Monday, February 27, 2012

Reds rolling the dice this year

The Reds are all in this season.
It remains to be seen if all the moves Reds general manager Walt Jocketty made this offseason will be enough to reach the playoffs.
But Jocketty was excited and anxious to go when he made his Reds Caravan stop recently at the Lima Mall.
“We set an offseason plan and kind of checked everything off as we went along,” Jocketty said. ... “I think I’ve run out of money,” he laughed.
Let’s take a quick look at what he was able to do and how he did.
First up, the Reds needed a top-of-the-rotation starter. Jocketty filled that in the huge trade with the Padres. The Reds sent hitting machine prospect first baseman Yonder Alonso, right-hander Edinson Volquez and prospects closer Brad Boxberger and catcher Yasmani Grandal for Latos.
The Reds gave up plenty, but Alonso couldn’t play left or third base and he was blocked behind Joey Votto at first. Grandal was behind Devin Mesoraco behind the plate.
Boxberger could be a future big league closer, but you have to give up quality for a pitcher like Latos (9-14, 3.47 ERA). In three years with the Padres, Latos had a 3.37. Volquez was an enigma.
Jocketty also added pitching depth by signing left-hander Jeff Francis (6-6, 4.82 with Kansas City last year).
The bullpen sprung a few leaks last year and with Francisco Cordero being a free agent, Jocketty took a different route. He signed free agent Ryan Madson (from the Phillies). Then he traded left-hander Travis Wood, outfielder Dave Sappelt and Class A infielder Ronald Torreyes to the Cubs for set-up man left-hander Sean Marshall (2.26, 5 saves, 78 games).
Madson (2.37, 32 saves) is an upgrade over Cordero and Marshall will aid the set-up process, mixing him in with Nick Masset, Logan Ondrusek, Bill Bray and Sam LeCure. Marshall can also close when Madson needs a day off.
Next up on Jocketty’s check list was left field, but money was running thin. He signed Ryan Ludwick (.237, 13 home runs, 75 RBIs with the Padres and Pirates last year).
Ludwick, a lifetime .261 hitter, isn’t much of a difference from incumbent Chris Heisey (.254, 18 home runs, 50 RBIs). Jocketty didn’t do much in the way of pulling an upgrade here.
The health of third baseman Scott Rolen (left shoulder surgery in August) and shortstop Zack Cozart (elbow surgery on Aug. 12) was also a question entering the offseason.
Jocketty said both are healthy now, but he went on and picked up utility infielders Wilson Valdez (.249, 14 doubles with the Phillies) and Willie Harris (.246 with the Mets). Both are good insurance policies at shortstop and third.
And Jocketty might not be done. He’s currently trying to come up with creative ideas to sign 34-year-old free agent Roy Oswalt.
The rotation is already set up with Johnny Cueto, Latos, Bronson Arroyo, Mike Leake and Homer Bailey. Aroldis Chapman will compete for the No. 5 spot, but could start the year at AAA.
One idea would be to deal Bailey and his $2.4 million salary and sign Oswalt.
Next up for Jocketty is extending the contract of Brandon Phillips, whose contract runs out after this season. Phillips is the face of the franchise and has to be signed.
Then, comes the major chore of inking Votto, who is signed through 2013.
The Reds’ future is cloudy for next year.
That’s why Reds CEO Bob Castellini and Jocketty are rolling the dice for this year.

Indians make a few minor gains

The Indians had to zig-zag their way around a few potholes this offseason.
But now that spring training is here, the Indians seem to have made a few small gains.
The big news came when the pitcher they thought was Fausto Carmona actually turned out to be Roberto Hernandez Heredia. And, oh by the way, he wasn’t 28. He’s actually 31.
Worse yet, he’s now having serious problems getting a work permit and may miss the season.
On the field, the Indians entered the offseason needing more bats after ranking 10th in the league in hitting (.248) and ninth in runs scored (4.4 per game).
Specifically, they were looking for a first baseman to replace Matt LaPorta, a .238 career hitter, who hit .247 with 11 home runs and 53 RBIs last year.
The Indians also searched the free agent market for outfield help.
In the end, they ended up with a few offensive spare parts and a few pitchers who could help.
The biggest addition came the first week of February when the Indians signed free agent first baseman Casey Kotchman. He hit .306 with 10 home runs and 48 RBI with the Rays last year. Kotchman, a .268 career hitter, is a slight upgrade over LaPorta.
Other offensive signings, who will may or may not help, are outfielders Fred Lewis and Felix Pie and third baseman Andy LaRoche.
The Tribe did make several moves with their starting staff. They traded right-hander Zach Putnam to the Rockies for right-hander Kevin Slowey. They also traded minor league lefty Chris Jones to the Braves for right-hander Derek Lowe.
Way back in November the Indians addressed the often-injured Grady Sizemore by re-signing him in spite of three straight years of injuries and surgeries.
So what do we really know about the Indians, who finished 80-82 last year?
Well, the starting pitcher is solid, but took a hit with Carlos Carrasco being lost with a season-ending elbow injury. They can roll out a rotation of Ubaldo Jimenez, Justin Masterson, Josh Tomlin, Lowe, Slowey and David Huff.
The bullpen is a strength with closer Chris Perez and set-up men Rafael Perez, Vinnie Pestano, Joe Smith, Tony Sipp and newly signed Dan Wheeler.
The everyday lineup has emerging stars in catcher Carlos Santana, second baseman Jason Kipnis and third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall. Santana hit 27 home runs and drove in 79 runs, but will be expected to boost his .239 average.
Shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera and right fielder Shin-Soo Choo are all-star level players, although Choo slumped to .259 last year.
Thankfully, this is the final year on Travis Hafner’s contract, which has been strapped to the Indians like an anvil. Last year Hafner hit .280 with 13 home runs and 57 RBIs. He hasn’t hit 20 home runs since 2007.
The outfield lacks serious pop with Michael Brantley (.266, 7 HR) and Shelley Duncan (.260, 11 HR) in left, Sizemore (.224, 10 HR) in center and Choo (.259, 8 HR) in right. Sizemore is capable of more, but who knows?
Choo should bounce back after suffering a broken left thumb last June which limited him to 85 games and 313 at-bats. But what if he doesn’t?
Once again, the Indians will have to scratch for runs and hope the pitching carries the load.
But at least they know the real age of Carmona/Hernandez Heredia. At least, they think they do.
The Reds are all in this season.
It remains to be seen if all the moves Reds general manager Walt Jocketty made this offseason will be enough to reach the playoffs.
But Jocketty was excited and anxious to go when he made his Reds Caravan stop recently at the Lima Mall.
“We set an offseason plan and kind of checked everything off as we went along,” Jocketty said. ... “I think I’ve run out of money,” he laughed.
Let’s take a quick look at what he was able to do and how he did.
First up, the Reds needed a top-of-the-rotation starter. Jocketty filled that in the huge trade with the Padres. The Reds sent hitting machine prospect first baseman Yonder Alonso, right-hander Edinson Volquez and prospects closer Brad Boxberger and catcher Yasmani Grandal for Latos.
The Reds gave up plenty, but Alonso couldn’t play left or third base and he was blocked behind Joey Votto at first. Grandal was behind Devin Mesoraco behind the plate.
Boxberger could be a future big league closer, but you have to give up quality for a pitcher like Latos (9-14, 3.47 ERA). In three years with the Padres, Latos had a 3.37. Volquez was an enigma.
Jocketty also added pitching depth by signing left-hander Jeff Francis (6-6, 4.82 with Kansas City last year).
The bullpen sprung a few leaks last year and with Francisco Cordero being a free agent, Jocketty took a different route. He signed free agent Ryan Madson (from the Phillies). Then he traded left-hander Travis Wood, outfielder Dave Sappelt and Class A infielder Ronald Torreyes to the Cubs for set-up man left-hander Sean Marshall (2.26, 5 saves, 78 games).
Madson (2.37, 32 saves) is an upgrade over Cordero and Marshall will aid the set-up process, mixing him in with Nick Masset, Logan Ondrusek, Bill Bray and Sam LeCure. Marshall can also close when Madson needs a day off.
Next up on Jocketty’s check list was left field, but money was running thin. He signed Ryan Ludwick (.237, 13 home runs, 75 RBIs with the Padres and Pirates last year).
Ludwick, a lifetime .261 hitter, isn’t much of a difference from incumbent Chris Heisey (.254, 18 home runs, 50 RBIs). Jocketty didn’t do much in the way of pulling an upgrade here.
The health of third baseman Scott Rolen (left shoulder surgery in August) and shortstop Zack Cozart (elbow surgery on Aug. 12) was also a question entering the offseason.
Jocketty said both are healthy now, but he went on and picked up utility infielders Wilson Valdez (.249, 14 doubles with the Phillies) and Willie Harris (.246 with the Mets). Both are good insurance policies at shortstop and third.
And Jocketty might not be done. He’s currently trying to come up with creative ideas to sign 34-year-old free agent Roy Oswalt.
The rotation is already set up with Johnny Cueto, Latos, Bronson Arroyo, Mike Leake and Homer Bailey. Aroldis Chapman will compete for the No. 5 spot, but could start the year at AAA.
One idea would be to deal Bailey and his $2.4 million salary and sign Oswalt.
Next up for Jocketty is extending the contract of Brandon Phillips, whose contract runs out after this season. Phillips is the face of the franchise and has to be signed.
Then, comes the major chore of inking Votto, who is signed through 2013.
The Reds’ future is cloudy for next year.
That’s why Reds CEO Bob Castellini and Jocketty are rolling the dice for this year.
The Reds are all in this season.
It remains to be seen if all the moves Reds general manager Walt Jocketty made this offseason will be enough to reach the playoffs.
But Jocketty was excited and anxious to go when he made his Reds Caravan stop recently at the Lima Mall.
“We set an offseason plan and kind of checked everything off as we went along,” Jocketty said. ... “I think I’ve run out of money,” he laughed.
Let’s take a quick look at what he was able to do and how he did.
First up, the Reds needed a top-of-the-rotation starter. Jocketty filled that in the huge trade with the Padres. The Reds sent hitting machine prospect first baseman Yonder Alonso, right-hander Edinson Volquez and prospects closer Brad Boxberger and catcher Yasmani Grandal for Latos.
The Reds gave up plenty, but Alonso couldn’t play left or third base and he was blocked behind Joey Votto at first. Grandal was behind Devin Mesoraco behind the plate.
Boxberger could be a future big league closer, but you have to give up quality for a pitcher like Latos (9-14, 3.47 ERA). In three years with the Padres, Latos had a 3.37. Volquez was an enigma.
Jocketty also added pitching depth by signing left-hander Jeff Francis (6-6, 4.82 with Kansas City last year).
The bullpen sprung a few leaks last year and with Francisco Cordero being a free agent, Jocketty took a different route. He signed free agent Ryan Madson (from the Phillies). Then he traded left-hander Travis Wood, outfielder Dave Sappelt and Class A infielder Ronald Torreyes to the Cubs for set-up man left-hander Sean Marshall (2.26, 5 saves, 78 games).
Madson (2.37, 32 saves) is an upgrade over Cordero and Marshall will aid the set-up process, mixing him in with Nick Masset, Logan Ondrusek, Bill Bray and Sam LeCure. Marshall can also close when Madson needs a day off.
Next up on Jocketty’s check list was left field, but money was running thin. He signed Ryan Ludwick (.237, 13 home runs, 75 RBIs with the Padres and Pirates last year).
Ludwick, a lifetime .261 hitter, isn’t much of a difference from incumbent Chris Heisey (.254, 18 home runs, 50 RBIs). Jocketty didn’t do much in the way of pulling an upgrade here.
The health of third baseman Scott Rolen (left shoulder surgery in August) and shortstop Zack Cozart (elbow surgery on Aug. 12) was also a question entering the offseason.
Jocketty said both are healthy now, but he went on and picked up utility infielders Wilson Valdez (.249, 14 doubles with the Phillies) and Willie Harris (.246 with the Mets). Both are good insurance policies at shortstop and third.
And Jocketty might not be done. He’s currently trying to come up with creative ideas to sign 34-year-old free agent Roy Oswalt.
The rotation is already set up with Johnny Cueto, Latos, Bronson Arroyo, Mike Leake and Homer Bailey. Aroldis Chapman will compete for the No. 5 spot, but could start the year at AAA.
One idea would be to deal Bailey and his $2.4 million salary and sign Oswalt.
Next up for Jocketty is extending the contract of Brandon Phillips, whose contract runs out after this season. Phillips is the face of the franchise and has to be signed.
Then, comes the major chore of inking Votto, who is signed through 2013.
The Reds’ future is cloudy for next year.
That’s why Reds CEO Bob Castellini and Jocketty are rolling the dice for this year.