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Home , Jon Miller, Lon Simmons, Mat Latos, Paco Rodriguez, Roger Bernadina, Ryan Mattheus

CCIINNCCIINNNNAATTII RREEDDSS PPRREESSSS CCLLIIPPPPIINNGGSS OCTOBER 6, 2014

THIS DAY IN REDS HISTORY: OCTOBER 6, 1995 – THE REDS BEAT THE DODGERS 10-1 TO SWEEP THE DIVISION SERIES.

CINCINNATI ENQUIRER

Robinson: Rose doesn't belong in Hall of Fame C. Trent Rosecrans

Frank Robinson was Pete Rose's teammate with the Reds for three seasons, but the two-time Most Valuable Player doesn't want Rose to be his teammate in the Hall of Fame.

For the 40th anniversary of Robinson becoming the first African-American hired as a in Major League history, ESPN interviewed Robinson for Sunday's "Outside the Lines." According to a release from the network, Robinson was asked about several topics, including Rose.

When asked by Jeremy Schaap what baseball should do with Rose, Robinson answered: "Nothing. Lifetime ban means lifetime. Pete Rose broke a sacred rule in baseball by gambling on baseball and gambling on his own team. And one time I remember hearing him say that he wasn't aware of that rule, rule 21. It's right plastered in the clubhouse of every major league team, minor league team."

Robinson also had a similar stance on and for their suspected drug use.

When asked who is baseball's all-time king, Robinson said, ". I don't think Hank Aaron had any help. He did it naturally. And I really don't think that Barry Bonds did it naturally. I can't sit here and say I have proof. I don't. But I have eyes. I played the game. I know what it takes to hit home runs."

Robinson said Rodriguez's legacy is a "disgrace."

The interview airs Sunday at 8 a.m. on ESPN2.

Reds must decide the they can afford C. Trent Rosecrans

As the Reds stand – and general manager Walt Jocketty has indicated things won't stand as they are – the Reds have their entire starting rotation under contract for the 2015. But it's the 2016 season where things get interesting – now only one of those starters, Homer Bailey, is under contract after next season.

As the Reds approach 2015 and beyond, , , Mike Leake and Alfredo Simon all enter their "walk" year, their last year before being eligible for free agency. Do the Reds hold tight, trade one or more of the starters or try to lock up one or more of them beyond 2015? It's one of the biggest questions facing Jocketty this offseason, even if it's not an unfamiliar one.

A year ago, Bailey was in the same spot, but before he went to arbitration, the Reds signed him to a six-year deal, with an option for a seventh, worth $110 million.

That deal will be the baseline for the team's negotiations going forward, with the remaining pitchers falling on either side of the Bailey line. One thing that will be tough, though, is a cry of poverty, especially after signing Bailey and Joey Votto.

"I really hope we can find a way to keep everybody," Jocketty said recently. "We may not be able to do it. We've been very creative in the past with payroll. We're trying to retain the critical guys and try to add a little bit to it. I don't know what we're going to do yet. That's something we'll work on the next month or two."

That'll be difficult, everyone realizes.

"As much as I think we'd like to be able to keep every guy and pay them what they deserve, it's impossible to do it here," Reds manager Bryan Price, the team's former pitching coach, said last week. "It feels like you're trying to pick your favorite guy – as good as these guys are, they're all at different levels. Some of them may be able to command a six, six-plus year top-level salary and maybe are more in what you'd consider the affordable range. It doesn't look good when you're not trying to sign your best players, and you can't sign them all. It's impossible to keep them all. That being said, I'm sure every effort will be made. Sometimes the players have to cooperate too, and that's hard to ask them, to be in the prime of their career and make it workable for both sides."

Here's a look at the four Reds starters, who along with Bailey, are pencilled in to the 2015 rotation.

Johnny Cueto

2014 Record: 20-9, 2.25 ERA, 34 games started

Career Record: 85-57, 3.27, 194 games started

2015 contract status: Reds hold a $10 million option for Cueto

Cueto has become the best homegrown Reds since Mario Soto and could be in the conversation among its best ever. But coming off one of the greatest pitching seasons in team history, the 28-year-old has as much value as he'll ever have on the trade market.

After becoming the first Reds 20-game winner in 26 years on Sunday, Cueto was asked if he wanted to sign long-term, and he didn't hesitate.

"Yes. I feel good here. I like it here," Cueto said according to Tomas Vera, the Reds assistant athletic trainer who served as his interpreter. "I like the fans. I like the stadium, even though the stadium is small, I like this stadium. I pitch good here. I want to stay here, yes."

Cueto signed a four-year, $27-million extension with the $10 million option for 2015 before the 2011 season. That contract bought out all three of his arbitration years, plus the first two of his free agent years.

That contract turned out to be a bargain – something that seems unlikely for his next contract.

For now, Cueto said on Sunday, he's just concerned about 2015, not 2014.

"That's not my decision," Cueto said about contract talks according to Vera. "That's the GM's decision – what he does or what they do. All I have to do is continue working, come back to and do my job and continue doing what I've been doing. And let them make decisions about it."

Mat Latos

2014 Record: 5-5, 3.25 ERA, 16 games started

Career Record: 60-45, 3.34 ERA, 153 games started

2015 contract: Arbitration eligible, made $7.25 million in the second year of a two-year contract in 2014

The last Reds player to actually see the arbitration process through was Chris Reitsma in 2004, but in 2013 they were in the room when they struck a two-year deal with Latos to avoid arbitration in 2013 and 2014. That left 2015, Latos' third year of arbitration, which is still coming up.

That left Latos with the option of free agency after this season, the first year for Latos, who will turn 27 in December.

The right-hander started the 2014 season on the disabled list and didn't pitch after Sept. 7 with a bone bruise in his right elbow, limiting him to just 16 starts in 2014.

Latos is one of the few players who knows what it's like to be traded – even after being assured he wouldn't be traded. The Reds brought him to Cincinnati in a trade with the Padres in December of 2011. Latos said he's been through that, and doesn't want to go through it again.

"I'd like to be here. I've expressed that numerous times. I think of everyone who is on this pitching staff – and not to take a shot at anybody, but of anyone on this pitching staff, I've been the one that's made it known that I'd like to stay here," Latos said. "But, then again, I don't pull the strings around here, so I can't really say whether or not they're taking any of that into consideration or anything at all."

Latos and his wife, Dallas, bought a house in Cincinnati and live here during the winter – no small feat for the couple who are from warmed climates.

However, Latos said buying the house wasn't symbolic, it was more practical.

"We didn't buy a house out here to say we wanted to be here full-term. We bought a house here because it made sense," Latos said. "I had a couple of years that we knew we were going to be here, so why not get a house and get situated and be established and start a family? I'm fine with it. I'm fine if I'm traded. I don't necessarily want it, but if I get traded, it's a business and I understand."

Mat and Dallas Latos started a family this year, with their son, Landon Marshall Latos, who was born here in August. Latos said he'd love for his family to stay in Cincinnati, because he's grateful to be a part of the larger Reds family.

"The Castellinis here have been great to me and Dallas. I'd say more than great," Latos said recently. "From Day 1, there aren't words to put how generous and how nice and kind they've been to myself and my wife. I can't think of a better way to show appreciation back than to go out and fight for him every fifth day when I can. Like I said, when it comes down to it, if I get traded, I get traded. I understand that's the deal. I understand that's part of the game. I've just got to take it in stride and see how it goes."

Mike Leake

2014 Record: 11-13, 3.70 ERA, 33 games started

Career Record: 53-42, 3.92 ERA, 147 games, 142 games started

2015 contract: Arbitration eligible, made $5.925 million in the second year of a two-year contract in 2014

Like Cueto, Leake has never played in another uniform in the big leagues other than the Reds. The team's 2009 first-round pick out of Arizona State, Leake pitched for the Reds in the Arizona Fall League that year and was in the team's rotation the next April.

Despite that, Leake says all the pitchers know exactly what position the Reds are in – they've had great pitching, but they need offense. He also knows free agent pitchers, even your own, don't come cheap.

"It's a tough spot for them this offseason," Leake said recently. "They have the potential to be the team that makes the most moves this offseason – or not to. They can either sit on what they have or make a bunch of moves and try to build for the future, per se. They're in a tough spot this year, especially since we didn't have much success this year."

Leake said he hasn't approached the Reds about a new deal, but he's more than willing to listen.

"I'd be open to going into free agency and I'd be open to staying here. I wouldn't mind playing my whole career in one spot – it's definitely something I'd like to see happen," Leake said. "Then again, if they don't want it, I'm OK with going to free agency. It's not a live-or-die by this offseason for me. You'd like the security knowing you're guaranteed future years, but it's got to be a mutual thing and if it's not, it's not."

Alfredo Simon

2014 Record: 15-10, 3.44 ERA, 32 games started

Career Record: 32-28, 3.86 ERA, 209 games, 51 games started

2015 contract: Arbitration eligible, made $1.5 million in the second year of a two-year contract in 2014

Arbitration cases are based on comparisons, but Simon's career is one that's practically unprecedented.

Signed off the waiver wire from the Orioles before the 2012 season, Simon became one of the team's most valuable arms. Even though he wasn't wracking up saves as the team's or even pitching late in games, he was invaluable as an innings eater out of the bullpen. In 2012, he pitched 61 innings in 36 appearances and then in 2013, he had a career-high 63 appearances spanning 872/3 innings.

Latos' spring injuries, coupled with an injury to left-hander Brett Marshall in the waning days of spring training, thrust Simon into the Reds' rotation in 2014. At first the plan was for Simon to start just until Latos got back – probably two starts. Then Latos had a setback and Tony Cingrani stumbled and next thing you know, Simon's an All-Star as a starter.

Simon had a hiccup after the All-Star break, but finished strong, despite a leg injury that limited his last couple of starts. He ended with a 15-10 record and 3.44 ERA and was just 32/3 innings shy of 200 innings, despite entering the season with a career-high of 1152/3.

If 2014 did anything for Simon, it showed his versatility – and also raised his marketability. Not only did he make the All-Star team as a starter, he's shown a resilient arm that in the worst-case scenario makes him an experienced reliever, capable of pitching multiple innings at a time, multiple times a week.

Price, though, said going forward, the Reds consider Simon a starter.

"We're not going down the (Aroldis) Chapman road, so yes," Price said after Simon's 32nd and final start of the season.

Chapman, of course, has gone into spring training with the starter/reliever question over his head. If Simon is in Goodyear, Ariz., with the Reds, he'll be a starter. That could, of course, move Cingrani to the bullpen.

Simon made just $1.5 million last season, and while he should get a nice raise in arbitration, he'll still likely be the least expensive of the four for 2015. While that could make him easy on the Reds' 2015 budget, it could also make him more attractive to a trade partner.

Reds GM Walt Jocketty: No front office shake-up John Fay

Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said no major front office shake-up is coming. There were reports of one when Bob Miller, vice president and assistant general manager, said he was leaving.

"There's no shake-up," Jocketty said. "I don't know where that came from. We'll promote from within. We've got some young guys who have done a good job. This will be an opportunity."

Miller will not be replaced. He was the Reds' rules guy. He's an expert in the Collective Bargaining Agreement, contracts and arbitration.

As far as player evaluation, Jocketty leans heavily on Bill Bavasi, vice president of scouting player development and international operations, and special assistants Jerry Walker and Cam Bonifay. All three were hired by Jocketty.

Bavasi, Walker, Bonifay and Dick Williams, vice president of baseball operations, traveled with the club as the trade deadlines approached.

Nick Krall, director of baseball operations, and Sam Grossman, director of baseball research and analysis, are likely candidates to move up in Miller's absence.

Again, Jocketty said no shake-up is coming.

"Everyone will be back as far as I know," Jocketty said. "This was a good business opportunity for Bob. He'll be closer to his family in Florida."

The Reds wrapped up their year-end meetings this week. No announcement has been made as far as which coaches from manager Bryan Price's staff will return.

"I'm going to meet with Bryan next week in Arizona," Jocketty said. "We'll probably have something then."

Jay Bell, the club's bench coach, is a candidate for the Arizona Diamondbacks manager opening.

"We'll see how that plays out," Jocketty said. "It could affect things."

Joe Nuxhall a finalist for Hall of Fame's Frick Award C. Trent Rosecrans

The late Joe Nuxhall is one of 10 finalists for the Ford C. Frick Award presented by the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.

Joining Nuxhall as finalists are Richie Ashburn, Billy Berroa, Rene Cardenas, Dizzy Dean, , Ernie Johnson Sr., Ralph Kiner, and Jack Quinlan.

The winner of the 2015 Frick Award will be announced on December 10 at baseball's and will be honored in Cooperstown, N.Y., during the July 25 Awards Presentation as part of the July 24-27 Hall of Fame Weekend 2015.

This is the first year under the new rules that Nuxhall was eligible. The Frick Award now has three eras, with Nuxhall belonging to the "Living Room Era" from the mid-1950s to the mid-1980s.

Nuxhall's long-time broadcast partner, , is among the 20-member electorate, which includes the 16 living Frick Award winners — Brennaman, Gene Elston, Joe Garagiola, Jaime Jarrin, , , Tim McCarver, , , , Felo Ramirez, , , , Dave Van Horne and — and four historians/columnists — (NBC and MLB Network), Barry Horn (Dallas Morning News), Ted Patterson (historian) and (historian).

Brennaman was honored with the award in 2000.

According to the Hall of Fame's release, voters are "asked to base their selections on the following criteria: longevity; continuity with a club; honors, including national assignments such as the and All-Star Games; and popularity with fans."

Nuxhall, who spent 38 years with the Reds from 1967 to 2004, will be tough to top in the first two and the last one, but that hasn't helped him in his previous nominations for the award.

Shortstop: Is it worth giving Kristopher Negron a look? John Fay

This is the second in a series of periodic Reds position-by-position looks. Today we'll look at . Here's part one.

Zack Cozart is going to be the shortstop in the 2015, barring a trade that includes him.

Cozart had a mixed year this season. He was great defensively as Baseball Reference put his defensive WAR (Wins Above Replacement) at 2.8. That was the fourth highest of any player at any position in the majors. Cozart makes all the routine plays (10 errors) and a lot of spectacular plays.

Offensively, 2014 was a struggle. Cozart's slash line went from .254/.284/.381 in 2013 to .221/.268/.300 in 2014. Cozart's power numbers took a hit as well. He went from 12 home runs and 63 RBI in '13 to seven and 25 in '14.

If the Reds can improve offensively elsewhere, they can probably live with Cozart putting up similar numbers in the No. 8 spot, given his defense.

That said, isn't it worth giving Kristopher Negron some time at shortstop? Negron had a breakout year. He hit .271/.331/.479 in 144 at-bats. That falls below the realm on small-sample size, and Negron is a career .244 hitter in the minors.

But players develop at different ages. Maybe Negron suddenly figured it out at 28.

Oddly enough, Negron barely played any shortstop for the Reds this year. He started one game there. But he was impressive playing second and third base after coming up as a shortstop. He was rated as the best defensive shortstop in the Southern League in 2010.

Negron's speed gives the Reds another weapon. He was 5-for-5 this year in stolen bases. He had three 30-steal seasons in the minors.

At the very least, he'll probably make the club as a utility guy. Negron can play short, third, second and any of the outfield spots.

This year's backup shortstop, Ramon Santiago, is a true free agent. He'd like to return. He had a decent year and is very good defensively. He hit .246 and proved to be one of the Reds' most patient hitting. His on-base percentage (.346) was third on the team behind Devin Mesoraco and Joey Votto.

BAR 10.3.14: The good news about Reds' bad record C. Trent Rosecrans

Perhaps the most important game of the Reds' final series was their loss one week ago today to start the series against the Pirates. The Reds won the next two days, giving them a final record of 76-86, good for the 10th-worst record in .

What's the difference between the 10th and 11th worst record (besides one game — the Rays, Marlins and Padres all won 77 games)? Well, let's just say the Reds are in a position any of those three teams would like to be in.

Because the Astros didn't sign their top pick last year (Brady Aiken), Houston gets an extra pick at the top of the draft and the Reds will get the 11th pick in the 2015 draft. More importantly, as owners of one of the 10 worst records in baseball, the pick will be protected.

A protected pick means the Reds will not have to surrender their first-round pick if they sign a free agent that turns down a qualifying offer.

Last season, all 13 free agents who were offered a qualifying offer (including Shin-Soo Choo) turned them down. Any team that signed one of those 13 players were required to give up their first-round pick, and the team that lost that player got an extra draft pick. The 10 losingest teams in the draft don't have to give up a first-round pick, but instead a second-round pick.

By losing Choo, the Reds got a chance to pick Stanford shortstop Alex Blandino with the 29th overall pick, the second of the qualifying picks (behind the Royals).

Five of the 13 players given qualifying offers were free agents as spring training neared, driving down their value. It seems unlikely the Reds would spend on a big free agent, the type that could afford to turn down what is expected to be around a $15 million qualifying offer.

Last year three players — Nelson Cruz (one year, $8 million), Kendrys Morales (one year, $12 million) and Ubaldo Jimenez (four years, $50 million), ended up taking deals that were for less than the qualifying offer. Two more, Stephen Drew and Ervin Santana, took deals that were for the same as the qualifying offer they initially turned down.

The free agent market is unpredictable, but there are often players who fall through the cracks. Could someone like Cruz fall to the Reds this year? It may be a long shot, but if the price keeps dropping like it did a year ago, the Reds don't have to worry about losing a precious draft pick.

TML: Will Bengals or Reds be champs in our lifetime? Paul Daugherty

The Morning Man is an instant Royals fan, (1) because they're the Royals, playing the Angels, for whom money is an earthly gift, and (a), because if I'm gonna watch playoff baseball sans MPWS, I need a rooting interest, even if it's contrived.

So, go Royals. With a nod to the Giants, whose talent suggests they shouldn't win as much as they do, but they always seem to win when it matters. Damn them.

That brings me to the crux of the morning rant, aided and abetted by the words of the always provocative and occasionally poetic Jason Whitlock. Whitlock wrote a sports column in KC for 20 years. The first year he was there, the Royals were relevant, the Chiefs more than that. He assumed it'd always be that way.

The year I arrived in the 'Nati, '88, I covered the Bengals in the . I assumed it'd always be that way. Typical rookie mistake.

Anyway, here's Whitlock on the Royals in particular and KC sports in general:

In flyover country, in cities where we settle down and choose family over ambition, our teams fuel our self-confidence and say to the world we still want to be the very best even though we've made career decisions that suggest otherwise. Our sports teams -- more than fancy cars, trophy wives -- keep us young. We collectively live vicariously through Eric Hosmer, Alex Gordon, and Lorenzo Cain. They remind us of when we thought we might conquer the world.

When I watched my first Chiefs game at Arrowhead Stadium on Sept. 25, 1994 -- the Chiefs were 3-0 and the talk of the NFL -- there was absolutely no reason for me to believe that it would take 20 years for me to witness a Kansas City professional sports team win a playoff game.

It took 20 years, six days, three extra innings, a Big Brothers Big Sisters charity event and a plane ride from my home in Los Angeles to witness it.

I can beat that. It's taken me 26 years for The Men and 24 for The Club. And the clock's still ticking. So here's the question:

How likely is it that either the Bengals or Reds will win a championship in our lifetimes?

Broad question, I know. I mean, whose lifetime, Doc?

OK. Make it mine. I am 56. I give myself 25 more good ones. Maybe more, but we'll settle on 25. In the next 25 years, will a local pro team win it all? Which one does it first? When?

The Bengals, of course.

The Bengals might win it all this year. They have as good a shot as any team right now, don't they?

Football economics being what they are, the Bengals will always have a better shot. Socialist sports leagues raise up the lowly farm worker, scything her wheat while adjusting her babushka. Everything the NFL does is designed to level the field. (Except make money. The NFL wants to dominate that statistical category.)

Look at The Men now, and tell me where they are vulnerable. I wanna see how Brady does against that secondary this year, because last year, he did squat: 18-for-38, 197, no TDs, 1 pick, 13-6 L. Of course, that was the day of the 10-minute monsoon, and The Men were incredibly fortunate the deluge came just as Tom Terrific was trying to drive the Pats to the game-tying score. The weather in Foxboro will be more benevolent.

But the secondary is veteran and very solid. Here's my TM take on Terence Newman.

Linebackers are fast (mostly), good in coverage and when Burfict plays, better than average overall. The D-line is sagging a little, waiting for the 100 pct. Geno Atkins to return. Geathers is gimpy, but Dunlap has been terrific. Gilberry has been almost as good. They get to the QB. Against the Pats line, they should again.

I haven't heard Bodine's name mentioned a lot, which is good. The wonks who watch all the games haven't graded him highly. All I know is, Dalton has time to catch a smoke in the pocket. And the running game has been useful.

And so on. The Bengals don't have a weakness. In my lifetime? They could win a title a month after my next birthday.

The Reds? Not even close.

Money is a back breaker. Five of the top nine MLB payrolls are still playing: Dodgers, Giants, Angels, Tigers, Nationals. Two of the bottom 10 (A's, Pirates) made the playoffs, and lost immediately.

Of the middle tier, Looie and Baltimore each has a decent shot of hoisting a trophy. Even the Royals payroll was $92 million.

The Reds ranked 11th at $114 mil, ahead of St.Louis, KC, A's and Pirates.

What you can't do in baseball, if you're out of the top 10, is make a big mistake, either in trading players, or retaining them. It's still a little premature to say the Reds made a mistake keeping Votto. But it sure looks that way, doesn't it?

You ought to be fairly adept at SSDD, too: scout, sign, draft, develop. The Reds aren't terribly good at that, either, at least not at the moment.

While mid- and lower-tier payrolls often spice up October, they don't usually own it. Since '98, only the Marlins have emerged from the lower classes to wear the ring.

It's not unrealistic to suggest that, barring very good fortune, it could be another quarter century before the Reds resurrect the party on Fountain Square.

Agree or disagree?

Now, then. . .

Here's a SABR-take on the career of Adam Dunn, if you're interested. I'm not, but hey, this is a full-service outpost here. One sentence caught my eye:

Dunn rates as MLB'sworst defensive player everin the estimation of Baseball Reference.

TRANSACTIONS

10/03/14 Giants reassigned 1B Adam Duvall to the minor leagues. designated RF Jose Tabata for assignment. sent C George Kottaras outright to . reassigned C Tim Federowicz to the minor leagues. Los Angeles Dodgers reassigned 2B Alex Guerrero to the minor leagues. Los Angeles Dodgers reassigned 2B Darwin Barney to the minor leagues. Los Angeles Dodgers reassigned CF Joc Pederson to the minor leagues. Los Angeles Dodgers reassigned LF Roger Bernadina to the minor leagues. Los Angeles Dodgers reassigned SS Erisbel Arruebarrena to the minor leagues. Los Angeles Dodgers reassigned LHP to the minor leagues. Los Angeles Dodgers reassigned RHP Chris Perez to the minor leagues. Los Angeles Dodgers reassigned RHP Roberto Hernandez to the minor leagues. Los Angeles Dodgers reassigned RHP Yimi Garcia to the minor leagues. Los Angeles Dodgers reassigned LHP Daniel Coulombe to the minor leagues. Los Angeles Dodgers reassigned RHP Kevin Correia to the minor leagues. traded RHP Preston Guilmet to Pittsburgh Pirates for cash. reassigned C Guillermo Quiroz to the minor leagues. San Francisco Giants activated RHP Ryan Vogelsong. San Francisco Giants activated RHP Tim Hudson. reassigned LF Jeff Kobernus to the minor leagues. Washington Nationals reassigned RF Steven Souza Jr. to the minor leagues. Washington Nationals reassigned CF Michael Taylor to the minor leagues. Washington Nationals reassigned LF Scott Hairston to the minor leagues. Washington Nationals reassigned LHP Xavier Cedeno to the minor leagues. Washington Nationals reassigned LHP Ross Detwiler to the minor leagues. Washington Nationals reassigned RHP Taylor Hill to the minor leagues. Washington Nationals reassigned RHP Ryan Mattheus to the minor leagues. Washington Nationals reassigned RHP Blake Treinen to the minor leagues. Washington Nationals reassigned C Sandy Leon to the minor leagues. Washington Nationals reassigned 1B Tyler Moore to the minor leagues. Washington Nationals reassigned SS Pedro Florimon to the minor leagues.