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Progress in Phillips talks?

Reds 2B Brandon Phillips hinted Tuesday night that he and the club are closer to a long-term contract extension.

“Just talked to my agent @Baseball_ACES and it feels good to know that we’re moving in the right direction to make me a #Red4Life,” Phillips posted on his Twitter feed, @datdudeBP

On October 31, the Reds exercised Phillips’ $12 million option for 2012, but he has long maintained a desire to sign long term this year. He can become a free agent for the first time after next season.

A message for comment was left for Reds general manager Walt Jocketty. As recently as Nov. 17 following the General Managers Meetings, Jocketty told MLB.com that there had been progress in talks with Phillips’ agents, but that the two sides were nowhere close to a deal.

UPDATE: When reached, Jocketty didn’t expect that a deal was near.

 
“I think it’s still a ways to go,” Jocketty said. “We’re still hopeful to get something done. We’re glad he feels that way.”

— Mark Sheldon

Reds talking A. Bailey?

This morning, Buster Olney of ESPN noted with a Tweet the following:

“Reds are talking about possible Andrew Bailey deal.”

There is no mention of where this information is coming from.

Former Reds GM and current baseball analyst for SiriusXM and ESPN, Jim Bowden, tweeted his info from an A’s source:

“A’s source confirms their interest in Alonso.”

Of course, that is Reds 1B/LF Yonder Alonso, who is viewed as the club’s top trading chip or part of the long term future depending on who you ask. I would have no doubt that the A’s (or any club) might have interest in getting Alonso.

My view: This is not a match. Giving up Alonso for Bailey is way too much. The Reds have other more pressing needs than for a closer at the moment, namely a starting pitcher. There are a lot of closers available on the open market that might be had for cheap and the door is certainly not closed on Francisco Cordero returning. Bailey is a two-time All-Star and former AL Rookie of the Year but injuries got in the way in late 2010 and early 2011.

But if you want more info on Bailey (no relation to Homer Bailey), click here.

– Mark Sheldon

Twins sign SS Jamey Carroll

The Twins signed free agent shortstop Jamey Carroll to a two-year, $6.75 million contract in a deal that was formally announced on Wednesday. The contract carries a mutual option for 2014. Carroll was in Minneapolis on Tuesday to take his physical, which he passed.

This past season for the Dodgers Carroll batted .290 with a .359 on-base percentage and .347 slugging percentage in 146 games. He also stole 10 bases without getting caught.

Carroll, who can also play second base, third base and both corner outfield positions, is known for providing steady defense. It appears likely that he will be installed as Minnesota’s everyday shortstop.

– Mark Sheldon

Cordero has drawn interest

Since the Reds declined the $12 million option on Francisco Cordero, the closer has been able to scan the  free agent market. It’s a market that features a lot of closers … one less now that the Phillies formally announced a four-year, $50 million deal with ex-Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon.

The closer market glut apparently hasn’t curbed the suitors for Cordero.

“We’ve had probably seven or eight teams inquire with interest, a couple of more since Papelbon’s deal,” Cordero’s agent, Bean Stringfellow, said on Monday. “It’s all ongoing and it’s still early.

“There’s been strong interest, including from the Reds.”

Other closers out there include Ryan Madson, Heath Bell, Joe Nathan, Francisco Rodriguez, Frank Francisco, Matt Capps, Jonathan Broxton and Brad Lidge.

Cordero is still interested in returning to the Reds, Stringfellow said. But if he doesn’t, I can’t see the free agent averse Reds in spending a truckload to get one of the big names on the market.

– Mark Sheldon

Bourn and Reds unlikely match

It appears less than likely that the Reds will make a trade with the Astros to get outfielder and leadoff hitter Michael Bourn.

According to a baseball source, Houston’s asking price was too high. However it is not known which players or prospects from the Reds the club was seeking.

The Reds and general manager Walt Jocketty remain buyers on the market ahead of Sunday’s 4 p.m. ET non-waivers Trade Deadline. They are also looking for players under club control beyond this season and Bourn was signed with the Astros through 2012.

– Mark Sheldon

Reds not selling

There will be a more detailed story coming … but Reds GM Walt Jocketty is not changing his Trade Deadline strategy in light of the rough week his club has had (swept four straight by the Mets to go 50-55).

“We are not selling,” Jocketty said Friday afternoon.

One of the players prominent in rumors of a sell has been catcher Ramon Hernandez, especially with top catching prospect Devin Mesoraco on the cusp at Triple-A Louisville. However, Jocketty said he has not listened to offers for Hernandez.

“I haven’t no, and I don’t know if I would,” Jocketty said. “I still think he’s a guy that can help us with this year. I think his value is greater to us now than if we were to move him. You’re not going to get the value in return for him that he gives our club. That’s why we would hold on to him.”
 – Mark Sheldon

Reds send Gomes to Nats

The Reds traded OF Jonny Gomes to the Nationals for two minor leaguers late Tuesday afternoon. In fact, Gomes was a lineup scratch for Cincinnati just 10 minutes before their games vs. the Mets.

“We were just waiting to get medical clearance,” Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said. “We thought we would have it a while ago. It just happened today. Jonny was in the lineup and I didn’t want Dusty to pull him before we had it finalized. We went almost to the 11th hour to get it completed. I didn’t even think this was close this afternoon. It happened quick.”

The Reds moved Gomes so they could promote OF/1B Yonder Alonso from Triple-A Louisville. Alonso has been deserving of a promotion and the club wants to see what he can do. They also need his left-handed bat.

“We actually had a couple of clubs that inquired about Jonny’s services but Washington was probably the most persistent,” Jocketty said. “For us, it’s a tough move to make in some ways. Jonny was a big part of our club last year and he’s obviously a guy we all think highly of as a person and as a player. It gives us an opportunity now to bring up a player like Alonso and start looking at some of our younger guys that we feel we need to give an opportunity to.”

Coming to the Reds are LHP Chris Manno, a situational reliever, and OF/1B Bill Rhinehart.

— Mark Sheldon

Reds won’t overpay in trades

Reds general manager Walt Jocketty and his club have not gotten into the serious stages of talks about any potential deals as of yet.

“I wouldn’t say nothing is going on. We’re talking a lot but nothing is even close,” Jocketty said on Tuesday afternoon.

What remains a sticking point are the extraordinary asking prices for available players.  For example, the Denver Post reported Tuesday that the Rockies wanted Aroldis Chapman and top catching prospect Devin Mesoraco in any deal for ace starter Ubaldo Jimenez.

In having a high asking price, Colorado is hoping that a team will blink and give in. That team won’t likely be the Reds.

According to a baseball source, Cincinnati has no plans to blow other teams away with its proposals. If there is a fair deal that can help the club, they would discuss it. The Reds aren’t going to overpay in a trade, however.

– Mark Sheldon

GM: Reds definitely buying

At 48-50, the Reds are only four games out of first place entering Thursday’s off day but they are looking up to three other clubs in the National League Central. So they are very much in the race, which has Reds general manager Walt Jocketty taking a buyer’s mentality heading closer to July 31.

“Oh yeah, definitely,” Jocketty said. “We would like to improve our club since it’s easier to do before the 31st. There is some urgency but not tremendous urgency. I still have a lot of confidence that we’re good enough to win but if there is a chance to upgrade the club, we would try to pursue it.”

Jocketty would not specify the player or players he is seeking to get as upgrades, but there is a type he wants.

“I’d prefer guys who are under contract for a while,” Jocketty said. “I’m not sure anything will develop. We’re trying to win this year but we want to stay full of talent so we know we can compete for years to come.”

– Mark Sheldon

Jocketty: Not much happening

Reds general manager Walt Jocketty normally attempts to keep any intentions on trades quiet. But this year, Jocketty feels like the market is dictating some of the silence.

“There’s little talk going on,” Jocketty said. “The GMs I’ve talked to have said the same thing. There’s not much happening.

“Clubs that are borderline don’t want to give up players, because they’re still trying to win games,” Jocketty said. “It’s getting harder and harder to make deals midseason, because clubs are trying to sell tickets and get people to come to the ballpark, and they don’t want to dismantle their clubs and erode their fan base. It makes it tough.”

The Reds have some potential needs at shortstop, left field and maybe a starting pitcher. But they could just as well work from within since they have strong prospects at Triple-A like SS Zack Cozart and OF/1B Yonder Alonso.

 

– Mark Sheldon

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