Indians Win in Three-Team Deal

The Indians’ backs were up against the wall. With Scott Boras’ hand firmly clenched around Shin-Soo Choo’s wrist, much like an angry mother with child in tow, the super-agent was leading Cleveland’s right fielder out of town. And everyone knew this. Boras even went as far as to publicly question — and rightfully so, maybe […]

Cincinnati Reds Built to Withstand the Loss of Johnny Cueto

After leaving game one of the NLDS after throwing just eight pitches, the Cincinnati Reds announced that ace right-hander Johnny Cueto suffered a mild right oblique strain, an injury that will cost him a roster spot for the NLCS if the team advances. But the Reds, who finished with baseball’s second best record, have the […]

NL Midseason Awards

Without further ado, here the NL Midseason award winners. Cy Young Award R.A. Dickey, New York Mets – as far as extended dominance goes, Dickey’s production is hard to beat: from May 27 to June 18, he threw 41.2 innings without allowing an earned run, while striking out 52 and walking just five.  Of his […]

Aroldis Chapman and the Reds’ Ignorance

Over the past few months no team has surprised me more than the Cincinnati Reds.  I didn’t see the Mat Latos trade coming; the Joey Votto mega-deal shocked the hell out of me, and I would have never guessed that the franchise would be able to re-sign Brandon Phillipsa little more than a week later. […]

Brandon Phillips’ Impending Extension Will Be a Steal For The Reds

After locking up two cornerstones – Jay Bruce prior to 2011 and recently Joey Votto – the Reds are turning their attention to two-time All-Star Brandon Phillips.  And while both sides are during their best to keep the negotiations out of the press, ESPN’s Jim Bowden, who also happens to be a former Reds GM, […]

Votto’s Contract: Right Price, Financial Burden

At some point yesterday a writer from ESPN – I can’t remember which one – made a comparison between Joey Votto and Cal Ripken Jr.  Which is fair, I suppose.  After signing his latest contract, Votto, like Ripken, is set to remain with one organization for his entire career, a rarity indeed.  But let’s not […]

Trade Reaction: Atlanta Acquires Juan Francisco, Sends J.J. Hoover to Cincinnati

On a day where it was difficult to decipher which “trades” were real and which weren’t – thank you, inventor of April Fool’s Day – the Atlanta Braves agreed to send relief prospect J.J. Hoover to Cincinnati in exchange for third baseman Juan Francisco, in a move that adds depth to both clubs. The Reds […]

Predicting Votto’s Free Agency

With the recent offseason signings of Prince Fielder and Albert Pujols, Joey Votto is the last standing, the lone elite first baseman that has not been locked into a long term contract.  Miguel Cabrera, who mistakenly will be shifted across the diamond this season, is signed through 2014 on an eight-year deal.  Adrian Gonzalez inked […]