Homer had a better spring. Homer has more upside. Homer is less suited to pitch out of the bullpen. Makes perfect since to me to put him in the rotation and Owings in the bullpen.

He’s done everything he’s been asked of him, and I’m more confident that this time around his head is finally in the right place to get major league hitters out, and his raw talent over Owings makes me feel better giving him the nod. Plus, if Homer gets sent to AAA, his fragile confidence could lead him to go back to being a head case, and if you’re Walt with a blue-chip prospect like that, I don’t think you can take that chance.

is for Arroyo to go out there, give up another 10 runs and they put him on the DL and bring both North. Give those two 2 or 3 meaningful starts again real teams and see who shakes out. I like Owings just based on batting practice though..

But it doesn’t matter much now, we won’t need a 5th guy for a while and knowing Dustballs he’ll probably pencil in Masset.

Edinson
Cueto
Bailey
Harang
Owings

I wouldn’t be surprised to see Bronson traded before the the deadline.

He’s got a better stick!

mostly because I’m dont think either should go to the pen (sure it would open up owings to pinch hit more, but why interrupt his success this spring?). Id rather see bailey in AAA than long relief, I think shelving him to long relief duties would be a terrible idea. plus stonewalling the kid after a good spring might actually make him work even harder. He’s 22, this is the major leagues, making it there isnt easy. But its good to see the Reds agreed with the fans who thought giving up on him was pure lunacy.

that said, personally Id rather see both in the rotation

all 30 guys on the roster will be traveling north with the team. They have until Sunday to make the final cuts, and I guess are waiting until the last minute. Probably because Jocketty’s on the phone trying to see if there’s anyone out there better than Laynce Nix or Adam Rosales.

from Baseball America…

One-time Red Jason Romano has been released by the Astros. Romano was a friend of Bubba Crosby’s when they were both with the Dodgers:

(That’s Paul Lo Duca in back.)

He teased Bubba about being traded to the Yankees minutes before the trade deadline…only to have it come true.

Russ Haltiwanger was released by the Cards. I think the Reds should sign him. If we can’t have Coutlangus, dammit, I want Haltiwanger. (He was the guy traded to the Royals for Jeff Keppinger.)

And the Blue Jays released Daryl Harang. That’s Aaron’s younger, smaller, left-handed brother.

My usual M.O. is to trust the stats, but a) Spring stats are worse than useless, because all they do activate confirmation bias in all of us; and b) we have to take personalities into account here. McCoy says that Homer has matured, but do we really want to take the risk that by sending him down to AAA we’ll reawaken the sullen brat from the past 2 seasons? Homer’s stuff is also undeniably better than Owings, whose ceiling is that of a 4th starter anyway.

On the other hand, seems like it’d be much better to let him dominate for a month or two in Louisville, call him up when the first injury happens, and keep him there. Hopefully Masset performs well enough to build up value as a trade chip and Owings can transition to the bullpen while contributing extra value by not needing to be lifted for a pinch hitter.

So yeah, it’s a draw, and a good problem to have. Teams with pitching depth have a much better chance of winning.