No Action In Free Agency, Means Maintaining The Core Of The Reds.

Well If you was expecting the reds to make a lot of noise, or rock the MLB world in the winter meetings, sorry. No reason to be disappointed. The reds are doing what I feel, in my opinion is most important thing, and that's keeping the core of this group they have together. Late yesterday evening Jay Bruce agreed to a 6 year extension worth 51 million dollars, with a club option that could make it a 7yr, 63 million dollar deal. That's the biggest splash the reds have made this off season. The reds didn't have big expectations going into winter meetings, but with the young talent they have, it's not like they need to sign any free agents. They came into winter meetings looking for only a lead off hitter, which is not a big need, they can go with Stubbs or Phillips and be just fine. They also came in looking for a left handed power hitter to come off the bench, which is also not a big need if they'll just sign Nix back, he can fill that void in my opinion. They found neither, instead they exercise the 11 million dollar option of Arroyo and also gave him an extensions, they also brought back utility man Miguel Cairo, picked up $1.75 million option for OF Gomes, and that was pretty much the reds winter meetings. The Reds are not done yet, don't expect anything big, but SS Cabrera, C Hernandez, RHP Harang, OF/IF Willie Bloomquist, IF Cairo, OF Jim Edmonds, LHP Rhodes, RHP Mike Lincoln, RHP Russ Springer are all free agents. Harang has signed with Padres, reds declined his option, I can see Cabrera coming back at a cheaper price, after his 4 million dollar option was declined, Janish will most likely come into 2011 as the starter with prospect Zack Cozart also waiting in the wings, he'll make it to the show sometime in 2011. They want to bring Hernandez back and pair him up with Hanigan again, a duo that led the NL in hitting, both these guys in my opinion bridging the gap until prospect Devin Mesoraco is ready. The Reds had a 2010 Opening Day payroll of around $76 million, without a doubt that will increase with all the big names facing arbitration for the first time like Cueto, Volquez, and Votto, all who are expected to get BIG raises for 2011. Some other key role players are also facing arbitration like, Nix, Burton, Bray, and Corky Miller, it'll be interesting to see what of these players, and remaining free agents come back. You can expect your key role players from the big year last year to be back like the Hernandez, Nix, Cueto, Volquez, Votto, as for the smaller names like Springer, Bloomquist, Bray, Burton, Lincoln all these guys can possible be brought back with small, minor league type deals, the guys who came along late last year like Bloomquist, Springer it wouldn't make much sense not to bring these guys back. Two guys i'm unsure about is Cabrera, and Edmonds. These are very polish vets that are very well respected around the league and can still play defensive with the best of them, the reds will be battling with the rest of the league for these guys, don't be surprise if these two guys find themselves in other uniforms come 2011, I know I won't be. I guess all left to say is stay tune, keep up with me, and check my blog (jgdunn.blogspot.com) periodically and I'll continue to bring you the information as I get it.