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Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy has retired from the Dayton Daily News after covering the Cincinnati Reds for 37 years. Hal's blog, though, will continue to be a must-read for Reds fans. He'll share his thoughts on the team this season and will file updates from Great American Ball Park. You also can catch Hal in print every Sunday in his popular Ask Hal columnHome > Blogs > The Real McCoy | Cincinnati Reds baseball news > Archives > 2012 > January > 22 > Entry
Giving Jocketty grades on his off-season deals
NOTE: This piece appeared in Sunday’s Dayton Daily News, but for those who only come to the blog and don’t see the paper I’ve posted it here. Let me know what you think. HAL
Fortunately for Cincinnati Reds general manager Walt Jocketty, it hasn’t snowed much this winter. He wouldn’t have had time to shovel out.
To say he has been a busy man this winter is to say it snows a lot in Buffalo this time of year.
After the 2010 season, after the Reds won the National League Central, Jocketty did very little outside his own little world to improve the 2011 edition.
Inactivity paid zero dividends and the Reds never were much of a factor in 2010, finishing behind both Milwaukee and St. Louis, retreating to that weary old habit of finishing under .500.
Actually, Jocketty hadn’t done much outside the box since he acquired third baseman Scott Rolen on July 31, 2009, a trade that improved the Reds twofold — acquiring Rolen and jettisoning third baseman Edwin Encarncion — the E’s stood for enigma and errors.
Jocketty this winter has removed the ‘in’ from inactivity this winter. Activity was his middle name.
So far, in order, he has acquired starting pitcher Mat Latos, relief pitcher Sean Marshall, closer Ryan Madson and left fielder Ryan Ludwick ¬— thus covering the major needs he and his staff identified after last season.
For sure, Jocketty gets an ‘A’ for activity.
So how did he do? Let’s rate ‘em.
ONE: The best move he has made so far is the singing on Madson to a one-year $8.5 million deal, with a mutual option. The deal might have been better if a multi-year deal could have been made, but Madson probably wants to check out free agency again next year after he fumbled a $44 million deal to stay with the Philadelphia Phillies.
So it will behoove Madson to have a big year so those big offers will roll in. And Reds fans no longer will have to endure the heart-palpitating appearances of former closer Coco Cordero. More often than not, he did the job, but how he did it (putting runners on base and falling behind in count after count), left fans and teammates gasping for breath.
Madson, a 6-6 200-pound right-hander seems to fit Great American Ball Park like a perfectly tailored suit. He is 10-4 over his last two seasons with the Phillies. He posted 2.37 and 2.55 ERAs the last two years. Amazingly, he has given up only six home runs the last two years and walked only 29 while striking out 126. Give Jocketty an A-minus on this one and the minus coming only because of the one-year deal.
TWO: Trading for Sean Marshall was a move necessitated by a weakness in the bullpen last year, mostly inconsistency. The Reds have to give up left-handed starter Travis Wood to complete this deal with the Chicago Cubs, but the Reds do seem to have a surplus in starting pitchers. But isn’t that what everybody tought last year, too?
The left-handed Marshall was an awesome set-up guy for the Cubs and while he is death to left-handers, he is also poison to right-handers. And he has some closing experience in case Madson needs comfort and aid.
At 6-7 and 220 pounds, Marshall is a Clydesdale with his work ethics. He appeared in 80 games in 2010 and 78 last year, posting ERAs of 2.65 and 2.26. Give Jocketty a B-plus on this one and it would have been an A had he not had to give up a top starting pitcher prospect.
THREE: What Mat Latos will the Reds get. Will it be the 2010 Latos who was 14-10 with a 2.92 ERA or will it be the 2011 Latos who was 9-14 with a 3.47 ERA. He pitched in expansive Petco Park. How will he do in Yellowstone American Ball Park, a.k.a. Great American Small Park.
Jocketty is given much credit for signing a young player who remains under the Reds’ control for three more years. But why would San Diego let go of a player supposedly with a huge upside when they had him under control, too?
It is for sure Latos was acquired for more than a replacement for Jonny Gomes and his body art. Like Gomes, Latos is covered in tattoos, but nobody will care if he doesn’t get tattooed on the mound.
Jocketty gets a C-plus on this one because of the uncertainty of last year and the fact he gave up four players to get him, including three No. 1 draft picks (Yonder Alonso, Yasmani Grandal and sandwich pick pitcher Brad Boxberger).
FOUR: Although the Reds haven’t yet announced it, free agent outfielder Ryan Ludwick is coming to the club as a possible left fielder. To Jocketty’s credit, he could have acquired Ludwick early last season from the San Diego Padres, but the Padres wanted outfielder Chris Heisey. Jocketty said no and he was able to sign him on the relative cheap without giving up players. Hasn’t he given up enough already.
Ludwick started the season with San Diego and finished with Pittsburgh, hitting .238 in 101 games with the Padres and .232 in 38 games with the Pirates. He started his career with Texas, moved on the Cleveland and had his best of times in St. Louis. He one big year was 2008 when he hit 37 homers and drove in 113. But he has never hit more than 22 in any other season.
Give Jocketty a C-minus on this one because he probably could have done better and Ludwick may not be better than Heisey. Ludwick struck out 124 times and walked 51 times in 553 at-bats last year.
Jocketty did not consider nor sign Manny Ramirez to play left field and for that we give him an A-plus, plus, plus.
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By Mike Marelli
February 2, 2012 1:23 AM | Link to this
Mike Hegyi & KY Mike, What will you do when we once again properly kick your butts this year? Jocketty gets Ludwick, which makes about the 99th over the hill former Cardinal he has acquired. Lets see, you got the way past his prime overpaid Rolen, Edmonds who tells everyone in St. Louis how the Reds lied to him, Renteria, Miguel Cairo, and now Ludwick. How does that saying go, “immitation is the sincerest form of flattery”. Jocketty can attempt all he wants, to transform the Reds to the Cincinnati Cardinals, but it won’t work. You see it’s the Cardinal brand, and the Cardinal way of playing that is unbeatable, not just the players. We’ve won 11 World Titles— the best in the history of the NL. It’s because we endure and recreate our club nearly every season. We do things differently here, the right way, with class, The way Sparky and the once proud Big Red Machine used to do it. We let our on the field production do the talking for us. And we don’t tolerate big mouth blowhards like Brandon Phillips or Nyjer Morgan, or Johnny going going gone Gomes. Yes, I know Morgan has never been a Red, but the similarities between Phillips and Morgan are unmistakable. And we don’t forget about what big mouth Phillips said, or what that sissy coward Cueto did to Larue. So it’s on again fella’s. I’m just trying to figure out how the hell the Reds can afford Votto, when the Cardinals couldn’t afford Pujols, or the Brewers couldn’t afford Fielder. Attendance at Red games does not compare to either of those cities. You’ve made some acquisitions, so good for you. But unless you can find a way to bring Rose, Bench, Perez, and Billingham back to the roster, we will be stomping that azz again. CAN YOU DIG IT, WE KNEW THAT YOU COULD.
By Dernewom
January 29, 2012 9:47 PM | Link to this
Reds fansdrive me crazy. It is any wonder why Castellini would keep a team here. Last year everyone was all flipped out because we didn’t do anything. Hal you were critical of him for that. Now this year Walt goes out and does something and now he gives up to much. Just support your team and be happy that we have a team.But oh no we wanto whine that we gave up to much. Guys that we have no idea whether they will make it or not. But it is to much. It is amazing how fair weather and train jumpers reds fans are!!!
By Mike Hegyi
January 29, 2012 3:59 PM | Link to this
I give Walt a solid b+. I really like the upgrades. Now I’d like to address Mike Marelli. I went to St. Louis last year and was quite impressed with the Cardinal Fans. They love their team and as a whole a very friendly group of people. I thank God I didn’t meet you. You are the type of person that gives fans and the city of St. Louis an ugly name. I can only hope you have no children so you can’t affect the way they grow into adult hood. As a Red fan I hated the brawl between the two teams and it was a bad influence on the young baseball fan. You talk of getting even when you can do nothing but come to the Red’s site and act a fool. Your parents must be proud of the LOSER you have become.
By Ron
January 29, 2012 2:16 PM | Link to this
I like it when grumpy Card fans show up on a Red blog to down play our off season. Just shows how nervous they actually are about our Reds :)
By Mike Mc In Ky
January 27, 2012 3:50 PM | Link to this
You know, I give Walt credit for the pickups he’s made so far, even though I think Valdez should have been Theriot & we should have said no to Francis, and took a chance on Roy Boy Oswalt, since he called us looking for work last week! I think there’s absolutely no reason why we shouldn’t(even with Dust at the Helm!)win our division, and make it to at least the NLCS this year. As for the idiot Mike Marelli that loves his Cards and hates Cueto along with the Redlegs, dude give it and your demeaning comments a big ol’ rest why don’t ya!?!? You cry way worse than any of us have on here, and frankly you should be loving St Louis and theirs blogs, not Hal’s place, you know? I would love it if we caught 1 more great year out of Ludwick, but probably won’t, and we will have to endure Stubb’s not hitting and striking out WAY too much again, but if we can hide him on the 8 hole all year, shouldn’t be a big deal. I still think we need a big power bat off the bench, and we definitely have not addressed that, that may be our downfall!
By redsfandownunder
January 26, 2012 9:45 PM | Link to this
When Jocketty traded for Sean Marshall he made a comment about wanting to acquire the pitchers that the Reds can’t hit….but I think the signing of Wilson Valdez is taking this strategy to the extreme!
By Tom
January 26, 2012 4:13 PM | Link to this
you have to give up something, sometimes a lot, to get good pitching. Walt has done that. He has the Reds in win mode. Let’s see what happens.
By Mike Marelli
January 26, 2012 2:28 PM | Link to this
Slag the chump, I suppose you call “getting licks in”, kicking people in the head like that sissy girl Cueto did? He was screaming like a little girl, in a haunted house. 50 men out there pushing and shoving, while Cueto whizzes in his pants screeching, as he kicks people in the face with steel tipped spikes. People in loser ville Cincinnati have no business making fun of St. Louis. Even if by some miracle you do win the division, you’ll just get embarrassed, and swept away like you did in 2010. By my recollection, the mighty Reds has nearly as many errors in the 2010 playoff Series vs. the Phillies as they did base hits. Which left little doubt, that you didn’t win the Division, WE LOST THE DIVISION. It was a one year anomaly. Halladay’s no hitter against your assortment of big mouth talkers left little doubt, your club was undeserving to be there in the first place. We not only didn’t get no hit vs. Halladay, we beat him in his home park, in a must win game 5 setting. Let’s see big mouth earring wearing Brandon Phillips do something that special. It’s the kind of stuff big mouth Phillips is always boasting of, but never delivers upon. We’ll be waiting for you again, chumps. We survived the retirement of Stan Musial, we’ll get over the loss of money grubbing Pujols too. One other thing, your ball club, hasn’t had any “class”, since the Big Red Machine of the 70’s.
By slag
January 26, 2012 1:54 PM | Link to this
Look Marelli, you sissy boys had your chance to get some “Licks” in against my reds but you all backed down like ferry boys..It’s always next time with you clowns….Now, your boy Fat Albert leaves that hick, god-forsaken town for a real life…..You boys will be doing the sniffin’, nose-up, once again this year, looking right up the reds rear-ends…..Enjoy..LMAO
By Mike Marelli
January 26, 2012 12:10 PM | Link to this
Alright clowns, so you’ve made a few deals. And now you’re all strutting around with your chests expanded like that ex idiot Red, Johnny Gomes. Just know this, all talks of a Division title or any illusions of championship grandeur go directly through SAINT LOUIS. Yes, your nemesis, those 11 time World Champion St. Louis Cardinals, the most successful club in the history of the NL. If you think we’ve given up, just because we chose not to pay the 32 yr old Pujols 1/3 of a billion dollars with a b for the next 10 years, you’re sadly mistaken. We also have a guy named Wainright back in the fold, we’re quite sure you remember him. He’s the one Gomes sang a joyous song about, when he heard Waino was lost for the season last spring. Funny how Wainright survived with his Tommy John surgery, while Gomes was sent out on the train. Oh and one other thing. You tell that big mouthed second basemen of yours, to keep his yap shut for the entire season. Otherwise, we’ll shut it for him, just like we did that big mouth on the Brewers by the name of Nyjer Morgan. I promise you this much, the next bench clearing brawl, your panzy players will be the ones leaving with the career ending injuries, not ours. And as for Cueto, that debt still hasn’t been settled. You can bet your bottom dollar, that Cueto will be made to pay for what he did to Larue. That is all boys, have a great season.
By bobmc
January 25, 2012 8:39 PM | Link to this
Well, he’s Heisey picking up a few ABs along, not being able to establish any consistency. He’s as near as 5 tool player as they got. Bruce nor Stubbs always just drift to the fence leaping horizontally instead of going directly to it.
By slag
January 25, 2012 12:36 PM | Link to this
Tom, What did we give up in Alonso exactly? He’s a career .292 hitter with 35 HR’s in 3 plus seasons……Hardly a future HOF and we got something in return we’ve never had :2 stud starting pitchers together locked up for at least 3-4 years in contract….This move slots our other starters to what they are and that’s 3-5 rotation guys. I think WJ is doing “everything” this off season to win in 2012’ and to keep Votto..He clearly boosted this pitching staff like crazy and got a guy in Ludwick that had to hit out in SD, SF, and LA last year in pitchers ball parks. Prove to the fans you want to win, do it, and maybe they draw another 5-7k per game and draw them on nights not due to giveaways that they’re so famous for….The reds are not going to budge and give Phillips a 5-6 year contract and I don’t blame them. He’s starting to do his tweet crap again and I just don’t see a happy ending here. Plus, if you want to keep the best player in the NL, and the guy who blocks Alonso, then you will take the $$ towards Phillips and give to Votto..I like BP but the reds can be a 3rd place team just as easily without him as they’ve done with him many of the years he’s been here.Unfortunately, with a rather small spending team like the reds, they always have to keep one solid eye on their farm system to see who’s viable. Do they have a BP down there? Who knows but they got a kid named Billy Hamilton that will probably be moved to either CF or, most probably, 2b who will be ready in 2-3 years..
By ohdave
January 24, 2012 7:10 PM | Link to this
Still concerned about not signing Phillips. Until that is done, I give Jockety an “Incomplete” on his report card.
By Tom
January 24, 2012 2:47 PM | Link to this
I am concerned about the Latos trade only for what we gave up in Alonso. I think Walt’s whole offseason is pointed toward the realization that they cannot sign Votto, not because of money but because Votto does not want to be here any longer than that. I think they also realize that they wont be able to sign Phillips. With this in mind they decided to shoot for 2012. After that it will be like the Marlins and we will rebuild for several years before another chance. The thing is this would be an improvement on the past direction for the Reds which has not worked. As a fan I do not mind and understand why a team in this market has to operate this way. I just hope it works for 2012.
By tom
January 24, 2012 11:50 AM | Link to this
At least EE is STILL gone and Cordero is following! Go reds!
By MAC
January 24, 2012 11:42 AM | Link to this
Not so concerned what Reds gave up, but I don’t think they got enough in return? Yanks deal and Red Sox trade 4 A. Bailey tells me Reds could have done better. Likewise, don’t think Reds did enough 4 LF or SS? A lot of inconsistency in our batting order IMHO.
By Will
January 23, 2012 1:05 PM | Link to this
Terry, Montero is a much much better prospect than anything the Reds gave up. Hal, do some research and look at Lato’s away stats, they’re pretty good. How is a middle to back of the rotation pitcher considered a top prospect?
By slag
January 23, 2012 9:05 AM | Link to this
Hal, I’ll disagree with you a bit here….Yes, correct/agree on the Marshall situation as anything less than having him 3-4 years i just don’t like but differ with you on the Yonder/Latos deal…Baseball is just a different breed of a sport when it comes to trades…..The greatest talents sit in the minors for 3-4 years many times and there is such a higher % of baseball players drafted in higher rounds that don’t contribute at all let alone even make a 25 man roster than any sport out there. “Blocked” players is a term that just makes the sexiest, stud young player out there expendable…. I think you have to also look at the “need” in return before judging. Last year, Latos had the 4th “worst” average run support for a starter in MLB…….His average run support was something like 3 runs or just under IIRC….Secondly, it’s the first time in my lifetime I’ve seen the reds have their “batman and robin” together on a staff..It will be the first time this decade/century that I can truly say that I feel they can go into a series and win it before even going into that city and especially against a good team by having these 2 guys in Cueto and Latos pitching back to back. Of course, the entire trade is also predecated/measured on the ability to sign Votto. Keep him and no brainer but lose him and people have a bit more room to beetch possibly. But, again, I think too many make Yonder out to be a legend. The guy hit under 38 HR’s in 3 plus minor league seasons and had a career .292 batting average. Sure, that’s nice, but it’s not great and I think we see a guy with a nice swing and think he’s the second coming. I think Phillips is gone so that’s 40-50MM saved right there as he just wants a LT deal, which I can’t blame him for…
By gom
January 23, 2012 8:22 AM | Link to this
I re-read your Manny comments Hal and I agree he isn’t a Reds type of player. But, if an AL team needs a DH and all the other pieces are in place to make a run, Manny might be a perfect fit. Do you believe he still can hit? I do and I think he might want to prove something to people. And, one other thing since we are on the subject of bad trades made by the Reds. Did you see that Hamilton is upset because the Rangers underpaid him for the last few years. Did he forget he was an addict that was damn lucky to get a second chance and that the Rangers spent a ton of money to keep him straight. And that doesn’t count the support the fans have given him after his thrown ball accident and indiscretions in Az. What a jerk
By Cards Fan
January 23, 2012 7:47 AM | Link to this
Im a transplanted Cards fan here in Dayton. I am a baseball fan first though. And as a fan, I am really concerned about what the Reds gave up to get a pitcher who was not .500 in a huge ballpark. Hopefully the coaches can work with him to keep the balldown or they can at least schedule him to play on the road. I think Votto is gone at then end of his contract and this Alonso trade will haunt the Reds for years to come and not just because of what is on the mound.
By nullChuck Dove
January 23, 2012 6:31 AM | Link to this
I think Walt is working in the right direction. I have high hopes for the upcoming season. As for all the comments to fire Dusty, you can`t blame a mgr. for players poor output..
By Rob C
January 23, 2012 4:26 AM | Link to this
Unless we carry Navarro as a 3rd catcher, the only LH bat we have on the bench is Francisco. If Rolen is good for 120 odd games and Francisco plays there are none. I think Walt needs to find a LH bat or we are looking at late inning problems.
By AP-FLORIDA
January 22, 2012 8:40 PM | Link to this
I am starting to agree the Walt is not looking beyond next year. Tha ludwick move was not necessary as Heisey will outplay him and others this year. Fla retard… I live in Florida and I read the ASK HAL column. I guess you are not joking about the retard part. Go REDS…..(fire dusty)
By gom
January 22, 2012 8:05 PM | Link to this
I believe that the Latos trade will become more infamous than the Milt Pappas trade many years ago. Alonso is a hitter with major offensive talent and he isn’t even an old thirty.
By dwick
January 22, 2012 6:48 PM | Link to this
Hal, when you say Jocketty probably could have done better than Ludwick, what names do YOU have in mind exactly? Unless you’re thinking trade, the remaining FA outfielder names I heard bandied about (Ankiel, Cody Ross, etc) don’t strike me as obvious upgrades over Ludwick.
By Jeff from Troy
January 22, 2012 5:14 PM | Link to this
Nice story, Hal. And I agree on the grade for Ludwick. Let’s hope Ryan can match his 2008 stats, or come close, anyway.
By Red Man
January 22, 2012 5:02 PM | Link to this
I would have rather kept our four players (three number 1’s) and traded Joey Votto for four players coming this direction. I would have put Yonder at 1st base and picked up a pitcher in the deal too. SD got the best of this trade and time will prove it out.
By Florida Retard
January 22, 2012 3:01 PM | Link to this
Good colum Hal as always. I agree 100% My problem I live in Florida and don’t get to see your “Ask Hal Column” anymore
By JIm B
January 22, 2012 2:35 PM | Link to this
Can we assume Jocketty has one year left on his contract as well since he traded the farm and Marshall & Madson may only be around for one season? Sure looks like he is all in for 2012.
By Steve M.
January 22, 2012 2:32 PM | Link to this
To answer your question about why the Padres gave up Latos when he was under team control for four more years, I suggest reading three sentences later in your own column where you point out how much the Reds gave up.
By Terry Caddell
January 22, 2012 1:16 PM | Link to this
I am confused the Reds gave up three number one picks and a former all-star; the yanks give up a number one pick and a middle reliever for basically the same pitchers. Plus the Yankees receive a top prospect. Latos better be a Doc Holiday.
By Terry Caddell
January 22, 2012 1:14 PM | Link to this
I am confused the Reds gave up three number one picks and a former all-star; the yanks give up a number one pick and a middle reliever for basically the same pitchers. Plus the Yankees receive a top prospect. Latos better be a Doc Holiday.