2010 Cincinnati Reds Baseball
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CinciX12
Now that the overachieving has ended at PBS we can finally get a little Reds coverage in the news.
54 days until the Reds take on that team from Cleveland in Goodyear, Arizona.
Here's hoping for some overachieving of our own! -
FabioHow do Reds fans feel about the recent rumors that they have acquired the defected Cuban pitcher with a missile launcher for an arm?
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wildcats20
I like it. But they will just burn his arm out and we'll have another Eddy on our hands. -
jordo212000
I was shocked when I saw that haha. I can't believe it. Great move for the Reds. That will make up a little bit for them not doing anything so far this offseasonFabio wrote: How do Reds fans feel about the recent rumors that they have acquired the defected Cuban pitcher with a missile launcher for an arm? -
CinciX12
I think that pickup will essentially put them in shut down mode for the rest of the winter.
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RiverRat13I think the plan is hope to catch some lightning in a bottle in '10 but really compete in '11. I'd say the Reds are not going to add anyone else of significance and go with what they've got for '10.
1B - Votto
2B - Phillips
SS - Janish
3B - Rolen
LF - ????
CF - Stubbs
RF - Bruce
C - Hernandez/Hanigan
SP - Harang
SP - Arroyo
SP - Bailey
SP - Cueto
SP - Maloney/Wood/Chapman
Depending on who plays left, that's an outstanding defensive team but obviously an offense that is lacking. For the Reds to compete, they'd need Bruce to take a huge leap forward, Votto not to regress significantly, Rolen stay healthy for 120 games, Stubbs to OPS at least 730, and to get league-average production from whomever is roaming left field. All of that is possible, but in reality it is too many "if's" to label the Reds a serious threat in '10. However, the prospects going forward are very promising. Unless Zach Cozart breaks out, there is lack of a SS option in the organization and even slimmer hopes of developing a catcher. But hopefully out the group of Frazier, Alonso, Francisco, Heisey, Valaika, etc. there will be enough tradable parts to find those two positions elsewhere next season. -
BCBulldog
I think we are looking at another disappointing season. There is just no pop in that lineup and I don't think The Toothpick is good enough of a teacher to coax breakout years out of any of these guys. Add into it the aging Arroyo and Harang who haven't exactly been stellar the last two seasons, a still unproven Bailey, and an aging bullpen and we have the potential for Matt Maloney being our #2 or #3 best starter.
This is a 75 win team if they stay healthy. If not, it could get real ugly.
That said, clearly the goal is to win in 2011 and beyond. I have no problem with this as long as they make the right moves in 2010 to set the table for 2011. If that means fire sale at the break, then go at it full force. These continuous half-rebuilds are hold the long-term success back and need to end. Hopefully, Jocketty is the right guy to make this happen...finally. -
rugbywrestlerDid Gomes end up signing with someone else or will he be in left?
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RiverRat13
Harang hasn't pitched as well as he did in the past, but Arroyo was won 15 games each of the last two seasons. And "aging bullpen"? Rhodes is old as dirt and CoCo is getting up there, but everyone else who contributed last year were young guys with some promise.BCBulldog wrote: Add into it the aging Arroyo and Harang who haven't exactly been stellar the last two seasons, a still unproven Bailey, and an aging bullpen and we have the potential for Matt Maloney being our #2 or #3 best starter.
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BCBulldog
Good point about Arroyo. I guess I am a little hard on him because of the colossal outings he had each time he pitched against Toronto.RiverRat13 wrote:
Harang hasn't pitched as well as he did in the past, but Arroyo was won 15 games each of the last two seasons. And "aging bullpen"? Rhodes is old as dirt and CoCo is getting up there, but everyone else who contributed last year were young guys with some promise.BCBulldog wrote: Add into it the aging Arroyo and Harang who haven't exactly been stellar the last two seasons, a still unproven Bailey, and an aging bullpen and we have the potential for Matt Maloney being our #2 or #3 best starter.
When you talk about Rhodes and Cordero, you are talking about the closer and the setup guy for most of the year. Obviously there is some good potential, but Masset and Burton are going to have to repeat their success from last year to be viable replacements if (when?) Rhodes and Cordero start to show their age. -
TigerNation10
Anyone know if Alonso will be up this season? Maybe move Votto to left where he has played before and play Alonso at 1st or vice-versa? -
mhs95_06Interesting piece saying that top foreign amatuer players not subject to the draft are best suited economically for small market teams:
http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=4815478&name=law_keith -
jordo212000
I'd love to see Alonso in Cincy next year, however I don't know where they'd put him/Votto. I know there were whispers about Votto playing some left but I kind of doubt he could do that over a long period of time and not kill us out thereTigerNation10 wrote: Anyone know if Alonso will be up this season? Maybe move Votto to left where he has played before and play Alonso at 1st or vice-versa? -
crab42First let me start by saying hi to all the Reds fans from the huddle days... good to see some familiar names.
My two cents real quick about Alonso and Chapman... I'm way too excited about the signing of Chapman, I really couldn't believe it and kept expecting something to go wrong before it was official. But my guess is the build his innings up in the minors this season before the start him full time at the major league level. I wouldn't be suprised to see a spot start or maybe some bullpen duty, but I think 2011-2012 is when we will start to see this move paying dividends.
As for Yonder, I would almost expect him to be used as trade bait. I don't think they will move Votto to LF, and I don't think Yonder is athletic enough to play the position on a regular basis. I would like to see them find a way to keep both guys because this team needs hit RHP better than they have in the past season or two. My guess is he's packaged to acquire a SS. -
RiverRat13I believe Votto is athletic enough to handle left field, but like just about everyone else, I don't see it happening. Like crab said, Alonso will most likely be trade bait, perhaps packaged with someone else to get a good young shortstop. He won't be dealt until after '10, though. He broke his hamate bone last season, which usually saps a batter's power for a full year. So he'll need a full season to prove to other teams that he will hit like everyone else thinks he will hit.
I also agree that '10 is a year to build up Chapman's innings. I don't see him making the big club out of spring training due to a variety of reasons, not the least of which is the kid just defected from Cuba and needs to acclimate himself to the U.S. But, if he did win the 5th starting spot, a decent plan would be for Chapman to pitch around 140 innings, then shut him down if/when Volquez comes back in August or September. I doubt that happens, though. -
killdeer
encouraging trend for the Reds...definitely Jocketty is trying to rebuild this club based on pitching and defense.
If it is enough to make a run in 2010...I doubt it; however I applaud anything that looks like it is proceeding with a plan in mind...because for most of the last decade....the moves have been made like a chess-master with ADD; compete now, or sacrifice the future, and...apparently......................................................................that's not working. -
BCBulldog
After reading the Reds blog from the Enquirer, it seems like the Reds are hoping to get some production out of Chapman this year. They even want him to compete for a spot in the rotation right out of spring training. I think it is more likely to see him around the break if the Reds are anywhere near .500 and playing decent.
Even if we don't see him that early, this kind of move shows me that the Reds are headed in the right direction as far as pitching goes. The elephant in the room is the same from last year...how are they going to score runs? -
crab42After listening to the presser, I think Walt and the Reds are looking to have Chapman in Cincy sooner rather than later... This may also have to do with Bob's wallet because they are going to need to keep the fans excited and give the attendance a boost. I really think that if they are healthy, this team is a bat and a manager away from being a real threat to St. Louis in the NL Central. I don't know whether, and I wouldn't expect Heisey or Frazier to be able to produce at the league average for LF as rookies... And I think playing Dickerson and Nix too much in LF can significantly hurt the offense. You have already committed to defense over hitting at SS and C, so they cannot afford to play a weak bat in LF on a daily basis. They also cannot afford to hit Janish in the 2 hole just because he plays SS. Give your best players the most ABs, regardless of position or what side of the plate they hit... This seems to be lost on Mr Baker.
PS, Dusty has not ruled out the Out Maker in CF... At Redsfest he still talked about getting Willy corrected and being the player he was in the past. I guess Dustball didn't realize that Willy was exactly the player he had always been when you remove an extraordinary amount of luck on his bunts and INF hits. -
BCBulldog
I forgot about the other elephant in the room...Baker. He has to go after this season right? No way they bring him back for 2011 unless he has several epiphanic moments and starts putting together logical lineups that don't include Tavares or whatever other half-ass retreads that they happen to bring in. Even with that, he is over-priced and the back of his baseball card tells me he will only become less successful the longer he stays.crab42 wrote: After listening to the presser, I think Walt and the Reds are looking to have Chapman in Cincy sooner rather than later... This may also have to do with Bob's wallet because they are going to need to keep the fans excited and give the attendance a boost. I really think that if they are healthy, this team is a bat and a manager away from being a real threat to St. Louis in the NL Central. I don't know whether, and I wouldn't expect Heisey or Frazier to be able to produce at the league average for LF as rookies... And I think playing Dickerson and Nix too much in LF can significantly hurt the offense. You have already committed to defense over hitting at SS and C, so they cannot afford to play a weak bat in LF on a daily basis. They also cannot afford to hit Janish in the 2 hole just because he plays SS. Give your best players the most ABs, regardless of position or what side of the plate they hit... This seems to be lost on Mr Baker.
PS, Dusty has not ruled out the Out Maker in CF... At Redsfest he still talked about getting Willy corrected and being the player he was in the past. I guess Dustball didn't realize that Willy was exactly the player he had always been when you remove an extraordinary amount of luck on his bunts and INF hits. -
RiverRat13If the Reds keep Baker, finding a SS with a high OBP for '11 becomes priority #1 next offseason
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crab42Baker will require a hefty amount of money to retain and without significant improvement by this team I can't see Bob justifying bringing back such a high priced manager when you need better players. The thing I'm scared about is the young talent starts to turn the corner and Dusty gets the credit. It's kind of a catch 22... I want them to win, but I REALLY want Dusty to go!
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BCBulldog
Yeah, if the Reds somehow make the Wild Card in 2010, Baker will undoubtedly get the credit and a fat new contract. The problem is that we've seen what Baker's teams do as soon as he gets the new contract. They tank. With the amount of talent around this team in the next few years, Baker's conventional wisdom approach and mind-numbing committment to washed-up veterans could spoil any real chance the Reds have at becoming relevant over the long term. I hate to say it, but I really don't want to see a lot of success this year since they aren't going to be good enough to go all the way.crab42 wrote: Baker will require a hefty amount of money to retain and without significant improvement by this team I can't see Bob justifying bringing back such a high priced manager when you need better players. The thing I'm scared about is the young talent starts to turn the corner and Dusty gets the credit. It's kind of a catch 22... I want them to win, but I REALLY want Dusty to go! -
Midstate01
When do opening day tickets go on sale?? -
CinciX12
I like the approach of playoffs this season and then praying Walt realizes Baker is not the right fit for this team.BCBulldog wrote:
Yeah, if the Reds somehow make the Wild Card in 2010, Baker will undoubtedly get the credit and a fat new contract. The problem is that we've seen what Baker's teams do as soon as he gets the new contract. They tank. With the amount of talent around this team in the next few years, Baker's conventional wisdom approach and mind-numbing committment to washed-up veterans could spoil any real chance the Reds have at becoming relevant over the long term. I hate to say it, but I really don't want to see a lot of success this year since they aren't going to be good enough to go all the way.crab42 wrote: Baker will require a hefty amount of money to retain and without significant improvement by this team I can't see Bob justifying bringing back such a high priced manager when you need better players. The thing I'm scared about is the young talent starts to turn the corner and Dusty gets the credit. It's kind of a catch 22... I want them to win, but I REALLY want Dusty to go!