Texas weather is so unpredictable and annoying, but at least it should be 30 degrees warmer tomorrow. Hot Stove had a good piece on the Reds. They will most likely return to the post season this year because they did not lose much this off season. Their edition: Edgar Rentaria and Fred Lewis will work out well for them. I personally like Lewis alot. I think he is an underrated outfielder with some speed and power at the plate. I am anxious to see how well he plays as an everyday player. Rentaria is aging but is still decent fielding and as we saw in the WS he can have some timely hitting in the right arena. Joey Votto should again have a good year hitting, and he will most likely pick up where he left off. Their pitching staff is good but I am curious to see what comes of Aroldis Chapman and Edinson Volquez. Chapman's arm is one of a kind but he shows that control for him is what he will struggle with. If he can figure out a way to have more control, he could possibly be a closer/starter. Volquez is up in the air this year. Its hard to say what to expect from a guy that was an all-star in 2008 and then sidelined from injuries, surgery, and suspension (busted for roids and received a 50 suspension). He is now healthy and ready to pitch this season but you never know what he'll be like after missing so much time off. He also decided to sign a 1 year deal and not a contract extension. To me that is foolish. I would've taken a 3 year extension because of the guaranteed money that was on the table and even if he struggles this year he would've had that contract. Good luck to him and the Reds, hope it works out for both parties.
Vlad officially signed with Baltimore and I am happy for both parties. Vlad will be able to start everyday there and I think with the off season moves that the Orioles made, they could threaten to make the East more competitive if that is even possible. The Yanks made a huge move as well; they signed Eric Chavez. Kidding! This is another move that is much like a wet fart, risky and gross. Chavez is a walking injury and he will see the field very little. Moves like this are fruits of a team in big trouble and reaching for anything. Looks like Cleveland is ready to bring back Kevin Millwood. I hope that both of them are able to have some success. Cleveland is looking to reform themselves by trying to go young but have some vetrans on the team as well. They have already brought back Austin Kearns and it looks like they are going to bring Millwood back. Hope he goes back and hope they are able to do well together.
The big rumor story that I am interested in is talks of Mike Young being traded. Again, rumors are circling around but its hard to know if they are true or not because Jon Daniels is very quiet about transactions and moves he makes. Personally I want Young to stay because he can do alot as a DH/infielder but if he goes I just hope the Rangers can get a decent return on him. The Rockies are in the mix, and the names to possibly be moved are Jose Lopez, Dexter Fowler, and Aaron Cook. Not sure about Cook because he has been good at times for Colorado and bad at other times. I do not want Lopez at all, he is garbage in my opinion. Fowler on the other hand is a good outfielder, fast and has had some success at the plate before. I know that he has had injuries before and that he has bounced up and down between the bigs and AAA but that doesn't too much. The thing is that Fowler reminds me of a taller Julio Borbon with a little more power. Fowler would be a good addition but if Colorado only wants to give up Fowler and not Cook as well then they'd have to throw in their big catching prospect because of what Young will bring to their team. Earlier in the trade talks the name Eric Young Jr. came up, and I would actually be interested if the trade was Fowler and Young Jr. The only other teams that have been mentioned are Toronto and Oakland. Don't know what either team would offer to Texas. Guess we'll see if this is real or just smoke and mirrors.
Exciting stuff none the less. Watch the Reds win the Central again. Let me know what y'all think!
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