- Ask the team scouts if Valaika can really handle shortstop in the majors? If so, will he be ready this year? If the answer to either of the questions is no then we have to look for an upgrade at SS. If Valaika cant play SS at the MLB level then I go after Furcal, if he can but wont be ready this year then I may look at Cabrera or someone of that Caliber on a 1 year deal.

- Resign Cherry to a 1 year deal with team option.

- We have to get another outfielder at this point but I wouldnt want to sign or trade for anyone with a long term contract. I would target Rivera of the market or go after Hermida or Thames in a trade. This gives us some time until Alonso, Dorn and Stubbs are ready at the end of the year or the beginning of next year.

The Yankees upped their offer for CC Sabathia, and looks like he’s going to New York. 7 years, ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY MILLION DOLLARS. Holllyyyy Moses.

1. The priority is recognizing where in the continuum of playing for laughs-rebuilding-contending the Reds are. Most people outside of the organization recognize they’re rebuilding; hopefully, the team agrees or else they’re either stealing or wasting our money.
2. If you assume they cannot contend this year, they should start looking for long-term solutions. I think Stubbs is the long-term solution in CF, but I’m not comfortable with assuming Votto or EdE is the solution in LF (EdE doesn’t hit enough, and until Alonso hits against pro pitching I’m not assuming anything about him). So I guess I’d go after an under-30 year old COF.
3. No, this team cannot win if NoHo is the 4th OF. However, they won’t win next year anyway, so it’s a moot point.
4. Because of where the team is, and EdE’s age, I’m fine with him at 3B next year. However, even I’m starting to run out of patience.
5. Neither AGon nor Kepp is the long-term solution at SS; how close is Valaika (and can he stick at SS)? I’d still go after Furcal.
6. Pure filler. A swap of bad contracts. I’ve never been a Freel fan, and his extra-curricular activities were detrimental to the team; however, it doesn’t sound like Hernandez is the greatest clubhouse guy either. Maybe a change of scenery will do both some good.
7. Hudson’s back, whether I “want to” or not. He can fake playing alot of positions, but the Reds (and Reds fans) are fooling themselves if they think he’ll be any sort of difference maker.
8. The bullpen will be fine. They’ll sign Rhodes and then the Reds will agree with me.
9. * Furcal
      * With all of the talk about platooning Freel with Dickerson in CF, why not do the same with Baldelli? Is his condition bad enough that he couldn’t handle it? (why won’t this format correctly?)
      * IF they could sign him long-term, Beltre
      * Hermida, but I wouldn’t give up a whole lot (big risk/reward)
      * Barry Bonds is still available.

Kidding, sorta. While it’d be nice to have a big stick in LF this year I think it’s more important to keep it open in the medium-term for either EdE, Votto or Alonso. Which rules out signing anyone like Burrell, if that was ever an option.

Re-signing Hairston for one year to fill Freel’s old utility role would be fine. Apparently other teams are after him but no word on who.

i would go after a COF rather than a CF. the way the market is shaping up for these big guys, i think we could low ball a few and see if they bite. could Burrell be had on a 2 year deal? i would be comfortable giving him 2 years, 25 mil. the short term deal is a huge bonus. maybe Juan Rivera could be had on a one year deal? there are more players than teams right now, and once guys like Manny, Tex, Abreu, and Ibanez come off the board we could get mighty lucky. DONT TRADE FOR DYE!!

i think EdE should be the 3B next year. we’ve all been over the arguments for and against so many times i wont do it again.

i dont think we are contending next year, so Gonzo at SS isnt a big deal. as insurance, i would pick up Nick Punto. he cant really hit, like, at all, but his glove at SS is one of the best. also, why not let Rosales take a crack at it? (Answer: Dusty hates him.)

Hernandez is an upgrade over last year, but really only because Bako was so goddamn awful. im alright with he and Hanigan catching.

Hairston? i guess, as long as its a one year deal. im afraid though that he will show up as the real Jerry Hairston and Dusty will still start him in CF because Dickerson is better. duh. i dont know if Baldelli could cut being anything more than a spot starter/pinch hitter, so i wouldnt rely on him for anything. thats the thing with mitochondrial disorders; you just never know. but i think he is worth a try as long as the $$ is right.

i think Walt is going to sign Art Rhodes and round out the ‘pen. i think i’d rather spend that money elsewhere, but its not a huge waste. im ok with it.

top 5 targets if CS were GM:

1. cheap LF once the market thins (Manny, Ibanez, Abreu, Dunn, Burrell, Rivera…one of them is not getting asked to the prom. we have to be right there to swoop in and score the pity sex.

2. competent SS just in case Gonzo’s knee is gone-zo. i would like to trade for Hu from the Dodgers, but i cant speculate as to what kind of deal it would take to get him. or sign Punto. the fans would love him.

3. LOOGY. Art Rhodes or Dennys Reyes seem like reasonable targets.

4. Adrian Beltre. we know why.

5. Delmon Young!

1. Sign Juan Rivera to play LF. He’s a productive, 30-year-old RH bat with 20-plus HR power and solid speed and glove. If that doesn’t work, seek a deal for Delmon Young.

2. Sign Mark Kotsay to play CF is he’s not terribly expensive. If he is, re-sign Hairston and give him regular playing time. Since his age 25 season, when he’s received 215-plus ABs he’s put up acceptable numbers. If he has offers to start elsewhere, let him go. I still have a feeling we’re going to see Willy Taveras in CF if the Rockies non-tender him. Hopper’s going to be around.

3. I’m OK with EdE at 3B, but not thrilled with it. If dealing him landed the Reds a legitimate SS or CF, then OK. If not, keep him and see if he can break out this season.

4. I’d love to see Furcal at SS, but don’t see it happening. He’ll cost $13 million or so for 3-4 years. WIth Gonzalez and Keppinger on the books, the Reds aren’t likely to pony up more money at the position. Valaika’s stock at SS has improved dramatically, but he’s probably not ready for the everyday MLB job, yet. So, essentially, it looks like the Reds will hope Gonzo is healthy or will go with Keppinger.

5. I think the Reds will sign Arthur Rhodes, but won’t announce it until after the Rule 5 Draft on Thursday. I also think they’ll select a player, probably a reliever, in the draft and give him a shot in spring training.

6. Yeah, Hernandez is an upgrade. He pairs well with Hanigan. I’m fine with that.

7. Top five realistic players to pursue: LF Juan Rivera, CF Mark Kotsay, SS Rafael Furcal, LHP Arthur Rhodes, LF Delmon Young. Also, 2B Corey Wimberly (Rule 5 draft),.

Doesn’t that sound like we’re getting Matt Stairs?

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/12/mark-teixeira-1.html

Where will they play Youkilis, Teixeira, and Ortiz?

If so, maybe the Reds could trade Edwin to the Twins for Delmon Young. Not that I don’t like Edwin, it’s just that it seems invevitable that the Reds will get rid of him. Then sign Furcal to a 2-3 year deal. I don’t think he will cost THAT much considering his injury history and the current economics. Keppinger and Gonzalez would play 3B until Valaika is ready.

Delmon Young and Jay Bruce would be awesome…both are cheap potential superstars.

Dickerson would play CF until Stubbs is ready. Then, Dickerson would be the Reds 4th outfielder, the spot where he is best suited.

Those are just some ideas. Since the Reds suck so much, there about a million ways to improve the team.

The number one priority for this team is a speedy right-handed centerfielder who never gets on base, preferably with lots of veteran presence.

the idea was spitballed by Mike Berardino earlier today. i would love to see Owings at least throw a pitch for the Reds, but i would at least have to think about this one.

1:11 p.m. — ChiSox, Reds still talking Dye
The Jermaine Dye-to-the-Reds discussions continue at a “moderate” level, but for the moment the White Sox continue to plan on Dye being their Opening Day right fielder, according to a major-league source.

A deal for Dye was indeed close before Thanksgiving, the source said, with the White Sox expected to receive right-hander Homer Bailey and perhaps another prospect in return.

The trade, however, stalled in part due to questions about how much the White Sox would pay of Dye’s $11.5 million salary next season. The amount they paid would have affected the quality of the second prospect in the deal.

Now, the Reds simply might wait to determine whether they can sign a free-agent outfielder such as Bobby Abreu or Pat Burrell at a comparable salary without giving up any players in a trade.

Neither Abreu nor Burrell was offered salary arbitration by their former clubs, so neither would cost the Reds a draft pick.

1) Sign Furcal. Spend the big money, honey. Solves leadoff hitter and SS positions. Sea Bass is a sunk cost and it will return Kepp to a utility role, which is best for him.

2) Put Homer’s ass in the pen, with Roenecke and Burton and Koko. Then start playing the J. Giles Band on the PR, baby. ("Flame…..yame….yame….yame…thrower, red hot thrower tonight!)

4)Put Stubbs in CF, Dickerson in LF.

5)Hire Slyde as a Sabermetrician guru in the front office. I think Slyde Bobblehead Night after the Reds win the ‘11 WS would be warranted. And I’d get drunk off my ass…

since the Cubs are possibly looking to deal him to make payroll room for Jake Peavy.

1. Any interest in DeRosa?
2. Would you make a trade if you knew it would allow a major adversary to improve their team drastically with another deal?

putting together multiple sources, it appears Arthur Rhodes is expeced to make a decision in 24-48 hours. The contenders are Cincinnati, St. Louis and Arizona. One source, I don’t remember which, indicated Rhodes prefers the Cardinals but is leaning toward the Reds because Walt is offering more money.

If the money gets too high, I’d much rather have Dennys Reyes.

It was the biggest weakness last year (last in the league in defensive efficiency).

I don’t think there’s anything to be done at catcher or SS. (At least on the trade or free agent markets.) So I say get a good CFer. One with a good OBP, because you know Dusty will bat him leadoff.

Jeremy Hermida- As Slyde has said, this guy has a good deal of upside and would be a relatively low risk investment.

I still feel like we need to make a play on a decent reliever. Maybe a Juan Cruz or a lefty specialist like Dennys Reyes. (Not a high priority for me right now)

We need to keep Hairston… unless we can get a hold of a legit shortstop… a healthy Furcal or someone.

Love those Ukrainian babes