Reds desire Atkins, not Torrealba, Taveras
Source: Reports on interest in all three are untrue
By Jack Etkin, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published November 11, 2008 at 6:06 p.m.
David Zalubowski / Associated Press/2007/David Zalubowski / Associated Press/2007
Colorado third baseman Garrett Atkins would provide Cincinnati with something it covets: A battle-tested, right-handed power hitter to complement young left-handed bats Jay Bruce and Joey Votto. It remains unclear what the Reds might offer the Rockies in return for Atkins.
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The Cincinnati Reds, seeking a right-handed hitter to help balance their lineup, have definite interest in Rockies third baseman Garrett Atkins. But a source close to the Reds said they are not looking to acquire catcher Yorvit Torrealba or center fielder Willy Taveras.
That talk circulated the day after the Rockies agreed to trade outfielder Matt Holliday to Oakland for pitchers Huston Street and Greg Smith and outfielder Carlos Gonzalez. That trade could be finalized today.
Reports have circulated the Reds are interested in all three players. But it's unclear what Cincinnati might offer in return.
The Phillies, Angels and Twins have made the strongest inquiries about Atkins.
Atkins interests the Reds because he would give them a battle- tested, right-handed power hitter to go with right fielder Jay Bruce and first baseman Joey Votto, both young left-handed hitters.
Atkins, who can become a free agent after 2010, hit .286 in 2008 with 21 homer runs and a team- leading 99 RBI. But his on-base percentage slipped to .328 and he hit only .225 in 187 at-bats with runners in scoring position.
His presence in the Reds lineup would ease some of the pressure to produce currently felt by right-handed-hitting second baseman Brandon Phillips.
Votto, who finished second Monday in National League Rookie of the Year voting, hit .297 this year with 24 home runs and 84 RBI. Bruce, who finished fifth in the voting, hit .254 with 21 homers and 52 RBI after making his major league debut May 27.
Phillips hit .261 with 21 home runs and 78 RBI this year. In his three seasons with the Reds, Phillips has averaged 23 home runs and 82 RBI annually, albeit with an on-base percentage that never has topped .331.
On-base percentage is said to be a sticking point in the Reds' evaluation of Taveras. Reds general manager Walt Jocketty is said to value a center fielder who can hit leadoff with plus speed but is leery of Taveras' low on-base percentage.
It was .308 this year, when Taveras hit .251 and led the majors with 68 stolen bases. Taveras' career on-base percentage is .331.
The Reds might be inclined to play Chris Dickerson in center field. That was his position in Triple-A, but he played left field for the Reds after making his major league debut Aug. 12. Dickerson hit .304 with six homers, 15 RBI and a .413 on-base percentage, in only 102 at-bats, but the Reds could give him the chance to be their leadoff hitter.
The Reds prefer to find a left-handed-hitting catcher to team with Ryan Hanigan, who hit .271 with two homers and nine RBI in 31 games this year after making his 2008 debut Aug. 10.
Torrealba is a right-handed hitter. Moreover, the Reds are seeking a catcher who is not eligible for arbitration. Torrealba, 30, will be a free agent after 2009, when he is due to make $3.5 million in the last season of a two-year, $7.25 million contract, and he will have a $500,000 buyout coming on a $4 million mutual option for 2010.
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November 11, 2008
7:20 p.m.
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dgocoman writes:
I cannot imagine what the Reds would have to trade for Atkins. They aren't going to trade Volquez or a stud pitcher like that. Hopefully, O'Dowd doesn't think Homer Bailey is worth trading Atkins away. The Twins, however, have some pitching that might be interesting. But, I still think we should keep Atkins and bat him between Stewart and Hawpe. That would be a decent 3-4-5 line-up.
November 11, 2008
8:51 p.m.
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Rocks4life writes:
where would helton play then? there is no reason to keep atkins anymore...because they are not going to trade helton (and can't trade him.
November 12, 2008
7:55 a.m.
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1somelikeithot writes:
Without knowing who the Red's have to trade Atkins for it's hard to comment . But, I like Atkins to the Twins so far. It's hard to get anything of value for Willy because of his low OBP. The Red's should stick with what they have. The Whitesox are also interested in Willy, but don't know what they have in mind either. It's going to be interesting to see if they flip Street and how that unfolds. There are teams looking for a closer or a good setup man, and he comes cheaper than a free agent like Fuentes or K-Rod.
November 12, 2008
9:38 a.m.
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dgocoman writes:
Helton will not last the season, if he even makes it through spring training. He is probably best suited to a back-up role at this point which is obviously not ideal given his contract. If he can prove himself healthy the first two months of the season, MAYBE they can trade him if they eat a bunch of his contract. Back injuries and power hitters just don't go together.
November 12, 2008
10:33 a.m.
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FreeToChoose writes:
I'm withholding judgement on this off-season until Atkins is gone and the free agent period has played out. O'Dowd picked up three major leaguers for Matt Holliday and he still has a premium chip to deal in Garrett Atkins. If O'Dowd can pick up a high-ceiling arm for Atkins (maybe with Huston Street thrown in) and can make some smart moves to shore up the bullpen and outfield in free agency, then the Rockies may actually be able to deal themselves into the mix in the NL West in 2009 (with an eye towards serious contention in 2010). But without shoring up the starting rotation, the Rockies had NO shot in 2009. The Dodgers led the league in ERA and the Diamonbacks were fifth. Both figure to field very good pitching staffs again in '09, possibly with improved regulars in front of them.
This is a necessary step to compete in '09 and '10... but the off-season is just getting started so let's hold off [for now] on any judgement.
November 12, 2008
10:53 a.m.
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NorCalGuy writes:
Is this a story about the Reds or Rockies? Geez, how about getting what the Rockies would need for Atkins? I don't give a rip about what the Reds organizational needs are, or the Reds. I'll bet Tulo feels very warm inside now after taking substantially less than he could have gotten on the open market once Atkins leaves, in addition to Holliday already being dealt.