As expected, the Reds picked up Brandon Phillips’ $12 million option for 2012. Don’t be surprised if they work out an extension soon, a la Bronson Arroyo last off-season.
On the other side of the coin, Cincinnati declined the 2012 option on closer Francisco Cordero. CoCo was often great (and sometimes less than great) during his time with the Reds, and he was always a stand-up guy. I’ll remember his Cincinnati career favorably, but it was the right decision not to pick up that option. He’s been overpaid for four years.
There has been a flurry of other transactions recently, as well:
–We mentioned yesterday that Matt Maloney was a Minnesota Twin. It turns out that Maloney was claimed off waivers by the Twins.
–Cincinnati also outrighted Daryl Thompson and Jared Burton to AAA (evidently, they both passed through waivers). Both could decline the demotion and become free agents. I hope we’ve seen the last of Thompson, but I remain convinced that Burton and his cutter can be effective in the big leagues.
–The end result there is that GM Walt Jocketty opened up three spots on the 40-man roster. One of those will be taken by OF Denis Phipps.