Grady Sizemore might become a Red
Former Indians star OF last saw action in 2011
Jan. 19, 2014 9:19 PM


Signing Grady Sizemore, 31, would be a classic low-risk, high-reward move. David Richard/US PRESSWIRE

Written by
John Fay

The Reds may have a big-name free agent signing soon.

The problem is the guy with the big name – outfielder Grady Sizemore – hasn’t played since 2011 and has only played in 104 games since 2009.

Reds general manager Walt Jocketty confirmed that the Reds are in discussions with Sizemore and could have a deal shortly.

“We’ve been talking,” Jocketty said. “Some details have to be worked out. We hope to get something done next week. We’re getting close to spring training.”

Sizemore’s agent, Joe Orbon, confirmed the talks were progressing.

Jocketty said the Reds have discussed both minor- and major-league deals.

Signing Sizemore, 31, would be a classic low-risk, high-reward move. The money won’t be much – and if Sizemore can return to form, or even close to it, he’d be a huge asset to the Reds.

Sizemore was once one of the best young players in the game. He made it to big leagues with Cleveland at 21 in 2004. In 2006, he led the American League in doubles with 53 and made his first of three straight All-Star yeams.

He hit .277 with a .390 on-base percentage and a .462 slugging percentage in 2007. In 2008, he hit 33 home runs and drove in 98 runs and won his second straight Gold Glove.

In those three years, he played 162, 162 and 157 games.

But then the injuries started.

He had surgery on his left knee in 2010 and his right knee in 2011. In 2012, he had back surgery and another surgery on his left knee.

The Reds would be a good fit for a healthy Sizemore. Right now, the club is planning to play Billy Hamilton in center field. Hamilton is a top prospect, but he struggled at the plate last year in Triple-A, so there are questions about whether his bat is ready.

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20140...-much-play

Obviously we can't count on it paying off, but I think it's a great inexpensive gamble for the Reds (not to mention a great fit from Sizemore's perspective as well). If he passes the Reds' physical exams, they need to make this happen imo.

Per ESPN tweet, Grady Sizemore signs one year incentive laden contract with Red Sox.

Red Sox to sign Grady Sizemore
Updated: January 22, 2014, 7:01 PM ET
By Jerry Crasnick | ESPN.com

Grady Sizemore, a three-time All-Star whose career began to unravel in 2009 through a seemingly endless string of injuries, has reached agreement on a major league contract with the Boston Red Sox, a baseball source told ESPN.com.

Sizemore will earn a base salary of $750,000, but has a chance to make a total of $6 million if he reaches specified performance bonuses, the source said.

Sizemore, 31, is a career .269 hitter with 139 home runs in parts of eight seasons with the Cleveland Indians. His best season came in 2008, when he hit 33 homers, stole 38 bases and finished 10 in American League MVP balloting.

But Sizemore has appeared in only 104 games since 2009 because of assorted injuries. He sat out the 2012 season with back and knee problems, and missed the entire 2013 season because of microfracture knee surgery. The Cincinnati Reds were among several other clubs to express an interest in Sizemore, who has been working out this winter in Arizona with an eye on making a comeback.

http://espn.go.com/boston/mlb/story/_/id...on-red-sox