The week ahead: Winter meetings, ho!
With the MLB Winter Meetings kicking off today in Dallas and the potential awkwardness of trading players scheduled to appear at Redsfest avoided, this could be the week something happens. Maybe? The Reds are said to be hopeful that they can get something done this week on the pitching front, but John Fay's Enquirer coverage on Sunday was chock-full of highly-qualified and tentative remarks from both Jocketty and Baker.
So the Winter Meetings in sunny DallasFortWorthMegalopolis&CowboysParkingLot is the big item on the dance card this week. The Rule 5 Draft takes place Thursday, but if the Reds don't outright someone off their full 40-man roster by later today, they won't be taking anyone. I don't think they're too concerned about it. You shouldn't be either.
- Monday: Winter Meetings begin at the Hilton Anatole, a luxury hotel somewhere in the Dallasland area and, I can only assume, named after the titular character in a series of children's books written by Eve Titus and illustrated by Paul Galdone. Anatole. Anatole, as you may already know, "is a mouse who lives in an un-named 'mouse village' outside the French city of Paris, commuting by bicycle who was foraging for food when he overheard some humans complaining about mice as villainous. Deeply aggrieved at the insult to his honor, Anatole resolved to do better" (Wikipedia).
- Tuesday: Any Red Reporters in Dallas? It'd be nice to get someone on the scene to dish on whether the Reds have left their rooms. And, if so, whether it was for ice or ice AND mixers.
- Wednesday: Winter Meetings continue. Midnight Wednesday is also the deadline for free agents to accept arbitration offers from their previous clubs. The Reds don't have any offers out. And with Ramon and CoCo in special Type B status, they didn't need to make any in order to get picks back.
- Thursday: Winter Meetings conclude with the Rule 5 Draft. Like free agent arbitration (and possibly free agency altogether), the Reds aren't getting involved. Judging by this list - and the number of players they added to their 40-man roster last month - they probably won't lose anybody either.
- Friday: Cool down from the Winter Meetings. Even if a big trade doesn't happen, it will have been an anxious week. Take a vacation. May I suggest Dallas? It's a major airline hub.
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Dang, the Marlins weren't kidding about making a splash this offseason!
I hope their fans get hooked, or they’re gonna freak out when they see the bill.
This comment brought to you by the Bad Pun of the Week Club™.
Tequila and pancakes, anyone?
by Kevin Mitchell is Batman on Dec 5, 2011 8:21 AM EST reply actions
How are you single? You are clearly a catch.
It feels so nice to be back to normal
by nycredsfan on Dec 5, 2011 8:59 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
My decisions usually take a reel long time.
Tequila and pancakes, anyone?
by Kevin Mitchell is Batman on Dec 5, 2011 9:03 AM EST up reply actions
/pharcyde'd
Bart: "Dad, what's a Muppet?"
Homer: "Well, it's not quite a mop, not quite a puppet, but man... (laughs, then pauses) So, to answer you question, I don't know."
Yo mama got a glass eye wit a fish in it!
Tequila and pancakes, anyone?
by Kevin Mitchell is Batman on Dec 5, 2011 9:46 AM EST up reply actions
Yo mama's got a pegleg with a kickstand
"Wait, you think I'm being mean to the pretend orangutan?" -- battlekow
Her middle name is mudbone but on top of all that...
"Wait, you think I'm being mean to the pretend orangutan?" -- battlekow
Scratch Jerry Gil from the Reds' Rule 5
eligible list. He signed a minor league deal with Toronto.
We Are ... Marshall!
by Thundering Turtle on Dec 5, 2011 9:04 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Parks & Rec'd?
If not, I will rescind my rec.
by the finest muffins on Dec 5, 2011 12:20 PM EST up reply actions
Sooooo...winter meetings, huh?
TRHNMAATTNO, so why spend the money to ship Walt and his uber-cool GM sunglasses down to Texas
It’s not like the market for Miguel Tejada is strong enough that Walt would have to sign him this week anyway.
Tequila and pancakes, anyone?
by Kevin Mitchell is Batman on Dec 5, 2011 10:09 AM EST reply actions
oh noes

I hope no one takes Mike Costanzo from us.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
we re-signed him
He’s ours! Unless he’s taken via Rule 5.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
The Rule 5 thing has not changed right?
I can not see someone wanting Mike on their 25-man all year.
by Eastwindquinn on Dec 5, 2011 10:52 AM EST up reply actions
I was not being serious
However, teams have taken free agents via Rule 5 before – guys they could have signed on the open market without having to keep them on the 25-man.
Victor Santos was taken via Rule 5 by the Pirates (the year before the Reds signed him). He’d been a free agent for years by then.
And the Baltimore Orioles were pissed off when the Yankees took Josh Phelps via Rule 5, just a month after they signed him.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
If Steinbrenner were still alive
I could see the Yankees taking a flyer on Costanzo
Bart: "Dad, what's a Muppet?"
Homer: "Well, it's not quite a mop, not quite a puppet, but man... (laughs, then pauses) So, to answer you question, I don't know."
It's a Festivus miracle!
A dope trailer is no place for a kitty.
by GlennBraggsSwingAndMissBrokenBat on Dec 5, 2011 1:09 PM EST up reply actions
he looks exactly like how I expected him to look
he’s like Joey Votto’s stunt double.
"You said 'walks' twice."
"I like walks."
dallas is gawdawful
Just skip it
"the only place they lost was the scoreboard"
by Ewok on Dec 5, 2011 10:30 AM EST via mobile reply actions
I agree
/shudder
It feels so nice to be back to normal
by nycredsfan on Dec 5, 2011 10:53 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
worst places in america
Dallas
myrtle beach
newark airport
pigeon forge maain drag
branson mo
Gary Indiana
"the only place they lost was the scoreboard"
I caught a stand-up act maybe ten years ago, where the guy was complaining about Newark International
“That place is the Newark of airports!” I laughed.
by ken on Dec 5, 2011 11:25 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
The only thing worse than Newark Airport is the road that services the Airport
US 1 and 9 is the most convoluted and ill-planned road I’ve ever had the misfortune to travel on.
I can verify Newark airport and Pigeon Forge
I would also add the entire state of Alabama.
"Wait, you think I'm being mean to the pretend orangutan?" -- battlekow
also; any golf course
"You said 'walks' twice."
"I like walks."
by Cy Schourek on Dec 5, 2011 12:28 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
them's fightin' words
The ends justify the means
by Highlifeman21 on Dec 6, 2011 9:20 PM EST up reply actions
I actually liked the Gulfport/Biloxi area, it wasn't terrible
You’re 1.5 hours away from New Orleans and 2 hours away from Pensacola, plus they have casinos.
"Wait, you think I'm being mean to the pretend orangutan?" -- battlekow
"It's cool because it's within a day's drive of cool places."
by Charlie Scrabbles on Dec 5, 2011 12:32 PM EST up reply actions
What are, a toddler? an hour or two away is nothing
Plus it has casinos, and less touristy trap stuff. More of a laid back setting. Of course, that was 16 years ago. Sweet Jesus I’m old.
"Wait, you think I'm being mean to the pretend orangutan?" -- battlekow
i'd like to add I-70 through Illinois to that list please
Individuality: Always remember that you are unique. Just like everybody else.
I nominate I-80 in Pennsylvania
"Wait, you think I'm being mean to the pretend orangutan?" -- battlekow
by jch24 on Dec 5, 2011 1:55 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I nominate the entire region shaded solid Red (minus the city of Atlanta).
Fuck those people.

Wear something sexy to my funeral.
by Pops Daniels on Dec 5, 2011 2:03 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
This needs to include the southern half of Virginia
Fuck those people
Bart: "Dad, what's a Muppet?"
Homer: "Well, it's not quite a mop, not quite a puppet, but man... (laughs, then pauses) So, to answer you question, I don't know."
North Carolina respectfully requests to be left out of the South.
Though the mouth breathers controlling the state legislature are trying their hardest to go full retard this bitch.
We're all mad. I'm mad. You're mad. Otherwise, you wouldn't have come here.
that's the truth, truth
The ends justify the means
by Highlifeman21 on Dec 6, 2011 9:20 PM EST up reply actions
I would like to say that JFK is much worse than Newark
Or maybe I was just cranky because JFK had shitty restaurants which sucks after a Transatlantic flight, and I spent 3 hours on the ground in a plane in a thunderstorm, and after the storm cleared we were like number 40 for take off.
Contributing little more than than snark and wittiness to SBN since 2007.
JFK looks like a mental institution
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
Yeah, Newark is actually a decent airport. It's the town itself that is terrible.
JFK is awful. Congested, takes forever to get there or get home from there, no matter where you live, bad restaurants, everything. We avoid it like the plague.
It feels so nice to be back to normal
Yeah, I don't think he's Jewish but he identifies closely with some Orthodox leaders.
All part of the Corey Booker charm.
by Cuetotally Amazing on Dec 5, 2011 10:30 PM EST up reply actions
yeah
EWR is also the only airport with direct train service to the city, a few years ago I spent $50 on a cab that took me from LaGuardia to Broadway.
Contributing little more than than snark and wittiness to SBN since 2007.
Their international is pretty bleh
I remember being in Newark airport waiting for a flight and thinking that this is what it looks like when an empire crubmles.
"You said 'walks' twice."
"I like walks."
O'Hare's international terminal is awful
most of O’Hare is actually a decent airport (as far as passenger comforts not congestion), plenty of food options decent shops, not a terrible place to kill time between a flight. But the International Terminal has no restaurants on the gate side of security, and it is kinda far from the rest of the airport, so if you have a connection you really need at least 2 hours to have time to clear customs, and recheck your bag, and go through security, and get to your flight.
Contributing little more than than snark and wittiness to SBN since 2007.
US Worst Airports - that's I've flown through
IMO in order of attempting to make a fucking connection combined with enjoyable overall experience:
Atlanta
O’Hare
Newark
JFK
The ends justify the means
by Highlifeman21 on Dec 6, 2011 9:24 PM EST up reply actions
Memphis is terrible, Hawaii was my favorite
"Wait, you think I'm being mean to the pretend orangutan?" -- battlekow
never flown thru Memphis
Honolulu was awesome. Mostly open air, friendly people
The ends justify the means
by Highlifeman21 on Dec 7, 2011 7:46 PM EST up reply actions
Don't know the last time you were there, or what airline,
but their Continental terminal has been renovated and is pretty good. The rest of it sucks.
It feels so nice to be back to normal
That applies to all of Texas, no?
(I’ve only been to San Antonio and Dallas-FW airport, but I stand by my statement)
"Wait, you think I'm being mean to the pretend orangutan?" -- battlekow
Austin is a solid city.
The rest…meh.
Tequila and pancakes, anyone?
by Kevin Mitchell is Batman on Dec 5, 2011 11:16 AM EST up reply actions
you've been to Big Bend? Luckyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
I really want to spend like a month in West Texas at some point; Lubbock, El Paso, and Big Bend. then go up through NM; Truth or Consequences, Albuquerque, and the like.
"You said 'walks' twice."
"I like walks."
nice
I’d like to do something like this sometime.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
it's the most remote national park, I believe
I’d love to set up shop in either the southwest or the northwest in a few decades.
"You said 'walks' twice."
"I like walks."
I've only ever been to Dal/Ft Worth
Ive heard Austin and San Antonio are OK.
It feels so nice to be back to normal
by nycredsfan on Dec 5, 2011 11:26 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
San Antonio was surprisingly nice
Went last year because my wife had a convention there. Touristy but not unpleasant.
I'm a big fan of San Antonio
The ends justify the means
by Highlifeman21 on Dec 6, 2011 9:25 PM EST up reply actions
My view of SA (and TX in general) is skewed because I was there for boot camp, in July/August
"Wait, you think I'm being mean to the pretend orangutan?" -- battlekow
I feel like I've had this argument before
but I like San Antonio a lot. But I was there in March, and you were there in the summer.
"You said 'walks' twice."
"I like walks."
Yup, summer was absolutely brutal
"Wait, you think I'm being mean to the pretend orangutan?" -- battlekow
Laynce Nix
got a two-year deal from the Phillies.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
When was the last time he got more than a one year deal?
Was it with Cincinnati?
Bart: "Dad, what's a Muppet?"
Homer: "Well, it's not quite a mop, not quite a puppet, but man... (laughs, then pauses) So, to answer you question, I don't know."
I don't think he's ever gotten a multiyear deal
The Reds signed him to two successive minor league contracts, not a multiyear deal.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
hmmm
The Phillies beat writer can’t figure out why the Phillies want Laynce Nix.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
Because they are trading Dom Brown to the Reds!
It feels so nice to be back to normal
by nycredsfan on Dec 5, 2011 10:54 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
The scuttlebutt is that Brown will start the year at AAA and possibly spend the full year there
The org says they’re still high on him but they don’t act like it.
That's super dumb.
If I’m Walt I’m aggressively pursuing that.
It feels so nice to be back to normal
by nycredsfan on Dec 5, 2011 10:59 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
That's so weird
He didn’t have a great year last year, but he’s sort of their version of Jay Bruce (Not as much power, but better on base skills). And to be fair to us, we never sent Jay down.
And not in favor of Raul Ibanez either.
It feels so nice to be back to normal
by nycredsfan on Dec 5, 2011 11:41 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
If Walt could have afforded to he might have, though.
Tequila and pancakes, anyone?
by Kevin Mitchell is Batman on Dec 5, 2011 11:43 AM EST up reply actions
No decision is being made "in favor of Raul Ibañez"
that would be an affront to any and all living Phillies fans, besides being outright stupid for the organization.
expectations are premeditated resentments - cheshirecat
Last year, the Phillies optioned Brown to AAA in order to keep Ibanez in LF.
It feels so nice to be back to normal
That was before last year had come to its conclusion
now that last year actually happened, Ibanez is not going to keep a god-honest MLB player sitting in AAA. If they are sending Brown down to AAA it is either because of the arb clock or it’s because they don’t think he’s fully ready (or I suppose they are going to give Ibanez 25 games to prove he’s more than a pinch hitter before calling Brown up).
expectations are premeditated resentments - cheshirecat
2 years seems unnecessary, but he has his uses
Defensively he’s a pretty good corner, and he played some first for Washington. So they gain some defensive versatility. And Mayberry outperformed last year.
Daynce Mix!!
The ends justify the means
by Highlifeman21 on Dec 6, 2011 9:25 PM EST up reply actions
I believe the Veteran's Committee will announce today if it elected any of the "Golden Age" candidates
They met yesterday in Dallas. Santo will probably get in (finally, and unfortunately posthumously). Former Reds pitching coach Jim Kaat has an outside chance. I doubt Bill DeWitt, the Reds’ GM for the ’61 team, has any shot.
wow
I didn’t know Kitty Kaat used to be a Reds coach.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
Not really
Rule 5 guys typically don’t have a ton of trade value to begin with.
It feels so nice to be back to normal
by nycredsfan on Dec 5, 2011 10:57 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
'xactly
The Cubs drafted him and we bought him for a little cash.
by Charlie Scrabbles on Dec 5, 2011 11:03 AM EST up reply actions
It seems to have an impact on roster flexibility though, right?
Most likely, the Reds would be on the end giving up the prospects, but suppose they got an offer they couldn’t refuse for Votto. In return they’d get three established players. Would the rules limiting movement on the roster for Rule 5 Draft purposes prevent a deal like that from going down until the draft were over?
That's a good question. I don't know.
It feels so nice to be back to normal
by nycredsfan on Dec 5, 2011 11:27 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I don't think so
The roster at the roster deadline is the roster that counts. Any moves made after that don’t count, at least as far as Rule 5 is concerned.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
My friend in the hackers group Anonymous got me a copy of Walt Jocketty's Google Calendar for the week:
Monday: Golf with possible trade candidates: Andrew Bailey, Corey Patterson, Jayson Werth
Tuesday: Cardinals Reunion! Will get to touch World Series trophy.
Wednesday: Cardinals Reunion After Part, cntd.
Thursday: Strategy Session with Jim Bowden
Friday: Poolside!
by Cuetotally Amazing on Dec 5, 2011 11:15 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
TRHNMAATTN is one of my favorite memes of recent vintage
but I’m pretty confident that at least one significant trade is going to happen this week.
by Charlie Scrabbles on Dec 5, 2011 11:18 AM EST up reply actions
Right.
Cain for Votto, duh Chumbles.
Tequila and pancakes, anyone?
by Kevin Mitchell is Batman on Dec 5, 2011 11:33 AM EST up reply actions
Wait
Are you predicting this because you think it will happen or because you want it to happen?
by Charlie Scrabbles on Dec 5, 2011 11:36 AM EST up reply actions
Both.
And neither.
See, if I blindly predict enough trades, one of them is bound to come true, and then I can reference that to fuel my rep as a fab prognosticator!
Seriously though, if the Reds got a decent prospect to go along with Cain I’d do it in a heartbeat, but I don’t think there’s a chance in hell it happens. If Sabean called Walt with that offer it would certainly make Walt’s butthole a bit tight.
Tequila and pancakes, anyone?
by Kevin Mitchell is Batman on Dec 5, 2011 11:42 AM EST up reply actions
No way
Cain is a free agent after this season and isn’t as good a baseball player as Votto. He’s worth less than Shields.
by Charlie Scrabbles on Dec 5, 2011 12:15 PM EST up reply actions
Agreed on both counts.
I cant remember Walt ever being this forthcoming about his trade plans.
It feels so nice to be back to normal
by nycredsfan on Dec 5, 2011 11:48 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
It's sad, but I'd want Werth the least out of the three of them
More for the contract, but jesus, did he fall off
makes me wonder if that means Heisey's been included in trade talks.
Tequila and pancakes, anyone?
by Kevin Mitchell is Batman on Dec 5, 2011 11:52 AM EST up reply actions
well yeah, we know he's been in trade talks.
I just wonder if this means Heisey’s been included, too.
Tequila and pancakes, anyone?
by Kevin Mitchell is Batman on Dec 5, 2011 12:18 PM EST up reply actions
Eh. Maybe.
If Alonso goes, the outfield depth is suddenly very thin. If anything, it tells me they still don’t trust Heisey to be the guy in LF.
It feels so nice to be back to normal
word.
It also tells me that they either don’t trust Sappelt or he’s in trade talks, too.
Tequila and pancakes, anyone?
by Kevin Mitchell is Batman on Dec 5, 2011 12:21 PM EST up reply actions
Did Sappelt learn how to run the bases properly?
Bart: "Dad, what's a Muppet?"
Homer: "Well, it's not quite a mop, not quite a puppet, but man... (laughs, then pauses) So, to answer you question, I don't know."
If they trade Alonso, I feel it's necessary that we make a fan's contract with him that he regain the pounds he has lost.
Otherwise I will feel very cheated that we never got to see what thin Alonso could add to our lineup.
by Cuetotally Amazing on Dec 5, 2011 12:21 PM EST up reply actions
"If Alonso goes, the outfield depth is suddenly very thin."
-fat joke?
"You said 'walks' twice."
"I like walks."
Interesting...
Willingham looks to be starting his decline to me. I think I’d stay away. His BB% was lower last year and his K% was higher. He hit more homers, but his batting average fell. His SLG was pretty good, but his OBP was the lowest he’s had in recent years.
I did notice an interesting thing in looking at his stats on Fangraphs… His BB% has been about 4% higher against lefties vs. righties in each of the last 3 years. Has anyone looked into what makes up the platoon advantage? How much is OBP vs. SLG related? As player develop/decline do certain skills come/go first leading to them being more suited to a platoon role?
Eh, that could just be the Oakland factor
Shit, I bet for a 20 point bump for anyone leaving that stadium
No way on Willingham
He’ll probably get something like three years and $20 mil. I’d rather save the money and go with Heisey.
Bill James projected wOBAs:
.348
.346
Q: Which one is which?
A: Doesn’t matter.
by Charlie Scrabbles on Dec 5, 2011 12:17 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
I'd take Willingham for this year only
But yeah, not interested in a 3 year deal.
It feels so nice to be back to normal
Bill James' projections are dumb
"Wait, you think I'm being mean to the pretend orangutan?" -- battlekow
I'm really not a fan of Heisey's .316 OBP in the lineup every day.
I’m not sure it washes out Willingham’s defense, but I don’t want to find out.
"You said 'walks' twice."
"I like walks."
To play the same game as Chuck
Bill James projected 2012 FIP
3.88
4.02
Which one would you prefer?
"Wait, you think I'm being mean to the pretend orangutan?" -- battlekow
Jurrjens over Cueto, obvi.
That ship done sailed, hun!
Tequila and pancakes, anyone?
by Kevin Mitchell is Batman on Dec 5, 2011 2:33 PM EST up reply actions
I mean, 3.88, it's lower.
Is this a reply to me? I don’t think Heisey’s gonna have a FIP as low as either of those.
"You said 'walks' twice."
"I like walks."
Nope, I put that comment there just to fuck with you
"Wait, you think I'm being mean to the pretend orangutan?" -- battlekow
Red Reporter:
“Nope, I put that comment there just to fuck with you.”
Wear something sexy to my funeral.
by Pops Daniels on Dec 5, 2011 3:53 PM EST up reply actions 4 recs
Of course they are
but that’s not my point. My point is not that these guys are identical players, but that they are close enough that it makes sense to go with the one who will make a half mil next year rather than the one who will make eight mil.
by Charlie Scrabbles on Dec 5, 2011 4:59 PM EST up reply actions
also, there's this bit of GM ignorance:
Apparently, teams are looking at Edgar Renteria as a utility man, capable of playing more than just SS.
Umm, really?
Tequila and pancakes, anyone?
by Kevin Mitchell is Batman on Dec 5, 2011 11:56 AM EST reply actions
I saw that
Teams are looking at Edgar Renteria as a multi-position utility guy, including third base, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Renteria wants to play for a contender.
I guess they weren’t watching this season.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
Or Ken Rosenthal is just full of shit
Bart: "Dad, what's a Muppet?"
Homer: "Well, it's not quite a mop, not quite a puppet, but man... (laughs, then pauses) So, to answer you question, I don't know."
It could be...but I like to blame this on Rosenthal

Bart: "Dad, what's a Muppet?"
Homer: "Well, it's not quite a mop, not quite a puppet, but man... (laughs, then pauses) So, to answer you question, I don't know."
Walt does know these are the Winter "meetings"
and not the Winter “sit in the suite and do sudokus,” right?
Tequila and pancakes, anyone?
by Kevin Mitchell is Batman on Dec 5, 2011 1:31 PM EST reply actions
He's playing Words With Friends
And just found out Votto isn’t a word
Bart: "Dad, what's a Muppet?"
Homer: "Well, it's not quite a mop, not quite a puppet, but man... (laughs, then pauses) So, to answer you question, I don't know."
fag seems to be a word that I could use a lot if those queers at WWF would accept it.
It feels so nice to be back to normal






























