which I don’t think they could.

but you have to give up something to get something. They have more lefties than they do righties, and between keeping him or Roenicke, I’d probably take Roenicke. And while Maloney makes more sense as the starter, I’d think they’re looking to trade Bailey first.

just so everyone knows im not a rabid hater

I think the Yankees were kind of glad to be rid of Tabata. He had some off the field issues that they just didn’t want to deal with.

you and Hal are BBFF’s

Coincidence?

Well his argument is silly but Cincinnati is a what have you done for me lately town and if Bailey came out and won a spot in the rotation with a great Spring everyone would be back on the bandwagon. Hal would be writing stories about how he was wrong and Doc would name him the next Clemens because the Cincy media blows!

All I’m saying about Homer is he has been said to have more than enough talent to be successful and it is up to the coaches to figure out how to coach this very immature kid up to succeed. I feel like he will mature and he will be successful and it CAN be in Cincinnati. If the argument is he can’t succeed in Cincy and he needs a change on scenery shouldn’t the Reds look at themselves as the real problem?

I coach basketball at an inner city school and if a kid had tons of talent but was in trouble, didn’t get the grades, and was a flop on the court but then transferred to another school got his stuff together and was all city I would do nothing but blame myself. In fact I would probably ask his new coach what it took to make things click for this kid. I wouldn’t say, " well it just never would have worked." Bailey’s not a lost cause (maybe our pitching coaches are) and we need to adjust to this kid not expect him to adjust to our staff.

Also, he came here a pretty blank slate and the Reds allowed him to become what he is. If he had ego problems they should have nipped them. If he wasn’t savvy they should have taught him how to pitch instead of throwing him in there and letting him get by on stuff. Volquez did not come around until he was put on a stringent regimen by the Rangers. Volquez was once where Bailey is now. Pressing to get on the Major League team, losing and not focusing on his mechanics.

Here is a clip from an article on Volquez from espn.com

The Rangers met with Volquez in mid-March 2007, outlining its plan for him. He’d start in Class A. He would graduate to the next level if certain requirements were met.

It’s easy to see why. Among the rules he had to follow:

- Run on and off the field within 12 seconds.

- On days he pitched, only speak to his catcher, manager and pitching coach.

- Write down a plan for the nine hitters.

- Use a No. 2 blade when shaving his head.

- Throw 60 percent first-pitch strikes.

- On 80 percent of 0-1, 0-2 counts, throw an action pitch, or quality purpose pitch.

- Chart pitches on days he is not starting.

- Always have his shirt tucked in, and his pants tidy.

Any violation of those rules would result in a $250 fine and a possible skip in the rotation. At first, Volquez was dejected, then his attitude brightened and his drive to get back to the majors became intense.

“The best thing I did was I never stopped working,” he said.

They sent EV down to A ball to start ’07 and MADE him figure things out while also getting his mechanics perfect and working on his pitches and his control. (This is another coaching aspect that pisses me off about the Reds. Bobby Knight always said to work at what your not good at and get better but to work harder and perfect what your good at. Basically saying your never going to be something your not. Bailey’s not going to have Hoffman’s change so quick trying to force it and let him learn to get hitters out with his current arsenal which is more than effective. If there are other pitches that help that fastball out teach them but don’t expect him to learn an out pitch, that almost never happens at the pro level.)

Now with all of that said my worry comes more into play with his actual talent level. He does not seem to have the pitches that were once advertised and maybe he is mentally a lost cause and will not succeed any where, if that’s the case deal him. But I am tired of hearing "change of scenery" talk because you can be successful anywhere! I also say what evidence does anyone have he can’t make it here? We had better get a proven commodity for Homer if we do deal him and it better not be some fodder. I honestly would hate to see him go for Swish, but I guess you have to give something to get something. Hey I’m just holding out hope he is our #2 between EV and Cueto in a few years.

Might have been Reynard.

I’m not an arrogant douchebag. I’m not fully aware of where the Miami bashing came from, but I’d like to make it known that I’m employed.

(I’m not really sure why it’s funny to bash Miami, but I’m vulnerable to peer pressure)

i am going to rec any post that bashes Miami University.

Bring out…the fluffy pillows!