Well, welcome back baseball. We missed you. A few items to touch on now that full squad workouts have begun for the Reds in Goodyear, AZ.
First, while part of me is glad the Reds were able to come to a multi-year contract agreement for pitcher Homer Bailey, I don't know if I would have committed to a 6-year, $100-plus million to do it.
I know Bailey has come into his own over the last three seasons and has two no-hitters to his credit, but his career stats look like this: 49 wins, 45 losses, 4.25 ERA. Now what's encouraging is he's lowered his ERA and his WHIP each of the last five seasons. He's also won more than he's lost since 2008 until last year when he went 11-12. Sure, you could argue he pitched much better than that and you wouldn't necessarily be wrong. My point is the Reds are committing over $100 mil for a pitcher that hasn't won more than 13 games in his seven seasons in the big leagues.
With the trio of Johnny Cueto, Mat Latos and Mike Leake eligible for free agency after the 2015 season, I just am not sure I would have committed so much of my resources to Bailey. If it were me inking someone on the starting staff to a multi-year extension, I would have committed that cash to Cueto and/or Latos. They are your 1-2 punch in the rotation and personally have a greater value/impact for the organization.
Latos is about the same age as Bailey but has played two fewer seasons. However, he's 55-40 with a 3.35 ERA for his career. More importantly he's been phenomenal in his two years as a Red where he's 28-11 with a 3.32 ERA, winning 14 games each of his last two seasons and pitching 200 innings.
Yes there are slight questions about health as Latos had surgery to remove bone chips from his elbow as well as repair a small meniscus tear in his knee. But those are not major operations and the Reds are confident he'll be ready to go for Opening Day.
Cueto on the other hand has been the number one starter on this team for 3 years running and has a 65-48 record in six seasons with a 3.53 ERA. During that time, he's won double figures 3 times including going 19-9 in 2012. Like Latos, there are injury questions after 2013 where he started only 11 games because of a lat muscle strain. Still he's started no fewer than 24 games in a season until last year. More importantly he's been the go-to guy on the staff. Last year's NL Wild Card game aside, when they've needed a big performance to get a win, Cueto's been the guy.
Now the problem is the money to sign one or both will cost more than Bailey's 6-year, $105 million contract. General Manager Walt Jocketty has said signing Cueto, Latos and Leake will be "It's going to be tough." It just seems as though the team isn't seeing the big picture and only focusing on locking up the guys who are on the verge of free agency. Jocketty confirmed as much say, "You take them one at a time. This obviously was his (Bailey's) time." My point being they've committed a $100 million to Bailey so how much is left to ink Cueto and Latos who arguably have been more important to the team's success. If the organization had the foresight to sign Joey Votto two years before he hit free agency, why would they not do the same for key members of the pitching staff?
Alright, enough about Bailey, Cueto and Latos. Let's talk about Brandon Phillips. The All-Star second baseman showed up at camp and declined to speak with reporters. This after a season in which he criticized ownership in a Cincinnati magazine regarding last years contract negotiations, then voiced his displeasure with a Cincinnati Enquirer reporter over a tweet about his on-base percentage with an expletive-filled rant at a pre-game media session in Dusty Baker's office before a road game in Saint Louis (link). This led to an offseason in which he was rumored to be on the trading block. In December, the team came out and said Phillips isn't being shopped. Then there was a report the Yankees rejected a trade, Phillips for outfielder Brett Gardner.
I'm sure there are many who cover the team who feel Phillips should have spoken. Probably some fans too. Perhaps he should have. But as someone who works in the sports media (I just don't cover the Reds), Phillips is under no obligation to talk with reporters. All I would want as a reporter covering the team is Phillips doesn't make any exceptions. If he doesn't talk to the beat reporters, he shouldn't make an exception for MLB Network or ESPN.
I'll be curious to see how the Cincinnati Enquirer writes stories regarding Phillips this year, especially if he doesn't speak with reporters. While I don't like how Phillips went about voicing his displeasure with what Enquirer C. Trent Rosecrans tweeted about Phillips' on-base percentage, I also understand Phillips position. The Enquirer all year kept harping on how bad the Reds on-base percentage was from the two-hole hitter over the course of the year, so when Phillips got put into that spot August 28th to help jump start him and the offense, Rosecrans tweeted pre-game how the move actually lowered the 2-hole OPB since Phillips on-base percentage was lower than the team 2-hole hitter average. All Brandon did that night was go 2 for 5 with 2 runs scored in a 10-0 Reds win. You want to tweet or write about that stat after the game or after a series of games with Phillips in the 2-hole, fine. To do it before the game is just taking a shot at the team and the player in my opinion.
Look like any other fraternity, media members look out for their own, especially when they feel an athlete is picking on them for just doing their job. Could Phillips have talked this week, starting with privately and publicly apologizing to Rosecrans for how he acted in St. Louis? Sure. Would it have been nice for him to address the offseason trade rumors? You bet. But if he feels the best way not to get himself into more hot water is by not talking with the media, I get that. Just don't play favorites by talking with some reporters and not others.
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