my thesis

We've heard it time and time again: The MLB First-Year Player Draft is a crapshoot. But that doesn't mean it's not fun to play the "what if" game. For every Ken Griffey Jr., Chipper Jones and A-Rod, there's a Brien Taylor, a Matthew Bush and a Bryan Bullington. And then there's Josh Hamilton, and there's no doubt in my mind that some dude I call a dud ends up being the next Hamilton in a couple of years. I apologize to that individual in advance (and also to those whose injuries turned them into busts).

The Reds have had their fair share of duds. But how have their past few drafts compared with other teams'? Let's take a somewhat subjective (with help from Baseball America, baseballcube and baseball-reference) look (feel free to disagree), regardless of whether or not the player is still a Red. It's strictly a "how did we draft that year and how did they turn out" as opposed to a "who did we end up acquiring down the road and how did they make us better" analysis.

Note: Especially in the first few (most recent) years of the analysis, pretty much anyone with any big-league experience whatsoever is included in the "Studs so far/Guys they're high on" category. Because you figure guys that are 26 and under have impressed to some extent (particularly if they weren't high draft picks) if they've made it to the bigs.

Sorry, Yonder Alonso, but we're skipping 2008 because the jury's still out on these guys. I thought about skipping 2007 too but we'll give that one a gloss-over treatment.

2007
First-round pick: C Devin Mesoraco (15)
Among those drafted later than our first-round pick by other teams: pride of Moeller HS Andrew Brackman
Studs so far/Guys they're high on: 3B Todd Frazier; probably too soon on guys like Kyle Lotzkar, Zack Cozart, Scott Carroll. Matt Klinker, a 15th round pick from Lakota West HS, pitched pretty well at Dayton last year. Only guys who have advanced as high as AA are RHP Ray Jeffords (19th round) and Brandon Douglas, who returned to University of Northern Iowa after the Reds drafted him in the 32nd round (he's now in the Tigers' system).
Duds so far: way too soon?
Grade: INC

2006
First-round pick: OF Drew Stubbs (8)
Among those drafted later than our first-round pick by other teams: Giants' Tim Lincecum, Yankees' Ian Kennedy and Joba Chamberlain
Studs so far/Guys they're high on: Stubbs, RHP Sean Watson (2nd round), SS Chris Valaika (3rd round), RHP Jordan Smith (6th round), RHP Josh Roenicke (10th round), OF Chris Heisey (17th round), OF Danny Dorn (32nd round)
Duds so far: too soon?
Grade: B

2005
First-round pick: OF Jay Bruce (12)
Among those drafted later than our first-round pick by other teams: Red Sox's Jacoby Ellsbury, Twins' Matt Garza, Braves' Joey Devine, Cardinals' Colby Rasmus, Athletics' Travis Buck, Red Sox's Clay Buchholz, Red Sox's Jed Lowrie
Studs so far/Guys they're high on: Bruce, LHP Travis Wood (2nd round), RHP Zach Ward (3rd round - in Twins' system), RHP Sam Lecure (4th round), RHP Jeff Stevens (6th round - in Indians' system), SS/3B Milton Loo (9th round), SS Adam Rosales (12th round), 2B Michael Griffin (14th round), RHP Abe Woody (31st round - in Diamondbacks' system)
Duds so far: too soon?
Grade: A-

2004
First-round pick: RHP Homer Bailey (7)
Among those drafted later than our first-round pick by other teams: Angels' Jered Weaver, Nats' Bill Bray, Royals' Billy Butler, D'backs' Stephen Drew, White Sox's Josh Fields, Twins' Glen Perkins, Yankees' Phil Hughes, Dodgers' Blake Dewitt, Athletics' Huston Street
Studs so far/Guys they're high on: Bailey, Paul Janish (5th round), Jason Urquidez (11th round - in Diamondbacks' system)
Duds so far: B.J. Szymanski (2nd round), Craig Tatum (3rd round), Rafael Gonzalez (4th round)
Major busts: Lonny Roa (6th round), Greg Goetz (8th round), Trevor Lawhorn (9th round)
Grade: C-

2003
First-round pick: RHP Ryan Wagner (14)
Among those drafted later than our first-round pick by other teams: Red Sox's David Murphy, D'backs' Conor Jackson, Nats' Chad Cordero, Giants' David Aardsma, Dodgers' Chad Billingsley, Cards' Daric Barton, D'backs Carlos Quentin, Red Sox's Matt Murton, Braves' Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Mariners' Adam Jones
Studs so far/Guys they're high on: Carlos Guevara (7th round - in Padres' system), Chris Dickerson (16th round), Josh Newman (31st round - didn't sign with the Reds; Rockies drafted him in 19th round in 2004), German Duran (32nd round - didn't sign with the Reds; Rangers drafted him in 6th round in 2005)
Duds so far: Richie Gardner (6th round)
Major busts: Thomas Pauly (2nd round), Jose Ronda (3rd round), Marc Cornell (5th round), Damian Ursin (8th round), Ben Himes (9th round), Andy D'Alessio (10th round)
Grade: D

2002
First-round pick: RHP Chris Gruler (3)
Among those drafted later than our first-round pick by other teams: Royals' Zack Greinke, Brewers' Prince Fielder, Rockies' Jeff Francis, Marlins' Jeremy Hermida, Angels' Joe Saunders, Padres' Khalil Greene, Blue Jays' Russ Adams, Mets' Scott Kazmir, Athletics' Nick Swisher, Phillies' Cole Hamels, Dodgers' James Loney, Twins' Denard Span, Indians' Jeremy Guthrie, Braves' Jeff Francoeur, Athletics' Joe Blanton, Giants' Matt Cain, Athletics' Mark Teahen, Red Sox's Jon Lester, Dodgers' Jonathan Broxton, Braves' Brian McCann, Rockies' Micah Owings
Studs so far/Guys they're high on: Joey Votto (2nd round), Camilo Vazquez (4th round), Kevin Howard (5th round - now in Mariners' system), Chris Denorfia (19th round - now with Oakland)
Duds so far: none
Major busts: Gruler, Mark Schramek (supplemental pick for failure to sign 2001 No. 1 pick Jeremy Sowers), Walter Olmstead (6th round), Corey Wachman (7th round), O.J. King (8th round), Steve Booth (9th round), Frankie Keller (10th round)
Grade: D (Votto keeps it from F)

2001
First-round pick: Jeremy Sowers (20, who opted to go to Vanderbilt instead of signing with the Reds)
Among those drafted later than our first-round pick by other teams: Braves' Macay McBride, Athletics' Bobby Crosby, Athletics' Jeremy Bonderman, Giants' Noah Lowry, Mets' David Wright, Brewers' J.J. Hardy, Cardinals' Dan Haren
Studs so far/Guys they're high on: Slim pickings. Bobby Basham (7th round) at one time showed tremendous promise with Sarasota and Chattanooga but appears to be out of baseball now. David Shafer (32nd round) also looked great in 2005 and 2006 but hasn't impressed since the Reds got rid of him. He's in Oakland's system now. Same goes for Daylan Childress (5th round), who was lights out for Dayton in 2002 (at age 23) but then slowly but surely disappeared.
Duds so far: none
Major busts: Justin Gillman (2nd round), Alan Moye (3rd round), Scott Light (6th round), Jose Rodriguez (8th round), Junior Ruiz (9th round), Bryan Prince (10th round)
Grade: F

2000
First-round pick: David Espinosa (23)
Among those drafted later than our first-round pick by other teams: Braves' Adam Wainwright, Twins' Aaron Heilman, Blue Jays' Dustin McGowan, Braves' Kelly Johnson, Padres' Xavier Nady, Red Sox's Manny Delcarmen, Astros' Chad Qualls
Studs so far/Guys they're high on: Dustin Moseley (supplemental first-round pick for loss of free agent Juan Guzman) is with the Angels. Dane Sardinha (2nd round) is with the Tigers. Chris Schroder (46th round) has spent parts of the past three seasons with the Nationals.
Duds so far: David Gil (3rd round) showed promise but he's out of baseball. Same goes for Ryan Mottl (6th round).
Major busts: Espinosa, Marc Kaiser (4th round), Roydell Williams (5th round), Daniel Fletcher (7th round), Dan Gooris (8th round)
Grade: D-

1999
First-round pick: Ty Howington
Among those drafted later than our first-round pick by other teams: Rockies' Jason Jennings, Blue Jays' Alex Rios, Orioles' Larry Bigbie, Royals' Mike MacDougal, Dodgers' Jason Repko, Cardinals' Chris Duncan, Orioles' Brian Roberts, Rays' Carl Crawford, Nationals' Brandon Phillips, Pirates' Ryan Doumit, Athletics' Ryan Ludwick, Angels' John Lackey, Twins' Justin Morneau, Rangers' Hank Blalock
Studs so far/Guys they're high on: Ben Broussard (2nd round) has played seven big-league seasons and is now with the Rangers. Brad Salmon (21st round) appeared in 26 games for the Reds in 2007. Rich Hill (36th round - didn't sign with the Reds; Cubs drafted him in 4th round in 2002)
Duds so far: none
Major busts: Howington, Brandon Love (3rd round), Kenny Lutz (4th round), Alex LeFlore (6th round), Corey Barrow (7th round), Ryan Lundquist (8th round), Casey Bookout (9th round)
Grade: D

1998
First-round pick: Austin Kearns
Among those drafted later than our first-round pick by other teams: Blue Jays' Felipe Lopez, Rangers' Carlos Pena, Tigers' Jeff Weaver, White Sox's Kip Wells, Astros' Brad Lidge, Indians' C.C. Sabathia, Nats' Brad Wilkerson, White Sox's Aaron Rowand, Yankees' Mark Prior, Athletics' Gerald Laird, Rangers' Barry Zito
Studs so far/Guys they're high on: Kearns, Adam Dunn (2nd round). 12th-rounder John Koronka has had three big-league stints and is still only 28 (he's in the Rockies' system). B.J. Ryan, selected in the 17th round, is the Blue Jays' closer and has 115 big-league saves. Todd Coffey, now with the Brewers, was a 41st round pick.
Duds so far: Greg Porter, the Reds' third pick in the draft, has bounced around quite a bit and is currently believed to be in the Yankees' system. Sixth rounder Bobby Madritsch was out of baseball for a couple of seasons but attempted a comeback in 2008. Seventh rounder Josh Hall had a cup of coffee with the Reds in 2003 and is currently in the Rockies' system.
Major busts: Darrell Hussman (4th round), Jayson Larman (5th round), Clint Vaughn (8th round), Jacob Wallis (10th round)
Grade: A-

What about Juan Rivera?

The Reds reportedly have talked to representatives for free-agent outfielders Rocco Baldelli and Juan Rivera, and Walt Jocketty says Pat Burrell's reps contacted him.

I know some fans would love to get Burrell, but I'd say "no thanks" to Pat the Bat and Baldelli and "maybe" to Rivera (if the price is right).

Burrell is Adam Dunn with a little bit less power (Burrell has never hit 40 home runs in a season; Dunn's hit at least 40 in five consecutive seasons). Compare their stats: Burrell over the past three seasons has averaged .254/31/92 with 105 walks and 129 strikeouts. Dunn over the past three seasons has averaged .245/40/100 with 112 walks and 140 strikeouts.

Dunn got traded and had worn out his welcome with many Reds fans. Why would a guy who's statistically (and defensively) pretty much the same player fare any better?

Baldelli is only 26, but there are too many questions about his health with his mitochondrial disorder, which slows muscle recovery and causes severe fatigue. I don't think he can be relied upon to provide the big right-handed bat the Reds need.

Juan Rivera is a little more intriguing because he hit .310/23/85 in 448 at-bats with the Angels in 2006 before he broke his leg (and missed almost all of the 2007 season). But he hit .246/12/45 in 256 at-bats last season and he might be less risky than Baldelli but there's no telling whether he can 1) regain his 2006 form and 2) stay healthy enough to play an entire season.

That being said, I wouldn't mind terribly as long as the Reds didn't overpay for him. He doesn't strike out much at all (but he doesn't walk too much either). His funniest stat: He has nine career stolen bases, but he's been caught stealing 17 times. He made $2.025 last season. The Rays reportedly have expressed interest in Rivera.

Also

Foxsports.com's Ken Rosenthal is reporting that the Reds have reached a preliminary agreement with 39-year-old lefty Arthur Rhodes on a 2-year, $4 million deal, pending a physical that Rhodes will take Friday.

There's also speculation that the Reds are one of eight or 10 teams who have contacted the Cubs about Mark DeRosa.

News from Rosenthal's blog concerning a couple of former Reds as well as a Cincinnati native: A source says the Diamondbacks are close to signing Felipe Lopez for one year, $3.5 million. The Yankees' proposed deal for Mike Cameron has hit a snag. And relief pitcher Joe Smith (Amelia HS) reportedly is part of a three-team trade (involving J.J. Putz, among others) that will send him to the Indians.

Freel-for-Hernandez reactions

The lead of the Baltimore Sun's story about yesterday's trade says a lot: The Orioles accomplished one of their primary goals at the winter meetings yesterday, trading catcher Ramon Hernandez.

Later in the story: For Hernandez, whose defense and effort has been questioned the past two seasons, the Orioles got Freel, 32, who plays all three outfield position and second and third base; and minor league infielders Justin Turner and Brandon Waring.

And this quote from Orioles president Andy MacPhail: "This trade was more about Matt Wieters, frankly," MacPhail said. "It had been our goal to make sure we could introduce Matt into the major league scene somewhere over the course of the '09 season, not necessarily to start right away, but we thought he could handle it eventually after a little time in Triple-A possibly under his belt. We knew that would create a situation where we were going to have to split some playing time with him and Ramon, and we knew Ramon wouldn't be happy about that."

Wow. Also worth reading is The Schmuck Stops Here (Peter Schmuck's blog): No love for Ramon, as well as Ramon redux. I found it funny that MLB.com had two videos posted about the trade. In one, Mark Sheldon talked about how frustrated Hernandez was last season in Baltimore and how that affected his play. In the other, Walt Jocketty talks about how acquiring Hernandez gives the Reds a "strong character guy" as he spoke about how well he expects Ramon to provide a veteran presence and handle the Reds' young staff.

So really it's just a matter of whether Ramon leaves his bad attitude in Baltimore and truly looks at this as a fresh start. I'm sure it will help, as is the case with most players, if he starts hitting right away (and doesn't slump too badly, especially at the beginning of the season).

Also, here's some more info from the Sun about the minor-leaguers we gave up.

• Meanwhile: FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal mentions in his MLB winter meetings blog that the Jermaine Dye-to-the-Reds discussions continue at a "moderate" level. He says a Homer-and-another-prospect-for-Dye deal was close before Thanksgiving but one reason it stalled was how much of the $11.5 million Dye is due to earn next year the White Sox would pay.

Rosenthal thinks the Reds might give up on Dye and pursue a Bobby Abreu or Pat Burrell through free agency. Since neither Abreu nor Burrell was offered arbitration, the Reds wouldn't have to give up a pick. And the Reds could sign either one for about what Dye makes.

I'd still love to see them trade young pitching (Homer and somebody) for the Blue Jays' Alex Rios.

Freel (and others) for Hernandez (and cash)

• A deal that sends outfielder Ryan Freel and minor-league infielders Justin Turner and Brandon Waring to the Orioles for catcher Ramon Hernandez (and at least $1 million in cash) has been finalized.

Quotes from Walt Jocketty:

"It was part of our report from scouts. ... We had scouts who saw him in the past and saw him again this year. They thought there was some level of frustration that he had been experiencing. We talked about it. I did some research with people I know who have had him. I got great reports."

"We do think a change of scenery will help him immensely. We've got a pretty good pitching staff. I think he's a guy who will work well with that staff and develop that staff and have renewed energy."

I would imagine Ryan Hanigan should still get considerable playing time, seeing as how Hernandez has only had more than 500 at-bats in a season once in his 10-year big-league career (he did have 23 homers and 91 RBIs that season). And he's not getting any younger (he'll be 33 in May). He was good for at least .275 for a few years there but his average has dropped a little the past two years (.258 in 2007 and .257 last season). He also threw out just 20 percent of runners last season and led the majors in passed balls with 10.

Baltimore could afford to part with Hernandez because of the emergence of Matt Wieters. Turner and Waring have impressed in the minors and AFL. Both were seventh-round picks. But they were both expendable because one's a second baseman with less potential in the Reds' eyes than Brandon Phillips and the other's a third baseman with less than Juan Francisco.

So it's just a matter of figuring out where to deal solid mid-level prospects. It makes sense that they sent Freel but you just hope they didn't give the Orioles too much for a guy who hit .257 and didn't impress defensively.

• Other Hot Stove rumors du jour: The very end of this MLB.com story by Mark Bowman says a source has indicated the Reds may have interest in Jeff Francoeur.

• FoxSports.com's Ken Rosenthal says Marlins outfielder Jeremy Hermida is drawing interest from the Reds, Cubs, Braves and Rays.

• And here's MLB.com's latest about Jermaine Dye. White Sox GM Ken Williams apparently is keeping Dye abreast of all developments, telling Dye he hasn't been traded but there has been interest, from the Reds and others.

Dye a Red?

Dayton Daily's Hal McCoy is reporting that Jermaine Dye is now a Red. Homer Bailey is being shipped to Chicago in-exchange for the right-handed hitting veteran.

Sounds good to me. This past season was not exactly HOMER-TIME. Plus, we need a veteran right-handed batter in the order. Any thoughts out there?

GAH! UPDATE! (12.7) Deal NOT done... Sox want more than Bailey... Dye & his agent haven't heard a thing... DRAMA-RAMA!

UP-UPDATE! (12.7) The Reds are denying the deal at the moment...

UP-UP-UPDATE (12.9) The Sox are being patient with Dye... "We'll We'll just have to wait and see what the meetings... this goes in regards to everyone who's on our current roster. We'll just have to see what the week brings us." - Sox GM Kenny Williams

Hot Stove

Three quick things ...

• On SI.com, Baseball Prospectus offers its Hot Stove Preview of the NL Central. Nothing too earth-shattering about the Reds. Needs: shortstop and centerfield. I'd say you can add bullpen now. What are they likely to do? Shop Arroyo, BP says, which I think makes some sense. You're still selling high on him after the great second half he had. What should the Reds do, according to BP? Acquire Milton Bradley (interesting) and try to get Alcides Escobar and whatever else from the Brewers for Arroyo. Which is funny, because someone who was giving me a hard time about discouraging the Garrett Atkins rumor made me come forward with a player I thought the Reds SHOULD pursue and I said J.J. Hardy, who the Brewers might be more willing to part with BECAUSE they have Escobar.

• Walt Jocketty apparently had a few interesting things to say Wednesday. Said we were close to acquiring Coco Crisp (who was traded to the Royals). Said he was a little surprised that Affeldt was so quick to sign with the Giants. Said we're still talking to Weathers, Lincoln and Hairston. And he acknowledged that adding bullpen help is a new focus with Affeldt's departure and the possibility that Weathers and/or Lincoln won't return. Nothing too stunning, aside from getting us thinking about how Coco Crisp would've looked in an outfield with Jay Bruce and Dickerson/Freel/Hopper.

• Little known fact about new Mariners skipper Don Wakamatsu: He was an 11th round pick of the Cincinnati Reds in the 1985 draft. The Reds released him in 1989. Talk about the definition of a career minor-leaguer. He caught 18 games for the White Sox in 1991 and that's it as far as MLB playing experience.

Another HOT ... STOVE ... UP-DATE!

In Jayson Stark's Time to check the shopping lists, he has Mark Mulder as the free agent who could top the Reds' list. He says a veteran starting pitcher is what they need.

All I know is he would have to accept a lot less money than he made in 2008 ($7 million). The Reds don't need to be paying that much money for a guy who pitched less than 2 innings last season.

Also, in ESPN Insider-only content (not linked), Stark said the Reds are investigating whether there's a market for Bronson Arroyo and says Texas might be interested.

I actually could see Arroyo getting shipped to the Rangers as part of a deal to bring a catcher here. You're still selling high on Arroyo if you deal him ... he had a great second half.

Most Baseball Prospectus stuff also is for subscribers' only, but they do reveal the Reds Top 11 Prospects, with Yonder Alonso topping the list as a five-star prospect and Todd Frazier and Drew Stubbs rated as four-star prospects.

Hot Stove update

• Freep.com's Agent: Tigers looking at Darren Oliver mentions that Detroit also has contacted representatives for David Weathers, among others. Weathers told MLB.com Wednesday he's flipped the page and doesn't expect to return to Cincinnati.

• Jerry Hairston, on the other hand, is grateful the Reds gave him a chance, and says he'll see what he's worth but is open to returning to Cincinnati.

• MLB.com reports that Ned Colletti is not trying to deal Russell Martin, a catcher many fans would love to see the Reds pursue.

• As a note at the conclusion of World Series champ Manuel finishes behind Cubs' Piniella for NL Manager of Year, philly.com's David Murphy mentions that former Reds GM Wayne Krivsky is interviewing with the Phillies. He'd be an assistant to GM Ruben Amaro, who fired his assistant last week.

• Also, redsminorleagues.com offers a Yonder Alonso update, about how he's impressing in the Hawaiian Winter League and hit a walk-off in the 10th Wednesday night.

Willy Taveras? Really?

FoxSports.com reported that the Reds are interested in three Colorado Rockies: center fielder Willy Taveras, catcher Yorvit Torrealba and third baseman Garrett Atkins.

Walt Jocketty confirmed the two clubs had talked.

"We've let clubs know our position. We're looking for catching, center field, shortstop and a right-handed RBI guy," Jocketty said.

So you could see how the rumor started if it's not true.

The Rocky Mountain News says the Reds are not at all interested in Taveras or Torrealba, only inquiring about Atkins.

If that's the case, that would be a huge relief. Willy Taveras' on-base percentage was .308 and his slugging percentage was .296, lowest among players who qualified for the batting title. I really don't think we want to replace Corey Patterson - one of the worst centerfielders in Reds' history (based on his stats last season) - with someone who doesn't get on much more often. Taveras had 68 stolen bases last year, but you can't steal first.

I don't think Torrealba is the answer at catcher. He's a backup. And the Rocky Mountain News points out that the Reds would prefer a left-handed-hitting catcher (also one who's not arbitration eligible) to complement Ryan Hanigan.

I also explained yesterday that I'd hate to see them give up a lot for Atkins, for that matter. I'm not too worried, though, considering three other teams (Phillies, Angels and Twins) reportedly are going after Atkins.

By the way, have you seen how pathetic the free-agent centerfielder market is this offseason? Wow. Put it this way: Corey Patterson is mentioned among the cream of the crop. Barring a blockbuster trade, I really wouldn't have a problem with running Chris Dickerson out there in the spring. He was impressive enough in 2008 that he deserves a shot.

Is Atkins the answer?

With Matt Holliday reportedly off the table and headed to Oakland, Paul Daugherty seems to think they should get Garrett Atkins. But he seems to me too similar to the types of guys the Reds have acquired in the past. Had a great season three years ago and maybe he can recapture that. Atkins has had more than 600 at-bats for the past three seasons, so his health hasn't been an issue. His production has fallen off from .329-29-120 in 2006 to .301-25-111 in 2007 to .286-21-99 this past year, but .286 is still respectable, right? Better than Encarnacion's .251. But look at what Atkins' walk and strikeout numbers have done. In his outstanding 2006, he walked (79) more than he struck out (76). 67 walks and 96 strikeouts in 2007. 40 walks and 100 strikeouts last year. That's a big difference in two years. You have to wonder what's going on to cause that, especially for a guy who in theory is supposed to be hitting his stride at 28. I'm not sure the Reds can justify spending a ton of money on a guy who might not be that much of an upgrade. And who knows, as Daugherty mentions, how inflated his numbers are because of Coors.

The Offseason?

Is the ON SEASON here at OMGreds.com. Well, that's probably a stretch. But, we're all excited about this Reds offseason for many reasons. The Reds will be looking better next year. What moves will Jocketty have in store for the team? There are many great off-season events we are stoked about: Big Red Machine Reunion, Moeller Sports Card Show, Redsfest. Plus, spring training is right around the corner! Hellz yeah.

We are still sorting out our plans, but we will likely be at all the events and doing a little photoblogging, if not more here at OMGreds.com.

Big Red Machine Reunion
November 14-16
Duke Energy Center
more information

This is a pretty neat event and we'll try and stop by. I have never been before, so not sure what to expect. The autograph prices are pretty steep, so I probably won't be picking anything up at the show.

Moeller Thanksgiving Spectacular
November 28-30
Moeller High School
More information

I haven't been to this show since I was a kid! They have a fantastic line-up this year featuring players from the the '90s as well as current guys. Here's a list of who's signing at the show. It's pretty impressive, really. The prices are not too bad, either.

Dave Parker (The Cobra!!!)
Joey Votto (VOTTOtron is happy)
Chris Dickerson (Exciting!)
Kal Daniels (Awesome, except I remember him more as a Dodger)
Ron Robinson (Big Red Ron)
Tom Browning (Mr. Frickin' Hilarious)
Jon Warden (Actually, we are pretty stoked about Mr. Warden being there)

There are also a slew of minor leaguers with local ties that will be signing as well - very reasonably priced at $3 a signature. Check out http://www.cincycardshows.com for information on times, prices, etc.

We'll be there for at least one day, if not more and putting up some photos from the show while we are there. Stay tuned!

Also, Cincy Card Shows need some help with their website. It makes my eyeballs bleed every time I go there for information. Make it stop!!

Redsfest XI
December 12-13
Duke Energy Center
More Information

OMGreds will be there with bells on. We might even blow out a special section here on the site for it. Planning is in the works now. Of course, most of our planning meeting consist of either going to Cyclones games for cheap PBR or Snappy Tomato Pizza buffet at lunch during the week - so you can imagine how much stuff we actually get done.

Anyways, we're doing our best to win the VIP Sweepstakes so we can bring you an exclusive inside look at the whole thing. But, that hinges on actually winning. We'll see how that goes. Wish us luck.

Of course, what is the best thing about Redsfest? The autographs! We're total nerds about that stuff and we're excited about the folks that are slated to attend Redsfest as of today:

Bronson Arroyo, Jeff Brantley, Marty Brennaman, Thom Brennaman, Jay Bruce, Jared Burton, Leo Cardenas, Clay Carroll, Zack Cozart, Chris Dickerson, Danny Dorn, George Foster, Todd Frazier, George Grande, Paul Janish, Jeff Keppinger, Devin Mesoraco, Brandon Phillips, Adam Rosales, Jordan Smith, Drew Stubbs, Chris Valaika, Joey Votto, Brandon Waring, and Chris Welsh.

UPDATE:

Second wave of confirmations: Daryl Thompson, Ryan Hanigan, Craig Tatum, Jack Billingham, Wayne Granger, Jerry Lynch, Chuck Harmon, Tommy Helms, and Jim Maloney.

Watch out, I need to get my '87 Topps Chris Welsh card signed, so just stay out of my way, okay? Cool. Thanks.


More on all this as each event approachs - Make sure to keep OMGreds.com at the top of your bookmarks and our RSS feed on lock.

Eight Reds in AFL

Arena Football League. Ha!

So the Reds have sent eight farm hands to out to the Arizona Fall League, including Drew Stubbs, who may be in a Reds uniform sooner rather than later. Stubbs has kicked-off the Reds in the AFL blog with a post a few days ago. Generally, athlete's blogs are abandoned quickly, so we'll how this goes. We do hope to see a lot of posts and some insight on being a young player in the AFL. Since it's an official MLB blog, there's a chance it may have a future. Worth checking out since there's not too much going on in Redsland right now.