CSS Button No Image Css3Menu.com

Baseball Prospectus home
  
  
Click here to log in Click here for forgotten password Click here to subscribe
<< Previous Article
Prospectus Hit and Run... (06/29)
Next Article >>
Premium Article Transaction Analysis: ... (06/30)

June 29, 2012

What the Contenders Need

NL Central

by R.J. Anderson, Jeff Euston and Kevin Goldstein


With a little over a month to go until the non-waiver trading deadline, talks between teams are heating up. In a seven-part series appearing over the coming week, several BP authors will be covering the needs, potential fits, and more for the contenders in each division, as well as a rundown of the top 10 player trade targets. Today, we take a look at the NL Central.

Cincinnati Reds

Playoff Odds
Opening Day: 53%
High: 82% (6/17)
Low: 35% (4/14)
Current: 70%

Payroll picture
Walt Jocketty made a nine-figure bet this spring when he signed Joey Votto to a record $225 million extension running through 2023. A week later, Brandon Phillips signed for $72.5 million, and suddenly the Reds had leapfrogged to the top of the NL Central with $255 million in payroll commitments for 2013-17.

The Reds opened 2012 with a franchise-record $87 million payroll, but Cincinnati’s financial situation is not unmanageable. Jocketty has 10 players signed for 2013 at a cost of about $70 million, with his current roster intact except for Scott Rolen, whose deal expires this season. —Jeff Euston

General manager’s track record
Jocketty has as much experience with blockbuster July trades as any general manager in the division. When Jocketty ran point in St. Louis, he consummated July trades that netted superstars like Scott Rolen, Larry Walker and Mark McGwire. Since joining Cincinnati, Jocketty’s deadline deals have been less eventful, but his penchant for the big deal was again on display during the winter when he acquired Mat Latos.

The rest of this article is restricted to Baseball Prospectus Subscribers.

Not a subscriber?

Click here for more information on Baseball Prospectus subscriptions or use the buttons to the right to subscribe and get access to the best baseball content on the web.


Cancel anytime.


That's a 33% savings over the monthly price!


That's a 33% savings over the monthly price!

Already a subscriber? Click here and use the blue login bar to log in.

14 comments have been left for this article.

<< Previous Article
Prospectus Hit and Run... (06/29)
Next Article >>
Premium Article Transaction Analysis: ... (06/30)

RECENTLY AT BASEBALL PROSPECTUS
Fantasy Article The Stash List: Jurickson Profar's Valedicto...
Premium Article Transaction Analysis: Sipping on 'Gnac
Fantasy Article Sporer Report: Has Coors Gone Light?
Baseball ProGUESTus: Dollar Sign on the Glis...
Premium Article Punk Hits: Eyes on the Prize
Premium Article Skewed Left: The Shift's PR Problem
Premium Article What You Need to Know: Corb Your Enthusiasm

MORE FROM JUNE 29, 2012
Premium Article Overthinking It: Why Some Pitchers Don't Get...
Prospectus Q&A: Pitcher Workloads and Inning...
Fantasy Article Weekly Planner: Week 14
Premium Article Daily Hit List: Friday, June 29
Premium Article Collateral Damage Daily: Friday, June 29
What You Need to Know: Friday, June 29
The BP Wayback Machine: The Right Team for t...

MORE BY R.J. ANDERSON
2012-07-05 - Premium Article What the Contenders Need
2012-07-03 - Premium Article What the Contenders Need
2012-07-02 - What the Contenders Need
2012-06-29 - Premium Article What the Contenders Need
2012-06-28 - What the Contenders Need
2012-06-28 - Premium Article Future Shock: Promotions
2012-06-28 - Premium Article Future Shock Blog: Minor League Update: Game...
More...