| 31 January 2010
The only other move that is expected to happen is the signing of outfielder Jonny Gomes to a minor-league deal. Last year, Gomes hit .267 and clubbed 20 home runs (and had 51 RBIs) in just 281 at-bats, but the Reds chose to not offer him arbitration this winter. That made Gomes a free agent, but no one gobbled him up. Therefore, there are signs that the Reds will re-sign him with no risk to the team. Gomes would then compete with the likes of Wladamir Balentien, Chris Dickerson, Chris Heisey and Laynce Nix for playing time in left field (which will undoubtedly end up being a platoon situation).
As for Cabrera, 35, he's a career .275 hitter with a career OPS of .719. He is very durable (155, 161 and 160 games-played the last three seasons) and still has some pop in his bat. In 2009 with Oakland and Minnesota, he hit a combined .282 with nine home runs, 77 RBIs and 13 stolen bases. (He has 114 career HRs and 197 career steals.)
Cabrera used to be solid defensively and even won two Gold Gloves during his career (2001, '07), but his defense really fell off last season when he led all Major League shortstops with 25 errors. Was that a one-year aberration, or has Cabrera lost it defensively? I'm not sure, but I am glad Paul Janish will not be the everyday SS entering the season. And the Reds cans still use Janish as a defensive replacement late in games.
Overall, this was a quality offseason for the Reds, which was highlighted by the five-year, $30 million contract signed by Cuban left-handed pitcher Aroldis Chapman. He will turn 22 on Feb. 28 (at least we think that's his birthday) and is not expected to make an impact in the Major Leagues until 2011. His fastball consistently touches 97 MPH and he can get it up to 100. He needs to work on command and will likely begin the season in AA or AAA. It will be interesting to follow his progress during spring as he does have an outside chance at winning the No. 5 starter's job.
The top four are set with Bronson Arroyo, Aaron Harang, Johnny Cueto and Homer Bailey. (Edinson Volquez is out until at least August as he recovers from Tommy John surgery.) The other candidates for the No. 5 spot in the rotation are Matt Maloney, Micah Owings, Justin Lehr and my personal favorite, Travis Wood.
As for the lineup, it's easy to imagine how Dusty Baker will fill out his Opening Day card now that Cabrera is in the fold:
- Drew Stubbs - CF
- Orlando Cabrera - SS
- Joey Votto - 1B
- Brandon Phillips - 2B
- Scott Rolen - 3B
- Jay Bruce - RF
- Balentien/Dickerson/Gomes/Heisey/Nix - LF
- Ramon Hernandez/Ryan Hanigan - C
The Reds certainly won't be favored to win anything this year. Hell, it's been since 2000 since they've had a winning record. However, if they can stay healthy this season, who knows. The position players are solid and the pitching staff is still one of the best the Reds have had in my lifetime (I'm 33) even with Volquez out most of the year. The bullpen also appears to be at least decent led by closer Francisco Cordero, as well as Arthur Rhodes, Nick Masset, Jared Burton, Danny Ray Herrera and Carlos Fisher. (And guys like Mike Lincoln, Pedro Viola and probably Owings also battling for spots in the ‘pen.)
The Reds are moving to their new spring training facility in Goodyear, Ariz., this year and it should be an exciting spring as we count down to Opening Day on April 5.
