Reds - Signed Balfour, Menechino

Cincinnati Reds - Signed P Grant Balfour and IF Frank Menechino to minor-league contracts.

Balfour tore everything in his shoulder so while he’s a good pickup for the Red bullpen, he’s not likely to contribute at all in 2006.  The Reds will probably add him to the major league roster at the end of the year if he’s been showing good progress.  The fact that Balfour is a flyballer is troublesome given the park characteristics and outfield “defense,” however - a team like San Diego or Toronto would be a far better destination for him eventually.

Menechino is a better player than Tony Womack.  Too bad the Reds won’t realize it.

2006 ZiPS Projection - Grant Balfour
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 W   L   G  GS   IP    H   ER  HR  BB  SO   ERA
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 2   2  31   0   35   30   19   6  19  38  4.89

2006 ZiPS Projection - Frank Menechino
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 AB   R    H  2B 3B  HR RBI  BB  SO  SB    BA   OBP   SLG  
————————————————————————————-

235  32   53  10  1   5  25  35  52   0  .226  .336  .340