What is my Bid?

We’ve been through the pitching situation for the Reds and found that much of the staff is trade-able. Harang, Arroyo, Cordero, Weathers, and Rhodes are certainly trade material. What about position plays?
There is certainly some work to be done here. Are there any untouchable players on the Reds?


The short answer to that question is no. There are no Price Albert Pujols’ on the Reds, but there are some guys who are very, very close.

The closest thing that the Reds have to an untouchable player has got to be my favorite Canadian Joey Votto. Votto hits for power, hits for average, fields his position as well as his ability allows, and works very hard to improve his game in every facet of baseball. He is also a good club house guy. This is as close a the Reds get, and Walt Jocketty and Bob Castellini need to sign him up long term before offers might become out of hand and out of the Reds reach.

The next person down a rung is Jay Bruce. Bruce’s upside potential is unbelievable. He hits for power, and has a cannon arm in right field. Jay went through some growing pain average wise, but is frankly so talented it is only a mater of time until he terrorizes Big League pitching staffs. He is a definite keeper.

For position players, that is it, Votto and Bruce. Anyone and everyone else can be had for a price. Edwin Encarnacion is an adventure at third and is only signed for 2 years. He does have a power bat but seems like he will give up as many games with his glove as he will win with his bat! Edwin is currently being victimized by every pitcher in the league with a good breaking ball. Why would you ever throw this guy a fastball is beyond me! He is certainly tradable for the right price!

Alex Gonzalez has been injured or away more that many Reds players in recent history, and frankly is a liability with his bat for all his fielding prowess. Frankly if the Reds could move him, do it but I doubt that there will be many takers. Give the job to Paul Janish until a better replacement can be found.

Brandon Phillips would like to be team captain, but team captains do not get bench TWICE for lack of hustle. He is a gold glove talent with a very good bat that hits for power and average. He is also a potent base stealer, but I am done with guys that don’t hustle. If we can get a good trade for him, move him. If no imminent second baseman prospects are available Jerry Hairston will be an adequate fill in.

Right field is platooned now by Johnny Gomes and Lance Nix. Frankly, Dusty Baker should just give the job to Gomes. Gomes is a more talented player, a better fielder, and shows potential to be the right handed thumper the Reds need. Nix is very susceptible to breaking balls thrown from either side pitcher. He waves at them worse than Edwin does.

Willy Taveras was brought in to be a lead off hitter and table setter, and he has frankly stunk up the place. He is under a short term contract that should not be renewed. I would give the job to Chris Dickerson who covers almost as much ground and has a much better arm.

That leaves two other players as Semi–Untouchables: Edinson Volquez and Johnny Cueto. Both guys are young and talented and pretty similar. Both have fastballs that can survive in GABP, an important plus. Volquez has a nasty change up and a dent slider to complete his package, while Cueto has a nasty slider and a decent change up.

This brings me to the most controversial Reds player in a while, totally having to do with his on field performance: Homer Bailey. He of the upper 90’s speed fastball, Homer has done a lot of work to complement this with his slow drop curve, new split-finger fastball, and a decent slider.

Right now Homer is hanging them, every pitch, but he is very, very close to being a huge success. Right now he is losing his skirmishes with big league batters by only a pitch or two. He will get better, he’s 23.

Not much is it? I guess as Reds fans we can take come comfort in that many teams are in the same boat. Cold comfort isn’t it?


Big Dale