What do these three men have in common? If you said that all three suck, I understand. You’re probably a Cubs fan who remembers the time that Corey Patterson, Jerry Hairston, Jr., and Neifi Perez spent with the Cubs.

But no, that’s not the answer I was looking for. I’m afraid that what these three players have in common is the love and adoration of one Dusty Baker, current manager of the Cincinnati Reds. The Reds signed Hairston and Patterson to minor league contracts, no doubt due to their shortage of young, talented infielders and outfielders. Patterson will contend for the starting center field position, which is great, because the Reds have no one up and coming to take that spot.

It’s hard not to laugh, so don’t hold it in. It wouldn’t surprise me if this is just the warm-up, though. I mean, Neifi Perez is available.

OK, finally here’s an update on player transactions in the NL Central. Egad, Feb. 11, has it really been that long? How time flies. Fortunately, many of the deals that have transpired since have already been reported by my colleagues here on RHM and there were a few “slow news days” so hopefully this won’t be too painful if I move along quickly

Yes, Feb. 11 – the Pirates signed 1B Doug Mientkiewicz to a MLCWSTI.

Feb 15 – The Pirates invited nonroster C Steve Lerud to spring training, while the Reds locked up their probable 2008 cleanup hitter for the next four years by signing 2B Brandon Phillips to a four-year, $27 million contract through the 2011 season with a club option for 2012.

Feb. 18 – The Cubs signed IF Alex Cintron to a MLCWSTI (Also on this date, Leatherpants Vampire added Bret Boone to his collection of former Reds).

Feb. 19 -  The Cardinals signed LHP Ron Villone, a former Red, Brewer, Astro, and Pirate, to a MLCWSTI – and Bubba copped a job.

Feb. 20 – The Astros signed free agent RHP Shawn Chacon, a former Pirate, to a $2 million, one-year contract. The Brewers signed LHP Mitch Stetter to a one-year contract and signed 3B/OF Russell Branyan, a former Red Brewer, and Cardinal, to a minor league contract (Incidentally, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel erroneously reported that Branyan was with the Reds, Padres, and Cardinals last year. Oops. Well, two out of three ain’t bad, right? Russ was with the Phillies, Padres, and Cardinals last year and hasn’t worn a Reds uni since 2003. You Brewers fans might want to tip off Tom Haudricourt about the existence of Baseball Reference).

Feb. 21 – The Brewers signed C Lou Palmisano to a one-year contract. The Reds signed RHP Josh Fogg, a former Pirate, to a one-year, $1 million contract, placing LHP Bobby Livingston on the 60-day DL to make room for Fogg on the 40-man roster.

Feb. 22 – The Reds released OF/1B Craig Wilson after he reportedly failed his physical. Wilson spent most of last year on the DL with shoulder problems and even had surgery to try to clean things up. I wish Craig the best of luck.

Feb. 24 – As previously reported here on RHM, the Pirates signed RHP Byung-Hyun Kim to a one-year, $850,000 contract.

What wasn’t reported is how they made room for Kim on their 40-man roster: They DFA’ed Little Ray Ray.

🙁

I hope they finish in the cellar…but then, what are the odds of that? Oh, wait…

That’s a wrap. You’re now caught up on all the wheeling and dealing in the NLC since our last update. I’ll have more to contribute soon, if I don’t completely trash my computers upgrading the operating systems later this week (it really is about time for me to ditch Windows ME, don’t you think?).

HMZ

Somehow I missed the Astros signing Shawn Chacon this week for $2 million. Chacon basically moves from the Pirates to the Astros.

It seems like a good signing. Chacon will be 30 this season, but he’s shown success in the past in both starting and relieving roles. Of course, he’s had moments of suckage, too. In fact, like Star Trek movies, he seems to alternate between good years and bad years. Too bad he wasted his good year in Pittsburgh. Well, I guess he didn’t exactly waste it. 😉

In a continuing effort to make Tom Shearn REALLY earn that rotation spot, the Reds have signed right-hander Josh Fogg to a 1-year contract for $1 million. Press release below.

CINCINNATI — Cincinnati Reds Executive Vice President and General Manager Wayne Krivsky today announced the signing of free agent RHP Josh Fogg to a one-year contract through the 2008 season. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Fogg, 31, last season for the National League champion Colorado Rockies went 10-9 with a 4.94 ERA in 29 starts and one relief appearance. During the Rockies’ postseason run he posted a 2-1 record in a relief appearance against the Philadelphia Phillies during the National League Division Series and starts against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the NL Championship Series and the Boston Red Sox during the World Series.

In 2007, Fogg ranked among Rockies team leaders in wins (2nd), starts (2nd) and innings pitched (165.2, 3rd). Eight of his 10 victories were against playoff teams or teams that were in the playoff hunt going into the season’s final week. In his last seven starts of the regular season he went 3-0 with a 3.82 ERA.

A seven-year Major League veteran, Fogg has posted a 60-60 career record with a 4.90 ERA in 197 appearances, including 179 starts, for the Chicago White Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates and Rockies.

To make room on the 40-man roster, LHP Bobby Livingston (left shoulder surgery, 9/6/07) went on the 60-day disabled list.

Yesterday the Pirates announced the signing of Byung-Hyun Kim to a Major League contract worth $850,000.

Kim will join the Pirates bullpen, grabbing one of the spots for himself thanks to his big-league deal. No announcement on who will be moved to make room for Kim on the roster.

• Charlie at Bucs Dugout is somewhat excited by the signing, citing Kim’s entertaining and unorthodox delivery.
• Matt at the Pittsburgh Lumber Company hopes that Kim will be used as a reliever instead of a starter. And then mentions that Kim is only 29. That’s hard to believe. It seems like forever ago that he was crumbling under the pressure of the World Series. Something like that should have destroyed his baseball career, so perhaps it’s telling that he signed with the Pirates.
• Lastly, Pat at Where Have You Gone Andy Van Slyke had an initial negative reaction. It’s hard to find any fault with that, considering the moves the Pirates have made over the years. Pat thinks it could be beneficial if Kim is used selectively as a reliever, but finds Kim’s Strikeout to Walk ratio scary.

If used as a reliever and a spot starter, I think this deal could help the Pirates. It’s not the sort of thing that will turn a team around, but Kim is a guy who’s won before. And he’s still young. The Pirates need youth and experience to help improve the team. Right now, they’re only going to be able to sign players with lots of negatives, too.