Archive for December, 2009

The Reds top farmhand Todd Frazier may be moving back to Shortstop. Cincinnati drafted Frazier as a shortstop but they moved him to the outfield. Starting the season with Paul Janish at shortstop doesn’t sound like a great proposition to me. Frazier played mainly in the outfield last season for Double A and Triple A. The 23 year old prospect hit .292 with 16 homers combined last season. His move back to the infield could fill a big hole for the Reds.

Edinson Volquez (elbow surgery) is about to begin throwing, according to John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer. “The reports are good,” said Assistant General Manager Bob Miller. “He’s worked hard and got in great shape. That helps.” Edinson Volquez underwent Tommy John surgery in August. He hasn’t had any setbacks in his rehabilitation. His contribution this season will probably be minimal. It usually takes at least one year even though he is starting his program now. My take on him is they will bring him along very slow. And, if he makes it back to the big leagues this season, [...]

The Reds announced today that a trade of Aaron Harang to the Los Angeles Dodgers are dead. They also have no plans to reopen talks with the Dodgers. The proposed trade was Harang and 10 million dollars to LA for RP George Sherrill and a top prospect.

The Reds have restructured third baseman Scott Rolen’s contract for 2010 and extended him through the 2012 season, the club announced Saturday. Rolen, 34, will receive $23.625 million over the next three seasons. Originally set to earn $11 million in 2010, he will now make $6 million instead and then receive $6.5 million per season in both 2011 and 2012. Also included is a $5 million signing bonus that is deferred over the length of the contract.

Travis “Gookie” Dawkins was suspended by MLB for 50 games for violating the drug policy. He hasn’t played in the majors since the 2003 season. He was a Cincinnati Red 2nd round pick in 1997. He is currently playing in the Florida Marlin system.

The Cincinnati Reds resigned OF Laynce Nix to a minor league contract. Nix, 29, hit .239 this past season with a career-high 15 hrs, 26 doubles and 46 RBI in 309 at-bats for the Reds. He was hoping to capitalize on the decent numbers but was forced to settle for a minor league deal and will be battling for playing time in the crowded Cincinnati outfield next season. He is a good pinch hitter and and a quality left-handed bat. I am glad they re-signed him but it probably means that Gomes is gone for good.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are pursuing the Reds’ Aaron Harang. And, the talks are getting serious. It is believed that the Reds want to players off of the Major League roster. No prospects! No names though have been made public yet. I hope that we can pull the trigger on this trade. I think Aaron needs a change of scenery.

Outfielder Jonny Gomes said on Monday that he is willing to return to Cincinnati, even though the Reds did not offer him a contract before the deadline for arbitration eligible players. Gomes is now a free agent. He played with Tampa Bay from 2003-08 before coming to the Reds last year, when he hit .267 with 20 home runs and 51 RBI in 98 games. “I can’t dream up any reason I wouldn’t be (willing to return),” Gomes said. “They took me in with open arms after the Rays let me go. I thought I did some good things with [...]

Jonny Gomes has been cut by the Reds after one productive season with Cincinnati. The 30 year old Gomes hit .267 with 20 homers and 51 RBIs for the Reds this year. He played his first six seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays. He started the season at Triple-A Louisville and was brought up in late May. Gomes had a split contract last season calling for salaries of $75,000 in the minors and $600,000 in the majors. He earned an additional $100,000 in bonuses based on plate appearances. Cincinnati can still re-sign Gomes, who had been eligible for arbitration and [...]

The Reds signed Chris Burke to a free agent contract. He hit a whopping .207 last season with the San Diego Padres. He will be an insurance policy for SS Paul Janish.

I know this is my baseball blog, but it is now official. Brian Kelly accepted the Head Coaching position at Notre Dame.

The Texas Rangers have inquired about Reliever Arthur Rhodes. The 40-year-old Pitcher finished the season with a 2.53 ERA and 48 K’s in 53 innings. So far, however, no progress has been made toward a trade. The Rangers may have to look elsewhere for the left-handed reliever they hope to add. Rhodes is in the final year of a two year, $4 million contract signed prior to the 2009 season. I am sure the Reds are looking for youth.