Sauerbeck could decide soon

By Chris Haft / MLB.com

 

CINCINNATI -- The Reds are among a handful of teams competing seriously for the services of left-hander Scott Sauerbeck, a Cincinnati native who has previously mentioned a desire to return home.

Sauerbeck, 32, became a free agent last month when the Boston Red Sox declined to tender him a contract. Boston acquired the reliever in a four-player trade last July 22 from the Pittsburgh Pirates, for whom Sauerbeck had played since 1999.

 

Sauerbeck's ties to Cincinnati run deep. He graduated from Northwest High School and attended college at Miami of Ohio. Moreover, the Reds need left-handed bullpen help. Phil Norton, who has made just 23 Major League appearances, is the lone lefty reliever on Cincinnati's 40-man roster.

 

Adam Hubble, Sauerbeck's agent, indicated that his client was close to settling on a team.

 

"I think we're going to figure it out one way or another in the next couple of days," Hubble said Friday.

 

Hubble confirmed that the Reds are among the teams courting Sauerbeck, who earned $1.5 million last year. Added Hubble, "Other teams are making a good run at him, too."

 

Hubble also acknowledged Sauerbeck's ardor for Cincinnati.

 

"It's certainly an attraction on Scott's part to come home and pitch. It's any kid's dream to pitch in his hometown," he said. "We're trying to work it out for everybody involved."

 

Sauerbeck has made 367 appearances, all in relief, in five Major League seasons. He has proven to be durable as well as resilient, pitching in at least 70 games in each of the last four years. Working mostly in setup roles, he has built a 19-16 career record with a 3.71 ERA and five saves.

 

Sauerbeck was 3-5 with a 4.76 ERA in 79 games last year, posting a 3-4 mark with a 4.05 ERA in 53 games at Pittsburgh before going 0-1 with a 6.48 in 26 games for the Red Sox. Left-handers batted .192 against him, and righties managed a .257 average, reflecting his effectiveness as a situational reliever.

 

Chris Haft is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to approval by Major League Baseball or its clubs

He will not end up in Cinnci. They are absolutely pathetic, bottomline.

He will not end up in Cinnci. They are absolutely pathetic, bottomline.

I dont think it matters how good the team is...

He will not end up in Cinnci. They are absolutely pathetic, bottomline.

It's called THe Almighty Green and Hometown ties, The Marlins in all likelyhood are not offering any more than The Reds and Saurbeck seems to be the guy who would rather be happy at home than in Florida just to win.

He will not end up in Cinnci. They are absolutely pathetic, bottomline.

I dont think it matters how good the team is... Yea, players don't care about winning at all.

C'mon Beinfest, do something. Our division has Floyd, Thome, and Abreu. We need a lefty in the 'pen!

He will not end up in Cinnci. They are absolutely pathetic, bottomline.

I dont think it matters how good the team is... Yea, players don't care about winning at all. $ > W

Saurbeck seems to be the guy who would rather be happy at home than in Florida just to win.

I never thought I'd be hearing that...

 

"to be in Florida just to win."

 

Hehehehe.

 

Puts a smile on my face after a day of, well, non-smiling.

He will not end up in Cinnci. They are absolutely pathetic, bottomline.

I dont think it matters how good the team is... Yea, players don't care about winning at all. $ > W Cinnci has less money than we do.

He will not end up in Cinnci. They are absolutely pathetic, bottomline.

I dont think it matters how good the team is... Yea, players don't care about winning at all. $ > W Cinnci has less money than we do. How?

He will not end up in Cinnci. They are absolutely pathetic, bottomline.

I dont think it matters how good the team is... Yea, players don't care about winning at all. $ > W Cinnci has less money than we do. How? How does the grass get green?

He will not end up in Cinnci. They are absolutely pathetic, bottomline.

I dont think it matters how good the team is... Yea, players don't care about winning at all. $ > W Cinnci has less money than we do. How? How does the grass get green? Um explain how they can have less money than us?? Do you know how much money we lose every year in PPS, they just got a new stadium and got rid of alot of salary

C'mon Beinfest, do something. Our division has Floyd, Thome, and Abreu. We need a lefty in the 'pen!

Not trying to say we couldn't use a lefty or anything but... those same 3 hitters were in the lineups in '03 when we didn't have a good lefty in the pen and we did pretty well in 2003.

C'mon Beinfest, do something. Our division has Floyd, Thome, and Abreu. We need a lefty in the 'pen!

Not trying to say we couldn't use a lefty or anything but... those same 3 hitters were in the lineups in '03 when we didn't have a good lefty in the pen and we did pretty well in 2003. Also a lefty makes chipper hit from the right side...

C'mon Beinfest, do something. Our division has Floyd, Thome, and Abreu. We need a lefty in the 'pen!

Not trying to say we couldn't use a lefty or anything but... those same 3 hitters were in the lineups in '03 when we didn't have a good lefty in the pen and we did pretty well in 2003. you're right Admin but if I recall correctly Thome and Abreu did hit pretty well against us.

C'mon Beinfest, do something. Our division has Floyd, Thome, and Abreu. We need a lefty in the 'pen!

Not trying to say we couldn't use a lefty or anything but... those same 3 hitters were in the lineups in '03 when we didn't have a good lefty in the pen and we did pretty well in 2003. That's very true, but we also had Urbina pitching the 8th inning for a good part of the year. Our bullpen needs help, and I don't know if Sauerbeck even solves all of our problems.

C'mon Beinfest, do something.? Our division has Floyd, Thome, and Abreu.? We need a lefty in the 'pen!

Not trying to say we couldn't use a lefty or anything but... those same 3 hitters were in the lineups in '03 when we didn't have a good lefty in the pen and we did pretty well in 2003. That's very true, but we also had Urbina pitching the 8th inning for a good part of the year. Our bullpen needs help, and I don't know if Sauerbeck even solves all of our problems. If only we had Spooney :angry

If only we had Spooney :angry

Seriously...

He isnt even that good, average at best. I dont know what the big deal about him is. He had a high 4 era in pitt and a 6 era in boston. No wonder he hasnt signed yet...

rather have him than nothing.

I think he will do fine here if he comes with the marlins.

He isnt even that good, average at best. I dont know what the big deal about him is. He had a high 4 era in pitt and a 6 era in boston. No wonder he hasnt signed yet...

The big deal is that he dominates left-handed hitters.

 

Look at his 2002 stats as well, and get back to me.

McKeon is familiar with him

He will not end up in Cinnci. They are absolutely pathetic, bottomline.

lolol y they worring about a lefty specielist when they got like 10000 woser problems that they need to atended to.

He will not end up in Cinnci. They are absolutely pathetic, bottomline.

lolol y they worring about a lefty specielist when they got like 10000 woser problems that they need to atended to. That's exactly what I was thinking.