Cincinnati Reds 2011: 5 Reasons Signing Edgar Renteria Is Bad

Edgar Renteria
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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

Edgar Renteria
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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

Lance Berkman
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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

Paul Janish
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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

Edgar Renteria
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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

Edgar Renteria
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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.