Reds beat writer John Fay is reporting that the Reds are confident they'll land Orlando Cabrera.
A Reds source says the club is very confident that Orlando Cabrera will accept the club’s offer. The Denver Post reported that Orlando Cabrera is “leaning toward” signing with the Reds. That likely means he’s told the Rockies they’re out [of] it. A third team may be involved.
I don’t expect an announcement tonight from the Reds on Cabrera or Jonny Gomes. The Reds will will likely wait until Monday to announce a deal.
In all likelihood, this means Cabrera will be the Reds' starting SS. The Reds are not contending this year, and they say they're already over budget. So if Cabrera is leaning towards the Reds, it's because they promised him he'd be the starting SS, while the other teams wanted him to be a backup or move to 2B.
Ugh. I really, really hate this. Not just because I want to see Janish get a shot, but because Cabrera is simply not that good.
I can understand the Reds wanting a veteran backup for Janish. In case he's injured, or in case it turns out that he just can't cut it. But I'd rather they get a guy who's willing to be a backup. Janish needs to play every day.
If this goes through, it probably means
Miguel Cairo goes to Louisville. If Cabrera's the starter, then Janish will be the utility infielder.
In other news,
this story from Japan mentions
Andy Phillips. Apparently, there's another foreign player studmuffin in town.
Right-hander Tony Barnette hasn't yet thrown a pitch for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, but chances are he'll look good doing it.
Barnette's looks have been a topic of discussion for the Japanese media, who are busy trying to decide whether he looks like Tom Cruise, Keanu Reeves or a combination of the two.
...Barnette isn't the first player to arrive in Japan and be deemed to have movie star looks. Former Hiroshima Carp infielder Andy Phillips arrived to the same fanfare last season.
Phillips, who signed with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles this offseason, was said by the Japanese media to resemble Cruise and Brad Pitt among others.
I dunno. They're good-looking guys, but don't particularly remind me of Tom Cruise. Maybe to the Japanese media, all white people look alike. ;-)
Labels: Andy Phillips, Paul Janish
