Hairston – minor league deal and invite to ST
Weathers – arbitration
Affeldt – 3 years, 13 mil
Lincoln – 1 year, 1.5 mil

This from the Detroit Free Press:

"Watch the Reds: The Cincinnati Reds could be a trading partner for the Tigers this off-season.

Cincinnati would like to add a power-hitting outfielder, which corresponds to one of Detroit’s organizational strengths. And there is a degree of familiarity between the clubs, thanks to the close relationship between Tigers manager Jim Leyland and Reds GM Walt Jocketty.

Tigers leftfielder Marcus Thames may be an ideal fit for the Reds. Great American Ball Park is considerably smaller than Comerica Park, which would help Thames hit even more home runs and limit the territory he would need to cover defensively. Thames hit 25 home runs in only 316 at-bats this year."

   I’ll pass. Thames has some power, from the right side but can’t get on base unless he’s rounding them. He poor defensively and he’ll be 32 on opening day. Is that worth a solid bullpen arm?

Cincinnati Reds (9)
RHP: Michael Hrynio (AA), Justin Lehr (AAA), Joe Valentine (AA)
LHP: Bobby Livingston (AAA)
C: Alvin Colina (AAA)
1B: Kevin Barker (AAA), Tonys Gutierrez (AA)
3B: Aaron Herr (AAA)
OF: Rob Mackowiak (AAA)

I would offer Hairston a one year $500,000 contract
Weathers-I think arbitration is the best offer, since he should be a type B free agent.
Affeldt-I’d love to see Affeldt back; maybe a 3 year $14M contract.
Lincoln-One year at most $1M, probably $900,000.

I am not sold on Lincoln they said that he sucked in the second half because of fatigue. I don’t really want to spend too much on a relief pitcher who can only be affective for half a season. He got through last season in tact but his arm is still fragile.

Weathers—arb, see ya later
Hairston—2 years, 2.5 mil, 3rd yr club option @ 2 mil, 100K buyout
Affeldt—4 years, 12 mil, with incentives up to 20 mil, 5th yr club option @ 5 mil, 100K buyout
Lincoln—2 years, 3 mil, 3rd yr club option @ 2.5mil, 250K buyout

Thanks for the pick Stormy. Hopefully Affeldt will be effective long term and earn the extra dough. I don’t view Hairston as a bonafide starter, but the utility guy who would be covering all the injuries and days off (2-3 starts a week). I know the argument is we don’t need Cherry because we have Freel. But I think they are both neccesary as injury insurance to one another. And I realize how expensive they are combined, but I view their role as an essential(high OBP, speed, utility, team sparkplug[sorry gay term, but both guys energize the team when they are a part of the lineup]). I am meh on Lincoln, but would rather see him excel in our bullpen than somebody elses.

Or at least the Brewers provide links to the solution.

Pat Burrell declared free agency yesterday. I haven’t exactly been enthusiastic about it, but I’ve been proclaiming him as the 2009 LF ever since Adam Dunn was traded. He’s pretty much the same player as Dunn – big bat, suspect fielding – but older, pricier and right-handed. And now he has a World Series ring, so that veteran presence is off the charts.

The Phillies also provide an outlet for our log jam of Jerry Hairstons. If they don’t resign Burrell, Cherry is one of the players whose names have surfaced as a replacement. I’m not joking.

So there you go. Problems solved.

might still be available.

One of the NY beat reporters says that the reason the Brewers are holding onto Cameron is that he’s best buds with Sabathia. They’re hoping keeping Cameron on the team will encourage Sabathia to stay. If Sabathia leaves anyway, Cameron could be on the block.

From the Cleveland Plain Dealer:

“Yes, the Indians like Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts, but Shapiro isn’t going to give up Fausto Carmona and Asdrubal Cabrera to get him. If the Orioles lower their asking price, Shapiro is willing to talk.”

That’s a rough equivalent of what, Cueto and Keppinger?

Weathers— 1 year $900,000
Hairston—1 year, 1.5 mil,
Affeldt—2 years, 12 mil,
Lincoln—1 year 1.1 mil,

Stormy is good for i year, if not cut your losses and drop him ala Hatteberg
Hairston can still play SS, Freel can’t – Freel needs to go
Affeldt – Fair market value for a good lefty and every team needs an evangelical Christian
Lincoln- Glad I don’t have to make this choice…but I’d still give him another go

Oh and I’d definitely trade Cueto and Kepp for Brian Roberts, provided that BP moves to short.

I’d offer Hairston nothing more than 2 years with a modest salary. Guy hasn’t shown he can stay healthy, which was the knock on him before coming to CIN. Still, he did a good job this year. Weathers I’d like to see back for two years, Lincoln for one, Affeldt for 3. I have no interest in trading even a Bailey unless it nets Holliday with a new contract. Otherwise, what’s the point? This team can contend for the playoffs in 2010 with the right moves and some patience. I don’t support selling off young players just to hit .500 in 2009 (which I think they’ll do anyway).