Here's a quick rundown of Reds-related rumors from the first day of the Winter Meetings:
Walt sheds some light on the Brandon Phillips contract extension situation
Not surprisingly, one of the stick'ems is the length of the contract. "That's part of what complicates it, the number of years that he wants and what we feel comfortable doing," Jocketty said. Perhaps the most telling line is this one right here: "There will be a certain amount (of deferred money), not a lot." That sounds to me like the deal is inevitable.
This has to be one of the toughest contract situations the Reds have faced in a long time. Jeepers BeePers is coming off his best season and is clearly one of the top two or three 2Bs in the game. He's should be a key piece to the championship puzzle over the next few years. But I can't shake this fear that two years from now we'll be having this same discussion about Joey Votto, only to hear the Reds plead poverty. I very well might be creating a false dilemma here, but I just can't shake it.
Jon Heyman says the Reds are "very interested" in Jair Jurrjens, but our boy Mark Sheldon corrects him
His source says the Reds aren't interested and that they do not match up well with the Braves on a trade. The Braves are reportedly looking for a new left fielder which omg! so are we!
@LeatherBritchesLuvsSkankyBitches spoke with Dusty
who said they are keeping both Devin Mesoraco and Yasmani Grandal. I dunno. I don't think either should be untouchable, especially considering they serve as insurance on each other. Dusty also said, to the surprise of on one, that he likes Juan Francisco. I'm coming around on him myself, but I still worry that his approach will be mercilessly exploited.
Jocketty says the Reds' interest in Josh Willingham is "simmering on the back burner, if that"
This is one move that I am unequivocally against. Willingham is a good player to be sure, but he's likely not significantly better than Chris Heisey. At least, not $20 million or so better than Heisey. In a vacuum, I would choose Willingham over Heisey without much hesitation. But the fact of the matter is that Ham Bone would cost a good bit of money and Heisey wouldn't.
Octavio Dotel could be a very serviceable cost-efficient closer for next season
The Reds are among a number of teams interested in the old man.