Reds sign LHRP Arthur Rhodes

[missionhockey21]

Per Ken Rosenthal:

12:01 p.m. — Reds close to signing Rhodes
The Reds have reached a preliminary agreement with free-agent left-hander Arthur Rhodes to a two-year, $4 million contract. The deal is pending a physical, which the 39-year-old Rhodes will take Friday.

Rhodes appeared in 61 games last season — 36 for the Mariners, 25 for the Marlins — and had a combined record of 4-1 with a 2.04 ERA.

I guess Jocketty felt the team was looking a bit too young.

As for the deal, I am not crazy about it as there were better options out there still, like Reyes. I also would have preferred it to be only a one year deal, but Rhodes is still striking out guys and if his health holds up..... it should be ok. I just hope we don't run into the situation of running out old guys past their prime when they are getting torched and refusing to release them and promote some of the promising young bullpen arms that will likely be in AAA as a result.

[love_that_reefer]

The Reds have reached a preliminary agreement with free-agent left-hander Arthur Rhodes to a two-year, $4 million contract. The deal is pending a physical, which the 39-year-old Rhodes will take Friday.

Rhodes appeared in 61 games last season — 36 for the Mariners, 25 for the Marlins — and had a combined record of 4-1 with a 2.04 ERA.

Weathers and Rhodes have to be one of the oldest pair of setup men in MLB history. Rhodes did have a good year last year and gives another indication the Reds are planning to win next year. The Jermaine Dye talks are still rumbling around but nothing heavy yet.

[Slyder]

I have no problem with this deal, I actually like it. If he repeats his performance of last year our pen shouldnt be anything but a strength this year. Doesnt cancel out my hatred of trading for Hernandez but its a solid move.

[missionhockey21]

Unlike many of the old guys we sign for the pen, Rhodes still has pretty good stuff. If he stays healthy, I don't see the signing becoming a problem. I just know that he has had issues before and with his age, that does make me a bit nervous. If he pitches like he has recently, I am totally cool with it of course, especially at the price.

[Doppelgänger]

Rhodes is still a pretty quality pitcher, especially with only a 2 mil price tag. Good low risk pick up to bolster the bullpen. Jock has been doing good work, IMO.

[redsrbetter]

the only reason I can think of the price being so low is because he is a major question mark on whether he can be healthy this season. I wouldn't be surprised if he gets hurt during ST before the regular season starts. But, it is a high risk decent reward. I'll take it. But like mission said, Reyes and Beimel are better options.