Reds Tidbits (2009 season)

[schwab]

Hairston grateful to Reds for chance | reds.com: News

Free agent expected to hit open market, open to Cincinnati return

By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com
11/12/08 4:46 PM EST

CINCINNATI -- Infielder/outfielder Jerry Hairston Jr. rediscovered success last season with the Reds and is grateful.

Hairston, a free agent, wouldn't mind having another go in Cincinnati, but he isn't afraid to see what else is out there.
"Other clubs saw what I did last year, but the Reds know me best and gave me a chance," Hairston told MLB.com on Wednesday. "I'm appreciative of [manager] Dusty Baker, [general manager] Walt Jocketty and [former GM] Wayne Krivsky for giving it to me. I'm a loyal person and a fair person, too. I'll look for what I'm worth out there. Hopefully, everything will work out for me and my family." Jocketty and the Reds held talks with Hairston's agent, Casey Close, last week during the GM Meetings and reported some progress. Talks haven't moved enough to the point to make Hairston a candidate to be re-signed before Friday, when players become free to negotiate with any team.

Cont..

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

FoxSports.com report has the Reds talking to Colorado about center fielder Willy Taveras, catcher Yorvit Torrealba and third baseman Garrett Atkins. General manager Walt Jocketty later told The Cincinnati Enquirer that he had talked to several teams and wouldn't confirm the names in the Colorado discussions.

Continued.............

[schwab]

Originally Posted by schwab

Hot Stove Blog: Reds and Rockies talking?

Originally Posted by OSUBasketballJunkie

Dispatch

This trade is hard to judge whether or not it's good for the Reds, mostly because of the unknowns that would be heading the other way. I'm glad Castellini is not giving away our young core to win now, i.e. backing out of the Holliday sweepstakes.

[schwab]

Bonifay among additions to Reds' staff | reds.com: News

Former Bucs GM one of three newcomers to front office

By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com
11/13/08 5:07 PM EST

CINCINNATI -- The Reds announced three additions to their front office on Thursday.

Cam Bonifay and Mike Squires were hired as special assistants to general manager Walt Jocketty, while Jamie Quirk was named as a professional scout. Bonifay was the Pirates' general manager from 1993-2001 and director of player personnel for the Rays from 2001-05. The past three seasons, he was a special assistant to the GM with the Cardinals -- with two of those seasons being under Jocketty.

Cont..

[schwab]

Reds eye pop as free agency opens | reds.com: News

If Weathers, Lincoln, Affeldt leave, 'pen will need rebuilding

By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com
11/14/08 12:01 AM EST

CINCINNATI -- When the clock struck 12:01 a.m. ET on Friday, the free-agent market completely opened for business and the exclusive negotiating window teams had with their own free agents had closed.

Players are now free to negotiate with any team they wish. The Reds did not sign any of their nine free agents during the 15-day exclusive window that began upon the completion of the World Series. Cincinnati's free agents are relievers David Weathers, Jeremy Affeldt, Mike Lincoln and Kent Mercker, utility player Jerry Hairston Jr., catchers Javier Valentin and Paul Bako, outfielder Corey Patterson and starting pitcher Josh Fogg.

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GM Walt Jocketty has talked with Jerry Hairston Jr.'s agent about the free agent returning. (Morry Gash/AP)

[crazybuckfan40]

Don't mind about the guys leaving the pen...I think we have nice young talent ready to take over...

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

The Cincinnati Reds are in the market for a veteran reliever, and one player believed to be high on their list -- Jeremy Affeldt -- signed with San Francisco for two years and $8 million. Some baseball people believe Affeldt is a potential closer, in which case he is a bargain for the Giants. But some scouts also see him as having closer talent with a middle-relief mind-set: He walks too many and doesn't trust his talent.

Continued.............

[schwab]

Mailbag: Can Cordero be a leader? | reds.com: News

I have to disagree about offering David Weathers another deal. After watching a large portion of the games this last year, it seemed like the only reason he was around was to be a "veteran presence" for the young guys. Why can't Francisco Cordero be the man the young pitchers look up to? Couldn't he be the galvanizing force of leadership for the pitchers?
-- Steven H., Liberty, Ind.

I know fan perception is completely the opposite of the numbers. Weathers was solid the past two years and that's the main reason he was still around. There is a long list of quality "veteran presence" people that have been jettisoned and/or had their contracts eaten by the club over the years because they didn't produce. As for Cordero, he quickly assimilated himself during his first year in Cincinnati. He often held court in the clubhouse with many of the young Latin pitchers and players.

Cont..

Francisco Cordero notched 34 saves last year in his first season with the Reds. (John Grieshop/Getty)

[schwab]

Hot Stove Blog

No concrete news around Dye rumors

...Bry did not reveal the remaining four teams on the veteran's no-trade list, but they are believed to be located in the Northeast. So, an organization such as the Reds, the subject of a Dye rumor on Tuesday, would be a viable destination.

According to a posting on Lance McCalister's blog for 1530 WCKY in Cincinnati, the White Sox initiated trade talks involving Dye, who turns 35 at the end of January, for right-handed pitcher Homer Bailey, 22, and another player. Initiating trade talks in Williams' world, though, could range from the onset of serious discussions to simply getting a read on the market for a particular player.

Any trade for Dye would need to net a somewhat proven outfielder in return or be followed by a second trade. The White Sox don't appear to have a natural in-house replacement for Dye.

[schwab]

Deadline for Reds comes Monday | reds.com: News

Team can offer arbitration to Weathers for compensation

By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com

The Reds have their first deadline closing in their dealings with their own free agents.

On Monday, teams must decide whether to offer their free agents arbitration. If receiving the offer by midnight ET, players would have until next Sunday to accept or decline.
If a player accepts, he is automatically retained by his team for one more year at a salary to be determined by an arbiter. The deadline is especially critical for Type-A or Type-B free agents and any clubs interested in signing them. If those players are offered arbitration, their former teams would receive compensation Draft picks in return if they sign elsewhere.

Cont..

Reliever David Weathers is the only one of the Reds' remaining free agents for whom they can receive compensation for signing elsewhere. (AP)

[schwab]

Mailbag: Alonso in a starting role? | reds.com: News

Reds beat reporter Mark Sheldon answers fans' questions

By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com

Yonder Alonso had a decent stay in Hawaii Winter Baseball. Is it so far-fetched to think he could come on strong and allow the Reds to move Joey Votto to left field?
-- Charles S., Broken Arrow, Okla.

No chance that happens to start 2009. Yes, Alonso played well in Hawaii and batted over .300 in around 100 at-bats. But he missed most of the summer and played all of six games at Class A Sarasota after signing as a first-round Draft pick. All signs indicate Alonso will compete for the first-base job at Double-A Carolina, and if he doesn't get it, he'll go back to Sarasota. And I've indicated this before -- I'm not in the camp with those that believe Votto should be moved to left field.

Cont..

First-round Draft pick Yonder Alonso batted over .300 in Hawaii Winter Baseball. (AP)

[schwab]

Reds make pitch for Rhodes | reds.com: News

Agent confirms Cincinnati's offer to free-agent left-hander

By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com

CINCINNATI -- Lefty relief help became a primary need for the Reds once Jeremy Affeldt departed for the Giants as a free agent.

Could that need be filled by veteran Arthur Rhodes?
The agent representing the free agent Rhodes, Dan Horwits, confirmed to MLB.com on Monday that Cincinnati has recently made an offer.
"We've been talking," Horwits said. "It's starting to get serious. There have been offers, though, from multiple teams for Arthur." One of those clubs competing with the Reds for Rhodes' services is the Cardinals, who made an offer last week. Horwits would not reveal the details about any of the offers made for Rhodes.

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[schwab]

Reds ready to let chips fall in Vegas | reds.com: News

Jocketty to be on lookout for trades at upcoming Winter Meetings

By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com

CINCINNATI -- To this point, it's been all quiet around the Reds' hot stove.
If Cincinnati's offseason activity is going to jump-start, there's no better place for it to happen than next week at the annual Winter Meetings in Las Vegas, where the meetings run from Dec. 8-11. Forget about "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas." With hundreds of media members descending upon the scene and co-mingling with hundreds of baseball executives and agents, reports and rumors should be flowing outward about potential trades and signings all week.
Since the offseason began, the Reds' primary needs haven't changed -- nor has the method they'll use to try and fill them. General manager Walt Jocketty has been focused on trades first, free agents second.

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[CookyPuss]

Reds' Baker will meet with Kerry Wood - Sports Rumors - MLB - Yahoo! Sports

The Chicago Tribune had a nugget late Monday with Cincinnati Reds manager Dusty Baker expressing interest in talking to free agent reliever Kerry Wood, whom he previously managed with the Cubs.

If I'm Woody, I lose my cell phone for a couple of weeks.

[schwab]

Originally Posted by MuckFich06

Reds' Baker will meet with Kerry Wood - Sports Rumors - MLB - Yahoo! Sports



If I'm Woody, I lose my cell phone for a couple of weeks.

That same situation is referenced in this article, and it appears Wood is no Corey Patterson.

Reds hope to move soon on free agents | reds.com: News

...Earlier this week, Reds manager Dusty Baker told the Chicago Tribune that he wanted to talk with free agent reliever Kerry Wood about coming to the Reds. Don't expect that to happen, however.
"I think that was more about Dusty wanting to call as a friend, and as Wood's former manager [in Chicago]," Jocketty said. "We already have a closer [Francisco Cordero], and I don't see Wood accepting a different role." Wood would also be expensive. He is believed to be seeking a three- or four-year contract and an eight-figure annual salary...