Bedard and the Reds(again)

[TyCobb]

Would that force the Dodgers to add Billingsly and Kemp. I have no idea about how the prospects rank. So this is an honest question. I think everyone had said that would be a great deal for us, so would that work?

Can someone post the info on the reds prospects listed in the post above and Bruce. I don't even know where to find them, thanks in advance.

Depends on what the Reds actually offer. If its like a Bruce, Cueto, and Votto (not likely) then AM should just accept.

If the Reds want to compete they get an ACE for 3 players that aren't going to be on the opening day starting lineup (well maybe Votto, not sure about the Reds team). They get to keep Bailey as their 4 starter which makes them possibly the best team in the Central.

They do give up the best prospect in baseball who would be our CF superstar for years to come.

[TyCobb]

He will not be offered. He would have to be pried loose.

Meaning, the Reds would be the ones finally accepting.

But I like a deal here even without Bruce. Those who have not yet checked out Cueto, really should. How many 21-year-old SPs breeze through A+ to AAA in a season without even a little bump in the road? He was better in AA than in high-A. And how many 21 YO pitchers have the kind of command that racks up 6/1 and 7/1 K/BB ratios?

No wonder Sickels has him over Homer Bailey.

Votto, Cueto, Encarnacion... I would the pull trigger on that one instantly.

The GM has said that nobody is untouchable. It all comes down to how much Seattle, Dodgers, and Reds want him. Right now with all the rumored offers on the table, Seattle is ahead. Now if the Dodgers and Reds start to top each other to take the lead, our returning package could get to what we are looking for.

[TyCobb]

Not many and I do like his command rate. Fantastic. However, I'm a little wary of guys who shoot up three levels in one year, especially when their numbers are better at the higher level. Sometimes guys just get on a roll. Sickels has Cueto higher. Baseball America has Baily higher. I guess it's stuff vs. command. What's the talk on Cueto's stuff?

Cueto had a better WHIP than Bailey so it has to be somewhat equal. Don't know if Cueto is a fireballer like Bailey though.

[66-70-83-??]

The Reds won't offer Bruce because they don't have to. A deal including Votto, Cueto or Bailey, Hamilton, and Encarnacion would be nearly impossible to turn down, IMO.

Maybe I am wrong, but I don't see Cincy dealing away their starting 3B, CF, and two of their top 4 prospects just to add one more SP.

That would creat too many holes, unless they have seveal more tricks up their sleeve.

Freel could take over at CF. Or would Bruce be thrown in there and Freel at 3B (Freel is listed as backup at 3B/CF on the Reds depth chart) ?

I am wary of Hamilton, but I agree if that 4 for 1 was offered it would be impossible to turn down.

[Sports Guy]

Not many and I do like his command rate. Fantastic. However, I'm a little wary of guys who shoot up three levels in one year, especially when their numbers are better at the higher level. Sometimes guys just get on a roll. Sickels has Cueto higher. Baseball America has Baily higher. I guess it's stuff vs. command. What's the talk on Cueto's stuff?

Great fastball...Right there with Bailey.

Entering the year, BA said Cueto had to get more consistent on his secondary pitches.

I haven't seen anything about him that mentions if they became more consistent or not.

If someone has a BA subscription, perhaps they could post what they said about Cueto in their top 10 listing this year??

Cueto has had better numbers than Bailey but some put Bailey right there with the top pitching prospects in the game...Cueto has less value because of the perception of Bailey's talent, so that, coupled with the better stats, makes me want Cueto more because we likely could get another player with him.

Cueto + Encarnacion make equal Bailey in the mind of the Reds...I would prefer that to just Bailey personally.

[Sports Guy]

Encarnacion has had some fielding issues in the majors.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2866339

The Reds sent him down this year because of it...Perhaps they are more down on him than they should be?

The other question is, how bad is his fielding?? Is it just sloppy mechanics? Poor range? Bad work ethic???

http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/E/Edwin-Encarnacion.shtml

His hitting is solid albeit not great...Still young though and given 600 ab's and playing everyday, he could really blossom into a top notch player.

[Sports Guy]

Question. If you believe Hamilton can stay clean (I know, big IF), can you really turn down a Bailey or Cueto, Hamilton, & Votto deal?

Even taking the chance on Hamilton, that's a lot of talent coming back.

It is a deal I would ultimately take if it is the best one but I would explore other options.

I am just not sure what to think about Hamilton.

I think Krivsky is smart to be shopping him personally...For anyone else, i would take him.

But for Bedard? I am not sure.

[ChaosLex]

Would that force the Dodgers to add Billingsly and Kemp. I have no idea about how the prospects rank. So this is an honest question. I think everyone had said that would be a great deal for us, so would that work?

Can someone post the info on the reds prospects listed in the post above and Bruce. I don't even know where to find them, thanks in advance.

If Bruce is added, the Dodgers can go to hell as far as I'm concerned.

[Sports Guy]

If Bruce is added, the Dodgers can go to hell as far as I'm concerned.

Well, this is actually part of the argument here.

How bad do the Reds want Bruce?

Let's say the Dodgers put a Meloan, LaRoche, Kemp and McDonald deal on the table.

We tell the Reds, you must trade us Bruce, Votto, Cueto and Encarncion to match this.

If you look at it, the deals are similar.

McDonald = Cueto

LaRoche= Votto

Meloan's value is probably very close to, or the same as, Encarnacion.

Then you have Bruce and Kemp...This is a tough call here IMO.

I could see the Dodgers being willing to trade that package...So, if the Reds really want Bedard, are they willing to step up to the plate with the Dodgers or Mariners to get it done?

That is a big question IMO.

All the media is saying Bruce isn't available and maybe he's not...But if they wanted Bedard and had to trade for this package for him, do they do it?

I am not so sure that Krivsky wouldn't.

As i said, add in Bradford and Millar as well....They could be good pieces for the Reds.

[Sports Guy]

As far as his problems or as far as his talent?

His issues...Talent is unquestioned and that has always been the case...But, is he totally over all that stuff he went through?

[Fan4Life]

How many guys would be starting for the 2008 O's from each team? Seems like the Dodgers have 3 guys we could plug right in where the rest of the teams are just minor leaguers with high cielings..

[Sports Guy]

How many guys would be starting for the 2008 O's from each team? Seems like the Dodgers have 3 guys we could plug right in where the rest of the teams are just minor leaguers with high cielings..

That's not true at all.

Every deal that seems to be discussed about the Reds, Dodgers and M's have 2-4 guys that could start right now for us.

[TyCobb]

How many guys would be starting for the 2008 O's from each team? Seems like the Dodgers have 3 guys we could plug right in where the rest of the teams are just minor leaguers with high cielings..

Votto could start at 1B on opening day. Bruce could start in CF but likely will be a mid season call up. Cueto is a year away at very least.

[TyCobb]

IMO we aren't going to be getting 4 -1 for Bedard. I think the best possible packages we can be getting would be:

Bruce, Cueto, and Votto

LaRoche, Kershaw, and Ethier

Jones, Morrow, and Baleinten

[Birds08]

IMO we aren't going to be getting 4 -1 for Bedard. I think the best possible packages we can be getting would be:

Bruce, Cueto, and Votto

LaRoche, Kershaw, and Ethier

Jones, Morrow, and Baleinten

I think what we are starting to see is a bidding war. Seems to me all three teams we have talked about are pretty desperate for Bedard. If each was the only game in town, I doubt we'd get more than 3 players for him, but I think whoever is most desperate will separate itself from the pack by adding a 4th player.

Regardless, I have a feeling something is going to happen soon. Teams want to know as soon as possible if they have an ace for their rotations and teams want to have time to sign remaining free agents to plug holes created in trades. It said in the Reds article that Krivsky was planning on making calls on Bedard today. Hopefully something happens.