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OPENING DAY CINCINNATI
Thursday, April 5
Reds vs. Marlins 4:10
Great American Ballpark

MLB cincinnati reds, opening day countdown

Baseball’s last big free agent of the offseason, first baseman Prince Fielder, has agreed to a 9-year, $214 million deal with the Detroit Tigers, it’s the fourth largest deal in the history of Major League Baseball.

The deal comes less than a month until pitchers and catchers report and took many by surprise as the Tigers weren’t even in the conversation until a little more than a week ago.

Fielder follows in the footsteps of his father, Cecil, who played seven years for the Tigers in 1990-1996 and hit 51 home runs for them in 1990. He was also being courted by the Washington Nationals and Texas Rangers, has averaged 37 homers and 106 RBI the last six years with the Milwaukee Brewers.

The addition of Fielder creates a bit of a logjam at first base where Miguel Cabrera already plays. However, with catcher/first basemen Victor Martinez already out for the season the two sluggers could alternate time between first base and designated hitter.  Cabrera is also expected to see action at third base and could eventually take over their full time if all goes well.

He joins Albert Pujols as All-Star Basemen to leave the senior circuit and the NL Central this offseason for greener pastures with an AL club.

In fact the moves, coupled with Adrian Gonzalez’s trade to Boston last offseason, leave Reds’ first basemen Joey Votto as the only elite option at the position remaining in the NL.

FANTASY SLANT:  Fielder figures to be a top 15 overall option regardless of the trade and I’m not sure him landing in Detroit does much to alter that. I still rank Pujols, Votto, Cabrera, and probably even Gonzalez ahead of Fielder at first base.  However, his arrival to Motown provides great protection for Miguel Cabrera and with the likely to come 3B-position eligibility and Cabrera could move up to our No. 1 overall pick.

Fantasy Baseball, MLB detroit tigers, prince fielder, fantasy advice, 2012 mlb offseason

Cincinnati Reds general manager continued to fill out his roster needs on Monday with a pair of free agent signings.

After much debate, the team settled on an option to fill the fourth outfielder void by agreeing to a deal with free agent Ryan Ludwick. It’s reported to be one-year deal that includes a mutual option for 2013, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.

Ludwick gets a $2.5MM guarantee and could earn another $500K in incentives, per Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com

The 33-year old right-handed hitter posted a .237/.310/.363 line with 13 homers for the Padres and Pirates in 2011. His batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage all dropped for the third consecutive season. 

Defensively, he is capable of playing both left and right field.

The team also signed former All-Star catcher Dioner Navarro to a minor-league deal worth $800K with $200K in incentives. He provides depth to the organization at Louisville, along with veteran Corky Miller, and will be third on the organizational depth chart behind Devin Mesoraco and Ryan Hanigan.

Navarro, 28, batted .193/.276/.324 in 202 plate appearances for the Dodgers last year, catching 428 innings.

MLB cincinnati reds, ryan ludwick, dioner navarro, walt jocketty, 2012 mlb offseason

Following a busy month of acquisitions that saw the Reds add Mat Latos, Sean Marshall and Ryan Madson to the mix, it’s now time for Reds’ general manager Walt Jocketty to start looking as filling in the last few spots on the roster.

The biggest glaring needs remain to be adding a fourth outfielder and a backup infielder that could provide manager Dusty Baker with some flexibility.

The Reds have already parted ways with seven players, mostly young prospects, this offseason so making a trade doesn’t seem as plausible as adding another bargain free agent veteran or two. However, the team doesn’t have much of a budget left.

"We'd like to have a guy that will fit well with the club, have a veteran influence, a veteran leadership type of guy and be a character guy," Jocketty told Mark Sheldon of MLB.com.

Here is a look at some guys that could potentially help fill the void:

RYAN LUDWKICK (33, Right-handed, LF)
Free Agent
2011 stats – .237 BA / .310 OBP / 13 HR / 75 RBI / 490 AB

CODY ROSS (31, Right-handed, LF)
Free Agent
2011 stats – .240 BA / .325 OBP / 14 HR / 52 RBI / 402 AB

SETH SMITH (29, Left-handed, LF)
On Rockies’ trading block
2011 stats - .284 BA / .347 OBP / 15 HR / 59 RBI / 476 AB

KOSUKE FUKUDOME (34, Right-handed, LF/RF/CF)
Free agent
2011 stats - .262 BA / .342 OBP / 8 HR / 35 RBI / 530 AB

RICK ANKIEL (32, Right-handed, OF)
Free agent
2011 stats - .239 BA / .296 OBP / 9 HR / 37 RBI / 380 AB

JUAN PIERRE (34, Left-handed, LF)
Free agent
2011 stats - .279 BA/ .329 OBP / 2 HR / 50 RBI / 27 SB / 639 AB

RYAN THERIOT (32, Right-hander, SS/2B)
Free agent
2011 stats - .271 BA / 1 HR / 47 RBI / .321 OBP / 442 AB

ORLANDO CABRERA (37, Right-hander, SS)
Free agent
2011 stats – .238 BA / 5 HR / 51 RBI / .267 OBP / 450 AB

MLB cincinnati reds, 2012 mlb offseason, ryan ludwick, cody ross, seth smith, kosuke fukudome, rick ankiel, juan pierre, ryan theriot, orlando cabrera

Reds’ General Manager Walt Jocketty completed his off-season hat trick in an attempt to revamp the Reds’ pitching staff when he agreed to terms with right-handed relief pitcher Ryan Madson on reportedly a one-year deal worth $8.5 million.

After dealing for starter Mat Latos and landing left-handed setup man Sean Marshall in exchange for Travis Wood, Jocketty secured one of the best closers available in the free agent market this winter.

The team hasn’t announced the deal officially as Madson will need to pass a physical still.  There are indications that could take a few days. Once a formal deal is announced we will also have a better gage on what incentives and bonuses are involved in the contract.

Madson posted a 2.37 ERA with 9.2 K/9, 2.4 BB/9 and a 48.8% ground ball rate in 60 2/3 innings for the Phillies in 2011. The 31-year-old saved 32 games in his first full season as a closer.

He was negotiating with the Phillies earlier this offseason, but after they opted for Jonathan Pabelpon. The Reds waited and the closer market dropped, leaving them a bargain at least for one year.

The Reds' bullpen looks impressive with its latest additions of Madson and Marshall joining left hander Bill Bray and righties Nick Masset, Logan Ondrusek, Jose Arredondo, and Sam LeCure.

Here’s a look at more stats (from Lance McAlister, 700WLW.com):

2010-2011 combined
10-4, 2.45, 37 SV
117 games
113.2 IN
96 H, 29 BB, 126 K
6 HR
1.10 WHIP
10.0 K/9.........2.3 BB/9

Postseason
4 consecutive postseason appearances
2 World Series appearances
World Series title (2008)
33 postseason games: 2-1 2.31, 2 SV

Madson career
GABP: 8 games, 8 IN, 10 H, 7 ER, 4 HR, 7.88
Most career HR allowed by ballpark: 32 Citizens Bank, 4 GABP, 4 Turner Field
ERA: 1.74 vs Mil (18g), 1.72 vs St L (22g)

Fantasy Baseball, MLB cincinnati reds, walt jocketty, ryan madson, 2012 mlb offseason

In his third year on the ballot former Reds’ shortstop Barry Larkin was voted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers' Association of America, receiving more than 86 percent of the vote.

After missing out the last two seasons, Larkin will be inducted during ceremonies on July 21-22 in Cooperstown.

The 12-time National League All-Star shortstop and three-time Gold Glove Award winner, won the NL MVP award in 1995 and helped lead the Reds to a World Series championship over the A’s in 1990.

The .295 career hitter won nine Silver Slugger awards and helped redefine the position in advance to the arrival of names such as Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez.

He becomes just the 48th Hall of Famer to spend his entire career with one organization. He is just the third Hall of Famer to spend his whole career with the Reds, joining Johnny Bench and Bid McPhee.

Larkin was the first shortstop in history, in 1996, to join the 30-homer, 30-stolen bases club. He hit at least .300 in nine of his 19 seasons, and wound up with 2,340 hits, 198 homers and 379 stolen bases.

WCPO's John Popovich takes a look at Barry Larkin's career as a Red:

MLB cincinnati reds, barry larkin, hall of fame, cooperstown

The calendar has turned January and the Hot Stove talk is starting to wind down a bit with many of the big names already off the market. While there is still a chance for a team to nab some difference makers to this points these moves stand above all else.

1. Angels Land Pujols, Wilson
The Los Angeles Angels stole the thunder at the Winter Meetings by striking deals with both Albert Pujols and CJ Wilson on the same day.  Pujols, a three-time MVP and two-time World Champion, left St. Louis for a 10-year contract worth $254 million.  Wilson, the top arm on the free-agent market, left the defending AL champion Rangers for a five-year, $77.5 million...MORE

2. Marlins Make Splash With Reyes
Reyes became the first Mets player to win the batting title, coming off his .337 season with a .384 on-base percentage. He parlayed that into a $106 million deal with the Marlins and is the centerpiece of the Miami makeover. The team signed closer Heath Bell, the top saves guy available, one night earlier...MORE

3. Reds Go For It With Latos
With the division up for grabs, the Reds sent four players, including three of the organization’s top 10 prospects, to San Diego for ace lefthander Mat Latos.  Latos, 24, has the front-of-the rotation attributes that the Reds desired deeply.  He burst on to scene in 2010 with a 14-10 record and 2.92 ERA while allowing 150 H, 16 HR, 50 BB, 189 K, 1.083 WHIP in 184.2 innings.  The team gave up a ton, but with the division up for grabs and two more years of Joey Votto, GM Walt Jocketty opted to go for it…MORE

4. Red Sox Acquire Andrew Bailey
In an effort to fill the void left in the bullpen by Jonathan Pablebon’s departure to Philly in free agency, the Boston Red Sox traded for A’s closer Andrew Bailey in a five-player deal.  Bailey was 24-for-26 in save opportunities last season, finishing with a 3.24 ERA after missing the first two months with a strained right forearm. The 27-year old is entering his first arbitration year and remains under club control for three more seasons...MORE

5. Cardinals Look To Beltran
After losing out the Albert Pujols sweepstakes the Cardinals made an effort to fill the hole in the middle of the order by signing free-agent outfielder Carlos Beltran to a two-year deal. His .525 slugging percentage in 2011 for the Mets and Giants ranked eighth among NL outfielders. Overall, he batted .300 with 22 homers and 84 RBI in 142 games...MORE

Also Considered…

• Rollins Re-Signs With Philly
• Cahill Headed To Desert
• Nats Add Arm In Gonzalez
• Cubs Makeover Begins

Fantasy Baseball, MLB 2012 mlb offseason, biggest moves, albert pujols, cj wilson, jose reyes, mat latos, andrew bailey, carlos beltran

Fresh off of sending four top prospects to San Diego to acquire starting pitcher Mat Latos, the Reds are now turning their attention to other areas of need.

The team is currently without a closer and needs to solidify its bullpen heading into 2010. Last year’s closer, Francisco Rodriguez, remains a free agent and could be resigned the team if the market for him remains low.

Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com report that the Reds are talking with the Cubs about acquiring reliever Sean Marshall. The deal reportedly revolves around Cincinnati sending 24-year old left hander Travis Wood to Chicago.

The deal is close, a source tells Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com, and it includes the Cubs receiving two minor leaguers along with Wood.

Marshall, who has been one of the best left-handed relievers in baseball the past two years, will earn $3.1MM in 2012 and is slated to become a free agent at season's end. He'll turn 30 in August.

Wood is a player Cubs president Theo Epstein liked last season when Epstein was still with the Red Sox, the sources tell FOXSports. In just about one full season of work - 35 starts, 208 innings over two seasons - at the Major League level, Wood has posted 6.99 K/9, 2.85 BB/9 and a tendency to produce fly balls (31.4% GB rate). 

Despite being under control of the club for four more years, Wood is expendable with Latos joining Johnny Cueto, Bronson Arroyo, Homer Bailey, Mike Leake and Aroldis Chapman as options for the rotation.

MY TAKE: Clearly the Reds are making a run at the division for this season and this trade would further indicate that as they would basically rent Marshall for one season. I have always been a big fan of Wood and think that despite last year's struggles his future is bright. Plus, I like the fact he throws from the left side. If he's traded Aroldis Chapman and Bill Bray will be the only left-handed pitchers left of the team's current 40-man roster. Marshall has been stellar the past two seasons, but is better suited to be a setup man rather than the team's closer.

MLB cincinnati reds, chicago cubs, travis wood, sean marshall, 2012 mlb offseason

Cincinnati Reds general manager Walt Jocketty ended his winter hibernation by sending four players, including three of the organizations top 10 prospects to the San Diego Padres for starting pitcher Mat Latos.

Among the players sent to San Diego were starting pitcher Edinson Volquez, first baseman Yonder Alonso, catcher Yasmani Grandal, and pitcher Brad Boxberger.

Latos, 24, has the front-of-the rotation attributes that the Reds desired deeply.  He burst on to scene in 2010 with a 14-10 record and 2.92 ERA while allowing 150 H, 16 HR, 50 BB, 189 K, 1.083 WHIP in 184.2 innings.  He wore out down the stretch that season though and started 2011 on the DL.

The 6-foot-6 hurler struggled to get it going last season after becoming active, but finished strong by only allowing more than three runs once in his last 17 starts.  His final stat line for the season - 9-14, 3.47 ERA, 194.1 IN, 168 H, 16 HR, 62 BB, 185 K, 1.184 WHIP.

Alonso, a former first-round pick, didn't have a place to play with Joey Votto a mainstay at first base. Volquez was coming off a disappointing season, going 5-7 with a 5.71 ERA.  Grandal was considered expendable with the surge of Devin Mesoraco.  Boxberger was selected in the supplemental first round (43rd overall) of the 2009 draft.

It will be interesting to see how Latos goes from pitching most of his games in the pitcher-friendly Petco Park compared to the hot box that is Great American Ballpark.  Here is a look at some career splits that could shed some light on what to expect:

Home: 3.11 ERA, 185 IN, 17 HR, 1.15 WHIP
Away: 3.57 ERA, 244 IN, 22 HR, 1.15 WHIP
Ground balls: 538
Fly balls: 670
Career GABP: 2 starts, 14 IN, 5 H, 1.93 ERA

MY TAKE: Starting pitching comes at a very steep price and this move could prove to haunt the Reds.  The team felt that all four players, though talented, were expendable and Latos has upside, is cheap, and locked up for a few years.  I would like to know what they could of got for just Alonso and Grandal straight up. It may not have been Latos, but it may have been close. Volquez will always be remembered for be the guy the team gave Josh Hamilton for, a trade that can now join the Frank Robinson-for-Milt Pappas trade officially as the worst in the history of the franchise. For the sake of the Reds, let's hope this move doesn't enter that discussion. Latos is four years from free agency, so that is why he's considered such a valuable asset, but his nearly half a run difference in ERA away from Petco Park makes me a bit worried.

Fantasy Baseball, MLB cincinnati reds, mat latos, edinson volquez, yonder alonso, yasmani grandal, brad boxberger