Reds Sign Taveras

Well, the Reds finally inked Willy Taveras today to a two year deal. This now still only gives the Reds four outfielders. Taveras gives the Reds a legit leadoff hitter as well as an eraser in CF. Taveras had a down year at the plate last season only hitting .251 but did steal a league leading 68 stolen bases.

It'll be interesting what the Reds lineup will look like now. The Reds insist that they're still looking for a big bat in the middle and are also trying to re-sign Jerry Hairston Jr.

My projected lineup:
Taveras CF
Bruce RF
Phillips 2B
Votto 1B
Ramon Hernandez C
Chris Dickerson LF
Edwin Encarnarcion 3B
Gonzalez/Keppinger SS

Good Bruce C-Mas story from MLB.COM

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081219&content_id=3723868&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

Happy Holidays from Big Red Machine Fans

Happy Holidays. Hopefully, 2009 will be an exciting year for our Reds!

Current Reds Depth Chart

http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/team/depth_chart/index.jsp?c_id=cin

Somebody say, the Reds are in desperate need of a big bat in left????????????????

Reds to Play Top Prospects in Dayton on April 4

http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081215&content_id=3717772&vkey=news_cin&fext=.jsp&c_id=cin

Jocketty looking towards Wigginton, Taveras, and Miles

Looks like Walt Jocketty is still on the prowl and he's talking about possibly signing a couple of players who weren't tendered contracts like Ty Wigginton, Willy Taveras, and Aaron Miles. Taveras had 68 steals last season but just a .308 OBP. Wigginton has a lot of pop with 23 homers last year and has to be a step up on D from Edwin. Both Wigginton and Miles can play multiple infield positions.

Reds Christmas Wish List.......Listen Santa

It's called the hot stove league but I still feel like I am standing outside in the cold. Santa is always good to the Evil Empire and treats us small guys like all we deserve is coal in our stockings. 'Please Santa' bring my Reds a right handed power hitter before I close my eyes on Christmas Eve.

I think my Reds are getting closer and closer to bringing their fans a contending team. I know I am bias but I have to think our young guys stack up as good as any in baseball right now. Heck the bad elf stole the Rookie of the Year Award from Joey Votto and wasted it on a team that is over 100 years in waiting for their next World Series Crown. Plug Joey in for some very solid numbers for the next 12 years and Walt make sure they are all spent in a Reds uniform. How about that guy in right field that is going to smash 33 HR's in 2009 and make his mark as the next in a long line of Red Superstars. Again Walt, ditto for Mr. Jay Bruce. Does anyone else remember the love fest the fans had for a late call up from my Louisville Bats, Chris Dickerson. Chris arrived with a bat so hot everyone wondered who is this guy and where in the name of Pete Rose had he been all season. I do understand the sample size was small for Chris but I am crazy enough to believe.......remember this kids name....you don't smash extra base hits the way he did without talent. I see a little battle brewing for the starting SS job come spring training and that's what makes players better. Hint Hint Keppinger and Gonzalez, make it tough on Dusty. At the hot corner, Santa bring Edwin a smile and the fulfillment of his potential......we all know it's there. Brandon use the same brand of glove oil and mix in a few more extra base hits and you just might have something in common with Little Joe Morgan.

Let's not forget about our young guns on the mound as they have the makings of a very nice staff. Edinson Volquez prove those numbers you put up this season are for real, not a small task but yes once again I believe. Johnny Cueto throws hard and only needs Santa to bring him some much needed control. And while I have Santa's ear again, PLEASE put some runs in Aaron's stocking this year, he deserves more support. Guitar Man you just need to rock n roll the whole season like you did after the break. Not sure Mr. Homer Bailey will still be in a Reds uniform this spring but if he is, well Santa how about a new first name for the flame thrower.

I hope I haven't asked for too much as I think the last thing I want is a new box of dull ended tooth picks for Dusty. Sometime I think he is going to drive one clear thur his upper lip when he watches another ball roll thru someones legs or a fly ball turn into another GABP home run for the bad guys. Please Santa make a stop in Cincy.......GO REDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reds offer contract to Edwin and re-sign Norris Hopper

"Mr. Error" Edwin Encarnarcion was resigned by the Reds last night. The Reds also resigned Norris Hopper to what looks to be the league minimum. The Reds did cut ties with Matt Beliese and Gary Mejewski.

Reds Get Arthur Rhodes

The Reds got a much needed lefty in the bullpen in Arthur Rhodes today. He is 39 years young but he had a fantastic 4-1 record with a 2.04 ERA last season between Seattle and Florida. Jocketty is making things happen.

Still waiting on that big bat.

Reds Get Weathers Back

David Weathers will return to the team to load the bases and try to get out of trouble in the 8th all season long in 09. Weathers will be eligible for arbitration but it looks like Jocketty will try to sign him to a deal before that. I'm hard on Weathers but he did have a solid number season in 08.

Dye to the Reds?????

The big news for me today out of the winter meetings in Vegas is a possible Dye for Homer Bailey trade. Dye would be traded for Homer and another prospect. The Sox would also pay a portion of Dye's 2009 11.5 million dollar salary. Reports say the Reds are also looking at Bobby Abreu and Pat Burrell as possibilites. My thought is that Burrell would add yet another strikeout victim to a Reds team already full of them. I like Dye in that he is a much needed righty bat. I would love to see Abreu as a Red.

Dye batted .292 in 08 with 34 homers and 96 RBI.
Abreu batted .296 with 20 homers 100 RBI and 22 steals.

We need either one of those guys in the middle of the order.

Reds Get Ramon Hernandez for Freel

Looks like the Reds have traded Ryan Freel and up to 2 prospects for O's catcher Ramon Hernandez. It also looks like the O's will pay most of Ramon's contract for '09. I like this deal depending only on who the 2 prospects turn out to be. He's also got a club option for 8 million for 2010. He's definitely overpaid but was one of the top 3 hitting catcher in the AL two years ago. He hit around .260 with 15 dingers last year for the Os.

George Foster....Dancing With The Stars

Hey George Foster wants to be on "Dancing With The Stars." George turns 60 this month and says he is still his playing weight and can slam this dance competition the same way he use to slam the baseball. I would have to agree as I talked to him at GABP this season and he was in great shape. Please copy and paste this link and give one of the key cogs of the Big Red Machine some love.....Go sign the petition for George!!!!!!!!!!



http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/george-foster-dancing-with-the-stars/signatures.html

Reds Looking for Righty Bat in Trade

The Reds are looking for a righty hitter in a trade and it might happen during the winter meetings. The Reds have cut $20 million off their 2008 salary and hopefully they'll spend a little of that back. I'll be shocked if Homer is back in a Red uniform next season. Houston is looking to dump salary and Homer is from the Lone Star state. Let's go mega-deal and get Carlos Lee! Wishful thinking I know.

Reds resign Mike Lincoln

The Reds made a much needed move signing righty reliever Mike Lincoln to a two year deal today.