Cincinnati Reds 2011: 5 Reasons Signing Edgar Renteria Is Bad

The Reds have agreed to sign Edgar Renteria, according to Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com. The deal could be worth as much as $3 million with an incentive package, according to Levine.

Here are five reasons not to like the move.

1. Edgar Renteria Is Washed-Up

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ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 01: Edgar Renteria #16 of the San Francisco Giants hits a 3-run home run in the seventh inning against Cliff Lee #33 of the Texas Rangers in Game Five of the 2010 MLB World Series at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on November 1, 2

Edgar Renteria is no longer good enough to be a major league regular.

He was signed to be a backup to Paul Janish at shortstop and Brandon Phillips at second base. He has never played second base in his career but did play first base for an inning back in 2001.

Renteria's last big season was in 2007. Since then, he has punched up this: .265/.319/.361/.680.

2. Money Could Have Been Spent More Wisely

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NEW YORK - OCTOBER 20: Lance Berkman #17 of the New York Yankees hits a RBI sacrafice fly in the bottom of the fifth inning against the Texas Rangers in Game Five of the ALCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium on October 20, 2010 in the Bronx

The Reds will pay:

Edgar Renteria: $3 million

Ramon Hernandez: $3 million

Jonny Gomes: $1.75 million

Miguel Cairo: $1 million

That totals up to $8.75 million.

Instead, the Reds could have signed Lance Berkman, who went to the Cardinals for $8 million.

3. Paul Janish, Go to the Bench

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ST. LOUIS - SEPTEMBER 3: Paul Janish #7 of the Cincinnati Reds turns a double play over Skip Schumaker #55 of the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on September 3, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Cardinals beat the Reds 3-2. (Photo by Dilip Vishwana

Which player is better?

Player A

Games: 72
At-bats: 243
Average: .276
OBP: .332
SLG: .374
OPS: .707     

Player B

Games: 82
At-bats: 200
Average: .260
OBP: .338
SLG: .385
OPS: .723

Player B is Paul Janish. Renteria is said to be Janish's backup, but Dusty Baker will put Renteria in when he is healthy. He will be the 2010 version of Orlando Cabrera.

Last season, Janish was better than Cabrera and could not get on the field until Cabrera got injured. Once again, if the two are close, Renteria will be the starter.

4. Renteria Will Be at the Top of the Order

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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 31: Edgar Renteria #16 of the San Francisco Giants loses the bat in Game Four of the 2010 MLB World Series against the Texas Rangers at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on October 31, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Stephen Dunn

When Paul Janish starts, he will bat eighth in the lineup. When Edgar Renteria starts, he will bat either first or second in the lineup.

Over the last three years, Renteria has put up a .319 OBP. Like Orlando Cabrera last season (.303 OBP), Dusty Baker will continually bat the lowest OBP players at the top if they are veterans.

5. Renteria Is Not Going To Be a Leader

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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 31: Edgar Renteria #16 of the San Francisco Giants rounds third base as he scores in the seventh inning against the Texas Rangers in Game Four of the 2010 MLB World Series at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on October 31, 2010 in Ar

Orlando Cabrera was not a good player for the Reds, but he was a leader in the clubhouse at least.

Renteria, the World Series MVP, is not a veteran like Cabrera or Scott Rolen is. He will not be a team leader like he was in St. Louis especially if he isn't playing every day.