Cubs @ Reds--Game 1

• SportsAndLady

  

  Wanted to start the game thread, so I could share with yalls what John Fay thinks the Reds should do (Yes, I realize we don't win when I start game threads...but yeah):
  

  wrote:Here are some things they could do:
  
  –Bring up Todd Frazier or Yonder Alonso to play left field. I would have given Chris Heisey a five- or six-game trial there by now, but that hasn’t happened for whatever reason. Frazier and Alonso are hitting at Triple-A. Adding a big bat deep in the lineup would help.
  
  –Put Brandon Phillips back in leadoff and drop Drew Stubbs to sixth or seventh. When they did that last year, Stubbs’ numbers improved drastically.
  
  –Make a trade. Devin Mesoraco’s killing it in Triple-A. He’s hitting .322/.410/.537 overall and .472/.558/.778 over his last 10 games. A lot of teams would likely be interested in Ramon Hernandez or Ryan Hanigan.
  
  –Edgar Renteria was unavailable yesterday with a sore back. Disable him. Bring up Zack Cozart. Cozart is hitting .294 at Triple-A. He has 25 extra-base hits. That’s 17 more than the Reds have gotten from shortstop this year.

  Like any of those? Dislike any of those?
  
  I wouldn't mind 3 of the 4..the one I wouldn't like is dropping Stubbs in the lineup.
• thavoice

  Messero I think went 4-6 yesterday at Columbus. Went to the game and pretty much everyone for the bats was raking it.
  
  Frazier was at first and alonso in LF.
  
  I know Heisey doesnt hit well when he starts but I think they should have, by now, let him start 15 games or so in a row. Shoulda told him that he gets about a dozen straight starts so he isnt pressing thinking he needs 4-5 to stay in the lineup after one start.
  
  
  I am for moving STubbs. Kid is struggling.
• Ironman92

  

  I like Dusty leaving the starting pitcher in when the starting pitcher is still doing well.
  
  The last one is not ready IMO and Janish will still get the majority of starts....and Janish is showing signs of hitting a little the last several at bats
• SportsAndLady

  

  thavoice;792087 wrote:I am for moving STubbs. Kid is struggling.

  
  He's had 2 hits in 4 of his last 5 games?
• jordo212000

  

  I have been saying all along that Stubbs shouldn't be in the leadoff spot.
  
  Heisey should get more starts. If he sucks, bring up Alonso around the all-star break
  
  Pray that our starting pitching gets healthy and wakes up
• thavoice

  SportsAndLady;792091 wrote:He's had 2 hits in 4 of his last 5 games?

  Really?
  
  Damn.
  
  I musta missed that. Didnt get to see much of the Dodger series
  
  I admit......this past week I havent been able to watch much for a few reasons. Last I got to watch he had k's 15 of 30 at bats. I have listened for watched a little of each game but having looked in the box score.
• dave

  I agree with Frazier, Cozart, and Mez. Alonso should never see left field at GABP. I've only been to 4 Bats games this year, usually go to more, but I've seen him in LF 3 of those and he's so slow to react and then even slower getting to the ball. Janish has been finding some holes on his flairs and ground balls but he still is basically another pitcher hitting. Cozart looks like the real deal.
  
  I don't see Frazier's ceiling being much higher than Heisey, but it would allow Dusty to keep his best PH bat in that role.
• dave

  btw Walt's shakeup is going to be bringing Volquez and Chapman back, then Willis and Francisco.
• thavoice

  DO ya think they should try and deal Alonso then if he cannot play the OF? REds expect Votto to be the man for a long time so why keep a guy who is not a viable option in the OF?
  
  
  Is it something they deal with in the OF though if he can hit like they did with Dunn and Gomes if he ever hits again.
  
  Frazier was at first yesterady but has played many places.
  Fransisco was raking yesterday too
• SportsAndLady

  

  dave, I haven't heard much negativity regarding Alonso's defense in left this year....is this something that you keep hearing or is it just based off your personal observations of him?
• dave

  thavoice;792317 wrote:DO ya think they should try and deal Alonso then if he cannot play the OF? REds expect Votto to be the man for a long time so why keep a guy who is not a viable option in the OF?
  
  
  Is it something they deal with in the OF though if he can hit like they did with Dunn and Gomes if he ever hits again.
  
  Frazier was at first yesterady but has played many places.
  Fransisco was raking yesterday too

  Gomes is way better in LF than Dunn was, and Yonder is still behind Dunn. I'd say if Alonso continues to improve this season he might be close to Dunn's level by season's end. Also, Votto probably only has 2 more years after this, so Yonder's a nice backup to have assuming Votto goes to Toronto or somewhere else. If they do trade Yonder guys like Francisco and Mez could be moved to 1B.
  

  SportsAndLady;792331 wrote:dave, I haven't heard much negativity regarding Alonso's defense in left this year....is this something that you keep hearing or is it just based off your personal observations of him?

  I only know a few guys who are really into scouting and they both agree with what I've seen. I don't really read all the reports like I used to but I'd guess most would say he's not ready to play in the outfield right now. You won't hear anybody in the actual organization say too much negative about him, he might be their #1 trade chip.
• thavoice

  dave;792341 wrote:Gomes is way better in LF than Dunn was, and Yonder is still behind Dunn. I'd say if Alonso continues to improve this season he might be close to Dunn's level by season's end. Also, Votto probably only has 2 more years after this, so Yonder's a nice backup to have assuming Votto goes to Toronto or somewhere else. If they do trade Yonder guys like Francisco and Mez could be moved to 1B.
  
  
  
  
  
  I only know a few guys who are really into scouting and they both agree with what I've seen. I don't really read all the reports like I used to but I'd guess most would say he's not ready to play in the outfield right now. You won't hear anybody in the actual organization say too much negative about him, he might be their #1 trade chip.

  
  Well shit......a parapalegic blind man would be better than dunn defensively!!!!
• Ironman92

  

  Of all of them....I think Fred Lewis gets the worst jump in LF
• SportsAndLady

  

  dave;792341 wrote:I only know a few guys who are really into scouting and they both agree with what I've seen. I don't really read all the reports like I used to but I'd guess most would say he's not ready to play in the outfield right now. You won't hear anybody in the actual organization say too much negative about him, he might be their #1 trade chip.

  
  Gotcha.
  
  I really don't think he can be much worse than Gomes...not that Gomes is awful, but he's certainly not good. Adding his bat to the lineup would be huge, as we need a shakeup at the bottom of the order.
  
  I really don't like trading him either, as I highly doubt we'll have Votto beyond 2 more years.
• Ironman92

  

  Votto might snap at a pissy umpire, break his neck and end both of their careers by then.
• dave

  thavoice;792347 wrote:Well shit......a parapalegic blind man would be better than dunn defensively!!!!

  Dunn didn't have a terrible jump, he was just too big to be able to run well, slow down, and had a weak arm.
  
  Alonso is like Dunn but gets bad jumps and takes bad routes. Not surprising for a guy learning a new position. The problem is he's also got a weak arm and can't run.
• SportsAndLady

  

  FYI..Dontrelle Willis making his first start for Louisville today at 5...i'll try and keep u guys updated, as i'll be following how hes doing on twitter.
• dave

  Ironman92;792348 wrote:Of all of them....I think Fred Lewis gets the worst jump in LF

  I think it's time to get rid of him, he's got a fair shot.
  

  SportsAndLady;792349 wrote:Gotcha.
  
  I really don't think he can be much worse than Gomes...not that Gomes is awful, but he's certainly not good. Adding his bat to the lineup would be huge, as we need a shakeup at the bottom of the order.
  
  I really don't like trading him either, as I highly doubt we'll have Votto beyond 2 more years.

  I really don't think Gomes is that bad, most of his poor decisions come after he already has the ball IMO. But if he can't hit he's worthless.
• Ironman92

  

  I didn't think Dunn got too bad of jumps on most balls but he had trouble on the line shots right at him. Definately slow....but a touch faster than many think. Arm slot was weird for baseball OF.....good for QB.
  
  The big dummy is having his most trouble ever in Chicago.....struck out 51 times in his last 94 AB.......and hitting 100 points under his weight. He'll never get to the all-time K record if he doesn't get it figured out!
• Ironman92

  

  I'd bet a quarter Dontrelle would be as good in LF as most of the guys we have mentioned.
• dave

  mlb draft is also tonight. I think the Reds want to take a LHP, most likely from college.
• dave

  Ironman92;792365 wrote:I'd bet a quarter Dontrelle would be as good in LF as most of the guys we have mentioned.

  He's probably be as good with the bat too!
  
  He'll be up after 1 or 2 starts for the bats.
• thavoice

  Wnted to go to the Bats/Clips today instaead of yesterday...DH tonite!
• mhs95_06

  Drew Stubbs 8
  Brandon Phillips 4
  Joey Votto 3
  Jay Bruce 9
  Jonny Gomes 7
  Miguel Cairo 5
  Ryan Hanigan 2
  Paul Janish 6
  Mike Leake 1
  
  What's wrong with Rolen? Missing two games in a row. Shoulder?
• SportsAndLady

  

  @johnfayman
  John Fay
  Baker says the #Reds haven't considered promoting Triple-A players to get out of funk.