Burrell signing could set market

CINCINNATI -- All offseason, the Reds' interest in Pat Burrell appeared lukewarm at best because his price tag was deemed to be too high.

On Monday, Burrell signed a two-year contract worth $16 million with the Rays, far less than expected. What does that mean for Cincinnati's quest to land a right-handed run producer?

Either the Reds overestimated Burrell's market price, or they are looking to spend less than expected to fill the right-handed slugger void.

"I'd rather not get into it," Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said on Monday.

Either way, the market for the position appears to be more established now. Burrell, who spent all nine of his big league seasons with the Phillies, made $14 million last season and is taking a pretty sizable pay cut in a lackluster free-agent market and economy.

"I think it's a strong indication that the market might not be there for some of these guys," Jocketty said from Atlanta while traveling. "It was half of what Burrell was looking for. It's an indication that clubs are going to still be very cautious with the money they have to spend."

In November, the Reds balked at trading for White Sox corner outfielder Jermaine Dye, in part because his $11.5 million salary for 2009 was more than they wanted to spend. In December, they smartly did not try to top Juan Rivera's three-year, $12.75 million deal with the Angels.

Jocketty remains interested in free agent Rocco Baldelli, and held talks with his agent -- Casey Close -- over the weekend. The Reds have been doing their due diligence because of the 27-year-old Baldelli's myriad medical issues. He was once thought to have mitochondrial disorder, a muscle ailment, but recent reports indicate it might have been a misdiagnosis and that Baldelli could have a more controllable ailment.

"We understand what his limitations are, we think, and have to decide," Jocketty said. "He'll have to decide if it's something he's interested in. He might decide to stay in the American League so he can DH. It's a unique situation, and we'll have to be cautious."

Close is also the agent for Jerry Hairston Jr., whom the Reds are still trying to re-sign. Talks were also held about Hairston over the weekend.

"I would expect something to happen this week, one way or another," Jocketty said. "We're hopeful."

The Reds appear to have little interest at this point in Dodgers outfielder Andruw Jones and have held no talks with Los Angeles about acquiring the 32-year-old. The Dodgers were recently allowed to restructure Jones' contract to make deferred payments on his remaining $15 million in salary.