| 07 January 2011
The Reds just signed the World Series MVP!
OK, that sounds way better than it actually is, but I still like the inking of veteran shortstop Edgar Renteria to a one-year, $3 million contract. (UPDATE: The deal is actually one-year, $2.1 million, with the chance to earn $900,000 in performance bonuses.)
Renteria, 35, takes the spot of the departed Orlando Cabrera as the Reds’ starting SS. Interestingly, both players hail from the country of Columbia.
Paul Janish will serve as the backup once again, but is sure to get a good share of starts when Renteria needs a rest (or is injured).
Renteria used to be known as a slick defensive player, but has clearly lost range the last few years. However, he’s still more of an asset than a liability in the field, and it gives the Reds some quality depth at the position at not much of a cost. The San Francisco Giants had a $9.5 million option to keep Renteria this year, but obviously declined.
In 2010 with the Giants, Renteria was placed on the disabled list three times, and finished the regular season with a .276 batting average with three home runs and 22 RBIs in 72 games. He broke out in the World Series when he batted .412 and belted a pair of home runs, leading the Giants to their first WS title since moving from New York.
Renteria has two World Series rings as he was a starter on the 1997 Florida Marlins team that defeated the Cleveland Indians. In fact, Renteria had the game-winning hit with two outs in the 11th inning of Game 7.
Renteria (not to be confused with the Sublime hit "Santeria") will be entering his 16th Major League season in 2011 and has a career batting average of .287. He has also amassed 2,252 career hits, 135 home runs and 290 stolen bases. Renteria is a five-time All-Star selection (1998, 2000, '03-04, '06) and a two-time Gold-Glove winner (2002-03). The Reds will be the seventh MLB team he's played for, including: Florida (1996-98), St. Louis (1999-04), Boston (2005), Atlanta (2006-07), Detroit (2008) and San Francisco (2009-10).
I like this pickup quite a bit. Janish is not an everyday player in my opinion and the Reds aren’t paying much to get Renteria. If he stays healthy, it will be a bargain. If he has injury problems (which is a very-realistic possibility) Janish can fill in, and Zack Cozart is also knocking at the MLB door (he will be the AAA shortstop at Louisville again). Chris Valaika can also play shortstop, although I see him more as a second baseman/utility infielder.
Now let’s hope general manager Walt Jocketty is able to cross the final item of his wish list: a leadoff hitter that can play left field.
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