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Reds Re-Sign Ramon
The Cincinnati Reds have done something baffling. They have re-signed free agent catcher Ramon Hernandez to a one-year contract with a vesting option for another year.
Let’s start with the Reds’ payroll concerns as mentioned on MLB Trade Rumors. That alone throws up a red flag when considering this deal, even though GM Walt Jocketty said otherwise to MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon. If you are considering trading away some of your higher-priced talent this winter, why would you re-sign an aging catcher for $3 million (essentially $4 million with the $1 million buyout on his last contract)?
Secondly, young catcher Ryan Hanigan hit .263/.361/.331 last season, a relatively comparable output than Hernandez’ .258/.336/.362 (some may say better). Sure, Ramon was playing with a bum knee this season, but does knee surgery mean that the problem is completely gone? Does the arthroscopic knee surgery that he had mean that he’ll be able to play 120+ games behind the plate? Highly doubtful, healthy knees are essential to a catcher and once you start messing around with the knee, it’s never the way it was when you were younger. Ryan’s likely to hit as well as Hernandez again next season, possibly posting a better slugging percentage if his physical development continues. He’ll also be better defensively than Hernandez.
Then there’s the vesting option for $3.25 million in 2011. Vesting options are decent for younger players, but they can get ugly for older players (see Magglio Ordonez even after he started hitting again, 2009).
Walt, you’ve made a few of good moves while GM in Cincy and St. Louis, but this is one of your uglier moves.
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