Labor Agreement Could Make Offseason Interesting

Well I finally mustered up enough motivation to blog again.  Sorry for the long sabbatical, but I've found it difficult to find interesting things to write about over the last month-and-a-half.  The disappointing season for the 2011 Cincinnati Reds has much to do with my apathy, but let's try to move past it, shall we?

Decisions, decisions.  That's what the Reds as well as every other Major League Baseball team faces this offseason.  However a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) needs to be hashed out between the owners and the players after last out of the World Series and before the first spring workout for pitchers and catchers.

FOX Sports Ken Rosenthal has a terrific piece on how the timing of a new CBA could effect free agency.  A new labor deal (no matter the timing) would do little to change the course of action the Reds will pursue this winter.  The organization has showed little interest in going after big-name free agents in the past and it's a trend that's unlikely to change.  However, they do have some choices to make, starting with 2B Brandon Phillips and closer Francisco Cordero.

Both have $12 million contract options.  Both have proven to be two of the more valuable players to this 2011 Reds team.  General Manager Walt Jocketty said over the weekend the club would consider hammering out an extension for Cordero.  A wise move.  Despite being a scapegoat for much of last year, Cordero has been very effective during his Reds tenure--especially this season.

Phillips' situation is most intriguing.  Jocketty indicated several months ago the team would pick-up the Gold Glover's option, but it would behoove the club to show Brandon the same love they did Joey Votto, Jay Bruce and Johnny Cueto last offseason.  Phillips has really come into his own this year as a hitter and keeping him in the fold solves the lead-off question in the lineup for 2012, not to mention the defense he brings every night.

If the last month-and-a-half has been any indicator, the organization really seems intent on finding a place for Yonder Alonso's bat.  After a brief tryout in left field, one game at third and a few appearances at his natural first base position, the last road trip found Alonso getting the bulk of the playing time in LF.  Chris Heisey has to be wondering what he has to do to be given the same opportunity, but I digress.  Don't be surprised if Opening Day finds Alonso in left where he likely could spend most of the 2012 season, with occasional starts at 1B or 3B.

If Alonso is going to be the starting LF, it means the defense will have to be stellar every where else.  Which means Scott Rolen and Zach Cozart are likely to make up the left side of the infield.  Each bring their own set of questions.  You have to love Rolen's glove, but will he hit like he did in 2010 (.285 AVG, 20 HR, 83 RBI) or 2011 (.242, 5, 36).  Cozart's sample size was small (11 games), but you certainly had to like what you saw (.324, 2. 3).  If it is Rolen and Cozart at third and short respectively, it could very well mean Juan Francisco, Todd Frazier and Chris Valaika will continue to be stuck in Triple A Louisville.

For me, the $64,000 question is whether Jocketty gets aggressive and packages some of the young talent to fill the Reds needs -- which are likely a clean up hitter and top of the rotation starter.  He's been reluctant in the past to part with prospects since it is the life-blood of any sustained success for a small/medium size market franchise like the Reds.

Aside from player personnel moves, Reds beat writer John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer has another idea to help improve the Reds' fortunes for next year.  You can read about it here.  I'm sure it won't happen, but Bronson Arroyo should be championing this cause.  Heck I'd extend the idea to left field as well.

It should make for an interesting offseason.