, but it isn't until 10:30 before wayne krivsky finally speaks up.  "ok, here's what we've got on the table.  josh hamilton.  fine young ballplayer.  we took a gamble on him last year and it worked out pretty well, but we're in desperate need for another starter, so we'd be willing to give him up for a price."  the whole time he's looking at the piece of paper in front of him - some notes he'd scribbled on the hotel stationary the night before as he was trying rather unsuccessfully to fight his insomnia.  he then says, "we also are willing to let go of ryan freel, who as you know is the star of those webgems they have on the E$PN show.    we have some other outfielders, too - norris hopper, chris dickerson down in louisville, and don't forget junior.  junior has to approve any trade, but we can try to work it out.  no, we don't want to give up dunn - well, i do, but bob doesn't, and you know the thing about bosses - but we'll still listen to offers." he then says some nonsensical things that mean nothing before he says, "hey billy, i'd be willing to trade you mike stanton for danny haren.  i know haren's a bit of an injury risk, but i think we could help you out with that one."  at which point twenty-nine men roll their eyes.

seriously, how do these meeting proceed?  

From SI's Jon Heyman @ the Winter meetings

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/jon_heyman/12/03/monday.scoop/1.html

The Reds may make a play for Marlins left-hander Dontrelle Willis. Cincinnati finally has decent prospects to trade -- starting with pitcher Homer Bailey and slugger Joey Votto. Josh Hamilton, last year's feel good story, also should have good value now.

I would be in striaght up for Hamilton.  But not if Bailey has to be added.  I probably still would be in if we have to add one of McBeth/Salmon/Coutlangus

Carlos Quentin going to the White Sox for Chris Carter, according to MLB Trade Rumors.

I'd have taken Quentin, even if the Reds don't need more outfielders.  He's gonna be a lot better than last season.

I think the Reds basically need a SP who is like Arroyo. The price for such a guy might actually be fair. I don't like the idea of overpaying for Willis or that Linceum (sp?) guy in SF. The Reds have a strong #1, a solid #2, and a #3 who projects as a top-end guy. What I'd like to see is another mid-rotation guy to stablize the rotation, eat innings, provide depth. In that case, the Reds will have a top rotation as soon as Bailey starts to get it at the big league level.

But what mid-rotation guys are available via trade?  

for a vet first baseman... I know he throws real hard, that cant be all bad can it?

I don't see any other acquisitions for the pen. We have Cordero, Weatrhers and Burton making a nice "spine" to build upon. From there, it's Stanton and Coffey (guaranteed contracts), Coutlangus/Bray and either Majewski, McBeth or Salmon. Or some combination thereof. I do think Stanton will get cut in April if he sucks again. I think all these guys will be in the pen at some point next season. Is there anyone else I'm missing?

For me it's about SP now. I'd like somebody Silva-esque without the hefty-bag contract. Who is out there via trade to be the #3 guy?

I'd like to see us go after a middle of the rotation AL guy.  time after time, guys have come form the AL to the NL and looked instantly better.  Any thoughts on who might be available?

(along with half the rest of the league, apparently). But it's nice to see Wayne regressing to his norm and not actually trying to pick up real starters to fill in the rest of the rotation.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/mlb_experts/post/Erstad-drawing-interest?urn=mlb,56051

I laughed.

http://www.delawareonline.com/blogs/2007/12/dec-3-mid-day-update.html

Sabean declared them off the table a week or so ago. Here's a short item on Lincecum.

For all the talk of Bedard I might be interested in Daniel Cabrera. Maybe he's worn out his welcome in Baltimore and can be more affordable. The Leo Mazzone magic didn't work on him, but maybe the National League magic will.

Supposing the Reds go the FA route for a starter, would you rather they sign Tomko, or take a chance on the likes of Bartolo Colon and Matt Clement, both coming off injuries who could be had for cheap (and for the short term)? Tomko seems like a garden variety #4 guy. Colon or Clement could flash top-of-rotation stuff in an incentive-laden contract.

Thoughts?

Mlbtraderumors

"According to MLB.com's Jim Molony, the Reds are interested in the Giants' Tim Lincecum (who isn't).  Molony says the Reds won't include Jay Bruce in any deal, however.  Why inquire then?  Why would the Giants give up their best player for anything less than the Reds' top prospect?  I guess it didn't hurt to ask."  

I know its been discussed, but how about Hamilton-Cueto?

...Junior and/or Hatteberg were traded this week, this winter, or anytime before the Reds fall to 38-49.

If Bob told Wayne to recruit Dusty by telling him, "We want to win," it's hard to imagine any of those three being down with trading away one of the best ever.

Red Reporters' teeth may gnash upon hearing or reading these dreaded two words but those if  Bob, Wayne and Dusty went in together on a time share yacht, you can bet that they'd consider naming it Veteran Presence.

You dead, dawg. I ain't e'en bullshitin'

Just talked to Ryan Freel. Rob Butcher set up a mini confernece call as Ryan pulled over to the side of the road to talk to us on his way to Chuck E. Cheese. Anyway, Ryan said his knee is feeling great and he has no lingering effects from his concussion.

I guess disease free is important.

ESPN's Jerry Crasnick has been working hard all day to get us some good rumors.  Here's the latest.

The Reds want to acquire a starter, but they spent all their money on Francisco Cordero.  The plan is to trade a young player for a cheap starter.  Joey Votto and especially Jay Bruce would be near impossible to acquire.  However the Reds will listen on Josh Hamilton and Edwin Encarnacion.  They never seemed to like Encarnacion.  Crasnick thinks the Cubs could work for Hamilton but they'd need to pony up more than Sean Marshall.  Would Rich Hill be too much?  It's been said in the past that the Rangers inquired on Hamilton.  The Giants, meanwhile, would love to pry Encarnacion loose - Noah Lowry anyone?  

Cincinnati Reds
Signed: RHP Justin Lehr, RHP Ricky Stone

There. That should get you buzzing.

...now have too many outfielders.

Bill Ladson is reporting that Austin Kearns and Felipe Lopez are on the block.

..that Wayne signs Brett Tomko.

Any takers?

I found Harold Reynolds!