Not REALLY. Assuming Votto leaves, you also have Arroyo money and Rolen money coming off the books in the next couple of years, the Reds could more than afford a David Wright and depending on what he and his agent THINK hes worth, hell, with the right deal that kid could be a bargain.
Wright is essentially saying he wants out of NY and I'd guess the Mets are going the way of the Pirates for at least 3 years ... they will unload him. I'd say to a contender by July.
He could do well in GABP and alleging Rolen is done, there's a spot.
I do think it would take 2-3 players and a front-line pitcher like Bailey.
I don't know if it's the Mets, the park, or what, but a lot of hitters go to schidt with the Mets. According to what I've read, unlike the Dodgers who expect to have new money printed any minute now, the Big Market Mets will be on a small market payroll, and will probably be looking to shed well cashed players.
I think Wright is a solid 3b, and is a small park power hitter, that would benefit from the GABP shoebox. I also think Scott Rolen will be given every opportunity to play this year, and like half the Reds roster, will be re-evaluated after 2012, probably re-investing his $8 mil or so salary elsewhere, although I see that as going Votto's way rather than just a down payment on a Wright- type player (unless Phillips bails).
I still think there are several Reds moves to be made before opening day, at least to the 40 man roster. The longer Roy Oswalt goes unsigned, the more I wouldn't count HIM out as a Red for a season.
We may all need a media guide to tell who the Reds players are after this season.
So far, it looks like Walt believes the Mayans, and this may be the last season for us all...
I whole heartedly agree. I do not think the roster shakup is complete. Homer Bailey and Juan Francisco better come out of the gates fast. Or I can see them being moved out. I also think the players on the 40 man roster that are minor league players. Need to show promise. Or they could be moved. The days of being protected for the sake of protecting a promising rookie are over. When do they have to show promise?
I think that Juan should get a serious look because they give Corey Patterson, Willie Traves, Paul Janish and Easy Error Eddie extended looks.. Juan according to everything that I have read has improved and hell we could have had Younder at 3rd
Generally speaking, players stop living on potential when their minor league options are gone.
Homer Bailey got paroled last year by the DL, but there is nowhere else for him to go if he can't get outs. If Francisco is out of options, he's in the same boat- he sticks, he goes on the DL, gets traded, or goes on waivers, in that order of preference. You may or may not believe these guys won't bring much in trade, but you better believe they'll get picked up for a riskless, chumpchange waiver claim. The Reds should give these guys a chance to return some investment, but they won't be able to carry them as dead weight for too long. I think both have enough potential to help the Reds, if they can be used in roles that fit what they CAN do, not neccessarily what they are ASKED to do.
Personally, I'm not sure Homer Bailey will ever be a top of the rotation starter. He doesn't hold runners on at all, and is too dependant on a straight fastball, IMO. I think he's a 2 inning guy, but might be a good one.
Juan Francisco has to get a realistic idea of the strikezone, and stop trying to pull everything- he has stupid power, and if he just took a little off and hit the ball where it is pitched, he could do some serious offensive damage. He also needs innings at 3b to improve- he SHOULD get them filling in for Rolen, if Dusty isn't so blinded by Cairo and Harris to recognize they aren't going to take Rolen's job in 2013, or provide enough this year-not on a winning team anyway. Young players have to play, and the more career bench players start, the weaker the team gets, IMO.
Juan Francisco can make decent money playing Caribbean baseball, so he's not stuck without a job. Wily Mo Pena is all you need to know about Juanderful Juan. He can hit Triple-A pitching.
