There are rumors circulating that 1B Sean Casey has been dealt to the Pirates for pitcher Dave Williams. Nothing confirmed yet, but stay tuned. We’ll have the news as soon as it’s available, if it happens or if it doesn’t.
UPDATE: Marc Lancaster is reporting that the deal is done. What does this mean for the Reds, if true? Discuss!
UPDATE 2: Okay, here’s my reaction.
It’s a trade of an average hitter for an average pitcher…
PLUS
the Reds get rid of Casey’s big contract, which gives the Reds more flexibility in obtaining another pitcher…
PLUS
it gets Wily Mo Pena in the lineup full-time, with Adam Dunn moving to 1B to make room in the outfield.
The Reds are a better team today than they were yesterday. Kudos to Dan O’Brien.
This is good if they go get a good pitcher with whatever cash this gives them.
Its also not bad on its face. The Reds, overloaded on offense and in need of pitching, send an average first baseman to the Pirates, with developing pitching and in need of bats, for an average pitcher.
Dave Williams soft tossing LH (Reds Nightmare) had 12.3 VORP last year and the best ERA vs the league of all the Pirates that pitched over 125 innings.
baseball is about rebuilding, as it stands LaRue is the last member of the 1999 team, making him the longets tenured Red.
Sean’s 4000 ab’s got him in this
CINCINNATI REDS
CAREER
1B
AT BATS >= 3000
OPS vs. the league average displayed only–not a sorting criteria
RUNS CREATED/GAME vs. the league average displayed only–not a sorting criteria
AVERAGE AVG AB OPS RC/G
1 Jake Beckley .325 3465 .112 1.74
2 Sean Casey .305 4007 .056 0.87
3 Hal Morris .305 3382 .059 0.88
4 Ted Kluszewski .302 4961 .116 1.70
5 Jake Daubert .301 3121 .026 0.13
6 Frank McCormick .301 4787 .071 0.74
7 John Reilly .294 4412 .117 1.89
8 Doc Hoblitzell .283 3172 .034 0.35
9 Tony Perez .276 3796 .087 1.04
10 Dan Driessen .267 3881 .064 0.97
OPS OPS AB OPS RC/G
1 Ted Kluszewski .869 4961 .116 1.70
2 Sean Casey .834 4007 .056 0.87
3 Jake Beckley .818 3465 .112 1.74
4 Hal Morris .807 3382 .059 0.88
5 Tony Perez .801 3796 .087 1.04
6 Frank McCormick .788 4787 .071 0.74
7 Dan Driessen .785 3881 .064 0.97
8 John Reilly .780 4412 .117 1.89
9 Jake Daubert .761 3121 .026 0.13
10 Doc Hoblitzell .727 3172 .034 0.35
RUNS CREATED/GAME RC/G AB OPS RC/G
1 John Reilly 7.87 4412 .117 1.89
2 Jake Beckley 7.13 3465 .112 1.74
3 Ted Kluszewski 6.73 4961 .116 1.70
4 Sean Casey 6.14 4007 .056 0.87
5 Hal Morris 5.74 3382 .059 0.88
6 Dan Driessen 5.47 3881 .064 0.97
7 Frank McCormick 5.46 4787 .071 0.74
8 Tony Perez 5.44 3796 .087 1.04
9 Jake Daubert 4.92 3121 .026 0.13
10 Doc Hoblitzell 4.84 3172 .034 0.35
Brian, excellent analysis. I think Sean’s “good guy” imagine has overshadowed his production as a Red, and I think it’s a shame we got the “Dave Williams” version of Jimmy Anderson in return. Couldn’t we at least have tried to exchange Casey for Dave Burba? Didn’t we save the receipt?
Guys, I don’t see how anything has changed. This is groundhog day all over again. Dump a solid player with a big contract in exchange for a mediocre pitcher. The Reds are stuck in a loop and can’t pull out.
Oh by the way Chris. I think this ensures you don’t have to eat your hat. I don’t see Casey pulling a Paul O’Neill job in Pittsburgh.
Getting Williams is a little disappointing after hearing other names being rumored for Casey, like Arroyo. Williams walks too many guys and gives up too many HRs. BB/9: Williams 3.76, Arroyo 2.36. HR/9: Williams 1.30, Arroyo 0.96. K/BB: Williams 1.52, Arroyo 1.85.
For some reason, Tony LaRussa loves Williams:
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2250330
Getting Williams is a little disappointing after hearing other names being rumored for Casey, like Arroyo. Williams walks too many guys and gives up too many HRs. BB/9: Williams 3.76, Arroyo 2.36. HR/9: Williams 1.30, Arroyo 0.96. K/BB: Williams 1.52, Arroyo 1.85.
For some reason, Tony LaRussa loves Williams:
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2250330
As a long-time Reds fan based in Florida, I am a bit depressed about the Casey trade. Sean Casey brings so many intangibles to the game, such as leadership and popularity with the fans. I may be in the minority here, but I think it will be hard to replace the intangibles of “the Mayor.”
I sure hope the Reds use any salary freed up to get a decent starter, and that Williams amounts to more than a soft-throwing lefty who gives up a lot of walks and homers.
I dont think the Reds are a better team now. Pena’s defense is VERY POOR in left, Dunn’s defense is nothing close to Casey’s was at first. Yes, they did free up money, but how much? They are paying Pittsburgh some money for Casey. Dave Williams is not equivilant talent wise with Casey. Pena has shown very little(if any) improvement at the plate, and no improvement at all in the field. If it was to stay like this now, this is a very bad deal. They need to get a PROVEN # 1 pitcher some how to make this deal better. They also need to trade Pena to get his overall lack of knowledge in the field and at the plate and get either a solid prospect or a decent outfileder.