Update: Walt Jocketty said tonight the Reds are “not close on anything” regarding a trade or free agent signing (John Fay). Take that claim for what it’s worth. Here’s what Jocketty was saying (Hint: “not close on anything”) three days before the Reds acquired Mat Latos in 2011.
Watching and waiting for the Reds to make their moves for 2015 …
Kiley McDaniel (FanGraphs) has a fantastic post that offers in-depth scouting reports on Reds prospects. That article alone should get you through the next major Cardinals signing, right? McDaniel: “While there isn’t a slam-dunk, top-20 overall prospect in the bunch, this is an impressive group, buoyed by aggressive international signings and an instinct to look for talent in unusual places in the draft.”
C. Trent Rosecrans (Cincinnati Enquirer) is luke warm about the Cardinals-Braves blockbuster trade this week. He feels, as I do, that many folks are undervaluing the second player St. Louis received in the deal. CTR: “What’s funny is the guy I like best in this deal is the reliever the Cardinals acquired, Jordan Walden. I don’t think he’s better than the other two, but I think he’s better relative to his role. He’s an added arm in the bullpen and could close for the Cardinals. (Ever notice the Cardinals don’t have one set closer that’s dominated all this time of their run, they just go with a certain guy until he fails and try someone else? There may be a lesson in there, you think?)”
Tyler Grote (Bleacher Report) has a report card on the Reds nine players in the Arizona league. Rasial Iglesias (A+) and Jesse Winker (A) received the best grades. Grote: “Jesse Winker demonstrated in a short amount of time that he’s over the wrist injury that ended his 2014 campaign.”
Carson Cistulli (FanGraphs) identifies the five minor league players in the Reds system that could contribute most in terms of WAR in 2015 according to Steamer projections. Cistulli on Jesse Winker: “As his projection suggests, that doesn’t necessarily signal major-league readiness, but what it does indicate is that Winker won’t depend on merely one offensive skill (i.e. just contact ability or just power) to become productive.”
If you want to know how wise guys view the Reds right now, here’s one list of odds to reach the World Series. Spoiler: The Reds are closer to the bottom than the top.
John Fay (Cincinnati Enquirer) has a post on the prospects for Jay Bruce’s return to form. Fay: “He (Bruce) was not healthy this year. He was on the disabled list from May 6 to 21 following arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. Bruce returned without going on a rehab assignment. In retrospect, that looks like a bad decision.”
Mark Sheldon (MLB.com) identifies a few bullpen arms the Reds might pursue. Sheldon: “While the Reds and general manager Walt Jocketty view adding offense as their top priority, acquiring bullpen help is also high on the list. Expect efforts to sign relievers to be made throughout the winter.”
Last, and least. Carlos Marmol, we hardly knew thee.