TV contracts, pitching rumors and Braun's fate

Two posts in the same month?  What's gotten into me?  All kidding aside, here are some weekend quick hits.

Shortly after the Angels signed Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson, word leaked on the club's new TV contract that will generate them $150 million a year for the next 20 years.  That's a big reason the Angels can pony up more than $330 million for two players.  But what's interesting is while the Reds TV revenue is paltry compared to the Angels, their ratings crush LA's.  Cincinnati Enquirer Reds beat writer John Fay breaks it down in a terrific article you can check out here.


Meanwhile a new name has been linked to the Reds as they continue to explore trades for a starting pitcher.
FoxSports.com's Ken Rosenthal took to Twitter Friday and mentioned Padres righty Mat Latos was among the Reds targets.  While this is just a guess, I think Latos and the Rays James Shields are at the top of Cincinnati's wish list.  Shields is at the top of his potential (16-12, 2.82 ERA w/11 complete games last year) while Latos (9-14, 3.47 ERA in 2011, 14-10, 2.92 ERA in 2010) has terrific upside and he's not even arbitration eligible and made just $460 thousand last year.

Reds GM Walt Jocketty was quoted recently saying teams want "just too many" of the organization's young prospects, but as I stated in my last post, it's time to take a risk and pull the trigger since a trade for either Shields, Latos or even Gio Gonzalez would be a huge upgrade the team's rotation.

Lastly, a lot has been written and said over the last week about Brewers left field and reigning MVP Ryan Braun.  As much as I want Braun to be exonerated, if it's proven his positive drug test is legitimate, count me among those that want him stripped of his MVP award.  I don't care the Baseball Writers Association of America stated their will not be a re-vote.  Last I checked Bud Selig had final say on all things regarding MLB.  I'm not asking for a re-vote or even for the award to go to runner-up Matt Kemp (I thought he should have won anyway).  All I'm suggesting is MLB should strip Braun of the award.  It would be an unprecedented move, but then again no player has won the MVP or the Cy Young in the same year they tested positive for performance enhancing drugs either.