Buster Olney posted today that the Yanks are not likely to pick up Chien Mien Wang's option. After his awful campaign, he probably won't cost much, which fits the Reds because they have no payroll flexibility. Wang is a sinkerballer, Price is a teacher of the pitch (helped Webb in AZ). Coming to the NL, with weaker hitting overall and no DH, would help any AL pitcher. I think Wang is worth a gamble for the last spot in the rotation, since the Reds can't afford Garland or someone like that. Also, Daniel Cabrera was DFA today and elected for free agency, maybe he's a candidate for a minor league deal.

We have pitching covered. Got any ideas on SS or C?

There is certainly plenty of scrap heaping available this off season. I doubt the reds do much of it in the pitching dept. As the other poster said, any ideas on improving the offense?

We could bring JHJ and his ring back. Or not.

I believe that Paul Janish was admirable at shortstop for the Reds after they traded Alex G....The sad fact is the Reds are never going to have another Barry Larkin, (who by the way, was the best 2 strike hitter I have ever seen) or Dave Concepcion......Those 2 in my opinion were the best shortstops of their era, and have rasied the bar so high in Cincinnati that no one will ever be able to satisfy us as fans.....Much like what Johnny Bench did for the catchers that followed him in Cincinnati.....JMO..

Much like what Johnny Bench did for the catchers that followed him in Cincinnati
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LOL! Let's see. Bilardello, Knicely, Van Gorder, Trevino, etc....

Good to see you posting again, BTW.

Are we allowed to say Wang on here?

I wouldn't be opposed to bringing in Wang on the cheap. He had 4 very solid years before the catastrophe that was his '09 season. A move to the NL couldn't hurt, and he'd provide solid depth at the very least. You can never have too much pitching. The Reds still need to clear out some of the dead weight on the 40 man and decide which young guys they want to protect before adding reclamation projects to the roster though.

Trade Arroyo at his peak (right now) for SS/C/LF. Sign Wang and roll the dice. If you could save money and improve one of SS/C/LF, I'd take a chance on it.

I'm not so sure Wang will be as cheap as suggested though.

i think you would be hard pressed to trade Arroyo without picking up half to 3/4 of his salary and then the team mtrading for him would have to give up a prospect. There are other pitchers on the market that would be more viable options for teams not wanting to spend alot. Garland, Sheets, Pavano,Duchscherer, Doug Davis, Bedard, Harden, Myers, Penny, Piniero, and Washburn could be viable candidates for teams looking for pitching especially those pitchers who are coming off injury who might only cost 4-6 million to sign and prospects wouldnt have to be given up. If a team does want to trade for pitching then Lowe, Vazques and others might be available. I think if we are going to be able to trade Arroyo or Harang it will not to till the trade deadline.

Man, I can't tell how bad an idea I think it would be to trade Bronson. He is the one guy you can count on to give you 7 almost every time he goes out. Thats a very big deal when your pen is starting to get a little tired and beat up.

I think I'd rather clone him than trade him.

And trading Harang, while I don't think would be a bad idea, wouldn't bring much in return. I think the world of Aaron, but I just don't see how his value can get much lower than it is right now. OK, a 3rd sub-par year in a row would do it, but I'd rather see if Price can work some magic on him and the team be encouraged to actually hit the ball once in a while when he pitches.

pog

I agree, Bronson except for a couple performances a year tends to keep the bullpen fresh. A problem with trading him is what I think a lot of reds fan do is over value what he is really worth. The question is, is Bronson worth 11 million a year to another team? Probably not if you look at the cheaper pitchers on the market. Second even if we paid half of his salary would it be smart to trade away young prospects to aquire Bronson for what could be one year in less the option is picked up. Bronson is probably in the 3-4 type of rotation guy so if I was a gm I wouldnt pay the type of money or give up prospects for a number 3 or 4 type guy who might be there for only one year and with the amount of number 3 or 4 starters who will be on the market this winter.

>>>I think a lot of reds fan do is over value what he is really worth.<<<

and I think you are 100% wrong. I think most fans fail to recognize what a gem Arroyo is. You included, since you think we would have to pay part of his salary if he were to be traded.

We will have to agree to disagree because I do think the Reds would have to pay a good portion of his salary if he is traded. A team in this market if it is the same as last years which is what seems to be projected could go out and sign almost any two of the pitchers I named to one year contracts for the same 11 million they would have to pay Bronson and give up prospects. In this economic time and Bronsons value would probably be to much for other teams. If I sit here and tell you you can sign Pavano and Sheets both for under 12 million total you wouldnt do it? You would already be ahead even if one of them panned out because you wouldnt of have to give anything up in return.

<<You would already be ahead even if one of them panned out because you wouldnt of have to give anything up in return. >>

I'm afraid that's faulty logic. Numbers aren't the entire story here. We already know what Bronson can do in Cincinnati. Hoping that he is interchangeable with one of two pitchers who don't have his history with the organization and the park is not realistic, nor is it a very good gamble.

You can't just look at Bronson in a vacuum. You have to consider what he has done in a very difficult pitchers park, pitching 200 plus innings a year with a 90mph FB and with a team not known for excessive run support.

It ain't broke, leave it alone.

pog

I am not sure why you are locked into this senario where you have to pay someone to take one of your stellar performers. That is just wrong-headed. How much would Houston have to pay us to take Oswalt? Answer = $0.00. When you have a proven performer... most certainly a pitcher... and this player has no down side you pay zero.

The only time you have to pay to schlep a contract is when you're in the dump-mode and the other guy knows it. Harang .. you might have to pay to be rid of. Arroyo you don't.

Maybe I am not understanding what you are saying, or maybe I didnt clarify my point. I am not saying trade Bronson. What I am saying is for example I am the Ned Coletti from the Dodgers and I need to add a couple pitchers. As Ned I would think it would be more valuable for me to sign 2 free agents for that 11-12 million dollar range then to trade for Bronson, pay his salary and give up prospects also. I think the reds should keep Bronson except for if they are blown away by an offer. I just dont see them blowing away Walt with an offer which is good for reds fans in my opinion.

As stated we will have to agree to disagree because if everything was equal I would agree it would be as you stated "wrong headed." Not everything is equal though. Rays, Marlins, Twins, Brewers and such teams I am sure would love to have a performer like Bronson but could they afford to take all his salary and give up top prospects to aquire Bronson? I am sure if would be hard for them to do. Teams like Yanks, Mets, Angels, Dodgers and Red Sox have a higher payrolls and can spend more so 11 million may not mean as much to them. Not everything is equal.

Ah OK I misunderstood. I thought you were propping a 2 fer 1 for Bronson for the Reds.

You gotta admit though, I made a GREAT argument for not doing that.

lol

pog

I'd rather they go after a southpaw but Wang if he would sign a Minor League deal is worth a look...I'm a little confused how others on this board can say the Reds don't need to address their SP...hmm Volquez is OUT, Harang hasn't been in form for the past 2 seasons, Bailey looks to have turned the corner but we won't know until April, granted he makes the team...Lehr & Wells are journeymen & I haven't any guess if they will be here next season or not...Maloney i dunno this guy is very pedestrian the 5 spot might be his future & Owings, sorry but this guy is a middle reliever at best...so let's break it down

1.Harang
2.Cueto
3.Arroyo
4.Bailey
5.Maloney/Lehr/Wells/Owings

I like their young hitters way better than their projected 2010 Starting Rotation...but that's just my opinion