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Honestly Billy has a role in MLB but this is a terrible fit for him. A small ballpark doesn't take advantage of his gold glove caliber defense. A big park preferably in the AL where he can hit 9th without having to hit a pitcher in front of him.

He is just not a useful player at GABP and in our division.

(12-01-2018 08:40 AM)crex043 Wrote:  

(12-01-2018 03:38 AM)Bearhawkeye Wrote:  

(11-30-2018 09:21 PM)Lush Wrote:  how soon is trammell ready?

I've seen some talk about 2020 but I think that's pushing it. Everything would have to fall into place for that imo. I think 2021 is a more realistic target, but if he gets injured or has an off year it might be more like 2022. A lot also could depend upon how bad the Reds need him and whether they are contending or not. (i.e. No reason to start his clocks earlier than necessary.)

Personally, I'm very sad to see Billy go. I think he's going to be an absolute steal for some playoff contending team in a big ballpark even if his role is just 4th OF. I do wonder if he's slowing down already though as I expected a lot more SB from him the last year or two based upon how he started out. Now it looks like he probably already peaked in SB frequency.

I"d also have liked to have found a way to keep Dilson around a little longer. He's got some position versatility and I think the guy can really hit if he gets a legit shot to play.

Billy will be a huge asset, but he won't be a big steal to anyone at $6-7 million a year. If Billy Hamilton is one of your starting OF, you're likely not a contender. I'm glad the Reds finally made sense of that. It's a step in the right direction.

Fair point about his salary, but that's still peanuts to the big boys. To pick him up at zero cost in trade still makes him a "steal" imo. That guy can win you some close games (think playoffs) almost single-handedly just as a pinch runner. We all talk about the need for more pitching but I fear the Reds ERA just went up another quarter run a game or more. A lot of would-be hits off of Reds' pitchers that Billy turned into outs just turned back into hits...

Talk is still cheap, but I've been impressed by all the national chatter about the Reds being serious players for some of the top pitchers out there. Unfortunately, that probably means over-paying, but I"m not sure we have much other choice.

(12-01-2018 12:34 PM)Bearhawkeye Wrote:  

(12-01-2018 08:40 AM)crex043 Wrote:  

(12-01-2018 03:38 AM)Bearhawkeye Wrote:  

(11-30-2018 09:21 PM)Lush Wrote:  how soon is trammell ready?

I've seen some talk about 2020 but I think that's pushing it. Everything would have to fall into place for that imo. I think 2021 is a more realistic target, but if he gets injured or has an off year it might be more like 2022. A lot also could depend upon how bad the Reds need him and whether they are contending or not. (i.e. No reason to start his clocks earlier than necessary.)

Personally, I'm very sad to see Billy go. I think he's going to be an absolute steal for some playoff contending team in a big ballpark even if his role is just 4th OF. I do wonder if he's slowing down already though as I expected a lot more SB from him the last year or two based upon how he started out. Now it looks like he probably already peaked in SB frequency.

I"d also have liked to have found a way to keep Dilson around a little longer. He's got some position versatility and I think the guy can really hit if he gets a legit shot to play.

Billy will be a huge asset, but he won't be a big steal to anyone at $6-7 million a year. If Billy Hamilton is one of your starting OF, you're likely not a contender. I'm glad the Reds finally made sense of that. It's a step in the right direction.

Fair point about his salary, but that's still peanuts to the big boys. To pick him up at zero cost in trade still makes him a "steal" imo. That guy can win you some close games (think playoffs) almost single-handedly just as a pinch runner. We all talk about the need for more pitching but I fear the Reds ERA just went up another quarter run a game or more. A lot of would-be hits off of Reds' pitchers that Billy turned into outs just turned back into hits...

Talk is still cheap, but I've been impressed by all the national chatter about the Reds being serious players for some of the top pitchers out there. Unfortunately, that probably means over-paying, but I"m not sure we have much other choice.

Reds need to be more concerned with spending money on organizational development. They need to rebuild the whole thing from ground up. Start with scouting and low A leagues. They need to be able to recognize talent earlier and have the right people in place to nurture that talent. That is where this club makes its turn around.

Hot Stove Winter Meetings Update...

Quote:Reds interested in Kluber, Bauer

A surprising suitor has emerged for Corey Kluber and Trevor Bauer. Jon Morosi of MLB.com reports the Reds continue to pursue the two Indians hurlers as well as other rotation options. Cincinnati desperately needs pitching help this offseason and they've touched base with pretty much everyone, including trade candidate Sonny Gray and free agent Dallas Keuchel. The Reds have cast a wide net this winter.

The Indians are expected to move Kluber or Bauer in the coming weeks -- Carlos Carrasco just signed a team-friendly extension and figures to stay put -- and the question is whether the Reds can meet Cleveland's asking price. They have some prospects to deal but are still in something of a rebuild, and may not want to thin out their talent base. This is just my speculation, but the Reds could make outfielder Jesse Winker available in trade talks. The Indians need outfield help and the 25-year-old posted a .405 on-base percentage as a rookie in 2018.

Reds Looking For Pitching Help

(12-11-2018 06:17 PM)UCGrad1992 Wrote:  Hot Stove Winter Meetings Update...

Quote:Reds interested in Kluber, Bauer

A surprising suitor has emerged for Corey Kluber and Trevor Bauer. Jon Morosi of MLB.com reports the Reds continue to pursue the two Indians hurlers as well as other rotation options. Cincinnati desperately needs pitching help this offseason and they've touched base with pretty much everyone, including trade candidate Sonny Gray and free agent Dallas Keuchel. The Reds have cast a wide net this winter.

The Indians are expected to move Kluber or Bauer in the coming weeks -- Carlos Carrasco just signed a team-friendly extension and figures to stay put -- and the question is whether the Reds can meet Cleveland's asking price. They have some prospects to deal but are still in something of a rebuild, and may not want to thin out their talent base. This is just my speculation, but the Reds could make outfielder Jesse Winker available in trade talks. The Indians need outfield help and the 25-year-old posted a .405 on-base percentage as a rookie in 2018.

Reds Looking For Pitching Help

Either Indians pitcher would be a great pickup but it's a question of what it's going to cost in terms of prospects. I'd have a really hard time giving up Senzel or Trammel and it makes no sense to trade Hunter especially as semi-damaged goods. I guess I'd give up Winker for either but that may not be enough and it leaves us with huge holes in the OF especially with Billy seemingly 100% gone. Yeah, we can put Senzel out there somewhere, but it's a real waste of defensive ability in LF or RF compared to 2b/ss/3b (unless he can handle CF).

Dallas is a decent pitcher but I can't see paying him what he's asking for and I'm not sure how much his price will go down if any. Paying that money for a guy who really isn't that great is just so risky. Somebody will probably do it, but if I'm the Reds I let them go ahead and take the risk.

Sonny Gray makes a lot of sense to take a shot on as soon the Yankees' price comes down considerably as it should (supposedly their initial offer was for Trammel).

I like the lefty, the Reds picked up free from Boston. Has struggled in some short stints in MLB, but dominated in AAA last year and figures to be a decent LOOGY at least. And the price was obviously right.

I'd hate to lose Winker as that guy was really coming on before his injury. But, as we've said many times, you have to give up something good to get it in return [most of the time]. I'm still tying to process all of this...

what could we get for greene?

https://blogredmachine.com/2018/12/11/re...ing-trade/

Watching ESPN2 and they mentioned a trade with the Dodgers where we end up with Puig and they take Homer Bailey and prospects. Wtf I must be dreamin...

(12-11-2018 08:55 PM)Lush Wrote:  what could we get for greene?

He basically had the famous Tommy John elbow injury but decided to try to rehab it rather than have the operation. Last I heard he was hoping to start throwing again either this month or in Jan. Teams would still be interested in him, but nobody is going to give up the farm until they know he is healthy and effective again. And if we did offer him up, teams would understandably probably be a bit suspicious that he's damaged goods and maybe we don't like his chances at a full recovery.

All of which brings up the final point: Why trade our best pitching prospect in a long time (ever?) when pitching, ideally an ace starter, is the one thing we need most?

tanner roark. ok i guess. that better not be a big splash

(12-12-2018 10:21 PM)Lush Wrote:  tanner roark. ok i guess. that better not be a big splash

I figured you'd dig him for his beard if nothing else:



I liked Rainey but there's no question he bombed in his 7-8 outings for the Reds last year. He doesn't get a lot of love from scouts though despite his success last year in AAA. On the other hand, the lefty they got for free from Boston is kind of the same way except better both in AAA and in the bigs.

So the primary motive for the trade was a salary dump by the Nats on the heels of their big Corbin FA signing. But Roark's not making all that much by today's standards and comes a lot cheaper (estimates are he'll get around $10M in arbitration next year) than some of the comparable guys the Reds and others are considering in free agency. He was very good 2 years ago, but has slipped the last two years. Despite the slippage, he still had a 3.4 WAR last year (and 17.4 WAR with a 3.59 ERA for his career) and at age 32 next year he's not necessarily nearing the end of his career. At worst, he's an innings eater and that's actually pretty valuable given some of the dreck we've had throwing from the mound the last few years. In fact, over the last 3 seasons, Roark is one of only 12 pitchers with 93 starts.

In other news, the Reds are reportedly pretty seriously involved in some genuine "big splash" deals that would reshape the club. We'll see.

Matt Harvey remains unsigned. Winter Meetings update from the Reds Team web page (good videos in the link below)...

Quote:The Reds' baseball operations department left the Winter Meetings on Thursday having met at least one objective, while remaining hopeful that they can check off their remaining offseason goals in the days and weeks to come.

"We've got a pitcher that makes us better and we made some progress on some things," Reds general manager Nick Krall said. "We did not accomplish all that we want, but hopefully [we] are headed where we need to go."

In a trade on Wednesday, Cincinnati acquired right-handed starting pitcher Tanner Roark from the Nationals for reliever Tanner Rainey. It wasn't a blockbuster in any sense, but it meant that Krall and president of baseball operations Dick Williams could return home with a tangible improvement to the team, without giving up much.

Roark, who pitched 180 1/3 innings last season and can keep the ball on the ground, is expected to be a solid middle-of-the-rotation pitcher.

"I'm glad we've got a pitcher in hand," Krall said. "Now we'll continue to move on and see what's next."

BIGGEST REMAINING NEEDS
1. SP: After acquiring Roark from the Nationals, Williams and Krall made it clear they were not done trying to upgrade the rotation. They will remain engaged with both clubs and agents. On the free-agent market, Dallas Keuchel, Gio Gonzalez, Wade Miley and Doug Fister are among those still unsigned. So is the Reds' lone free agent, Matt Harvey. On the trade front, pitchers like Toronto's Marcus Stroman and Oakland's Sonny Gray appear to be available.

2. CF: The Reds had talked to the Braves about center fielder Ender Inciarte, sources told MLB.com on Tuesday. Reports also had Cincinnati in talks with the Dodgers about right fielder Yasiel Puig. It's not clear if the Reds think Puig could play in center field. The top free agent center fielders on the market remain A.J. Pollock and Adam Jones.

3. RP: Throughout the offseason, Williams indicated the Reds were still open to having additional bullpen arms -- depending on how things shake out in the rotation.

RULE 5 DRAFT
The Reds selected utility player Connor Joe from the Dodgers' Triple-A roster. A former first-round pick of the Pirates in 2014, Joe is able to play first base, second base, third base and the outfield. Cincinnati's 40-man roster is now at 38 players.

GM'S BOTTOM LINE
"It's going to depend on all of the other factors. It's hard to gauge that and say it's going to be in this exact time. Look, we've made some progress on some things, but who knows how it's going to turn out." -- Krall, when asked whether the Reds were close to making another deal.

Nice To Not Have A Fire Sale

(12-13-2018 04:27 AM)Bearhawkeye Wrote:  

(12-12-2018 10:21 PM)Lush Wrote:  tanner roark. ok i guess. that better not be a big splash

I figured you'd dig him for his beard if nothing else:



I liked Rainey but there's no question he bombed in his 7-8 outings for the Reds last year. He doesn't get a lot of love from scouts though despite his success last year in AAA. On the other hand, the lefty they got for free from Boston is kind of the same way except better both in AAA and in the bigs.

So the primary motive for the trade was a salary dump by the Nats on the heels of their big Corbin FA signing. But Roark's not making all that much by today's standards and comes a lot cheaper (estimates are he'll get around $10M in arbitration next year) than some of the comparable guys the Reds and others are considering in free agency. He was very good 2 years ago, but has slipped the last two years. Despite the slippage, he still had a 3.4 WAR last year (and 17.4 WAR with a 3.59 ERA for his career) and at age 32 next year he's not necessarily nearing the end of his career. At worst, he's an innings eater and that's actually pretty valuable given some of the dreck we've had throwing from the mound the last few years. In fact, over the last 3 seasons, Roark is one of only 12 pitchers with 93 starts.

In other news, the Reds are reportedly pretty seriously involved in some genuine "big splash" deals that would reshape the club. We'll see.

oh i'm very happy with the trade. i just hope with a hopefully flurry of activity that roark isn't the centerpiece. which i'm sure we can all agree on

if we can get puig and that other dodger starter for some minor leaguer i didn't know was our top pitching prospect and homer and maybe tucker? i'd say no because tucker barnhart is a fan favorite and it would just kill the fanbase

beards as fashion are passe. beards of necessity or idleness are another matter

(12-13-2018 07:40 PM)UCGrad1992 Wrote:  Matt Harvey remains unsigned. Winter Meetings update from the Reds Team web page (good videos in the link below)...

Quote:The Reds' baseball operations department left the Winter Meetings on Thursday having met at least one objective, while remaining hopeful that they can check off their remaining offseason goals in the days and weeks to come.

"We've got a pitcher that makes us better and we made some progress on some things," Reds general manager Nick Krall said. "We did not accomplish all that we want, but hopefully [we] are headed where we need to go."

In a trade on Wednesday, Cincinnati acquired right-handed starting pitcher Tanner Roark from the Nationals for reliever Tanner Rainey. It wasn't a blockbuster in any sense, but it meant that Krall and president of baseball operations Dick Williams could return home with a tangible improvement to the team, without giving up much.

Roark, who pitched 180 1/3 innings last season and can keep the ball on the ground, is expected to be a solid middle-of-the-rotation pitcher.

"I'm glad we've got a pitcher in hand," Krall said. "Now we'll continue to move on and see what's next."

BIGGEST REMAINING NEEDS
1. SP: After acquiring Roark from the Nationals, Williams and Krall made it clear they were not done trying to upgrade the rotation. They will remain engaged with both clubs and agents. On the free-agent market, Dallas Keuchel, Gio Gonzalez, Wade Miley and Doug Fister are among those still unsigned. So is the Reds' lone free agent, Matt Harvey. On the trade front, pitchers like Toronto's Marcus Stroman and Oakland's Sonny Gray appear to be available.

2. CF: The Reds had talked to the Braves about center fielder Ender Inciarte, sources told MLB.com on Tuesday. Reports also had Cincinnati in talks with the Dodgers about right fielder Yasiel Puig. It's not clear if the Reds think Puig could play in center field. The top free agent center fielders on the market remain A.J. Pollock and Adam Jones.

3. RP: Throughout the offseason, Williams indicated the Reds were still open to having additional bullpen arms -- depending on how things shake out in the rotation.

RULE 5 DRAFT
The Reds selected utility player Connor Joe from the Dodgers' Triple-A roster. A former first-round pick of the Pirates in 2014, Joe is able to play first base, second base, third base and the outfield. Cincinnati's 40-man roster is now at 38 players.

GM'S BOTTOM LINE
"It's going to depend on all of the other factors. It's hard to gauge that and say it's going to be in this exact time. Look, we've made some progress on some things, but who knows how it's going to turn out." -- Krall, when asked whether the Reds were close to making another deal.

Nice To Not Have A Fire Sale

The free agent pitchers out there don't excite me especially for the money they are probably still asking for. I"d love to add one of the Indians pitchers but I'm sure their price remains exorbitant and I'd have a very hard time giving up the farm for one pitcher.

So I'd focus on value. I haven't heard anyone associated with Harvey so you have to think his price is coming down. I'd get him back if he's reasonable. It also sounds like the Yankees (note to mlb.com: not Oakland) have gotten the message that their price is too high for Sonny Gray. If we could add Roark, Gray and Harvey I'd be pretty happy with that haul. None are likely to be aces, but none will likely cost a fortune in terms of talent or salary. They should all be solid additions to our internal starting candidates and leave us some options in the bullpen and AAA if they don't deliver or get hurt.

I'm open to Inciarte, but in my opinion he doesn't bring much more than we had with Billy. They're both defensive studs. Inciarte is the better hitter, but not by all that much and he's already slowing down on the bases (28 steals last year but was caught 14 times). He's a little older and will probably make about the same amount we would've paid Billy with a longer commitment. Pollock and Jones don't do that much for me unless they come dirt cheap which I guess is still possible.

(12-13-2018 11:04 PM)Lush Wrote:  oh i'm very happy with the trade. i just hope with a hopefully flurry of activity that roark isn't the centerpiece. which i'm sure we can all agree on

if we can get puig and that other dodger starter for some minor leaguer i didn't know was our top pitching prospect and homer and maybe tucker? i'd say no because tucker barnhart is a fan favorite and it would just kill the fanbase

We can agree on that although sometimes the best trades are the ones you don't make.

As far as the Dodger deal, I think you have to take it in context of the Reds going for Realmuto as Tucker's (superior) replacement. Our old buddy Bowden talks about a deal where the Dodgers give us Puig and Alex Wood in return for Homer, Tucker and pitching prospect Guiterrez. I don't want to give up young talented pitching prospects, but I'd be interested in that deal. Dumping Puig would open up some space for the Dodgers to go after Harper so it makes some sense from their end.

I'd hate to give up Trammell, especially for a position player, but Realmuto is a stud catcher in his prime. On the other hand, I think he's only controllable for 2 more years so a lot depends upon how we see Tyler Stephenson's future prospects at C for us.

One version making the rounds today that sounds plausible is the Reds thought they had a deal sending Trammell (and more) to Miami for Realmuto. Having him in hand would then allow the Reds to trade Tucker along with Homer for Puig, Wood and a SP prospect. But Miami Prez Michael Hill changed his mind (something he has a reputation for) which collapsed both deals...

(12-14-2018 10:42 AM)Bearhawkeye Wrote:  If we could add Roark, Gray and Harvey I'd be pretty happy with that haul. None are likely to be aces, but none will likely cost a fortune in terms of talent or salary.

I would be ecstatic if that happened. I want Harvey back and maybe the longer he's on the market there would be mutual interest.

Scratch Harvey off the list...

(12-18-2018 09:27 PM)UCGrad1992 Wrote:  Scratch Harvey off the list...

Bummer. I wouldn't have gone too much higher than that, but I'd have at least matched that offer if I was the Reds. I'm guessing he'd have come back if we did, but who knows?

I'm not sure if the Stroman talks are still going on, but he's another pitcher worth taking a shot trading for if the price is reasonable. Reds rumors seemed to have died down since the Meetings ended, but that doesn't bother me too much because I think the Reds generally keep things quiet until they are done (e.g. the Tanners trade).

Dallas Keuchel seems to be the one name still buzzing a bit for the Reds which makes me think it is largely coming from his agent because they lack additional suitors at his asking price. I'm somewhat interested but his price would have to come way down if I was making the call.

Puig and Alex Wood coming to the Reds. Love it.

(12-21-2018 05:00 PM)RealDeal Wrote:  Puig and Alex Wood coming to the Reds. Love it.

HOLY FREEGIN SHAT!!!!! YESSSSSS!!!!! PINCH ME!!! HELL, SLAP ME A FEW TIMES!