Baseball: Reds Notes

Rotoworld on Reds trade target Erik Bedard:

Orioles president of baseball operation Andy MacPhail said Friday that Eric Bedard would like be his team's Opening Day starter.

"It's up to [manager] Dave Trembley in the final analysis to set his rotation, but that's what [Bedard] is today, and I think that's a strong likelihood," MacPhail said. "But that said, you never know." Bedard isn't off the table, but MacPhail has yet to see an offer he likes and is under no pressure to trade him now. The Reds and Mariners remain interested in acquiring the left-hander.

Ninja pleaze. Orioles' owner Peter Angelos brought MacPhail in to tear down the roster and get as much young talent as possible for Miguel Tejada and Erik Bedard specifically. He's going to be traded before Opening Day, so it's just a matter of MacPhail holding out for the best possible young talent.

The Volquez deal doesn't mean the Reds are out of the running, but it does mean that they were serious about Jay Bruce being off the table for Bedard. The Mariners are allegedly the other team in the running for Bedard, and they have CF phenom Adam Jones and pitching prospect Brandon Morrow to offer. With Bruce off the table, the Reds' best offer would likely include Joey Votto, one of Homer Bailey/Johnny Cueto, and another throw-in prospect or two.

Rotoworld on the Reds centerfield competition:

As things stand now, the Reds are planning on a four-man competition for center field in March.

"That's what spring training will determine," GM Wayne Krivsky said. "(Manager) Dusty (Baker) will play the guy who earns it. With (Norris) Hopper, (Ryan) Freel, (Chris) Dickerson and (Jay) Bruce we're comfortable with the four guys in competition for playing time." The Reds still seem like a nice fit for Mike Cameron now. With Adam Dunn and Ken Griffey Jr. in the corners and a couple of flyball pitchers leading the pitching staff, a top-notch defensive center fielder would help considerably. Bruce isn't bad, but he lacks range and will soon move to a corner. Dickerson is the best defender in the group, but he's also the longest shot to wind up with the job.

Bruce is going to have to outplay Ryan Freel to earn the job in spring training. Here's hoping that he does win the job and forces the Reds to figure out a new lead-off hitter. Better to have a difference-making bat in the lineup than to worry about who's leading off. Unfortunately, Dusty Baker has been known to distrust rookies, so it's not the most likely scenario.

Hopper is a very good extra outfielder, but let's hope Dusty comes to grips with the realization that he has no power or patience to speak of. That's what makes him a role player as opposed to a lineup fixture.

Chris Dickerson is a gold-glover caliber centerfielder, but he's going to get his lunch handed to him at the plate in the majors. He has interesting power, tools, and enough patience at the plate, but he's also an absolute strikeout machine. Given regular at bats, he'd make Adam Dunn look like Wade Boggs.

Mike Cameron makes some sense for a team looking to make a splash in the 2008 NL Central race, but the Reds have to decide if a multi-year contract makes sense for a 35-year-old centerfielder recently suspended for a banned supplement and likely to lose more than a few steps of range over the length of his next contract. If that sounds like a bad idea, then we're on the same wavelength. Even if the Reds don't believe Jay Bruce can man center field, let's hope Wayne Krivsky is on our wavelength as well. Wouldn't you rather patch over CF for a year with the law firm of Freel, Hopper, Bruce and Dickerson than dole out a pricey long-term contract to a declining Cameron?