Jocketty reportedly concerned about shortstop and catcher

This Enquirer blog post from Saturday suggests that Walt will try to address both positions at the general managers meeting this week in Chicago. He reportedly talked to the Brewers about acquiring J.J. Hardy and he's been in talks with Ray-moan's agent about bringing him back for cheap. Very intriguing stuff, folks.

11 days ago GrooveLeg 28 comments 0 recs |

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Why bring back Razor Ramon?

… and there should be nothing reportedly concerned about shortstop, Walt needs to get a damn shortstop and needs to let it be known to all that’ll listen, and even those that could give 2 shits.

And while he’s at it, he should get a damn LF too.

by Highlifeman21 on Nov 8, 2009 11:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Yeah and while he's at it he could get a decent manager too

I gave up working out. My philosophy: No pain... no pain. ...
Mads.

by Madville on Nov 9, 2009 7:00 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Yeah and while he's at it he could get a decent hitting coach too

by GrooveLeg on Nov 9, 2009 9:39 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Yeah and while he's at it he could get a decent haircut too

by jacob brumfield on Nov 9, 2009 10:05 AM EST reply actions 1 recs

I can only hope Ramon asks for too much

Both infielder Paul Janish and catcher Ryan Hanigan are good enough defensively to start, but neither has shown enough offensively. Having both in the lineup exacerbates the situation because each is best suited to hit eighth.

Why is Hanigan’s offensive value so universally panned? He’s shown at the major and minor league level that he can get on base at around .360 clip to Ramon’s .327 lifetime. Ramon has had far more power in his career, but this appears to be in sharp decline, which won’t be helped by persistent knee troubles. Even if the Reds get him for a tolerable amount ($2-3MM), he will be overused.

It seems to me the Reds can get the most bang for their buck through maximizing OBP and preventing runs defensively. Power is overpaid and they just don’t have the money to add a big bat or an arm who would significantly improve the pitching staff. Hanigan offers both, while providing less power than Ramon, who was sub.400 SLG last season.

Hanigan-BP-Janish-Stubbs/Dickerson-Rolen-Bruce gives the Reds a legitimate shot to be the best defensive team in the NL. Really seems like the only cost-effective move might be swinging a trade for a SS and otherwise optimizing from within. The defense will be good, but run prevention is really going to turn on the pitching staff, which seems like a complete crapshoot at times.

Yeah, those guys and the Cincinnati Reds. They're a terrible football team. / Because they're a baseball team? / Exactly. You know who's the worst football team? The Philadelphia Flyers. - Best Show

by RijoSaboCaseyWKRP on Nov 9, 2009 3:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

They also might be running the risk of pulling another Mike Lincoln

by giving Justin Lehr a MLB contract. He had a string of good starts, but still came in at a 5.00+ ERA last season. No way should he be in the running for 5th starter in front of Maloney, Owings or Wood.

Yeah, those guys and the Cincinnati Reds. They're a terrible football team. / Because they're a baseball team? / Exactly. You know who's the worst football team? The Philadelphia Flyers. - Best Show

by RijoSaboCaseyWKRP on Nov 9, 2009 3:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

the word from Sheldon was the Lehr had been outrighted

the thinking being that the Reds would guarantee him the money in exchange for not guaranteeing him a 40-man roster spot.

Definitely a good argument.

by Slyde on Nov 9, 2009 3:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

makes sense to me

by Charlie Scrabbles on Nov 9, 2009 4:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Lehr is no longer listed on the Reds 40-man on their site

Definitely a good argument.

by Slyde on Nov 9, 2009 4:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

right

i mean it makes sense to guarantee him a little money but save the 40-man spot. he’s been a good organizational soldier the past few years and he’s kind useful to keep around, but only for emergencies. i like the move.

by Charlie Scrabbles on Nov 9, 2009 4:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

If this is the case then it seems a fine move

I’m wondering why they let RamRam go though… he had the potential to be serviceable out of the bullpen. I was really hoping to see either Bray or Ramirez over Lincoln. Not sure what to think of Viola – good K-rate, but bogus performance over the last season or so.

Yeah, those guys and the Cincinnati Reds. They're a terrible football team. / Because they're a baseball team? / Exactly. You know who's the worst football team? The Philadelphia Flyers. - Best Show

by RijoSaboCaseyWKRP on Nov 9, 2009 11:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I've got a dollar

that says that we bring Jason LaRue back to be our other Catcher. Walt brought him in to the Cards organization, he’s solid defensively, and I’ll be damned if he’s not one of my favorite Reds of the past decade. Personally, I like him a hell of a lot better than our other options, and he’s already used to spot duty for Yaddy Mo. Let Hanigan catch 110 games-ish, and LaRue gets the rest. Defense remains solid, good with the pitchers, and the best damn handlebar mustasche in the league.

And no, that dollar wasn’t given to me by Ochocinco. Gimme some LaRue.

Set the gearshift to the high gear of your soul.

by Kevin Mitchell is Batman on Nov 9, 2009 8:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs