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Reds shopping Freel, seeking catcher

From MLBTR:

John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer is hearing a rumor that the Reds are "actively seeking a catcher."  He speculates that Ryan Freel could be trade bait.

Fay's note conveniently gels with some info from a Jeff Brantley radio appearance that a reader passed along.  Brantley reportedly said the Reds have been scouting the Rangers' Gerald Laird.  On a not necessarily related note, Brantley also mentioned that they may look to trade Matt Belisle.

MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan recently wrote that the Rangers don't intend to trade Laird despite some interest.  On the other hand, Jon Daniels admitted in Sullivan's article that he wouldn't turn a deaf ear to anything.  Laird is set to be the Rangers' starting catcher this year.  Jarrod Saltalamacchia would take on a smaller role or try Triple A.

The Reds could also consider trying to acquire San Diego's Michael Barrett, who has played under Dusty Baker with the Cubs.  Bengie Molina and Ramon Hernandez may also be available.

I'd be okay with moving Freel and his contract despite the fact that I think he's gonna rebound with a .360 OBP and his usual speed/defense/versatility/multiple DL trip contributions. I think the backlash towards him has been thoroughly excessive, but he's not an integral part of the team. Not sure that we could move him for what we want at catcher or not, but it's worth a shot.

Of the catching options mentioned, I'd be opposed to Laird, given that he's up the same alley as David Ross (strong defender, weak hitter), except I think Ross is a better player than Laird anyways. Barrett is an interesting option, and I think his bat would play well, but he has a poor defensive reputation and he's kind of a dick, and if we don't give up Freel in a deal to get him, he's making a solid chunk of change (I think around $5 mil this season). Ramon Hernandez is the most expensive option available, but he's not a bad defender and I think his bat will rebound from last year. He'd likely cost Freel and a solid prospect (I'd say anyone after the Stubbs/Frazier/Mesoraco tier would probably be the asking price), and he's due something like $17 million over the next two seasons, so he'd take a lot of money that we're probably not willing to spend.

The Belisle note is interesting as well. If the Reds can acquire a solid major league piece for Belisle, I'm all for it. I think Belisle is a dime-a-dozen type player if he's relegated to bullpen use and I'm not convinced he's gonna be anything more than a little below-average as a starter. That said, the Reds are gonna need pitching depth this season, so it might be wise to keep him around so we don't have to see Tom Shearn again. Personally, I'd take a run at Reggie Willits from the Angels, but I get the feeling Krivdawg is content with his current CF options and wouldn't want to acquire a potential leadoff-hitting CF actually capable of filling the role successfully.

Either way, I think we see another move before the season starts.

0 recs  |  Comment 41 comments

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Hmmm...
I'm all for shopping him right now, but what happens when Ross comes back?
You can't have manslaughter without laughter

by crolfer on Mar 18, 2008 5:53 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

One would hope
that he would fulfill his rightful role as back-up catcher.

by Geki on Mar 18, 2008 5:55 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Why not keep Freel
DFA Casto and use Farny as the back up until Ross is back.
The most important fact about a free market is that no exchange takes place unless both parties benefit. Milton Friedman

by Madville on Mar 19, 2008 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Wait, what?
Are you saying that Freel should be the third catcher?  Or Castro is?  I'm lost...

by Brendanukkah on Mar 19, 2008 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Okay follow me:
  1. Casto needs to be let out to pasture.
  2. Freel should be kept as the utility guy.
  3. Farny should be utilized as the back-up catcher until Ross is back.
  4. Farney is a arbitration eligible nor does he clog up the roster.
  5. This is a question in this solution regarding avatars of consciousness and the ability to be in two places at one time.
The most important fact about a free market is that no exchange takes place unless both parties benefit. Milton Friedman

by Madville on Mar 19, 2008 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I wish I did drugs...
"Now batting, Padre Peo.  Peo on deck."

by Brendanukkah on Mar 19, 2008 5:29 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

4. fARNY IS not ABRBITRATION ELGIBLE
The most important fact about a free market is that no exchange takes place unless both parties benefit. Milton Friedman

by Madville on Mar 19, 2008 5:38 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I somehow managed to gloss over Molina
Not quite sure what I think about him. He's due $12 million over the next two seasons, which is a fairly reasonable price.

Pros:
Good defense
Hasn't hit under .276 since 2002
Solid power production from a catcher
Has been relatively durable throughout his career
Rarely strikes out
Won't clog the bases because he walks 15 times a season

Cons:
Due $12 million over the next two seasons
Turns 34 in July
Is perhaps the slowest player in baseball
The Giants would probably want something of value in return
Grounds into an assload of double plays
Won't clog the bases because he walks 15 times a season

by Geki on Mar 18, 2008 6:01 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

No barrett
no no no

Freel and Belisle for Salty?

Hope Springs Eternal! Go Reds

by Caleb on Mar 18, 2008 6:23 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Salty was the centerpiece for Teixeira
The chances of the Rangers accepting that do not exist.

Something I saw thrown out there in the silly MLBTR comments that I'm not really opposed to is Homer for Salty. It won't happen, but I think it'd be a good move for the Reds.

by Geki on Mar 18, 2008 6:25 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Right you are
Rangers fan here checking out rumors.  Getting Salty would require someone like Votto or Bailey, not two mediocre players.  I don't see Freel as being a fit for the Rangers even if he was fair value for Laird.  Belisle would be, though, and probably fair value.

I think some here -- and most Ranger fans for that matter -- put too much emphasis on Laird's 2007 offense.  All the projections I've seen have him at about a .700 OPS this year.  He's not as good a hitter as he was in '06 and he's certainly not as terrible as he was in '07.  A .700 OPS with strong defense is not bad for a catcher.

We all tend to overvalue our team's players.  For that reason I honestly don't know if Salty for Votto or Bailey would be fair, and neither do you.  Catchers are very valuable, though, so don't underestimate what Laird might bring (remember the Milledge trade?).

by t ball on Mar 19, 2008 12:17 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

i think we are just fine at catcher
none of the options listed are a significant enough upgrade over ross to warrant giving up anything.  at this point, a league-average catcher is a pretty rare commodity.  there just arent enough to go around.  as for the salty/homer deal, that it just plain nuts, IMO.  unless salty is vic martinez he certainly is not worth a pitching prospect like homer.  homer may never be the surefire ace we all want him to be, but right now, as a prospect aged 21 with the ceiling he has, he is one of the most valuable assets in the game.  i know alot of folks have cooled on him, but come on.  lets not lose our heads.  

im all for moving freel, but i'd like to see a decent setup man or prospect in return.  he's pretty much done.  his value only going to fall from here.

by Charlie Scrabbles on Mar 18, 2008 7:06 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Victor Martinez is a reasonable comparison.
Salty's got a fantastic bat and while he's not an outstanding catcher, he has a good enough glove to stick there. He hits for average, hits for power, walks a solid amount, and keeps his strikeouts down pretty well. He doesn't turn 23 until May and is just as far from free agency as Homer is.

To put it simply, an outstanding catcher is, in my opinion, an even rarer commodity than an outstanding pitching prospect. This trade isn't going to happen but the Reds have a serious lack of catching talent in their system other than Mesoraco, who is probably at least 4 years from the majors and nowhere near a lock to ever get there. Meanwhile, the Rangers have an overload of catching prospects to go along with Laird and Salty.

In my eyes, the Reds hole at catcher and imminent hole in the offense is bigger than the holes in the starting pitching that we have, and making a trade like this would be proactive instead of reactive, which is what we've had for too long.

by Geki on Mar 18, 2008 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Victor Martinez is a reasonable comparison.
Salty's got a fantastic bat and while he's not an outstanding catcher, he has a good enough glove to stick there. He hits for average, hits for power, walks a solid amount, and keeps his strikeouts down pretty well. He doesn't turn 23 until May and is just as far from free agency as Homer is.

To put it simply, an outstanding catcher is, in my opinion, an even rarer commodity than an outstanding pitching prospect. This trade isn't going to happen but the Reds have a serious lack of catching talent in their system other than Mesoraco, who is probably at least 4 years from the majors and nowhere near a lock to ever get there. Meanwhile, the Rangers have an overload of catching prospects to go along with Laird and Salty.

In my eyes, the Reds hole at catcher and imminent hole in the offense is bigger than the holes in the starting pitching that we have, and making a trade like this would be proactive instead of reactive, which is what we've had for too long.

by Geki on Mar 18, 2008 7:32 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

i dont know
i think i would rather stick with the dave ross's of this world and keep the pitching depth.  the offensive shortfalls can be addressed elsewhere on the diamond much more efficiently.  the offense hasnt been slipping the last few years because of the lack of a good catcher, its slipping because Jr hits 3 and BP hits 4.  our best hitter hits 5th(!)  the offense is a problem, but changing catchers isnt going to do enough to fix it.

by Charlie Scrabbles on Mar 19, 2008 7:45 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

San Diego probably would go for
a Barrett-for-Freel deal.

It's hard to believe Ramon Hernandez is just 31. It seems he's been around forever. He's expensive, but he's someone who could be a good acquisition. His numbers were down last year, but a strained oblique likely was to blame. He bounced back well in September. If the Orioles deal Brian Roberts, maybe they'd look to Freel to replace him at 2B. Or, maybe it would take Belisle to land Hernandez.

As for the Angels, I prefer Napoli to Mathis, but doubt they would deal Napoli. Mathis doesn't do much for me.

Bengie Molina is OK if he doesn't cost much. He's the ultimate base clogger, though, and we know how Dusty feels about that.

I like Laird's defense a lot, but his bat is questionable. He'd be OK.

The Royals have two RHH catchers in John Buck and Miguel Olivo, but each essentially is a lesser version of David Ross.

How about Philadelphia's Chris Coste? Carlos Ruiz will start and Jason Jaramillo or Pete LaForest might be ready as the backup, leaving Coste available. He's 35, but has a decent bat and likely would come fairly cheaply.

Other options: Toby Hall (ChiW), not good; John Jaso (TB) good bat, bad glove; Javy Lopez (Atl), no thanks; Doug Mirabelli (FA), no thanks; Kelly Shoppach (Cle), not bad but what would it take to get him.

We Are ... Marshall!

by Thundering Turtle on Mar 18, 2008 9:06 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Kelly Shoppach
would be the answer to the Reds' prayers, regarding a catcher, but I don't think that the Reds' have what the Indians need.
  1. A really good corner outfielder, ML ready or available
  2. A solid starter (don't we all want that!)
Barring some last minute injury making a need necessary, I don't think the Indians will part with Shoppach, at least for what the Reds' have to offer.

But the Reds have a real problem here.  I wouldn't count on Ross being back anytime soon, and even so, he will be diminished.
Once a catcher starts to have back problems, it usually means his career as a catcher is just about over.

I like the idea of Chris Coste for one season, with a platoon of Valentin, the Reds might just get by; meaning this would help them win.

Barret is not terrible, but it's hard to judge a catcher unless you really see him a lot.

"I guess I picked a bad day to stop sniffing glue!"- Lloyd Bridges

by Lonesome George on Mar 18, 2008 11:14 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I don't care how "good" Barrett is
I don't know that I can take too many more Dusty player reunions.  I will make an exception for Carlos Zambrano.

....Bonds?

by Brendanukkah on Mar 18, 2008 11:23 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Coste
wouldn't be a bad idea as a stopgap.  Jaramillo did decently at AAA last year and sounds ready, but I really think that the Phills will let Coste stick around for at least a few months to sell some books.  

All in all, I'm not seeing anyone who'd be a significant upgrade over Ross without costing a serious prospect.  

by ken on Mar 19, 2008 7:59 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I bet the Cards would listen
if we approached them about . . . Jason LaRue!  I can't believe Jeff Brantley didn't throw that out there.

Seriously though, does anyone think the Braves would consider dealing Brayan Pena?  What are their plans for him?

by Brian B on Mar 18, 2008 9:20 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I could be wrong but..
..I think Freel brings next to nothing in return and I think that Belisle brings next to nothing in return.

But packaged together they might bring next to next to nothing.

by Fat Vegas Alan on Mar 18, 2008 10:21 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Nothing is better...
Than warm naan.

That being said, cold naan is better than nothing.

Therefore, cold naan is better than warm naan.

At least it wasn't Grady Little.

by Paul Householder on Mar 18, 2008 10:27 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

A look at catchers who are out of options
might reveal something:

-- Rob Bowen, Oakland. Likely to stick as the backup to Kurt Suzuki. That makes Adam Melhuse expendable, but that's not worth much.

-- Humberto Quintero, Houston. Likely third in line behind J.R. Towles and Brad Ausmus. He's not the answer.

-- Brayan Pena, Atlanta. Listed behind Brian McCann and Clint Sammons, but I bet he sticks. The Reds could do worse.

-- Guillermo Quiroz, Baltimore. Listed No. 2 behind Ramon Hernandez. Isn't particularly impressive, but once was a highly regarded prospect.

-- John Buck, Kansas City. He'll likely stick as KC's starter.

We Are ... Marshall!

by Thundering Turtle on Mar 19, 2008 12:38 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

more
mlbtr is reporting that the a's offered blanton for cueto straight up, and we turned billy's ass down. impressive.
Marty may have a shirt on, but Billy Beane just ripped his off and is squeezing his nipples. - Brendan's ukkah

by boobs on Mar 19, 2008 2:27 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

And by the transitive property of WRONG
Krivsky turned down Daugherty's ass as well.
Don't talk back to Darth Vader or he'll getcha!

by Slyde on Mar 19, 2008 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

as one might turn down a bed
Two Dunns enter, but only one Dunn leaves...unless neither do because they decide to hunt, play cards, drink and fish. -Slyde

by Man Mountain on Mar 19, 2008 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

which reminds me
how do you get down from an elephant?
Marty may have a shirt on, but Billy Beane just ripped his off and is squeezing his nipples. - Brendan's ukkah

by boobs on Mar 19, 2008 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

under his buckin' hat?
Don't talk back to Darth Vader or he'll getcha!

by Slyde on Mar 19, 2008 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

oops
I looked at the wrong answer page of my 101 Silly Jokes book.
Don't talk back to Darth Vader or he'll getcha!

by Slyde on Mar 19, 2008 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

im not coming to your little rr get-together
Marty may have a shirt on, but Billy Beane just ripped his off and is squeezing his nipples. - Brendan's ukkah

by boobs on Mar 19, 2008 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

that's okay
you wouldn't have come even if you said you were going to be there.
Don't talk back to Darth Vader or he'll getcha!

by Slyde on Mar 19, 2008 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

i would have come
i just wouldnt have met up with you
Marty may have a shirt on, but Billy Beane just ripped his off and is squeezing his nipples. - Brendan's ukkah

by boobs on Mar 19, 2008 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I would trade Freel for whatever
I Misremember lots of things

by Zach K on Mar 19, 2008 2:41 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

whoah
talk to the hand
Red Reporter- Because every Reds fan needs a place to overreact.

by jacob brumfield on Mar 19, 2008 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I do not like this painting. At all.
And yet, I will likely remember it forever.

by Fat Vegas Alan on Mar 19, 2008 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Then my job is done!
It reminds me of Violet from the Incredibles, as a sophomore in high school.

by Brendanukkah on Mar 19, 2008 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

i think she looks like lily allen
Marty may have a shirt on, but Billy Beane just ripped his off and is squeezing his nipples. - Brendan's ukkah

by boobs on Mar 19, 2008 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Let's trade him...
For Casto.
At least it wasn't Grady Little.

by Paul Householder on Mar 19, 2008 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

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