Reds Offseason: Decision Time

[spindoc]

You can never.......never.........ever........ever.......have enough pitching. EVER.

[stickymitts]

5th starter has to be priority 1. Not that a move needs to be made but someone that can be a little better than Leake is a big necessity. I could see Leake and LeCure changing roles, at least it's a possibility.

 

After that they need to figure out Ludwick and centerfield.

 

If they simply find a better option as the fifth starter, resigned Ludwick and signed someone to challenge Bruce for CF, I would be optimistic.

 

Obviously, it would be nice to upgrade behind the plate offensively and find a proven 3rd baseman but I would be okay with Hanigan and Frazier.

[HammerTime]

5th starter has to be priority 1. Not that a move needs to be made but someone that can be a little better than Leake is a big necessity. I could see Leake and LeCure changing roles, at least it's a possibility.

 

After that they need to figure out Ludwick and centerfield.

 

If they simply find a better option as the fifth starter, resigned Ludwick and signed someone to challenge Bruce for CF, I would be optimistic.

 

Obviously, it would be nice to upgrade behind the plate offensively and find a proven 3rd baseman but I would be okay with Hanigan and Frazier.

 

I don't buy that for a second. That buys us 2 maybe 3 extra wins if we have someone a little better than Leake. He's not going to pitch in the post season either way so it's not that important. Leadoff hitter is easy the #1 priority IMO.

 

 

Ludwick says he would like to comeback but well see what happens with his option. He might decline to get one more decent contract.

[spindoc]

We can't duplicate this season with 3 .500 or worse pitchers on the staff.

[stickymitts]

I don't buy that for a second. That buys us 2 maybe 3 extra wins if we have someone a little better than Leake. He's not going to pitch in the post season either way so it's not that important. Leadoff hitter is easy the #1 priority IMO.

 

 

Ludwick says he would like to comeback but well see what happens with his option. He might decline to get one more decent contract.

 

A little better wasn't good wording. More consistent is better. It also gives you a better option if 1 of the first 4 go down because, let's face it, they'll never run through an entire season using 5 guys to start 161 games.

[Capernicus41]

5th starter has to be priority 1. Not that a move needs to be made but someone that can be a little better than Leake is a big necessity. I could see Leake and LeCure changing roles, at least it's a possibility.

 

After that they need to figure out Ludwick and centerfield.

 

If they simply find a better option as the fifth starter, resigned Ludwick and signed someone to challenge Bruce for CF, I would be optimistic.

 

Obviously, it would be nice to upgrade behind the plate offensively and find a proven 3rd baseman but I would be okay with Hanigan and Frazier.

 

5th starter is your #1 priority? Was Leake that bad?

 

If they are looking to replace him, LeCure would be more intriguing. The starting pitcher market isn't very strong, so they would probably over pay.

[Michael Corleone]

Is Cingrani ready? I was very impressed by what I saw in September. If so, there is your 5th starter.

 

1. I always wanted Chapman to start but after this year I believe he is fine right where he is.

2. I think they sign either Broxton or Madsen but not both.

3. I think Ludwick will be back.

4. I think Dusty is gone. In his post game interview yesterday he seemed like it to me. Of course it could have been the bittter disappointment he was experiencing.

5. Please let Valdez play somewhere else next year.

6. The biggest decision is what to do with Stubbs. Great defender but his offense is offensive. For the record, I agree with building around defense and pitching that's why this is a difficult decision.

[stickymitts]

5th starter is your #1 priority? Was Leake that bad?

 

If they are looking to replace him, LeCure would be more intriguing. The starting pitcher market isn't very strong, so they would probably over pay.

 

As long as the Cards are still playing, I'm not talking to you. :irked::madman:

[malachicrunch]

We can't duplicate this season with 3 .500 or worse pitchers on the staff.

 

Reds finished 3rd in mlb ERA 3.34.

17th in batting avg.

21st in Runs scored.

Pitching is the priority? Really?

[HammerTime]

Do you think about signing Latos and Homer long term in the off season? Homer is going to make a pretty good chunk of change in arbitration.

[malachicrunch]

^ I think you do

[dmderringer10]

^ I think you do

 

I have doubts about whether Cincy has any chance to keep Homer once he becomes a FA. He's already said he doesn't like pitching in GABP.

[jpa2825]

Can anyone figure out whether Chapman is salary arbitration eligible now? I think, based on some quick research, that he is not (2.034 yrs. of service time does not seem to qualify under the rule or any of the exceptions). If he is not, he is a bargain for 2013 at base salary of $2MM + bonus of $1.5MM. That said, he WILL be salary arbitration eligible after 2013 which means the Reds can keep him, but it might be very expensive for the 2014 season. If he continues to pitch well, I can't imagine he would exercise the $5MM player option for 2015 season.

 

As such, you certainly keep him for 2013 season, but if the Reds are not in the playoff hunt (and with 2 wild cards that seems less and less likely) you then have to think about renegotiating or trading him. Can you go to salary arbitration with him and pay what he is awarded?

 

 

Cincinnati Reds | Cot's Baseball Contracts has a pretty good summary of the Reds contractual obligations

 

 

NOTE: Hanigan is signed through 2013 at ~$2.5MM

Edited October 12, 2012 by jpa2825
calculation error

[Getslow]

He's already said he doesn't like pitching in GABP.

 

Who would?

[HammerTime]

Can anyone figure out whether Chapman is salary arbitration eligible now? I think, based on some VERY quick research, that he is not (2.034 yrs. of service time does not seem to qualify under the rule or any of the exceptions). If he is not, he is a bargain for 2013 at base salary of $2MM + bonus of $1.5MM. That said, he WILL be salary arbitration eligible after 2013 which means the Reds can keep him, but it might be very expensive for the 2014 season. If he continues to pitch well, I can't imagine he would exercise the $5MM player option for 2015 season.

 

As such, you certainly keep him for 2013 season, but if the Reds are not in the playoff hunt (and with 2 wild cards that seems less and less likely) you then have to think about renegotiating or trading him. Can you go to salary arbitration with him and pay what he is awarded?

 

 

Similar analysis for Latos. With 2.079 yrs of service, he may not be arbitration eligible either. If that is correct, you can pay him whatever you want up to the point of alienating him. He earned $550k in 2012.

 

 

Cincinnati Reds | Cot's Baseball Contracts has a pretty good summary of the Reds contractual obligations

 

 

NOTE: Hanigan is signed through 2013 at ~$2.5MM

 

Chapman won't be eligible for arbitration. He will be a FA in 2015 if he opts out of his contract.

 

13:$2M, 14:$3M, 15:$5M player option