Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal is reporting the Reds have signed Jeremy Affeldt and will let the lefty compete for a starter's spot.
Affeldt has been used in the bullpen for a while, but came up through the Royals' system as a starter. The Royals had high hopes for him as a starter and he did pretty well, except when a blister problem on his left hand kept popping up. If he's got that under control, he could be an excellent addition. And if not, he bolsters the bullpen. If you ask me, this is a great signing by the Krivdawg, and an imaginative one. Also, as a 1-year, $3-million deal laced with incentives, it's a low-risk move. The biggest risk is if Affeldt is successful and he bumps up his asking price. That's not the worst thing in the world.
Blogs: C. Trent Rosecrans
Rosenthal: Affeldt to Reds
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Trent,
I saw that Affeldt made 8 starts in KC during the 2004 season, but I did not see his starting pitcher stats separated from his full season stats. How well did he do as a starter and how hard will it be for him to handle a starting pitching load after being a reliever for the last few years? Historically, have relievers been able to make the transition to starter? Also, how does Great American Ball park compare to the the parks that Jeremy has played in previously? Does the contract come with a re-sign clause if he does well or is this just one and done?
I like this signing in light of the money involved. Affeldt was decent as a starter in '02 and '03. And as Trent points out, he strengthens the bullpen even if doesn't work out as a starter.
All I could say when I first saw this was that I didn't hate it. Thinking about it for a lil bit, it was probly the best move that could have been made (outside of getting Bedard, but after reading up enough minor league guru thoughts on Cueto, I really think he's gonna be big in the 2nd half next year). A. With Harang, Arroyo, Bailey, and Volquez 4 likely starters, Belisle no longer has an assured spot. He gave in too many times last year with runners on, which to me could be a sign he just didn't have the mental fortitude(or, but I believe this is unlikely, there is some flaw in his windup out of the stretch), in which case losing his spot and having to compete could make him better. B. There are now 6 guys with MLB starting experience on the roster, 4 with a decent amount of time. Going in with 5 and 2 rookies seemed to be risky. C. When someone inevitably gets hurt or struggles, the next guy will be Belisle, not Cueto or Maloney. Organizational depth at SP is very important. D. Cueto has time to pitch some more in AAA, and if the rotation is good w/o and he's lights out down there all of the sudden a guy like Arroyo becomes tradeable, and we all know what good pitchers with time on their contracts can bring back in a trade. All around a good, no risk high reward for the Krivdawg.
The more we have to choose from, the better, right?
On that note, I saw that Josh Roenicke got an invite to Spring Training. His stats looked good--split last season between Sarasota and Chattanooga. The last 19 games at Chattanooga, he had an ERA of 0.95 and 8 saves. In 46.2 innings combined at high A and AA he gave up one homer. Good K/BB ratio, I think (not a stat geek at all, so somebody correct me if I'm wrong). The more I read about him the better he sounds. At the very least, sounds like he'd be great to have at Louisville for a potential callup.
I like this move. Certainly gives them more options. I wonder why Colorado didn't re-sign him.
Interesting about Roenicke. I think Ritchie Gardner might be a sleeper as well, although his numbers were not so good at AAA.
What does anyone know about Drew Anderson? According to Faye he was picked up from Milwaukee and filled the 40th spot on the 40 man roster. If this is correct then what spot does Affeldt fill. I am confused but that is nothing unusual.
This from Pro trade daily and John Fay column.
"Elsewhere, the Reds picked up Drew Anderson, a left-handed hitting outfielder, off waivers from Milwaukee Brewers. Anderson, 26, hit .291 with five home runs, 47 RBI and 17 steals last season at Double-A and Triple-A.
“He can run,” Krivsky said. “He can play center and all the outfield positions. Our scouts like him, so we added him.”
That puts the 40-man roster at 40.
The Affeldt signing is another good sign of how Krivsky is trying to build the club. It is a good buy-low, along the same lines of Hamilton, Burton, Arroyo, Philips, Ross, Keppinger, etc.,etc. However, it should be noted that even Baseball Prospectus, who for years touted Affeldt as the next break out pitching star, soured on him."...the use of Affeldt and other MARGINAL pitchers in critical situations was one clear cause of the Rockies' September(06) fade." He was quite good in 07 down the stretch, so maybe...Despite my comments, I like the signing.
It's a good point ohioredsfan1, I'm curious as well as to who gets the bump IF/when Affeldt passes the physical.
I like the pick up of Affeldt as last year for the Rockies he was good in that bullpen. If he can be a starter and be quality then let him have a shot but let's hope this doesn't turn into a bust like Saarlooser did last season. I really like that it's a one year deal. Nice to see Krivsky pick up a pitcher and not have to be tied up with multi-year contracts for pitchers.
I love the deal. I have three million reasons for loving the deal.
I've always loved Cincinnati.
Mrs. Jeremy Affeldt
Info on Anderson
From brewerfan.net
Anderson has a sweet lefty stroke and is rather accomplished as a hitter. Has a good idea of what he wants to do at the plate, and always has hit better with wood bats. Continues to get better while adding strength, which should allow him to add more over the fence power. Shows a good eye at the plate, and doesn't get fooled very often. He doesn't have many other promising tools other than his hitting prowess, similar to Mungle, so he probably is restricted to a corner OF spot, DH or 1B. #8 prospect in the Alaskan League in the summer of 2002.
From CBS sports
Anderson has some steals potential, but he has little pop and would be nothing more than a low-end reserve option for steals in the deepest of Rotisserie leagues if he gets time on the big league roster this season. Ignore him on Draft Day.
From USA today
Jan. 18, 2008 - 3:10 p.m. ET
Reds claimed outfielder Drew Anderson off waivers from the Brewers.
This is hard to believe. Anderson, 26, hit .273/.324/.395 with 16 steals in 377 at-bats for Triple-A Nashville last season. In five seasons, he's posted an 800 OPS once, that coming in Rookie ball in 2003. He shouldn't have any sort of a career as a reserve outfielder.
NBow the big question is one rigth and two wrong in what they see or two right and one wrong?
I am still confused
Heard something from a wise man today. I was complaining about the Reds never letting anyone know their plans. What did the wise man tell me? If other teams that weren't directly negotiating with Affeldt knew the Reds were getting ready to sign Affeldt for one year at 3 mil, don't you think someone else would have offered 1 for 4?
Now here's a really dumb question...any of you guys that read this deal with Morton's foot? I was going to plan a visit to my doctor due to my severe knee pain, and then read about Morton's foot, which after looking at my toes, I obviously have. Anybody else have any experience with it?
Griz, Morton's Foot is an affliction from cramming too many of those yummy mini steak sandwiches during happy hour at Morton's Steakhouse. If Bernaise sauce starts seeping between your toes you'll have no biological choice but to burn off the gluttony by drinking pure grain alcohol.
Grizz - I agree that Krivsky shouldn't share stuff like the Affeldt negotiations, although as one of the top remaining free agents I'm sure the Reds weren't the only team vying for his services. However, my complaint with Krivsky is that he basically won't share anything, including long-range plans for the team or even information that already public knowledge.
Unfortunately, I know nothing about Morton's foot. (Apparently it's not something that affects paws.) But good luck with it. Sounds like Mr. Redlegs has an excellent remedy.
Where are all the nay-sayers complaining about Kriv-dawg signing another lefty outfielder?
Morton's foot- isn't that where the second toe (next to the big toe) is longer than the big toe? I think it just causes poor alignment that can cause knee problems if you do a lot of running. Could be worse, Griz. You could have Morton's Neuroma, where there are nerves pinched between the toes, which makes walking painful. I am assuming Dr. Morton was a podiatrist. There, first podiatrist reference on the blog!
Hugh,
Did you just stay at a Holiday Inn Express or do really know about this stuff? If there is an informed discussion on medical matters (other than on hamstrings, labrums and rotator cuffs) it makes me think I am on the wrong blog.
Haha yeah Hugh that's the disorder, I was just trying to see if anybody had any experience with it...it's apparently genetic and my brother and Gpa both have the disorder and have had knee problems, and both said they were never asked about it. Just don't want some crackpot doctor to send me into surgery if it'll just flare up again. And nice holiday inn reference davey, haha that was good.
Well, I am a repository of vast and random semi-useless knowledge.
Thought the move was a good one by Kriv-Esasky. I don't know which move makes better sense; signing a reliever to start or steak fries instead of curly ones, for the kids (they are having meatloaf sammichez tonight)? I already miss Osh-Josh-By-Gosh Hamilton, and the feeling ain't gettin' any better. "Play Ball!"