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Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy is in his 36th year of covering the Cincinnati Reds, the longest tenure for any active writer covering one team. Counting spring training and postseason games, McCoy has covered more than 7,000 major-league baseball games, written close to 18,000 baseball stories and eaten enough hot dogs to give Babe Ruth indigestion.Home > Blogs > The Real McCoy | Cincinnati Reds baseball news > Archives > 2008 > December > 02 > Entry
Weathers offered arbitration
RHP David Weathers is the only player of eight Cincinnati Reds free agents to whom the team offered salary arbitration.
Weathers has until Sunday at midnight to accept or decline. If he accepts, he remains with the Reds and his salary will be determined by arbitration, a three-person panel setting his pay scale for 2009.
If Weathers says no, he becomes a free agent, but because the Reds offered arbitration they will receive draft picks from the team with which he signs.
The Reds declined to offer arbitration to free agents Paul Bako, Josh Fogg, Jerry Hairston Jr., Mike Lincoln, Kent Mercker, Corey Patterson and Javier Valentin.
PItcher Matt Belisle, third baseman Edwin Encarnacion and pitcher Gary Majewski are eligible for arbitration, but are not free agents. The Reds can negotiate and sign any of the three. If they don’t sign, the players can take their case to arbitration to determine their 2009 salaries - the Reds can sign them any time up until the arbitration hearing.
Weathers, 39, was 4-6 with a 3.25 ERA for 72 appearances, the 10th time in his 18-year career that he made 63 or more appearances.
The Reds were 38-34 in game in which he appeared and he posted a 2.45 ERA in his last 36 appearances as the team’s set-up man.
(See previous post for a State of the Reds blog)
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Comments
By Y-City Jim
December 8, 2008 8:06 PM | Link to this
The Reds just need a hard hitting bat. I don’t understand why everyone thinks is necessarily has to be a RHed one. The only LH bats on the 40-man roster are Alonzo, Francisco, Richar, Votto, Bruce, and Dickerson.By Mike-Cinci
December 8, 2008 4:22 PM | Link to this
The Dye/Bailey trade is OK if the Reds think Bailey will never develop into anything. If Bailey becomes a top pitcher this will go down as a bad deal because top pitchers are so hard to come by. Also why do the White Sox want to dump Dye for a pitcher who has done nothing? Is there a problem with Dye? Injury prone? Slowing bat? Dye will improve the middle of the line-up for a year or two. Is Bailey a 15 year starter in the majors? This is what the Reds pay Jocketty to decide. I wish Dye was 29 instead of 34. Bailey is only 22. The Reds desperately need a right hand hitting outfielder with some pop. Dye supplies that. Bailey has looked awful so far. What do the White Sox know the Reds don’t? What do the Reds know the Sox don’t?By Mike-Dayton
December 8, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this
Arbitration is generally a good thing for the player as both sides submit a number … so teams have to submit a pretty good number or the case tends to slide to the player’s number unless the agent submits a really stupidly high number. I predict they sign him for two years with a number in the middle.By Y-City Jim
December 8, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this
2010 is a mutual option year. I doubt both sides will mutually agree to the $12 million.By bobs
December 8, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this
Weathers is officially back as he accepted arbitration.By Mike-Dayton
December 8, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this
Dye works if the Reds feel they can win in 2090 or 2010.By bobs
December 8, 2008 10:30 AM | Link to this
Going to have to trust Hal on this one. Perhaps the only situation in which an out-of-town-team journalist is the go to guy for a team. The Cincy writers got to hate Hal for usually getting the scoop before them. I like the deal…even if Homer turns out well. It was not happening here, should be a good trade for both. If coming, Dye will love the GABP.By Mike-Dayton
December 8, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this
Now the Reds’ deny it and Walt says it is “not even close” … good.By Mike-Dayton
December 8, 2008 10:02 AM | Link to this
Y-City, It appears the Reds have traded Bailey for Dye - great trade if you’re a White Sox fan.By Georgetown-Bill
December 8, 2008 2:38 AM | Link to this
No abuses? “Name one?/Valuable?” Sounds like you are the one with the attitude. I love listening to all of you “authorities”. A “pitcher” who had 33 saves the previous year; as well as good stats last year, should get more respect from you mere bloggers. IMO. No anger here, just pointing out ignorant comments.By Mike-Dayton
December 7, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this
Nice retort Bill - what are you, his agent or his wife? You sound really angry for some reason - we wrote that teams don’t love him (like you wrote they do) and that he was not worth the money his is asking (not that he isn’t a reasonable pitcher at the right price). We hurled no abuses. You on the other hand, might want to switch to a low carb diet and/or decafBy Georgetown-Bill
December 7, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this
Oh, now we are going to argue semantics? Get a life-Jim. Name ANY team! If he doesn’t come back to the Reds, watch how quickly a relief pitcher with his stats and EXPERIENCE is snapped up-Mike. I bet the guys arm and career lasts longer than your abuses.By Y-City Jim
December 7, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this
“love” might be a strong word for describing teams’ desire for a reliever like Weather. I’m sure there are teams that would “like” to have Weathers if the price is right.By Mike-Dayton
December 7, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this
Weathers? Valuable? Many teams would love to have him on their staff? Really? Name one.By georgetown-Bill
December 7, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this
David Weathers is a pitcher, not a thrower, like most others on the staff. Therefore Mr. Weathers is a valuable commodity!Many teams would love to have him on their staff to pitch in most any inning. I most heartily agree with redsfuture.In spite of all the doomsayers and their agendas—the Reds need him.By Y-City Jim
December 7, 2008 1:45 PM | Link to this
There are no guarantees that Maddux could transfer what worked for him to other pitchers. Maybe starting him in their minor league system might be a place to start if Maddux’s ego allows that. Speaking of former players being coaches, maybe the Reds should consider Scott Hatteberg for a hitting instructor position in their system. Maybe he could improve the young hitters at being more disciplined at the plate. As for Thames, I don’t think the Reds need a 32-year-old, low OBP hitter. They need more disciplined hitters.By brian
December 7, 2008 11:49 AM | Link to this
The Reds should hire Greg Maddux to be their pitching coach. Marcus Thames is available and could hit 40 homers in GABP. A major league catcher might be a good idea too.By Mike-Dayton
December 7, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this
Weathers stats do not deserve a lot of money. He is not the guy we want in the game in 7th or 8th inning with a lead. He is the guy we have pitch in the 4,5,6 inning after the starter is gone. Knowing this, why would pay more than needed for that type of pitcher. Weathers wants too much money for where he fits in the game plan. Nice guy and I said hi to him at the Kenwood Mall last year but unless he takes less money than last year, we can fill his spot with someone cheaper.By Redfuture
December 7, 2008 8:21 AM | Link to this
I can’t remember all the times Stormy pitched a clean inning, but it was considerable. I can’t remember all the times Stormy scared the pants off me but managed to wriggle off, but it was even more considerable. Bottom line is the man knows how to pitch.By HuberTucky
December 6, 2008 8:15 PM | Link to this
Okay, let’s see now…arbitration for Weathers, none for Hairston, Affeldt is gone and Lincoln is all locked up. Okay, bingo! All righty then. That’s it! The Reds are all ready for 2009 now, right? Yawn. ZzzzzzzzzzzzzzBy jimbo
December 6, 2008 1:11 PM | Link to this
Can’t remember all the times good ole Stormy strolled to the mound and let every runner that was already on base score. Why keep this good ole boy employed, he’s a loser.By Mike-Dayton
December 6, 2008 11:00 AM | Link to this
Laird is only worth a Daryl Thompson type, not Bailey. He can’t hit much but he does throw out runners pretty well. We had one of those types in Davis Ross which didn’t help much. I would not trade a 22 year old Bailey for a most-likely platoon catcher.By wiz
December 5, 2008 11:58 PM | Link to this
Yee Haw!By BrarHopper's back!
December 5, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this
Watch the Reds & Rangers make a deal involving Texas-native Homer Bailey to Rangers for catcher Gerald Laird to Reds. Not exactly the blockbuster that Hamilton/Volquez was, but could still benefit both. Plus it makes sense. Oh wait, in that case, the Reds will blow the oppotrunity.By Kevin
December 4, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this
they just re-signed Mike Linclon for two years. I don`t know what kind of money, but I was happy they brought him back. Now the question. Do they not even bother signing Stormy Weathers and go with younger talent, or do they extend a two or three year deal to him? Personally…I let him walk and save the cash.By Mike-Cinci
December 4, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this
My guess is the Reds did not offer arbitration to Hairston and Lincoln because they did not want their finances under the control of an arbitrator for players who are not starters or essential to their future. That said I think the Reds would like to sign both these guys at money that makes sense. I agree Weathers can be painful to watch on occasion but his overall record in the GAB bandbox is pretty good. His ERA has been under 4.00 every year he has been here and he is always available to take the ball. His performance in 2007 when he was the closer was just as good, maybe better, than what Cordero in 2008. He did it for $10 million less. It will be interesting to see if Weathers accepts abitration. Bobby Howry got $2.8 million from the Giants after having a 5.50 ERA with the Cubs in 2008.By larkin
December 4, 2008 10:32 AM | Link to this
Ive read alot of posts and agree with some of the posts about Dickerson not being an everyday player..the guy is terrible..The Reds may finish above the Pirates..again may..they just do not have good playersBy mwillkie
December 3, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this
Oh, and don’t forget to go say hi to Pete at the Caesars Palace Mall. He sits right outside the store, you can’t miss him.By mwillkie
December 3, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this
For breakfast try the Blueberry Hill Restuarant at 1505 E. Flamingo Rd. Las Vegas, NV 89119 702-696-9666. Best deli Canters Deli at Treasure Island.By mwillkie
December 3, 2008 11:52 AM | Link to this
Hal Are you going to be staying at the Belagio? It is swanky. I go there at least once a year. The cafeteria is good,great desserts. The buffet is over rated. Best buffet is at the planet hollywood. Also on the south side of the Planet Hollywood complex is Todais Japanese buffet. You can pull right up and valet park, out front of the restuarant. 26.00 for lunch, all the seafood and sushi you can eat!By Pete
December 3, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this
bobs….you make a good point about Rhodes. Affeldt & Mercker were pretty the same role players. Yet, they weren’t very consistent. Rhodes is in that same boat. & I can count on one hand how many times Weathers had a 1-2-3 inning last year. Sorry man, he’s gotta go & Rhodes has gotta stay away. Don’t know much about Shouse. But his stats appear to be on par or worse than the aforementioned pitchers.By bobs
December 3, 2008 9:47 AM | Link to this
Michael, have to disagree with all bonehead moves. Weathers was mostly effective last year and was great when used in 7th inning. He is relatively cheap…and saying all that, will most likely sign elsewhere, allowing the Reds to get another draft pick. Bailey needs a new home, for whatever reason it is not working here, lets just get something for him while we can. Rhodes? He pitches to left handed batters…one, two batters a game. Seriously people, he is a situational lefty, those guys pitch forever. Hairston is looking for money…and he should be. I would be going after the biggest contract I could find, knowing that it could be my last. Shouse. I like him as well, but who do you think is cheaper, Rhodes or Shouse?By Dale
December 3, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this
Hi Hal, Why aren’t the Reds making a run at Brian Shouse? We know first hand about his effectiveness. He is a free agent and is an effective left handed specialist out of the bull pen.By Fred
December 3, 2008 4:43 AM | Link to this
I can understand offering arbitration to Stormy but I don’t understand not offering to Hairston and Lincoln. I thought both were vital clogs for our team. I know we can resign them but…By Michael in Monterey, CA
December 2, 2008 8:00 PM | Link to this
The Reds offered arbitration to Weathers? Nooooooooooooooo! That’s bonehead move #1. Trading Bailey or any other pitching prospect at this juncture would be bonehead move #2. Thinking of acquiring Rhodes? You gotta be be kidding me, right? Bonehead move #3. Wake-up management! Pitching wins pennants! Is there any wonder why the Reds haven’t had a winning season in years?By HuberTucky
December 2, 2008 6:20 PM | Link to this
If those idiots let Hairston go I promoise I will stop following this team. Another year of boneheaded stupidy and lame excuses and frustrating mediocrity is simply unnacceptable. Is it for th rest of you?By admobius
December 2, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this
Weathers? YUCK! He’s awful. Keep Jerry Hairston Jr.!!!!!!!By Pete
December 2, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this
Why offer him arbitration? So he was one of the better relievers the Reds had last year. Big deal. He’s D-U-N! Saw that the Reds are also interested in Arthur Rhodes. WHY? Geez, they might as well sign me to lob crap up to the plate underhanded. & Numbscull Baker wants to talk to Kerry Wood? WHY? Just what the hell is he going to do, set up Cordero for another crappy million dollar, long term contract? Criminy! Majewski can go away, too. And at best, Belisle’s on a VERY short leash. That crap of groovin’ fastballs to hitters w/ 0-2 counts has gotta stop! C’mon Walt! I know you’re supposed to be a builder of baseball team. But do this right, huh?