Rotoworld's Possible Non-Tenders

by JD Arney on Dec 11, 2007 8:41 PM EST in News

Rotoworld has an article up discussing possible non-tenders, and here is who they have in their "likely" category:

C Johnny Estrada (Mets), OF Craig Monroe (Twins), INF Felipe Lopez (Nationals), 3B Morgan Ensberg (Padres), OF Emil Brown (Royals), 1B Ben Broussard (Mariners), OF Kevin Mench (Brewers), C Miguel Olivo (Marlins), LHP Mark Hendrickson (Dodgers), LHP Horacio Ramirez (Mariners), LHP Neal Cotts (Cubs), OF Jason Lane (Padres), OF Cory Sullivan (Rockies), RHP Brendan Donnelly (Red Sox), LHP John Parrish (Mariners), LHP Wilfredo Ledezma (Padres), RHP Greg Aquino (Brewers), RHP Seth McClung (Brewers), RHP Grant Balfour (Rays), RHP Dave Borkowski (Astros), C Eric Munson (Brewers), RHP Brandon Duckworth (Royals), RHP Ryan Wagner (Nationals)

The two names that stand out to me the most there are Johnny Estrada and Morgan Ensberg.

I have no idea if the Reds are looking for a catcher (probably not), but I think Estrada might be a decent idea if they don't think Dave Ross can improve on his 2007.

But Ensberg is an even better idea I think. He would give the Reds insurance in the event of an Edwin Encarnacion trade, and even if that doesn't happen I think he'd make an awesome platoon partner with Scott Hatteberg. He's hit .284/.406/.530 in his career vs. left handers, which would make for a great first baseman when combined with the lefthanded Hatteberg.

This is assuming the Reds will be dealing Votto at some point. If the Reds are planning on holding on to both Votto and EdE then Ensberg wouldn't make any sense. But if the Bedard trade (or anything similar) goes down it's more than likely that one of those two players would be gone, if not both, and I'm not sure the Reds could do much better than Morgan Ensberg to fill the ensuing hole.

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I've been an Ensburg fan for years and I think your blog makes perfect scense. I think the defence would improve on the hot-corner also. I also wish the Reds would go ahead and make a move for Estrada even if the Bedard thing falls through. Ross is a joke and Valentin is a bullpen catcher/ pinch hitter at best. Of the two, Valentin deserves the #1 spot over Ross. He can't throw too many runners out but at least he'll make up for it with his bat.

by pohackjr on Dec 11, 2007 9:00 PM EST reply actions

It's funny..

..I've always thought that if I weren't a Reds fan I might confuse Johnny Estrada and Javier Valentin. Aren't they very similar statistically? Neither has an arm worth commenting on (you arm lovers!) and they both switch-hit? Well, they both kinda switch-hit?

Never go with a hippie to a second location.

by Fat Vegas Alan on Dec 11, 2007 9:06 PM EST up reply actions

Neal Cotts. Damn.

Drafted high by Billy Beane in '01... Check out his 2005 season...won a ring and now... DFA'd.

Nice knowing ya, Neal.

Never go with a hippie to a second location.

by Fat Vegas Alan on Dec 11, 2007 9:01 PM EST reply actions

Well, not DFA'd but non-tendered.

And well, not non-tendered but likely non-tendered.

Never go with a hippie to a second location.

by Fat Vegas Alan on Dec 11, 2007 9:10 PM EST up reply actions

Greg Aquino

Career K/9: 8.58

K/BB ratio the last 3 years: 2.00, 2.13, 2.40

Career G/F ratio: 1.57

Homers are the problem with Aquino, but with the groundball stuff, that's a problem that can be fixed. Given our problems with the bullpen, I'd be more than happy to take a chance on him. Feel free to get rid of Sergio Valenzuela if necessary.

"Karma - there it was. The meaning of life, straight from Carson Daly's lips to my morphine-laced ears." -Earl Hickey

by BLee2525 on Dec 11, 2007 9:09 PM EST reply actions

Twins signed Monroe

He's been tendered.

The Yankees have some nontendering to do. They have a full roster, and three players they still have to fit in. And Carl Pavano, after saying he would accept a minor league contract, is now saying he has to think about it. Unbelievable.

I think RHP Brian Bruney may get nontendered. Last year, Yankees fans would have been in an uproar at the very thought. He looked like a setup man. But this year...he hasn't pitched quite as well. And the Yankees are up to their ears in right-handed pitching. Still, I think he's worth a look.

All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?

by BubbaFan on Dec 11, 2007 9:21 PM EST reply actions

Whoo! Maybe we can get Ryan Wagner!

Also, I read somewhere that Mark Prior may get non-tendered. Any truth to that?

Put in a quarter...Turn out the lights...Magic Fingers makes ya feel alright!

by chandrathan on Dec 11, 2007 9:34 PM EST reply actions

What about...

...Felipe Lopez? He's on that list, too.

by TravisG on Dec 12, 2007 11:22 AM EST up reply actions

Trent reports...

...that Prior was nontendered. He also reports that Prior and Dusty Baker have a very good relationship and Prior would be a "natural fit" with the Reds.

All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?

by BubbaFan on Dec 12, 2007 10:57 PM EST up reply actions

Kinda want

but not enough to spend the dough it'll probably take.

by ctnyc on Dec 13, 2007 12:00 AM EST up reply actions

Johnny Estrada

is a terrible defensive catcher. A glove that goes clank in the night. If many passed balls, extra wild pitches and stolen bases up the ying-yang suits you, to gain 30-40 points of BA (over Ross) in the 8th spot in the line-up, then Johnny is your guy.

Sad how far Ryan Wagner has fallen.

Greg Aquino or Todd Coffey? Can Krivsky swallow his pride and pull the trigger? Tune in tomorrow for more of "Redscare-2008!"

Yogi Berra said: "predictions are tough, especially when they are about the future".

by Lonesome George on Dec 11, 2007 9:44 PM EST reply actions

I'm not much on Estrada, either.

I've liked his bat for a while, bt he's terrible at throwing out base stealers, defensively he doesn't do anything for me and he's said to be not good in the clubhouse. Maybe that's why he's bounced from Philadelphia to Atlanta to Arizona to Milwaukee to the Mets in the course of five years.

We Are ... Marshall!

by Thundering Turtle on Dec 11, 2007 11:43 PM EST up reply actions

Agreed

I don't normally put a lot of stock in "character" issues, but Estrada has already worn out his welcome in three places with smart management. That Milwaukee is willing to let him go without a viable starting C speaks volumes. It's one thing if your troublemaker is in the OF, but I'd rather not deal with the issue at C, especially if he's breaking in Homer next year. Also, Estrada will be 32, seems to get injured frequently, is poor defensively (aside from the SBs, he allows too many PBs/WPs), GIDPs about as much as he walks ... pass.

by ken on Dec 12, 2007 7:44 AM EST up reply actions

If Votto is traded,

I'd take a flier on Broussard. His power disappeared in Seattle last year but could be revived by a move to the NL/GABP.

by ken on Dec 12, 2007 7:49 AM EST reply actions

Broussard

was once a Red (farmhand). He also seems to be a good guy, and is kind to dogs (not found in his Sabremetric analysis, though).

Yogi Berra said: "predictions are tough, especially when they are about the future".

by Lonesome George on Dec 12, 2007 8:30 AM EST up reply actions

That's right

I forgot - he was sent away in the Branyan trade.

by ken on Dec 12, 2007 11:25 AM EST up reply actions

Cubs sign Fukudome

The Cubs picked up Kosuke Fukudome this morning. 48 mill for 4 years. Any thoughts on this guy, besides on his name and possible pronunciations? I assume his jersey will read "Kosuke," which is a dissapointment.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3151060

by Lakeman on Dec 12, 2007 9:28 AM EST reply actions

The proper headline is

"Cubs Enter the Fukudome"

but the real question is, do the Cubs need another hero beyond Fukudome?

I'm not superstitious...but I am a little stitious.

by Slyde on Dec 12, 2007 9:38 AM EST up reply actions

Man, I miss Joe Nuxhall

I would have loved to hear his attempt at that.

by jch24 on Dec 12, 2007 10:24 AM EST up reply actions

LOL

oh, that is great! i am trying to imagine his voice just now...perhaps he would just not saying it all, being too embarrassed of the word it uses.

2008 NL Central Champs!

by Daedalus on Dec 12, 2007 10:44 AM EST up reply actions

that would be "say"

gotta get back to an english speaking country...

2008 NL Central Champs!

by Daedalus on Dec 12, 2007 10:45 AM EST up reply actions

Daedalus lives in Bulgaria.

Put in a quarter...Turn out the lights...Magic Fingers makes ya feel alright!

by chandrathan on Dec 12, 2007 1:02 PM EST up reply actions

sorry, have i said that too much?

i'm just ready to go home for a bit. sorry.

2008 NL Central Champs!

by Daedalus on Dec 12, 2007 1:07 PM EST up reply actions

Not sure about this -

But I think "Kosuke Fukudome" is already anglicized. Fukudome is his family name - and i doubt he's going to to go do the Ichiro Suzuki thing at this point. And honestly, I think japanese is way easier to pronounce than english. Not that Fuck you dome won't be fun to say when we play the cubs.

He's supposed to be good defensively, (has also played some 3rd and 1st base) His best year was 2006 - hitting 351/438/653.

I'm not really good at translating NPB stats to MLBs...I've seen a couple comparisons to Matsui - but definitely has less power - Most homeruns hit is 31 in 2006, but he also hit 47 doubles that year.

Everybody's a jerk. You. Me. This jerk.

by andromache on Dec 12, 2007 12:25 PM EST up reply actions

RE: "Fuck you dome"

Why not "Fuck you! Do me!" ?

Never go with a hippie to a second location.

by Fat Vegas Alan on Dec 12, 2007 12:36 PM EST up reply actions

Why not both?

There are many paths to the one true mockery.

Everybody's a jerk. You. Me. This jerk.

by andromache on Dec 12, 2007 12:40 PM EST up reply actions

Fukudome

I'm curious as to what he puts on the back of his uniform. It's very unusual in Japan to go by your first name, like Ichiro. OTOH I'm sure Fukudome has been told about what kind of jeers he's gonna hear.

Nate Silver just released a bullish PECOTA for Fukudome: .289/.401/.504. I'm not sure how robust PECOTA (or any projection of a NPB player) can be considering how few players have jumped. The SLG seems high. But anywhere near a 900 OPS will make the Cubs happy, and makes me more nervous about them repeating.

by ken on Dec 12, 2007 12:54 PM EST up reply actions

I don't really think it'll be an issue.

It's not like there haven't been plenty of American or Latin players with pervertable last names.

I think that's also pretty bullish, especially for the OBP. Based on the Japanese numbers, I really don't see him having an IsoD >1. Hmm. It'll be really interesting.

Everybody's a jerk. You. Me. This jerk.

by andromache on Dec 12, 2007 1:02 PM EST up reply actions

i have a new friend here

whose name is Ksomething Hirosomething. He goes by Hiro. (As in Hero.) It's all very confusing. He tried to explain it to me, but I just didn't get it. It's not a matter of first name, last name, but a whole host of rules and regulations and traditions.

Actually, this may sound weird, but I learned a lot about Japan in my time in Bulgaria on account of Hiro, another friend who is a Japanese instructor at the university, and the ways of naming people are as foreign to me as the alphabet. It's fascinating, really. I know next to nothing about Japan. I only know I love sushi, saki, and the fact that they love baseball. Which is all that matters in life, right?

I tried to get an interview with the president of the Bulgarian baseball league, but he didn't respond to me after our initial contact. Maybe I'll try again in the eight days before I go...

2008 NL Central Champs!

by Daedalus on Dec 12, 2007 1:06 PM EST up reply actions

Daedalus lives in Bulgaria...

Put in a quarter...Turn out the lights...Magic Fingers makes ya feel alright!

by chandrathan on Dec 12, 2007 1:07 PM EST up reply actions

and that was not about bulgaria

it was about being confused by japanese culture.

quit being mean.

2008 NL Central Champs!

by Daedalus on Dec 12, 2007 1:08 PM EST up reply actions

Sorry...

I was rude, and I apologize!

Go Reds!

Put in a quarter...Turn out the lights...Magic Fingers makes ya feel alright!

by chandrathan on Dec 12, 2007 1:10 PM EST up reply actions

Hero ... Fukodome ...

damn, Slyde already made that joke.

Hiro is also a neighborhood in Tokyo; very westernized and sort of hip, as of a few years ago.

by ken on Dec 12, 2007 1:19 PM EST up reply actions

supposedly it's a very popular name

because they have "hirosomething" and "herosomewhat" and that kind of thing. Hiro is just a name.

By the way, I don't think it is wrong to be excited about the places you are. If you aren't, you may be watching too much television...

2008 NL Central Champs!

by Daedalus on Dec 12, 2007 1:24 PM EST up reply actions

My Fukudome for a horse...

Catherine The Great.

"Cool Papa Bell hit a line drive right past my ear. I turned around and saw the ball hit his ass sliding into second." - Satchel Paige

by Madville on Dec 12, 2007 9:35 AM EST reply actions

Latest thoughts on Reds situation ...

These non-tenders leave me wondering if Krivdawg might look at one of the lefties available. Could Ramirez or Hendrickson slot in as a #5? How are they with inducing ground balls? I would like to see us with 6-8 viable starters going into Spring training, and then see who really has the best stuff in March.

Also, I am hoping Krivsky will be patient with the A.L. clubs dangling pitching. The market seems to be leaning toward too high of a cost right now in the wake of the Tigers/ Marlins trade. I'm willing to give up Bailey, Votto and maybe Maloney for either Bedard or Haren. However, it's too bad if we have to trade Votto because Cantu would have been good insurance at 1b. To clear up roster space, why can't we get rid of Castro?

I think that once the Santana and/or Bedard deals go down, there will be a flurry of movement because folks will finally know the true market. Krivdawg, make a deal if it makes sense, but don't mortgage the future of the Reds by including too many top prospects.

Jamiethered

by jamiethered on Dec 12, 2007 10:06 AM EST reply actions

my 2 stotinki

You know how you sometimes just have players who can't stand for no real reason? Morgan Ensberg is one of those for me.

And there is no way David Ross will have as bad a year as he had last year. A season like that nearly always pushes a guy to work hard in the off season so he doesn't suck. We saw what he is capable of in 2006. I'm willing to bet he'll go .250 this season with his normal 15 or so homers and 45-50 RBI. He did kick as with the arm in 2007. Funny, because I thought his arm was crap in 2006. Strange.

Anwyay, I'm thinking maybe Krivsky finally got something right by not giving up the farm for a pitcher at the winter meetings. I'm starting to have a little faith.

Just a little.

2008 NL Central Champs!

by Daedalus on Dec 12, 2007 10:55 AM EST reply actions

Oh, ye of little faith!

"Cool Papa Bell hit a line drive right past my ear. I turned around and saw the ball hit his ass sliding into second." - Satchel Paige

by Madville on Dec 12, 2007 11:17 AM EST up reply actions

IIRC

wasn't Geki pushing for Ensburg midseason when the Reds were swooning against lefties?

by Man Mountain on Dec 12, 2007 11:55 AM EST reply actions

"Ensberg"

had a red reporter moment

by Man Mountain on Dec 12, 2007 11:59 AM EST up reply actions

I don't know about Geki

but I once pined for Ensberg. I have a thing for guys named Morgan.

I'm not superstitious...but I am a little stitious.

by Slyde on Dec 12, 2007 12:56 PM EST up reply actions

IDRC

the z-man was with you, too

by Man Mountain on Dec 12, 2007 1:26 PM EST up reply actions

Mitchell report likely released on Thursday.

I'm sure there will be a diary created for it when it's released but I wanted to share Dusty's quote from SI.com: "Well, it ain't Merry Christmas or Happy New Year for somebody."

And here's a link to the New York Times article claiming that some dominoes are going to fall: "two people who are familiar with Mitchell's investigation, and his findings, said that the report would contain the names of more than 50 active and former major league players who are linked to the use of performance-enhancing drugs."

Never go with a hippie to a second location.

by Fat Vegas Alan on Dec 12, 2007 12:23 PM EST reply actions

Mitchell Report/Ensberg

Honestly, Morgan Ensberg would be a mid-round pick for a Fantasy Mitchell Report League, if you ask me.

by captmrwill on Dec 12, 2007 1:01 PM EST up reply actions

Asstros get Tejada

for Luke Scott and assorted others. link Mitchell Report be damned!

If this is representative of Baltimore's negotiating prowess, let's stick to Homer for Bedard, straight up.

by ken on Dec 12, 2007 1:03 PM EST reply actions

Just came here to post...

That the Astros got Tejada for Some Dude...

Put in a quarter...Turn out the lights...Magic Fingers makes ya feel alright!

by chandrathan on Dec 12, 2007 1:05 PM EST up reply actions

Former MVP for Some Dude

That is Some Dude, right?

BTW, JinAZ makes the argument that Bailey for Bedard is a more balanced deal that it looks. I'm not sure I agree completely, but then philosophers are trained to doubt everything.

I'm not superstitious...but I am a little stitious.

by Slyde on Dec 12, 2007 1:05 PM EST up reply actions

From a fans perspective

The majority of those that have responded at Camden Chat like deal, even saying that the Astros got fleeced. All four people who responded at Crawfish Boxes hate the deal. Looks like a winner for the Reds!

I'm not superstitious...but I am a little stitious.

by Slyde on Dec 12, 2007 1:16 PM EST up reply actions

Thinking about it for more than 2 seconds,

it seems like an odd trade. Tejada could have another couple of good years, but I don't see Houston being in a position to take advantage. But I don't think Baltimore got enough youth/upside in return. Scott will be 30, but he seems like a nice platoon player and possibly more that was never going to get enough PAs in Houston. Albers started some last year but did poorly. I don't know anything about Patton, but he is 22 and has already pitched some at the big league. Costanzo was in the Phillies' system and was sent with Bourn in the Lidge trade. Meh.

by ken on Dec 12, 2007 1:33 PM EST up reply actions

the other thing is

the asstros used up all of their farm system. they have nothing left. and tejada is not going to cure their woes but make them worse. i understand why asstros fans are mad. they should be trading berkman and the like for prospects to rebuild their system. tejada is good, but he's not going to bring them to the playoffs. or out of last place.

though i have to admit, i like watching him and am glad to have more opportunity to do so.

2008 NL Central Champs!

by Daedalus on Dec 12, 2007 1:35 PM EST up reply actions

Seems like...

This doesn't really effect our possible dealings with them, right? Seems like they just got a bunch of guys. Saw a post on the espn.com main page saying that the Tejada of today "isn't worth five guys." He is if they all suck...

by Lakeman on Dec 12, 2007 2:00 PM EST up reply actions

Agree.

Here are Sickels' ratings of the Asstros' top 20 prospects:

http://www.minorleagueball.com/story/2007/11/29/142630/56

Troy Patton is a B+ and the Asstros' best pitching prospect, Costanzo is a B-, and the rest are unrated. Some Dude was a serviceable major leaguer who killed righthanders.

At least it wasn't Grady Little.

by Paul Householder on Dec 12, 2007 2:12 PM EST up reply actions

Ramierez

Horacio Ramierez is a decent young lefty that could be put in either the pen, or, if we could free up the budding rock star Arroyo's contract, could book end the rotation if Bedard is at the top. Not to mention, he'd be quite cheap.

by jbond007 on Dec 12, 2007 4:09 PM EST reply actions

Ramirez

You mean the same Ramirez that struck out 40 and walked 42 in 98 innings with the Mariners last year? No thanks. I'm not sure why you would rather get rid of Arroyo and have Ramirez.

I'm not superstitious...but I am a little stitious.

by Slyde on Dec 12, 2007 4:17 PM EST up reply actions

If the Red's could get him cheap

as "competition" for the rotation, I would be ok with it. I wouldn't look at his high WHIP as a guy who could be qual to Arroyo.

The Dusty path to the World Series!

by justin0070000 on Dec 12, 2007 4:30 PM EST up reply actions

Arroyo was way better than his W-L indicates

If a certain manager didn't murder his supposed rubberband arm against San Diego, his numbers would have been pretty good this year. That was his only decline period of the year was when he seemed fatigued/not himself. He finished strong and still seems like an upper-tier NL Central pitcher. He finished with a 3.55 ERA after the break with 81 K/ 25 BB. His deplorable May and June stats are outliers compared to his other Cincinnati stats.

I can't believe anybody would be for getting rid of Arroyo and his very reasonable contract.

by buckeye22fox on Dec 12, 2007 4:31 PM EST up reply actions

Besides

Arroyo adds a lot of sex appeal to the Reds. Who else on their squad generates female fan interest?

I mean, Andromache wanted to marry Homer Bailey last year (at least know him in a Biblical sense), but Bailey is still a local commodity.

Bronson really did pitch in some hard luck, and not just the Padres game where he over-used his arm. Whenever he left with a lead and men on base, the bull-bleep pen seemed always get those runners in and lose his chance at a winning decision. I'm good with Bronson; it's just he and Harang are not quite enough.

And if other teams can cut lose of their marginal pitchers, why can't we dump Stanton and Coffey NOW! The thought of those two in Spring Training, goofing around with our heads again and raising false hopes:
"(fill in the blank) looks like a new pitcher this year!"
Really. Come June, they'll be the same old pitchers that stunk it up in 2007.

Grab Greg Aquino and drop Todd Coffey. Please.

Yogi Berra said: "predictions are tough, especially when they are about the future".

by Lonesome George on Dec 12, 2007 4:46 PM EST up reply actions

Correction.

My plans regarding Homer Bailey and nuptials have not changed.

Everybody's a jerk. You. Me. This jerk.

by andromache on Dec 12, 2007 4:48 PM EST up reply actions

The commenters at RHM

disagwee

by Man Mountain on Dec 12, 2007 4:55 PM EST up reply actions

You got me thinking about Todd Coffey

From purely a sabermetric perspective, the guy is due for a rebound. His peripherals don't look that bad (7.59 K/9, 3.35 BB/9, 2.15 GB/FB, 15.7% Line Drive rate), except for one number - 2.12 HR/9. That is a ridiculously high number. And it's a number that I don't expect him to repeat because of another ridiculously high number - 26.1% of his flyballs allowed turned into home runs, the second most in the NL for pitchers with at least 30 innings. That is highly abnormal (Arroyo surrendered 28 HRs last year but only 9.5% of his flyballs turned into home runs). What doesn't jibe with me is that those home runs are the only real sign that Coffey was getting hit hard. His line drive percentage would put him in the top 10-20% for lowest in the NL. I'm not sure if it was luck or just bad pitching, but I don't expect Coffey to surrender so many longballs next year.

I know he had a bad year least year, but I think the signs are good that he can make a decent rebound this year. At least decent enough that he will be a good middle reliever, even if he's never used in a true setup role.

I'm not superstitious...but I am a little stitious.

by Slyde on Dec 12, 2007 5:17 PM EST up reply actions

OF Help/Bullpen

I am concerned that Bruce won't win the job out of Spring Training and the possibility of another Griffey injury. I think Freel and Hopper are excellent bench players with real value to a deep offensive squad and a team thin on starting pitching that has to pinch hit a lot. I worry that Dusty Baker may give Freel and Hopper too many ab's starting in the same OF. Would like to sign someone like Broussard (can he play rf?) or maybe even Kevin Mench or Emil Brown. This might make Freel expendable (Kepp can play all over the IF) and he should have some trade value.

Would love to see Aquino, Hendrickson, and especially Cotts get a chance.

by 44magnum on Dec 12, 2007 5:50 PM EST reply actions

Kevin Mench? Ni!

Emil Brown was a Reds' farmhand at one time, too. I think he came over from the Yankees. Freel and Hopp can get as many AB's in Spring Training as they want, because it's SPRING TRAINING!

Yogi Berra said: "predictions are tough, especially when they are about the future".

by Lonesome George on Dec 12, 2007 6:56 PM EST up reply actions

Mench? Good Guy

I mean, he's a really standup guy, one who will do the right thing.

Love is a burnin' thing. It makes a fiery ring. thankyouverymuch

by oldcleat on Dec 13, 2007 10:46 AM EST up reply actions

Chad Durbin from Detroit

might be worth a shot.

We Are ... Marshall!

by Thundering Turtle on Dec 12, 2007 6:08 PM EST reply actions

The Red's need to stockpile pitchers like that

just as back ups so they can have injury insurance.

The Dusty path to the World Series!

by justin0070000 on Dec 12, 2007 7:25 PM EST up reply actions

Belisle Q&A at reds.com

http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071212&content_id=2323432&vkey=news_ci n&fext=.jsp&c_id=cin

Nothing too mindblowing, but I was interested to see that Belisle acknowledges his struggle to repeat his delivery as he tires and when he has runners on base--a subject that we talked about a few times during the season.

I've been a Belisle apologist here--often foolishly--but it's good to read how excited he is to get to Spring Training. Despite my misgivings about Johnnie B. Baker, Jr., I must admit that the players seem genuinely pumped about playing for him.

Belisle has the stuff to be a successful major league starter; if he puts it together this season, the Reds might finally be a strong pitching team.

by Man Mountain on Dec 12, 2007 8:26 PM EST reply actions

You and me both

Man Mountain : Matt Belisle :: Slyde : Todd Coffey

I'm not superstitious...but I am a little stitious.

by Slyde on Dec 12, 2007 8:33 PM EST up reply actions

I think I mentioned this months ago.

..but I remember Rob Dibble saying on his XM show that he thinks the NL might have "the book" on Coffey. (Can't throw his breaking stuff for strikes, perhaps?) I'm sure that most people would agree with me if I say that Dibble is often just another jock-media blowhard but if Coffey goes another 20-30 appearances without positioning himself as anything more than "a big hard-throwing righthander" I'm gonna say I owe Rob Dibble a beer.

And that would be two beers that I would then owe Rob Dibble.

Never go with a hippie to a second location.

by Fat Vegas Alan on Dec 12, 2007 8:49 PM EST up reply actions

Prior was non-tendered

I wouldn't mind the Red's taking a chance on Prior, maybe a 2 year deal, with 2009 being an option, give him a base contract of $2Million, but worth up to 5 million for 2008 with incentives, and an $8Mill option for 2009, with a $800K buyout.

The Dusty path to the World Series!

by justin0070000 on Dec 13, 2007 12:18 AM EST reply actions

Prior

When did Prior have his surgery? It will be interesting to see where Mark Prior goes, and for how much. I hope that he comes to the Reds if the bidding doesn't get out of hand. I would think it a good plan to bring him back in the bullpen in 2008 with an eye to the rotation in 2009.

2-0 count: one pitch, one zone

by rojosoto on Dec 13, 2007 10:31 AM EST up reply actions

In June I believe

2009 will be a lost season, because he probably won't pitch until June or July, and he probably won't be all the effective when he does, but 2010 he should be back, if he ever makes it back.

The Dusty path to the World Series!

by justin0070000 on Dec 13, 2007 10:51 AM EST up reply actions

Which year?

You mean 2008 is lost and 2009 is the comeback?

2-0 count: one pitch, one zone

by rojosoto on Dec 13, 2007 10:55 AM EST up reply actions

Don't call it a comeback!

(BTW, I'l take LL in the Mitchell Report Pool.)

Never go with a hippie to a second location.

by Fat Vegas Alan on Dec 13, 2007 11:21 AM EST up reply actions

yeah

sorry i am tired.

The Dusty path to the World Series!

by justin0070000 on Dec 13, 2007 3:08 PM EST up reply actions

a little excited about the new year already?

I'm not superstitious...but I am a little stitious.

by Slyde on Dec 13, 2007 10:56 AM EST up reply actions

2009

Or after the Reds give away the farm for Bedard, there won't be a team left to field in 2009.

2-0 count: one pitch, one zone

by rojosoto on Dec 13, 2007 11:02 AM EST up reply actions

it was in april

he didn't pitch at all last year.

2008 NL Central Champs!

by Daedalus on Dec 13, 2007 4:08 PM EST up reply actions

I like Prior, too,

along with Chad Durbin, Josh Towers, Darrell Rasner, Brian Rogers, Morgan Ensberg and cory Doyne.

We Are ... Marshall!

by Thundering Turtle on Dec 13, 2007 9:26 AM EST reply actions

I don't know about Towers

the Reds haven't really improved the defense at all and Towers has a lot of balls put in play. Plus, he gives up a few too many homers for me to be comfortable with him in GABP. I'd rather have Towers than Durbin though because at least Towers doesn't walk many.

I'm not superstitious...but I am a little stitious.

by Slyde on Dec 13, 2007 10:13 AM EST up reply actions

How about Kevin Mench

as a possible platoon partner at first? He kills lefties (career .924 OPS vs LHP). I'd still rather have Ensberg, but Mench might carry a more reasonable price.

I'm not superstitious...but I am a little stitious.

by Slyde on Dec 13, 2007 10:08 AM EST reply actions