Super Bowl Sunday

As we in America get set to make a national holiday out of a football game, I thought I'd weigh in on some of the latest news involving the Reds.

Some of the reports linking Cincinnati as one of the teams still with a shot at free agent starter Roy Oswalt I find amusing.  Earlier this offseason I endorsed the team making a play for the Reds killer.  The real problem is there isn't a spot in the rotation and general manager Walt Jocketty conceded the Reds would have to move payroll to accommodate such a signing in the budget.  It doesn't make sense for a small market team like the Reds to move a pitcher who is younger, cheaper and perhaps has a higher ceiling to sign Oswalt.

At least I'm sure that's the thinking of the Reds front office.  Personally, the lack of depth in the starting rotation is one of my biggest concerns heading into 2012.  So I, again, would advocate bringing Oswalt into the Reds fold.  First, he's shown interest in playing in Cincinnati.  Second, signing him would keep him from joining the defending World Series champs and division rival St. Louis.  Considering Oswalt's career numbers versus Cincinnati (23-3 for his career), adding the right-hander to fill the 3rd or 4th spot in the rotation would only fortify the starting staff.

Now the problem is if they sign Oswalt, it all but signifies Mike Leake, Aroldis Chapman and non-roster invitee Jeff Francis likely won't make the team out of spring training.  Why would I lump Leake in with this trio?  Well because Homer Bailey is out of minor league options--meaning the Reds couldn't send him down without exposing him to the other 29 teams; and what squad wouldn't take a chance on a 25-year-old who can still throw 94-95 MPH?  So farming out Bailey to Louisville isn't an option for the Reds nor would it be prudent to trade him just to create a roster space for Oswalt or anyone else for that matter.  And they're not going to cut Bronson Arroyo because of his salary and no one will trade for him based on his contract and his 2011 performance.

Plus, consider the injury factor.  Last year the Reds seemed deep in the starting rotation with 7 guys for 5 spots.  By the time the squad broke camp, 2 were on the disabled list and a third almost went on it because of he was suffering from mono.  Oswalt has a history of back issues, so it's likely he will spend dime on the DL.  Also 3 of the Reds other starters have had a recent history of arm troubles in Johnny Cueto, Mat Latos and Bailey.  So why not sign Oswalt--budget be damned--and just see how things play out?

Now for the latest Joey Votto news.  Chicago Tribune sports columnist Phil Rogers wrote this week that Votto returning to his hometown of Toronto was "inevitable."  You can read the full story here.  I have always liked and respected Rogers.  He knows his stuff and was one of the few national pundits to tout Cincinnati as a franchise on the rise before the 2010 season.  I just wonder what he knows that the rest of us don't as he all but guaranteed Votto will be a Blue Jay in the near future.  I'd love to know what spurred Rogers to write what he did.  Does he have insider info that Reds beat writers don't or is he just making a bold prediction?  One thing's for certain, nothing sends Reds fans to the ledge like Joey Votto contract news.  Again, I plead with Redleg Nation to chill, relax.  Enjoy Votto.  He will be a Red this year and likely into next season.  Show him your appreciation.  Don't just cheer--roar for him when at the ball park.  If you see him around town--urge him to stay.  Let Votto have no doubt that the city of Cincinnati loves him and wants him to play in a Reds uniform.  Make the prospect of leaving something he thinks twice about.

As of this post, we stand 2 weeks from the start of spring training and my biggest concern is the fact second baseman Brandon Phillips still remains unsigned to a contract extension.  If this lingers into the start of the 2012 season, I fear this will be the last for Phillips in a Reds uniform.  Memo to Walt Jocketty: Get this done!  Both sides seemed like it was making progress back in December.  It's been more than a month and there has been no news to speak of at all.  Here's hoping the start of camp brings with it the celebration of a new contract for DatDudeBP.

Finally, speaking of Phillips Twitter handle, I've finally caved and joined the 21st century.  I'm now on Twitter.  The handle is @CincinnatiKid14.  Hoping this social network thing will drive more Reds fans to what I selfishly believe is the best Reds fan blog on the planet--or at least the Southeast United States.