Red Reposter: Guess who's back?

by Slyde on Jun 23, 2009 12:02 PM EDT in News Comment 49 comments

It's a light day today after an off-day, but there is still good news in the air:

What we all thought would happen has been confirmed: Joey Votto is with Reds and will be activated today.He's been on the DL since May 30, but will make his return in his hometown tonight. His return could not come soon enough. Since he went on the DL, the Reds have batted .217/.295/.340, averaging just 3.4 runs per game. Votto's not going to fix all of that, but his presence will hopefully take some pressure off of guys like Jay Bruce and Ramon Hernandez, hopefully making things easier for them as well.
Speaking of the upcoming series against the Blue Jays, I answered some questions for Bluebird Banter about the Reds.
Votto's return is well timed, especially because I can already see the Reds playoff chances slipping away.
Then again, these guys think the Reds are close to being the class of the NL Central and should consider buying, if they can do it without mortgaging their future too much.
Justin has a Q&A on WAR and what it is good for. Absolutely something.
Reds Minor Leagues previews the GCL Reds and Billings Mustang.
Redleg Nation has some great pictures from the Carolina Mudcats game over the weekend.
This is kinda late, but here is the Casual Fan’s Guide to the College World Series.

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i'm going to guess ed begley jr.

What do you mean, "blank slate"?

by boobs on Jun 23, 2009 12:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

was i not right?

What do you mean, "blank slate"?

by boobs on Jun 24, 2009 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Dodgers have a 70% chance of winning their division in late June? Damn.

"Power guys like Giambi and Dunn have always had high OPS because no one wants to pitch to them. But it takes two hits to score them from first." -- Harold Reynolds

by jch24 on Jun 23, 2009 12:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

someone picked Ryan Freel?

Yikes.

And kinda creepy, how it’s magically linkified.

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

by BubbaFan on Jun 23, 2009 12:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

ugh

This was supposed to be in the Graveheart thread. There must be some strange hot keys on this computer.

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

by BubbaFan on Jun 23, 2009 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I always enjoy those Q & A's with the other SBNation sites

Good answers, Slyde!

by Brendanukkah on Jun 23, 2009 12:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I meant to send some questions to the Blue Jays guys, but time wouldn't let me

"It seems like we're not hitting because we're not getting hits." - Dusty being Dusty

by Slyde on Jun 23, 2009 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

excuses are like arseholes...

"We're going to Adonis, son"

jch24

by obc2 on Jun 23, 2009 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Slyde's stinks

by Brendanukkah on Jun 23, 2009 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

"Only a few massive holes in the lineup remain..."

Oh, waitress! How about another round of Kool-Aids for me and my friends here?

by bengalred on Jun 23, 2009 12:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

So, Wilkin Castillo was put on the DL with a torn labrum

I wonder if the Reds knew all along that he was hurt and brought him up so that they could put him on the 60 day DL and not risk losing a player when EdE comes off of the 60-day?

"It seems like we're not hitting because we're not getting hits." - Dusty being Dusty

by Slyde on Jun 23, 2009 12:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

shoot, then why didn't they just give me a weekend contract?

by Cy Schourek on Jun 23, 2009 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Because they can transfer him to the 60-Day DL

whenever Edwin is ready to come back. In the meantime, it gives the Reds an extra spot on the 40-Man if a player they really liked were to be put on waivers, or released and acquired.

Find me on MySpace- http://www.myspace.com/mixfmkyle

by MixFMKyle on Jun 23, 2009 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

that's exactly what I was saying

What I was wondering is if he was injured when they brought him up.

"It seems like we're not hitting because we're not getting hits." - Dusty being Dusty

by Slyde on Jun 23, 2009 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fya says he was injured during a head-first slide on Saturday.

Who knows if that’s true, but if he was injured and they brought him up for this, why play him? Also, when he was called up they couldn’t be sure when Votto would be back.

Isn't there a slanket somewhere you should be filling with your farts?

by nycredsfan on Jun 23, 2009 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I glanced over it too fast. I doubt they knew he was hurt. I saw a replay of the slide, it was pretty awkward. I say it happened on the field Saturday. I imagine they would have just outrighted Danny Richar when EE was available.

Find me on MySpace- http://www.myspace.com/mixfmkyle

by MixFMKyle on Jun 23, 2009 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't understand all the clamoring for a power bat in LF

Nix-Gomes has held down things pretty well. I think you stand pat with them and don’t mortgage the future trying to make a deal.

What that Perpetual Post article gets right at least is that CF and SS are the big holes. CF isn’t going to be fixed because the Reds are a masochistic franchise, but fixing those positions – one of which doest require giving up talent — should be the objective.

I got to go down to the stadium and whip batteries at the players on both teams. - Philly Boy Roy

by RijoSaboCaseyWKRP on Jun 23, 2009 1:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I don't agree that they've held down things pretty well

As LF go, they aren’t really all that good. I do agree that they are better than the crap we’ve seen at other positions though.

"It seems like we're not hitting because we're not getting hits." - Dusty being Dusty

by Slyde on Jun 23, 2009 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gomes has hasn't he?

973 OPS in 56 PA. Nix is 830 OPS in 163 PA. Combined, they’re no Adam Dunn, but certainly a good value for the money so far. The jump to a 1.000 OPS leftfielder in not one I think the Reds are prepared to make.

I think it’s a matter of triage. LF shouldn’t be top priority, especially with how cost-prohibitive a big bat would be there and what we would likely have to give up in trade. If you’re going to use Arroyo as trade bait, go after an IF prospect who can play SS.

I got to go down to the stadium and whip batteries at the players on both teams. - Philly Boy Roy

by RijoSaboCaseyWKRP on Jun 23, 2009 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think Nix's numbers are artificially inflated by a hot April when he was mainly pinch hitting

since he has become a regular starter, his OPS is more like .780. Gomes has 33 PA in the outfield. Yes, he’s been impressive in his short time, but I wouldn’t call Gomes/Nix a quality left field option. It suffices for now, but if the Reds are looking to add a serious bat, I think LF will be the easiest place to find one. Improving over Willy Taveras or Alex Gonzalez isn’t really doing much. If you want to compete this year (big IF), LF is the best place to look.

"It seems like we're not hitting because we're not getting hits." - Dusty being Dusty

by Slyde on Jun 23, 2009 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, but you could find a slightly above league replacement player for SS

and it would be a huge improvement over what we’ve had, and probably for less money/prospects than a big LF bat. I’m not saying they should necessarily do that, but the cost for a real upgrade in LF would be much higher.

Isn't there a slanket somewhere you should be filling with your farts?

by nycredsfan on Jun 23, 2009 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Reds lineup is swiss cheese

holes everywhere…

"We're going to Adonis, son"

jch24

by obc2 on Jun 23, 2009 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Concurr'd nycredsfan. Who is available to the Reds in LF whose price

in talent and contract is not too dear and would be more of an improvement there than cheaper SS & CF improvements combined. I think you could quite easily best your possible LF improvement with Stubbs/Dickerson in CF, BP over to short and Sutton at 2B. Completely internal solution that minimizes wasted payroll and will never happen ever.

I got to go down to the stadium and whip batteries at the players on both teams. - Philly Boy Roy

by RijoSaboCaseyWKRP on Jun 23, 2009 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Here's who the F could be starting tonight against a LHP

Stubbs CF
Hanigan C
Votto 1B
Phillips SS
Gomes LF
Bruce RF
Hernandez DH
Hairston 3B
Sutton 2B

I got to go down to the stadium and whip batteries at the players on both teams. - Philly Boy Roy

by RijoSaboCaseyWKRP on Jun 23, 2009 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think the BP to SS dream should die

it isn’t going to happen.

And my point isn’t about cost. My point is that if you want to make a legitimate improvement to this team, you need to add a serious bat, somebody that is at least as good of a hitter as EdE projects to be. Marginally improving in CF or SS isn’t going to make this team a contender. Having a bunch of average hitters in the lineup isn’t enough. This team needs another big bat in the middle of the order if they want to do some damage.

I’m not saying the should do this, because obviously you have to consider the future and the costs. But the Reds aren’t going to turn into a good offense by getting more average.

"It seems like we're not hitting because we're not getting hits." - Dusty being Dusty

by Slyde on Jun 23, 2009 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Trade for Manny!

"Power guys like Giambi and Dunn have always had high OPS because no one wants to pitch to them. But it takes two hits to score them from first." -- Harold Reynolds

by jch24 on Jun 23, 2009 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry, the heat must be getting to me

But if they did it, I would be thrown in jail for streaking Fountain Square at high noon with a huge red wishbone C painted on my back.

"Power guys like Giambi and Dunn have always had high OPS because no one wants to pitch to them. But it takes two hits to score them from first." -- Harold Reynolds

by jch24 on Jun 23, 2009 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

trade for Failcoeur!!!

"We're going to Adonis, son"

jch24

by obc2 on Jun 23, 2009 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Point taken

I guess I was speaking about the art of the possible. Deep down, I know the BP to SS dream is dead, but what’s most frustrating to me about this team is that it doesn’t use the parts available to it – as a small market team – to optimize what it puts on the field.

Become “more average” on offense would still improve this team and it could be done in-house. Could simply mean a month or two more of staying 3-5 games back, but I think I’d take it. The results of the experiment would be to see what you have with guys like Stubbs and Sutton while finding out what your current ceiling is in organizational talent. Then you know how much you can improve and at what cost.

I got to go down to the stadium and whip batteries at the players on both teams. - Philly Boy Roy

by RijoSaboCaseyWKRP on Jun 23, 2009 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agree about BP to SS

and I also agree a big, good bat for LF would be the best thing, I just don’t know how realistic that is. I’m also thinking about what it makes the lineup look like. I’d rather replace Gonzo and Taveras and keep Nix/Gomes in the lineup than keep T-Gonz in the lineup and lose Nix and/or Gomes.

Say, for example, we get Matt Holliday. So now, you have Holliday providing 2-4 wins over what we’d get out there anyway for the rest of the year. You still have Willy in CF and Hairston/Gonzo/Who? at SS. To get him you’ve given up 3-4 good prospects and added millions in salary.

Or, get a slightly above average SS and CF, each of which adds 1-2 runs over the pile of dung that would otherwise be there. You’ve maybe given up 1-2 mid-level prospects for each (and maybe an Adam Rosales or Danny Richar) and get the same WAR addition, with probably not much extra salary, and less loss of prospects. I hate to say it, but even with Holliday in the lineup it’s still not going to be a good offense with Taveras, Hairston, or Gonzo hitting in front of him and Hernandez behind him.

Isn't there a slanket somewhere you should be filling with your farts?

by nycredsfan on Jun 23, 2009 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Reds looking to move Arroyo due to money concerns

Nick Cafardo has posted stuff about the Brewers that Melvin said were completely false.

Does it pass the smell test?

by ol Pete on Jun 23, 2009 1:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

What, that the Reds are looking to save money?

Absolutely. Baffling contracts to Willy Taveras and Mike Lincoln aside, this is a team that has not shown any inclination to go out of its way to spend the extra buck this year. Many have posited that their reluctance to use the DL is some form of cost-cutting measure. Jocketty proclaimed that finding a big bat for LF was his “No. 1 priority” this offseason, but in a market where left-fielders were going for well-below rate, we ended up with minor league signings Nix and Gomes.

Arroyo is due to make $11 million starting next year, and one gets the sense that he is the one pitcher fans and management would be most willing to part with. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he’s being shopped, though I do think our chances for winning are better if he’s on the team.

by Brendanukkah on Jun 23, 2009 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's certainly the most believable Reds rumor out there right now

I would be disappointed to see Arroyo go until I know if Homer Bailey can pitch sustainably at the major league level. Reds might not have the luxury of waiting to find out – if they’re trying to clear payroll by the trade deadline – but I think Arroyo has been a significant contributor to rotation stability.

Wins may be a bullshit statistic, but in games Arroyo’s been credited with a win, I think he’s held opponents to 3 ER or less. He hasn’t really been a beneficiary of run support. As a fourth starter matching up against back-of-the-rotation guys, Bronson is pretty valuable though perhaps overpaid.

I got to go down to the stadium and whip batteries at the players on both teams. - Philly Boy Roy

by RijoSaboCaseyWKRP on Jun 23, 2009 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think that's the main point.

He is overpaid for a #4 guy, and he’s going to be in decline over the next year and a half. I agree that it’s a bit scary to let him go and leave it up to Bailey, but with Maloney in the wings, and Stewart and Wood right behind him, there’s some depth to work with. If we could get a SS prospect for him, I’d do it in a second.

Even if Bailey falters, Maloney could probably match up against most #4 guys decently well for the rest of the year, and for a ton less money.

Isn't there a slanket somewhere you should be filling with your farts?

by nycredsfan on Jun 23, 2009 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe my attitude is too conservative

Jocketty has been pretty good in his two mid-season trades with the Reds and a pretty good trade history in general. Hopefully his target is a SS.

I got to go down to the stadium and whip batteries at the players on both teams. - Philly Boy Roy

by RijoSaboCaseyWKRP on Jun 23, 2009 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Doing anything other than sitting tight right now is going to be risky

Because it either involves giving up prospects or losing a trusty veteran and counting on younger players. That’s the tricky position the Reds are in right now. Go for it or stay the course for the future. I agree with Slyde though, I don’t think the Reds have any interest in adding payroll.

Isn't there a slanket somewhere you should be filling with your farts?

by nycredsfan on Jun 23, 2009 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

id say sitting tight is the riskiest option of all

"We're going to Adonis, son"

jch24

by obc2 on Jun 23, 2009 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

you can make a move which does not mortgage the future

The future is Votto at first and Bailey in the roiatation. Trading Yonder and Bronson doesn’t mortgage that future and makes the team better now.

by timb116 on Jun 23, 2009 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bronson at the very least as been a solid #3 starter

He has averaged over 3 WAR with the Reds 2006- 4.2 WAR/ 2007 2.6 WAR 2008 2.2 WAR- so he has yet to have a year when he has not been slightly above a league average starter- and his contract has been a huge bargain for the Reds.
I think they main reason to make the move is the Reds need to create a slot for Homer. His options run out next year and they need for him to start 10 plus games this year to see what they have. Also if they could trade Bronson this year- they would have received huge value and then trade him at the exact time when he probably will become overpaid. If they can get a couple players like the As got for Blanton – Cardenas and Outman or if somehow they could pull the young Drabek from the Phillies- I think you almost have to do the deal it makes to much sense both financial and from a player developmental standpoint.

by davidmac84 on Jun 23, 2009 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Great news

Looking forward to seeing him play tonight.

by Red_Poodle on Jun 23, 2009 1:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Votto speaks

from @johnfayman: Votto says father’s death led to severe depession, panic attacks, hospital visits. #reds

Votto: I couldn’t take it, thought I was going to die. #reds

I suspected this was it. Dealing with the death of a parent ain’t no easy thing.

"It seems like we're not hitting because we're not getting hits." - Dusty being Dusty

by Slyde on Jun 23, 2009 4:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

My prayers are still with him

That is incredibly difficult. I had no idea he had brothers either until I read that Toronto Sun artcle today. I imagine they are depending on him now in a way they weren’t before. Keep ahead of it JV, we’re behind you.

by Red_Poodle on Jun 23, 2009 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm glad he's ready to talk about it

Everyone spouting baseless rumors was really pissing me off. More importantly, being able to talk about it is a huge step in being able to get past it. You have a support system here, Joey. Hanigan has lots of time to talk to you now.

by Brendanukkah on Jun 23, 2009 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

At least we can now tell all of those

assholes that said Joey was being blackmailed for being gay to STFU!

Wear something sexy to my funeral.

by Pops Daniels on Jun 23, 2009 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I nearly forgot to add

that my heart goes out to him. I hope the pain subsides a bit and the attacks can become less daunting. Good luck, brother.

Wear something sexy to my funeral.

by Pops Daniels on Jun 23, 2009 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Amen to that

by Red_Poodle on Jun 23, 2009 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

/pat on the back

You're so 2000 and late

by Charlie Scrabbles on Jun 23, 2009 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You know, I have a contrarian theory

I don’t this team is that young.

It has two starting pitchers, a RF, and a 1B with chances to significantly increase production over the next two to three years. Otherwise, the CF, 2B, 3B, C, SS positions and three rotation players in their prime (or with Micah, not set to increase production sans a miracle or deviation from the mean) players are in their prime (or in Ramon’s case, set to decline).

Unlike a lot of posters here, the stuff I read from Baseball Prospectus or other projection sites places the minor league talent as middle of the road at best (which isn’t terrible given it just produced 4-6 major leaguers in the last two years). A lot of young 3rd baseman who don’t know how to walk or use their glove and Drew Stubbs and Homer.

I think the future is this season and next season. EdE will be a free agent soon. Votto and Bruce will be arbitration eligible at the same time Volquez and Cueto are and this team will plead poverty and move some of them. The closer will still demand 12 million per season and David Weathers and Rhodes are ready for retirement.

Get me my dang LF now!

By the way, Hairston should play the majority of games at SS. Slyde convinced me.

by timb116 on Jun 23, 2009 4:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

LETS ALL GET ANGRY AT VOTTO'S QUOTE!

“I love travelling to cities for the first time,” Votto said. “To be able to call Toronto, the most special city in the world, my home, it’s hard for it not to be my favourite city.”

He’s toooootally demanding a trade to Toronto.

Arroyo2007’d

But seriously, way to come off as an unimpeachably good guy, Joey. You are the older brother I wish I had.

by Cy Schourek on Jun 23, 2009 4:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs