Mailbag: What is the value of Valentin?
11/14/2005
I was telling a friend that I've set a precedent in these Mailbags for trying to be witty and entertaining in the intros, leaving no room for writer's block.
I was quickly informed that I'm neither witty nor entertaining, so I'm probably wasting my time.
So let's forego the usual barrage of hilarity and get straight to your questions this week. Deal? OK, here we go...
What is the status of Redsfest this year? My friends and I always had a blast mingling with players from the past, asking the front office questions they can't answer and spending way too much on memorabilia. I miss it! What's up? -- Nick F., Clifton, Ohio
With renovations still being completed at the Convention Center downtown, Redsfest remains a no-go this year. However, the team is planning on holding the event in 2006, so have those tough questions and merchandise dollars ready to burn.
Why does everyone I seem to ask think that Jason LaRue is a Reds goner? He put up career-high stats behind the plate and up at the plate, and he and Javier Valentin were a perfect tandem. Do the Reds really think that Valentin could handle the everyday catching job and still put up such high offensive numbers? Plus, it's not like LaRue is the only one up for arbitration. Valentin is, too. -- Devon T., Cincinnati
This will be Valentin's first run at arbitration, so he won't really be in line to make as much money as LaRue next season. LaRue made $3 million in '05, as opposed to Valentin's $450,000.
I wouldn't classify LaRue as a "goner," but I'm sure the Reds are taking a good, long look at the salary situation in determining which of the two catchers to part with in the trade market. I think Valentin is very capable of holding down an everyday job, and I think both he and LaRue would be attractive to a team in need of a catcher.
When is the club going to release the Spring Training schedule? -- Murray P., Indianapolis, Ind.
Spring Training schedules have begun coming out for several other MLB teams, but I've been told the Reds' schedule won't come out until sometime in December. Unfortunately, I don't have an exact release date at this time.
This is basically what the Reds' rotation is looking for next year: Aaron Harang, Brandon Claussen, Paul Wilson, Eric Milton and one more pitcher, barring injury, of course. What is your personal opinion on what you think the Reds will do about this fifth spot? -- Eric B., Beavercreek, Ohio
I would expect the Reds to find some way to round out the rotation via the trade route. But if we're forced to assume that the fifth starter would come in-house, I really think Luke Hudson has the ability to pitch every fifth day in the big leagues.
Yes, Hudson's career took a definite step back with his continued command problems in 2005, but I think he learned a lot from the experience, and perhaps his stint in the Arizona Fall League will help him come around.
What do you think of the idea of putting Rich Aurilia at second, Ryan Freel in right and trade both Austin Kearns and Wily Mo Pena for pitching? It makes perfect sense to me. -- David T., New Concord, Ohio
I don't think it's a very good idea. I think Kearns has way too much upside (oh man, I can't stand that word ... I'm starting to sound like an NBA Draft analyst) to trade away. And I think the organization thinks too highly of his potential to get rid of him. It might sound strange, but I think the Reds' decision to demote Kearns this season was a sign of their commitment to seeing him reach his full potential.
And even if the Reds do trade Kearns, I just don't see them trading both right fielders. In my eyes, Freel has more value as an infielder than an outfielder, and I'd be very surprised to see the team part with two young, promising outfielders this offseason.
Has the team ever considered moving the outfield walls back a bit? I know that Detroit moved their walls in at Comerica Park, after they saw how big the outfield played the first season or two. It seems to be a fairly simple first step in helping to put a kibosh on the number of home runs hit at Great American Ballpark. The second step would be getting some better pitching, obviously.
Also, on a related note, I saw that Great American Insurance Co. was going to drop all their interests in the Reds with the pending sale. Does that mean GABP will get a new name? In my opinion, Great American Ballpark is one of the better (if not the best), non-commercialized sounding stadium names in all of sports. I didn't even realize it was a corporate sponsorship until a couple of seasons after it opened. -- Quentin L., Louisville
As far as I know, the team has never given serious consideration to moving the walls back, Quentin. I question whether that would significantly decrease the homer totals, anyway. The biggest complaint pitchers have about Great American Ball Park is the way the ball carries to right field, not the dimensions. I didn't see too many wall-scrapers this past season.
As for the moniker, Great American Insurance Co. controls the naming rights of the ballpark through Dec. 31, 2032. It looks to be safe to me.
But this brings up an interesting, potentially profitable question ... Anyone interested in buying the naming rights to the Mailbag?
Why would the Reds' rotation not be better off with Homer Bailey in it next year? Eric Milton got start after start despite an ERA that hovered near six or seven most of the season. Bailey would undoubtedly be better. -- Alex M., Chicago
I don't think so, Alex. Bailey's 19 years old and nowhere near Major League ready just yet. The idea of him making the leap from Class A to the big leagues is equivalent to me making the leap from hack Mailbag writer to Pulitzer winner.
Source: http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/
I was telling a friend that I've set a precedent in these Mailbags for trying to be witty and entertaining in the intros, leaving no room for writer's block.
I was quickly informed that I'm neither witty nor entertaining, so I'm probably wasting my time.
So let's forego the usual barrage of hilarity and get straight to your questions this week. Deal? OK, here we go...
What is the status of Redsfest this year? My friends and I always had a blast mingling with players from the past, asking the front office questions they can't answer and spending way too much on memorabilia. I miss it! What's up? -- Nick F., Clifton, Ohio
With renovations still being completed at the Convention Center downtown, Redsfest remains a no-go this year. However, the team is planning on holding the event in 2006, so have those tough questions and merchandise dollars ready to burn.
Why does everyone I seem to ask think that Jason LaRue is a Reds goner? He put up career-high stats behind the plate and up at the plate, and he and Javier Valentin were a perfect tandem. Do the Reds really think that Valentin could handle the everyday catching job and still put up such high offensive numbers? Plus, it's not like LaRue is the only one up for arbitration. Valentin is, too. -- Devon T., Cincinnati
This will be Valentin's first run at arbitration, so he won't really be in line to make as much money as LaRue next season. LaRue made $3 million in '05, as opposed to Valentin's $450,000.
I wouldn't classify LaRue as a "goner," but I'm sure the Reds are taking a good, long look at the salary situation in determining which of the two catchers to part with in the trade market. I think Valentin is very capable of holding down an everyday job, and I think both he and LaRue would be attractive to a team in need of a catcher.
When is the club going to release the Spring Training schedule? -- Murray P., Indianapolis, Ind.
Spring Training schedules have begun coming out for several other MLB teams, but I've been told the Reds' schedule won't come out until sometime in December. Unfortunately, I don't have an exact release date at this time.
This is basically what the Reds' rotation is looking for next year: Aaron Harang, Brandon Claussen, Paul Wilson, Eric Milton and one more pitcher, barring injury, of course. What is your personal opinion on what you think the Reds will do about this fifth spot? -- Eric B., Beavercreek, Ohio
I would expect the Reds to find some way to round out the rotation via the trade route. But if we're forced to assume that the fifth starter would come in-house, I really think Luke Hudson has the ability to pitch every fifth day in the big leagues.
Yes, Hudson's career took a definite step back with his continued command problems in 2005, but I think he learned a lot from the experience, and perhaps his stint in the Arizona Fall League will help him come around.
What do you think of the idea of putting Rich Aurilia at second, Ryan Freel in right and trade both Austin Kearns and Wily Mo Pena for pitching? It makes perfect sense to me. -- David T., New Concord, Ohio
I don't think it's a very good idea. I think Kearns has way too much upside (oh man, I can't stand that word ... I'm starting to sound like an NBA Draft analyst) to trade away. And I think the organization thinks too highly of his potential to get rid of him. It might sound strange, but I think the Reds' decision to demote Kearns this season was a sign of their commitment to seeing him reach his full potential.
And even if the Reds do trade Kearns, I just don't see them trading both right fielders. In my eyes, Freel has more value as an infielder than an outfielder, and I'd be very surprised to see the team part with two young, promising outfielders this offseason.
Has the team ever considered moving the outfield walls back a bit? I know that Detroit moved their walls in at Comerica Park, after they saw how big the outfield played the first season or two. It seems to be a fairly simple first step in helping to put a kibosh on the number of home runs hit at Great American Ballpark. The second step would be getting some better pitching, obviously.
Also, on a related note, I saw that Great American Insurance Co. was going to drop all their interests in the Reds with the pending sale. Does that mean GABP will get a new name? In my opinion, Great American Ballpark is one of the better (if not the best), non-commercialized sounding stadium names in all of sports. I didn't even realize it was a corporate sponsorship until a couple of seasons after it opened. -- Quentin L., Louisville
As far as I know, the team has never given serious consideration to moving the walls back, Quentin. I question whether that would significantly decrease the homer totals, anyway. The biggest complaint pitchers have about Great American Ball Park is the way the ball carries to right field, not the dimensions. I didn't see too many wall-scrapers this past season.
As for the moniker, Great American Insurance Co. controls the naming rights of the ballpark through Dec. 31, 2032. It looks to be safe to me.
But this brings up an interesting, potentially profitable question ... Anyone interested in buying the naming rights to the Mailbag?
Why would the Reds' rotation not be better off with Homer Bailey in it next year? Eric Milton got start after start despite an ERA that hovered near six or seven most of the season. Bailey would undoubtedly be better. -- Alex M., Chicago
I don't think so, Alex. Bailey's 19 years old and nowhere near Major League ready just yet. The idea of him making the leap from Class A to the big leagues is equivalent to me making the leap from hack Mailbag writer to Pulitzer winner.
Source: http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/
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