Spitball

Remember, the Reds would not extend Gardner a QO for many reasons, but they would definitely extend Bailey. That alone should tell you the rumors are all Yankee generated.

Gardner fits the Reds needs only if, and only if, they will take on Phillips's bad contract. They will go with Hamilton, and that is a definite unless they can move Phillips. Bailey might go for their biggest need, a power hitter like Batista who can protect Joey Votto, but he will not be traded for the likes of Gardner. It will absolutely not happen.

That is what has them concerned, but they are not desperate. Their long range plan was to put Choo in center and let Hamilton develop at AAA. Hamilton struggled most of the first half and has some worried. However, the Reds are fully prepared to go into the 2014 season with Hamilton. I think those who assume Gardner for Bailey is possible are also assuming the Reds really, really want Gardner. They don't. They made the Brandon Phillips for Gardner offer because they want to get out from Phillips's bad contract. He really isn't a luxury. Cueto has been injured since the 2012 playoffs, and Latos missed his scheduled start in the Wild Card Playoff game do to an arm problems which required surgery. Cingrani was drafted as a relief pitcher and is unproven. He had some success filling in last season but did it with basically just a fastball. Bailey will likely make about $9 million this coming season. I don't think it frees up money for Arroyo for two years. Walt Jocketty has very recently made comments on this topic. The Reds would be crazy to trade Bailey for these reasons. It would make much more sense for them to start the season with Heisey in center and give Hamilton a month in triple-A. As it was in 2013, there plan to contend in 2014 is based on strong pitching. The Reds would be trading one year of Bailey and the first round compensatory pick for one year of Gardner and no compensatory pick. That would be crazy.

I'd rather he sign with the Astros, but you are right, waiting for Tanaka to sign is making for a slow off season.

If healthy, Brian Roberts has been signed to play second. Kelly Johnson and Brendan Ryan have been signed in case Rodriquez and Jeter are out for any time.

If Drew can be signed, it makes absolutely no sense not to sign him. What is wrong with depth at any time, but especially when both Middlebrooks and Bogaerts are unproven??? Ideally, Bogearts plays third and Drew plays short versus most right handers. Then, Bogaerts moves to short and Middlebrooks mans third against lefties. Middlebrooks has not proven he can be a consistent regular, and the sample size is too small on Bogaerts. Drew is a perfect place holder. The youngsters can be worked in gradually.

The qualifying offer has cramped Boras's style with mid-talent clients for a second straight year. Teams don't really want to give up that first round pick for less than a star.

I agree. I was surprised by the concept and think Beane is a very innovative GM.

This is an interesting article about the new approach by the Oakland A's and their recent success. It is the most interesting read I have found since Money Ball. I hope you take the time to read it. http://regressing.deadspin.com/a-decade-after-moneyball-have-the-as-found-a-new-mark-1489963694/@reubenfb

I agree, but I would not be against acquiring someone like Denorfia. He is a versatile role player with on base skills against left handers. I can't imagine why the Padres would want to move him, though. I have advocated adding him in the past and have liked him since he surfaced with Cincinnati. I wouldn't mind his addition if he could be fit into the roster puzzle and not cost much in return.

Lospunchados said it well, we are talking about depth. Nava is part of the left field platoon...but he also is part of the successful depth the Red Sox used to be the best team in baseball last year. Carp was part of that value because he freed Nava to be a substitute for injured Ellsbury and Victorino. The Red Sox won 97 games last year with Nava starting 51 games in right field. Hopefully he won't have to play that many ever again, but last year serves as an indicator Nava can be a back-up with the Red Sox current personnel. Why add another outfielder that will rob from depth in other areas. Brentz or Hassan should be ready if needed in case of injury. With Victorino and Gomes, I believe the Sox probably have enough right-handed bats in the outfield. Btw, I would like to see Bradley start out batting in the nine hole while he adjusts to major league baseball.

Ah geez! You have said a lot here in other posts that have nothing to do with what I am saying. I am not advocating Cruz nor Pierre. Reed Johnson is 36 years-old, and Laynce Nix is not a center fielder. Nava is a better option than either. I have no problem with Hassan on the farm, but he is not a centerfielder.

Hassan played 14 games in center in 2010 and not since.

Maybe, but I don't know about Cruz going forward without PED. Pierre would not be an improvement over Nava imho.

I do understand, but who?

So, who is available and what is the cost to improve on Nava? I really don't see anyone out there, but maybe I am missing something.

Bradley's minor league slash has been .297/.404/.471. He may not replicate Ellsbury's stolen base rate, but he might have better on base skills. I realize there those who don't like it, but I am okay with the Red Sox outfield situation.

They won last year with Nava playing significant time because of injuries to Ellsbury and Victorino. He was a back-up and he performed well in that role. Help me remember a recent back-up outfielder who had a better year than Nava did in 2113. Darnell McDonald, Bill Hall, Jeremy Hermida, Scott Podsedenik?

They went to the World Series because of the sum of the parts. Nava's OPS+ of 128 trailed only Napoli's 129 and Ortiz's 160 of Red Sox players with at least 500 plate appearances. His defense was not great, but Nava did not hurt the Red Sox when he played.

Pal, I guess I am missing something. Nava had more plate appearances than any outfielder not named Ellsbury. He started 51 games in right field. RjOrtiz, it worked. reYoukilis, I like Quintin Berry but think he is better stashed at Pawtucket.

Good grief! We are talking about a back-up position here. The Red Sox won 97 games last year with Nava starting nearly 1/3 of the games in right field.

What am I missing here? Bradley is in center, Gomes, Nava, and Carp rotate/platoon in left, and Victorino is in right. Victorino is the back up to Bradley and Nava backs up Victorino. Brentz is waiting in the wings if there is an injury.

Tom Verducci has an interesting article on this topic: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/mlb/news/20131227/masahiro-tanaka-major-league-baseball-value/

I don't see this as a valid argument. You are talking about a long ago era that is much different from today's game. I believe he just turned 25. I don't think Hiroki Kuroda is a valid comparison. By the time he was Tanaka's age, he had pitched a mere 267 innings. Tanaka had 92 more than that in his teenage years. I don't know if Kuroda had high pitch counts in his teens and early twenties, but I know Tanaka has. I am happy the Red Sox are not being seriously linked to the guy.

Matsuzaka pitched a comparable amount of innings in his teens to Tanaka, but how does Tanaka compare more favorably to Darvish? Please elaborate on your claim...