Mark Sheldon of MLB.com

Mark Sheldon covers the Cincinnati Reds for MLB.com and he was gracious enough to give me a few minutes on a Thursday night and talk Reds baseball.


Baseball-Rumors: Let's start with Francisco Cordero. The Reds signed him to a 4-year $46M deal with a 5th year option. Is that too much money for a guy who's topped 40 saves only twice in his career?

Mark Sheldon: The Reds had to overpay for a guy that would be able to help their bullpen, which is something they badly need to do. They have guys like Weathers, Bill Bray, Gary Majewski, Todd Coffey, they just need to find cohesion in that bullpen.

Cincinnati isn't #1 in any free agent's mind, so they needed to overpay to land that kind of pitcher.


Baseball-Rumors: When the Reds started their search for a new manager, how quickly did Dusty Baker's name come up?

Mark Sheldon: Baker was THE candidate for them. Usually, the Reds have hired from within, but ownership wanted a big name and a proven winner and they think they have that with Dusty Baker.


Baseball-Rumors: The decision to trade Josh Hamilton, did that surprise you?

Mark Sheldon: A colleague of mine in Texas, T.R. Sullivan, mentioned the Rangers interest in Josh Hamilton but I really didn't think the Reds could trade a player like Hamilton, who could be a 5-tool player.

I received a lot of emails from fans saying they should have gotten more, they should have traded Ryal Freel instead, but the Reds needed pitching and Volquez is the 3rd best pitching prospect in the Rangers' system.


Baseball-Rumors: There had been a lot of talk that the Reds and Orioles were talking about a deal for Erik Bedard, but the Reds were unwilling to part with Jay Bruce. Have the 2 teams continued discussions?

Mark Sheldon: I don't think they are at this point, there's really been no activity. I think the Reds aren't willing to part with a prospect like Jay Bruce for a player that's going to be a free agent in 2 years.

For the Reds though, Bedard would be that veteran free agent that gives them a good rotation in a soft division like the NL Central, but again, I just don't think the Reds are going to send top prospects to get him.


Baseball-Rumors: Adam Dunn and Ken Griffey Jr, do you expect either player to be with the Reds after the 2008 season?

Mark Sheldon: I think the Reds will keep one of them, I don't think both will be back. I know Dunn has expressed his desire to stay with Cincinnati, so I think you'll see the Reds work out an extension with him at some point.

As far as Griffey goes, I think he's resurrected himself this past season. His status with the Reds really depends on when Jay Bruce is going to be major league ready.


Baseball-Rumors: The Reds picked up Sergio Valenzuela via the Rule 5 draft, what kind of player is he and why did the Reds like him so much seeing as his numbers aren't great.

Mark Sheldon: I think the Reds see the right upside with him. He's got a good fastball, changeup and slider. You'll see him as a reliever this season but they eventually want to move him into the starting rotation.

They feel he's a low risk move. They want to be able to work with him during spring training and make him major league ready enough to be an effective pitcher.