Reds sign veteran starter Fogg - A's Impact

by bjk15 on Feb 21, 2008 3:31 PM PST Comment 20 comments

So, I guess that means that it is very likely that Blanton stays with the A's until at least the trading deadline. Sure, Josh Fogg and Jeremy Affeldt are not any good, but I would have to believe that that is the notion going through Wayne Krivsky's mind.

That is good for the players, and Blanton in particular, as they will not have to fight through anywhere near as many rumors now that the Reds and Dodgers are not viable options. At least that is what I think...

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Read More: Reds sign veteran starter Fogg(MLB.com)

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I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that

signing Josh Fogg affects Cincinnati's interest in Blanton about as much as losing Colby Lewis affects our interest in Mark Buehrle.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Feb 21, 2008 3:58 PM PST reply actions

Not to mention

it affects the interest of Boston, Tampa, Los Angeles, etc. even less than that.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Feb 21, 2008 4:03 PM PST reply actions

Well

I live in Cincinnati and that is not the impression that is going around town by the sports journalists, radio, etc. The Reds have been courting him for a month, so it is more significant than most would expect.

I mean to add further perspective, the Reds want to sign Kenny Lofton, but they are already facing a 25-man roster crunch... for crying out loud they just signed Paul Bako to a minor league deal, what does that tell you all? It is significant and it is sad. I can tell you that Josh Fogg left a 2 yr $5 mil deal on the table from the Rox and that really indicates that WK means to have him fight for a rotation spot if not give it to him.

1 - Aaron Harang
2 - Bronson Arroyo
3 - Edinson Volquez
4 - Josh Fogg / Matt Belisle
5 - Jeremy Alffedt / Homer Bailey

I promise you that it is as bad as you think and this is the general consensus around town.

I confess that there are several parts of this Constitution which I do not at present approve, but I am not sure I shall never approve them. For having lived long, I have experienced many instances of being obliged by better information, or fuller consideration, to change opinions even on important subjects, which I once thought right, but found to be otherwise.
— Benjamin Franklin

by bjk15 on Feb 21, 2008 4:12 PM PST reply actions

no way

why in the world would fogg turn down 2/$5...why would he turn down 2 years?

President of the Joey Devine fan club as of 1/15/08. Accepting applications for other positions. "He has no equivalent." -Paul DePodesta on Jeremy Brown

by flipgatey3 on Feb 21, 2008 4:57 PM PST up reply actions

Check the rumors

According to ESPN's Buster Olney: The Rockies talked again about re-signing Josh Fogg, but again, Fogg's side has turned down a one-year offer. The Rockies dangled a $5 million deal, while Fogg has been looking for a multi-year contract.

They all say that he turned down 1 yr 5 mil because he wanted 3 yr. The rumors were close; it was a compromise at 2 yr but the 'closer rumors' on the street said. As an FYI, Fogg did make $3.6 mil last year. He clearly did not perform well enough to earn a raise to get a 1 yr, 5 mil contract.

However... as I have mentioned before, if the A's were to trade Blanton to any team, then they really should target the Rockies. They have two highly rated SS prospects in Chris Nelson and Hector Gomez and Ian Stewart is blocked. Furthermore, the Rox did lose two P to the Reds, albeit crappy ones, but maybe they feel a little more pressure now to make a deal is all I am saying. Maybe not, but any team thinking that they are going to return to the post-season with Ubaldo Jimenez and Franklin Morales in their rotation all year as 'dependables'... and Mark Redman, then they will not make it back. They, more than any other team, need a pitcher like Joe Blanton.

by bjk15 on Feb 21, 2008 8:25 PM PST up reply actions

Franklyn Morales

is considered to be one of the three or four best pitching prospects in all of baseball.

At least, I think it's Morales. Or maybe it's Jimenez. One of the two, anyway.

That being said, there may be something there. Maybe even a ginormous blockbuster Blanton AND Ellis trade for basically their entire farm system kind of thing. The trade mavens will go crazy over that one. Gomez, Stewart AND Nelson (hey, they're all blocked, right?) plus their top two (non-Morales) pitching prospects?

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Feb 21, 2008 11:38 PM PST up reply actions

Ellis

Man, I'd never consider losing Ellis. He is a rock at 2B. The best defensive second baseman in the AL, despite not winning the Gold Glove. Plus he's about a .275 - .285 hitter with 20HR power. He is truely the most underrated 2B in the game because he plays in Oakland.

But we know how good he is. I doubt Billy could get enough for him at the rate Billy (and we) value him.

It's just more exciting with Billy Beane running the team.

by ru155 on Feb 22, 2008 8:33 AM PST up reply actions

Chiming in

I just don't see the need for Colorado to go after Blanton. If I'm the Rockies I look at Francis, Cook, Morales and Jimenez and feel good about my rotation. How will Blanton adjust going from one of the best pitcher's parks to maybe the very worst?

Guys who shouldn't have had problems adjusting to Coors have struggled, while Blanton's style should help such a move there's no guarantee.

I care.

by grover on Feb 22, 2008 12:15 PM PST up reply actions

I dunno

I can see the argument for an upgrade there. You know Blanton is already better than Redman. He might be better than Jimenez, and in any event he'll help bolster a bullpen which took a big hit to free agency.

It sure makes more sense than the Bedard trade did...

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Feb 22, 2008 1:15 PM PST up reply actions

Welcome to AN, fellow Cincinnatian!

I've been hoping for this Reds-A's trade for both clubs. I think that the Reds sending one of Bailey/Cueto plus 2 of their other lower minor leaguers would make me happy for both teams.

"To me, boxing is like a ballet, except there's no music, no choreography, and the dancers hit each other." - Jack Handey

by JJ on Feb 22, 2008 10:00 AM PST up reply actions

I'd still like to see this trade....

Reds get:

Joe Blanton

A's get:

Bailey/Cueto
Keppinger
Frazier as a PTBNL

Something along those lines. But it seems like a good starting point to me.

"Didja ever look at a dollar bill, man? There's some spooky s*** goin' on there. And it's green too." -Slater

by OrlandoAsFan on Feb 22, 2008 10:55 AM PST up reply actions

Are the Reds determined not to give Keppinger a starting job?

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Feb 22, 2008 11:13 AM PST up reply actions

Unsure

I'm not sure. From what i can gather from the little information i'm able to come across on different Reds related message boards, it seems as though he is almost always spoke of in a utility player type of capacity. I'm not sure why. His numbers looked rather impressive last year. He doesn't seem to have a lot of power, but otherwise he looks pretty good offensively. His defensive numbers are a little inconclusive. He looks to be pretty versatile though. Last year he spent time at 1b, 2b, 3b, SS and the OF for the Reds.

"Didja ever look at a dollar bill, man? There's some spooky s*** goin' on there. And it's green too." -Slater

by OrlandoAsFan on Feb 22, 2008 11:40 AM PST up reply actions

He'll be a utility player to start the season

With Edwin Encarnacion at 3rd, Brandon Phillips at 2nd (Reds need right handed bats to go with their lefties), and Alex Gonzalez, who they signed to a 3 year, $15M deal last year, at SS, he'll start the season as a utility hitter. If Alex Gonzalez continues his sub-par 2007 defense and terrible hitting, he'll be the shortstop for the Reds.

His success last year is met with skepticism because of past exeprience. A few years back, the Reds had another former Royal, Chris Stynes, who was traded to the Reds and was on fire for the last 3 months of the season. I get the feeling that many regard him with skepticism born of Stynes' subsequent 2+ abysmal seasons with the club.

He'd be an instant upgrade at short for the A's. He almost never strikes out (1 in 20 AB's!), hits line drives, has decent enough range but makes the routine plays, and is a clutch hitter - I know that's taboo here, but I can think of 3-4 times I secretly rooted for him to fail because I was sick of the Pro-Kepp, Anti-Dunn talk, wherehe came through.

"To me, boxing is like a ballet, except there's no music, no choreography, and the dancers hit each other." - Jack Handey

by JJ on Feb 22, 2008 2:43 PM PST up reply actions

How about acquiring Adam Dunn?

...

Yeah, OK.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Feb 22, 2008 2:57 PM PST up reply actions

thanks

thanks for the information. i would love for the A's to pick him up. Unless something drastic happens, he seems to have more of a shot at producing than any internal options the A's have at the moment.

"Didja ever look at a dollar bill, man? There's some spooky s*** goin' on there. And it's green too." -Slater

by OrlandoAsFan on Feb 22, 2008 7:05 PM PST up reply actions

As a Reds fan I'd hate to lose Keppinger

But as an A's fan, I'd love to have him in Oakland. Especially since he's young(ish), and hits for average.

Frazier put up some numbers last year! That'd be a good pickup.

"To me, boxing is like a ballet, except there's no music, no choreography, and the dancers hit each other." - Jack Handey

by JJ on Feb 22, 2008 2:44 PM PST up reply actions

Yeah, I would have liked:

Keppy (Keppinger) would actually be a good 3rd player to a Cueto-Blanton deal. Plus, Cueto would fit well in the A's new timeline. FYI, Frazier is not going to stick at SS by all reports, but Soto probably will if there is any consideration in that regard. The A's have been stocking up on SP and Matt Maloney is another guy that they could really consider, if the Reds would as well. Actually, a player that is not listed high on any prospect list, but could be at least an interesting 5th player from Cincy is Daryl Thompson. Plus, the Reds could always use bullpen help... they signed Mercker to a minor league deal for crying out loud:

So:

Johnny Cueto
Jeff Keppinger
Matt Maloney
Daryl Thompson
PTBNL (when eligible - Neftali Soto)

for

Joe Blanton
Alan Embree

The Reds just are not focused on obtaining a hitter. There is a reason Wayne Krivsky traded Austin Kearns and Felipe Lopez other than their pending bloated arby salaries: They needed bullpen help. Sure, they got Francisco Cordero, but they still need help and getting a quality bullpen guy and starter is just what they need. Trading Embree also saves money.

Maybe this is not enough for the A's, but Cueto could replace Embree in the pen this year if they wanted to accelerate their timeline. Maloney could fight for a rotation spot, and Keppy, well, he has been talked about well by JJ.

I keep reading elsewhere that the desires for Blanton were, essentially, for a #1 SP (Bailey / Cueto + Votto + low-level pitchers), when he just isn't worth that much. The offer above included 3 of their top 10 prospects plus another solid SP (even though he isn't listed on Sickels). Anyway...

by bjk15 on Feb 23, 2008 12:13 PM PST up reply actions