Rumors for Cincinnati Reds
VIDEO: Aroldis Chapman debut with 103 MPH fastball
Posted by: | CommentsWe’ve heard a lot about the left-handed phenom from Cuba – Aroldis Chapman, and now we get to see what he has. Check out the video from his debut:
His line for the night: 1 inning pitched, 0 runs, 3 batters faced and 1 strikeout.
He reached 103 MPH this evening (at least from what I saw on the video at the 2:20 mark). He was clocked recently hitting 105 MPH in the Minors, so it’ll be crazy to see what will happen once he gets comfortable out there.
The left-handed pitcher signed a six-year, $30 million contract with the Reds last January with the intention of him being a future ace of the franchise.
Jim Edmonds leaning towards retirement after the season
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After 17 Major League seasons, outfielder Jim Edmonds may retire after the 2010 season, according to MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy.
“I’m leaning toward shutting it down and being a family man again,” Edmonds said. “I’ve made my mark. I’ve done as much as I can do as an everyday player.”
Edmonds was placed on the 15-day disabled list by the Cincinnati Reds last week with a strained oblique.
The veteran outfielder was acquired by the Reds from the Milwaukee Brewers earlier in August. While he does have a shot at making a post season run, he says he misses Milwaukee, and called his time with the Brewers, “the best part of my year.”
Edmonds, 40, is hitting .272/.337/.481 with 9 home runs and 21 RBIs in 82 games with the Brewers and Reds this season.
Update – Cincinnati Reds to call up Aroldis Chapman on Tuesday
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8/30 15:22: John Fayman of the Cincinnati Enquirer says the Reds have announced Aroldis Chapman will be called up for Tuesday’s game. He’ll be eligible for the post-season roster should the Reds make the playoffs.
8/29 18:51: According to a Cincinnati Reds source close to Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports, the Cincinnati Reds will call up Aroldis Chapman on Monday or Tuesday.
It’s been widely believed that the Reds would call up their left-handed phenom when the rosters on September 1st.
The left-handed pitcher signed a six-year, $30 million contract with the Reds last January with the intention of him being a future ace of the franchise. Chapman has been used as a starter in Triple-A Louisville this season. He’ll likely pitch as a reliever this season, and over time he’ll be transitioned to a starting pitcher.
Here’s the latest from The Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo:
Cafardo says Manny Ramirez could make the Chicago White Sox a playoff team, but it will come down to the Los Angeles Dodgers deciding to trade him or keep him by the Tuesday deadline. If they trade him, he could be facing the Boston Red Sox next Friday.
Cincinnati Reds manager Dusty Baker hopes he does not have to take part in the managerial free agency frenzy that is expected this winter. “I was out there a few years back working for ESPN and there were seven openings and I didn’t get one of them,’’ said Baker. “I love it right where I am and we’re in the middle of trying to work something out to stay. I love the organization, love working with Walt [Jocketty, the general manager], I love my team. I feel like we’ve built this team together, and it’s been a challenge at times, but it’s paying off for us.’’
Red Sox tried to get right-handed pitcher Justin Masterson back at the trade deadline. Masterson was traded by the Red Sox to the Indians in last year’s deal for Victor Martinez.
There will be a market for free-agent-to-be Victor Martinez this winter, and the Detroit Tigers could be an excellent fit. The Red Sox and Martinez have had preliminary conversation about a contract extension, but nothing of substance. Read More→
White Sox, Phillies and Reds looking to upgrade bullpen
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According to a source close to Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports, the Chicago White Sox, Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds are looking to upgrade their bullpens. The White Sox recently placed J.J. Putz, Matt Thornton and Erick Threets on the disabled list while the Phillies placed Danys Baez on the DL.
Possible options for the teams in need of pen help include the four relievers from the Toronto Blue Jays. Yesterday, Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun said pitchers Jason Frasor, Scott Downs, Kevin Gregg and Shawn Camp did not clear waivers. It still is unknown which team or teams were awarded the waiver claim.
The Reds may be better off waiting for Aroldis Chapman to be called be called up sometime around September 1st when the rosters expand. Yesterday, it was reported that Chapman was clocked at 105 mph.
Update – Aroldis Chapman to be called up by September 1st?
Posted by: | Comments8/28 01:48: Chapman was clocked at 105 mph while striking out three batters at Triple-A on Friday night, according to Buster Olney of ESPN.
8/18 18:55: Left-handed pitcher Aroldis Chapman may be up in the Majors within the next couple of weeks, according to John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer.
“We’re going to have to wait until Sept. 1,” Walt Jocketty said. “That will give him a chance to stabilize in the bullpen and get more experience. We’re trying to find the right time.”
The Cuban phenom has been lights-out at Triple-A. Earlier this month he was clocked at 103 mph – twice, according to Buster Olney of ESPN.
“He’s throwing great,” Jocketty added.
Chapman can be called up after the August 31st and still be eligible to be on the playoff roster because the team has two players on the 60-day disabled list and Chapman would essentially substitute for them. A player on the 60-day disabled list may be replaced by another player from the team’s 40-man roster who plays the same position. Read More→
Join PRO Rumors on ESPN 1420am with The Sports Animals
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Join PRO Rumors on ESPN 1420 AM Honolulu, Hawaii tonight at 8:35pm PST (5:35pm Hawaii Time) with The Sports Animals Chris Hart and Gary Dickman. You can listen live at http://www.espn1420am.com
Free agent watch: Manny Ramirez, Bronson Arroyo and Kevin Millwood
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With the winter free agency period just around the corner, ESPN.coms’ Jayson Stark gets feedback from people in the know regarding the future employment status of Manny Ramirez, Bronson Arroyo and Kevin Millwood.
Manny Ramirez
Stark said last week that Ramirez may only find $1-2 million in base salary this winter. However, one exec predicts that Ramirez could find work as a DH in Vladimir Guerrero-type money ($6.5 million).
“And $20 million is a lot different than $6-8 million,” the same exec said. “You’re eliminating 80 percent of the market at $20 million. At $6-8 million, you’re only eliminating a handful of teams. Big difference.
“So does he play well in September? Is he healthy enough to play? Is he motivated to play? If the answer to all those questions is yes, I think he gets a deal similar to what Vlad got.”
However one NL exec said Ramirez is “just not a full-time player anymore.”
Bronson Arroyo
“I’d sign him. He’s been in a big market [Boston] and he’s done well in a smaller market [Cincinnati]. He knows how to pitch, and he’s fearless. Of course, he’s got to be fearless with that slop he throws up there.”
Arroyo, 33, is 14-7 with a 3.82 ERA in 26 starts for the Cincinnati Reds this season.
Kevin Millwood
“He’d have to get to a place like San Diego. The guy still competes, and he still gives you some veteran experience at the back end of your rotation. So in the right setting, in a pitchers’ park, it might work out OK, but strictly in a complementary sense. He can’t pitch in a smaller park anymore. He leaves so many four-seam fastballs up in the hitting zones. I don’t know if he doesn’t realize he can’t pitch up there anymore. But if he doesn’t, I don’t know why he doesn’t — after all the long balls he’s given up.”
Cincinnati Reds’ CEO: “I totally envision Dusty to be with us going forward”
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The Cincinnati Enquirer’s John Fay says Reds’ CEO Bob Castellino will not dicuss the details of manager Dusty Baker’s contract extension offer, but he said, “I totally envision Dusty to be with us going forward.”
Earlier this month, Fay reported that the Reds offered Baker a contract extension. At that time Baker was still “evaluating” the offer.
The Associated Press said the extension offer to Baker was for just one-year, but neither the Reds or Baker would confirm that. At the time, Reds GM Walt Jocketty did not want to comment on the contract.
“It’s internal,” Jocketty said. “I don’t talk about players’ contracts, and this is the same.”
With many managerial openings to come in the off-season, Baker will have plenty of leverage especially since he’s guiding the Reds to likely their first playoff appearance since 1995 and first winning season since 2000.
Cincinnati Reds offer contract extension to Dusty Baker
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer, the Reds have offered manager Dusty Baker a contract extension.
“We just got the proposal a few days ago,” Baker said. “We’re still evaluating it.”
Baker wouldn’t say if its a one-year or multi-year extension.
“I’ve got to look at where were going,” he said, “and what I want to do.”
Baker has no timetable or deadline on making a decision.
“I’m concentrating on winning,” he said. “I’ve said that all along. Everything is cool. It will work out.”
Baker is currently on the final year of his three-year contract with the Reds. He is 220-223 in his managerial career with Cincinnati, and the team is currently in first place in the National League Central division. He’s making $3.5 million a year. Last week, Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports said that Reds’ management may not want to go much higher than his current salary. The leverage may be in the Reds’ favor given the volitility in the managerial ranks.
