Red Reposter - 8/6/09
by Charlie Scrabbles on Aug 6, 2009 10:47 AM EDT
in News
474 comments
-
Brandon Phillips came to two quick conclusions when he heard Todd Frazier had been moved to 2nd
"I'm getting traded, or I'm moving to shortstop." He says he certainly doesnt want to be traded, but he'd be willing to move to SS if they asked him to. But it's probably too out-of-the-box for this team to do. I guess we'll see, but I'm not holding my breath.
Also, Micah Owings is rarin' to go after spending the last week-and-a-half on the DL. His shoulder feels strong and he says he's ready to go on a rehab assignment on Monday. But Dusty says that may not be necessary, and he may start in St Louis on Tuesday. -
Jonah Keri at SI revisits that Trade of Trades, the Volquez-Hamilton deal
and just one year after most writers were speechless at how perfect the deal was working out for the respective teams (both Hobbs and the Wagon were All-Stars last season), Keri says the luster has worn off the pig. Hamilton is struggling big time, battling a torn ab muscle and OPSing just .654. And Volquez...well, I dont want to talk about it. -
The Fay tweets that Banana Bob is a-ok with Dusty Baker
His job is safe for the rest of the year and he'll be back for next season. I dont really think this is news, I mean, Dusty is owed something like $4 mil for next season. That would be a pretty big matzoh ball for Bob to swallow. -
Evan Brunell at THT takes a minority stand and defends the Reds for making the Rolen deal
He says Rolen is a significant upgrade over EdE at 3B due to his defensive wizardry, and the word that the BJays are kicking in more $$ makes the move much more palatable. He says the trade puts the Reds into a position to make a run in the weak NL Central next year. With a few minor FA signings, the Reds could significantly upgrade the lineup and put themselves in a place to push for the playoffs next season. -
Mike Minor, the #7 pick of the Braves, signed for a bonus of $2.42 mil
This could set off a series of dominoes, including the Reds #8 pick Mike Leake. I would expect Leake to sign soon for something like $2.2-2.3 mil. I was never really worried about Leake's signability and I dont think Walt is either, but it seems like it's only a matter of time now. That's good. - There is one industry that is still striving in this down economy.
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I'm so glad this team doesn't understand sunk costs.
Let me write out a formal proof for you.
by Gray on Aug 6, 2009 11:03 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
How much would it cost to pay Rick Sweet to manage?
by RijoSaboCaseyWKRP on Aug 6, 2009 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Do we have any reason to believe that Rick Sweet would do anything different than what Dusty Baker is doing?
"It seems like we're not hitting because we're not getting hits." - Dusty being Dusty
by Slyde on Aug 6, 2009 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
My question is more about salary
Substitute Rick Sweet for anyone with his level of experience/notoriety. He bats Stubbs 1 and Heisey 2…
by RijoSaboCaseyWKRP on Aug 6, 2009 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
because he has Stubbs and Heisey
there is no guarantee that he would if he was the Reds manager.
"It seems like we're not hitting because we're not getting hits." - Dusty being Dusty
by Slyde on Aug 6, 2009 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dave Miley was an incredible AAA
He won and won and won and won. He over saw the development a lot of talented young players who went on to be MLB stars. He blew chinks as a MLB manager.
One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor.
George Carlin
by Madville on Aug 6, 2009 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He may have fared differently with a younger roster
Word is he didn’t handle the veteran personalities well.
by ken on Aug 6, 2009 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
except with the orientals...
according to madville.
by GrooveLeg on Aug 6, 2009 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Truthiness
One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor.
George Carlin
by Madville on Aug 6, 2009 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
My point is that if the Reds are worried about taking on salary
if they fire Baker and hire someone else, why not hire a relative unknown – how much would that cost them? Find a good tactician with a spine, who won’t let veterans walk all over him. Is that too much to ask?
by RijoSaboCaseyWKRP on Aug 6, 2009 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
"if the reds are concerned about taking on salary"
I don’t get it. Are you saying that if the reds are concerned about taking in salary then they should fire baker and hire a cheaper manager? Because they would still have to pay baker, you know . . .
Or are you saying that if Sweet were manager, Walt would not have to sign expensive veterans like he has to with baker (because baker requires him to)? That’s quite a stretch.
I’m not sure what the point it here, but I’m pretty sure you’re missing it too.
by Brian B on Aug 6, 2009 6:10 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
I know that they would still have to pay Baker!
There’s a really annoying trend on this site involving posters trying to prove they understand sunk costs the best.
Dusty has a guaranteed contract. So you’d be paying him next year on top of whoever you hire. So if the Reds fired Baker, they might not be able to hire a big name. Rick Sweet might be a cheap alternative, assuming he’s an improvement. That’s my point. The Reds are “concerned about taking on salary” so they’re not going to sign a manager to $3MM deal.
by RijoSaboCaseyWKRP on Aug 6, 2009 6:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And the Reds continue to suck
not to mention Heisey’s 100 Triple A AB’s do not mean he can hit in a ML line-up
by timb116 on Aug 6, 2009 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Trade BP to Atlanta
for Yunel Escobar. Release T-Virus. Send memo to Dusty: This is your lineup next season. Don’t like it? Quit.
CF Stubbs
SS Escobar
1B Votto
3B Rolen
RF Bruce
LF Dickerson/Gomes platoon
C Hanigan
2B Frazier
Pitcher
Actually, Dusty might go for that lineup with CF batting first and SS batting second. And I like the idea of sticking Frazier down at the bottom of the lineup initially…no pressure. I could see him batting sixth if he does well.
"Tigers love pepper...they hate cinnamon.
by cesarhernandez on Aug 6, 2009 11:06 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Can we all disabuse ourselves of this Gomes/Dickerson idea?
Dickerson belongs in CF. He’s not the bat we’re looking for in LF. Gomes is a good power bat from the right side, but unless you find someone with more power to platoon him with, he ought to be a bench bat. I think his numbers are going to snap back to close to career averages by season’s end.
by RijoSaboCaseyWKRP on Aug 6, 2009 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why is it a bad idea?
If Stubbs is in CF, what is wrong with playing Dickerson in LF? His big league numbers against RHP are .274/.374/.455 (right in line with his minor league splits as well: .272/.364/.464). Not a lot of power for a LF, but still very good. Pair that with Gomes and his .272 /.371/.519 vs LHP, and you have a very good, cheap left fielder. What’s wrong with that?
"It seems like we're not hitting because we're not getting hits." - Dusty being Dusty
by Slyde on Aug 6, 2009 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And if you want more power...
why not just play Gomes all the time, with Dickerson as the fourth outfielder? In 101 PAs vs. RHP this year, he hasn’t racked up much of a batting average (.233), but his OBP (.337) and slugging percentage (.512) have been pretty decent.
Let me write out a formal proof for you.
by Gray on Aug 6, 2009 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like the flexibility of having Gomes, Dickerson, and Stubbs playing LF/CF
barring the acquisition of a major bat for LF, I’d be fine with that. I know it’s not gonna happen, but I’d fine with it.
"It seems like we're not hitting because we're not getting hits." - Dusty being Dusty
by Slyde on Aug 6, 2009 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree
and of course any of these options would be better than Taveras.
Let me write out a formal proof for you.
by Gray on Aug 6, 2009 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
there's the rub
"It seems like we're not hitting because we're not getting hits." - Dusty being Dusty
by Slyde on Aug 6, 2009 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think you have a lot more confidence in the OF next year than I do
Assuming Stubbs is up, this is going to be his major league debut. He won’t hit for any power, but hopefully he’ll get on base. If he struggles, there’s going to be clamoring for Dickerson to be the starter. Bruce is going to have to both recover from any lasting effects of his injury and start hitting again. I think Gomes is a great platoon bat, but you I think the team is wanting for a reliable power bat who can play fulltime. I wouldn’t want to have three “projects” across the outfield. Maybe it’s a bridge too far to acquire a FA LF the offseason, but that has to be the top priority
by RijoSaboCaseyWKRP on Aug 6, 2009 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
acquiring a right-handed power bat is our #1 priority
like I said, barring the acquisition of a major bat, I’m fine with that outfield. They won’t have a lot of money to spend, so I doubt they can acquire somebody to do what we really need at both SS and LF. In that case, platooning Gomes and Dickerson will suffice. We’re all dreaming if we think Stubbs has a shot at starting in CF next year.
"It seems like we're not hitting because we're not getting hits." - Dusty being Dusty
by Slyde on Aug 6, 2009 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hooray for misunderstanding sunk costs!
Let me write out a formal proof for you.
by Gray on Aug 6, 2009 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You are to sunk costs
what timb is to prospects
Isn't there a slanket somewhere you should be filling with your farts?
by nycredsfan on Aug 6, 2009 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wha...?
One should have no bearing whatsoever on current decision-making, and one has uncertain value.
Let me write out a formal proof for you.
by Gray on Aug 6, 2009 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just in regards to beating a dead horse
Isn't there a slanket somewhere you should be filling with your farts?
by nycredsfan on Aug 6, 2009 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This one happens to be holding the team back quite a bit.
But hey, apparently it’s a dead horse, so why keep mentioning it?
Let me write out a formal proof for you.
by Gray on Aug 6, 2009 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I would argue that they don't necessarily misunderstand sunk costs
They’ve gotten rid of a bunch of relievers (Stanton, Cormier) with money left because they suck.
I think they don’t view Taveras as a sunk cost. They see him as a valuable member of the “speed and defense” Reds.
Isn't there a slanket somewhere you should be filling with your farts?
by nycredsfan on Aug 6, 2009 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Then what does that make Alex Gonzalez?
by RijoSaboCaseyWKRP on Aug 6, 2009 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think they thought he'd be decent this year
and I also think Dusty really values his defense and “veteranness”. You can’t convince me they think of those guys as useless if Dusty’s batting them 1-2.
Isn't there a slanket somewhere you should be filling with your farts?
by nycredsfan on Aug 6, 2009 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'd almost rather they not understand sunk costs
than have their talent assessment abilities so horribly out of wack.
by RijoSaboCaseyWKRP on Aug 6, 2009 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Me too,
but I think that’s the reality
Isn't there a slanket somewhere you should be filling with your farts?
by nycredsfan on Aug 6, 2009 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
/Barbaro'd
"We, as for me all seasons you are affected peculiarly in the edge of my seat and are happy concerning the fact that the Adam Dunn fan has been mixed up exactly." - Reynard-san
by BK on Aug 6, 2009 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Owww. I like prospects
I think Stubbs should be playing CF and Homer should be in the rotation. I just don’t think I should count on Double A hitters to save the offense in 2010. Maybe 2011…why not, I waited 19 years for a really good team. I can wait 2 more
by timb116 on Aug 6, 2009 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Quite right
Dickeron would be serviceable, but that outfield sounds like one big contingency plan. I think the key for me is that I haven’t been impressed with Dickerson as a LFer. His .259/.358/.368 line this year looks more like CF for me and his defense has “seemed” better there. Maybe he can get back to his career averages, but I think he’s a CFer and a hedge against Stubbs.
The money probably isn’t there to acquire a big FA for LF, but I guess I would favor Balentien, who has a 0.277/.348/.519 career line vs RHP and .277/.359/.622 in Tacoma (hitters league perhaps…). Not much of an improvement, but if you’re not getting outside help it keeps things flexible in CF and might give you more power in LF.
by RijoSaboCaseyWKRP on Aug 6, 2009 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If you're looking for a power LF, go with Gomes/Balentein. It's so wrong, it's Dusty-right!
Then you’ve got Dickerson as a pinch runner 5th outfielder or injury replacement guy.
by mdccclxix on Aug 6, 2009 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree with the Sldyster
It is a long shot and a rather big assumption that Stubbs will make the MLB roster as anything more than a back up. Dusty will want to play guys with experience in 2010. Taveris will still be hanging around and C-Dick too.
One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor.
George Carlin
by Madville on Aug 6, 2009 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was thinking we might want to disabuse ourselves of the idea that Yunel and his .800 OPS and minimum salary
is going anywhere. Frank Wren is not that stupid
by timb116 on Aug 6, 2009 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
God that sounds nice
but I’m sure we’d either have to take one of their pricey contracts in return, or kick in another prospect to get Escobar. Maybe we could ship them Cozart with BP, but I doubt they’d do it straight up due to his escalating salary…
Me wants Escobar though.
Set the gearshift to the high gear of your soul.
by Kevin Mitchell is Batman on Aug 6, 2009 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I would LOVE to have him on the team
In my mind, he’d be all we need to push us into contention next year, esp. if we could somehow get him without giving up BP. Even if we did trade BP, I’d take Frazier at 2B, Stubbs in CF, Go-Dicker in LF, and this lineup would be pretty good.
Or, this could be our lineup:
Taveras CF
Rosales SS
Votto 3B
BP 2B
Rolen 3B
Bruce RF
Dickerson LF
Hanigan C
Would anyone be surprised if that was the opening day lineup next year?
Isn't there a slanket somewhere you should be filling with your farts?
by nycredsfan on Aug 6, 2009 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I would barf forever
but it seems more likely than any fantasy lineup bandied about on RR.
by RijoSaboCaseyWKRP on Aug 6, 2009 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Give Away Cozart?
He’s the most legit all-around SS prospect they have at the top of the organization.
by Mr. Redlegs on Aug 6, 2009 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
For Yunel, sure.
He’s young enough. But I think the salary thing would block this trade.
by jsl413 on Aug 6, 2009 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thats why I assumed
that we’d have to take back some garbage $$ to make it work.
Set the gearshift to the high gear of your soul.
by Kevin Mitchell is Batman on Aug 6, 2009 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Escobar is due for arbitration next year (his first year)
so he would represent a huge salary increase for the Braves anyway. He won’t make as much as BP, but I’d be he gets 4-5 million at least. That makes the salaries much more even.
You could argue a prospect would still need to be thrown in, though, because a good offensive SS is worth more than a good offensive 2B
Isn't there a slanket somewhere you should be filling with your farts?
by nycredsfan on Aug 6, 2009 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He won't get that much his first year
The general guideline is something like 20% of his FA market value for the first year.
by ken on Aug 6, 2009 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
no fuckin way i'm trading BP...
are you serious, dawg?
by GrooveLeg on Aug 6, 2009 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This Is Not Out of the Question
Braves badly need a 2b, Reds badly need a young SS, Braves can afford Phillips, Reds have a couple of viable 2b replacements on the way—maybe not defensively, but do the job adequately.
Phillips is due around $17m for 2010-11 and that would get them to payroll status for ’10 they could work with for other acquisitions.
I think there’s more to Frazier playing 2b than just seeing if he can.
by Mr. Redlegs on Aug 6, 2009 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
so does lehr get another start
or does owings take his spot?
by GrooveLeg on Aug 6, 2009 11:58 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Walt trades Harang this week and signs Lehr to a 3 year, 30 million dollar extension
because we’ve found our 32 year old secret weapon.
Isn't there a slanket somewhere you should be filling with your farts?
by nycredsfan on Aug 6, 2009 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
\facepalm
wait… what do we get in return for harang?
by GrooveLeg on Aug 6, 2009 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
oh shit...
yeah, do it. we can buy out cole hamels, hanley ramirez, and matt kemp.
championship
by GrooveLeg on Aug 6, 2009 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Substitue Arroyo
and move the decimal and then you’ve got an idea there.
by RijoSaboCaseyWKRP on Aug 6, 2009 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'd give Lehr 3 years for like 1.75 mil max
IF he performs for the rest of the year
by jsl413 on Aug 6, 2009 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wouldn't give him 3 years for any amount
but I would use a 6 man rotation the rest of the year once Owings comes back.
Give Lehr a look, keep our guys (esp. Cueto) rested.
Isn't there a slanket somewhere you should be filling with your farts?
by nycredsfan on Aug 6, 2009 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
that's actually a hell of an idea...
dusty doesn’t know there’s not a rule against that.
by GrooveLeg on Aug 6, 2009 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's a really good idea
Or even stick Cueto in the bullpen.
Anything that has the slightest smell or unorthodoxy, however, will never be attempted under current management. I wish some cool dudes would buy the reds and hire some other cool dudes.
by RijoSaboCaseyWKRP on Aug 6, 2009 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
LOL
this was either taken in Europe or on Long Island
Isn't there a slanket somewhere you should be filling with your farts?
by nycredsfan on Aug 6, 2009 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Potato, Potaaaato
They’re all the same, you can spot them in Manhattan on a Saturday night from a mile away.
The wife and I were in a nice restaurant a couple weeks ago on a Saturday and there were two youngish couples next to us. The girls looked like wannabe Nets cheerleaders and the guys were wearing shirts like those above, collars popped, and dragons on the back. The restaurant’s wine list had something like 1,000 wines, and they order LI Ice Teas, then sent them back because there wasn’t enough Coke in them.
Isn't there a slanket somewhere you should be filling with your farts?
by nycredsfan on Aug 6, 2009 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not now chief, I'm in the fuckin' zone!
"We, as for me all seasons you are affected peculiarly in the edge of my seat and are happy concerning the fact that the Adam Dunn fan has been mixed up exactly." - Reynard-san
by BK on Aug 6, 2009 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I though a Long Island Iced Tea was THE wine of choice for Long Islanders
by timb116 on Aug 6, 2009 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No,
Yellow Tail Chardonnay
Isn't there a slanket somewhere you should be filling with your farts?
by nycredsfan on Aug 6, 2009 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
God I hate Jimmy Clausen.
Eighty-five percent of the f*ckin' world is working. The other fifteen percent come out here. A f*ckin' playground for the cocks*ckers.
-Lee Elia on Cubs fans
by Farneyismycopilot on Aug 7, 2009 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Should we pass a collection plate? "A bunch of 'Red Reporters' are now majority owners of the Reds. Their first act as owners was putting Willy Taveras and Dusty Baker in a van and driving them off a cliff"
I actually had a dream a couple of nights ago about winning the lottery and buying the Reds, then hiring a bunch of RRs for the front office.
Madville could be our manager.
Isn't there a slanket somewhere you should be filling with your farts?
by nycredsfan on Aug 6, 2009 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
If nominated I will run
If elected I will serve
If I serve it will for an lifetime elected appointment.
If appointed I will win.
One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor.
George Carlin
by Madville on Aug 6, 2009 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wouldn't MLB not approve the sale to a bunch of populists?
There would have to be some kind of trojan horse where we staked an old white guy to buy them and he ceded control.
by RijoSaboCaseyWKRP on Aug 6, 2009 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why not Marge? No one would know she passed as long as we had a dog and a lit cigarette propped in her hand
by timb116 on Aug 6, 2009 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He shall be our puppet.
And we shall be …the puppetmasters! Bwahaha.
Everybody's a jerk. You. Me. This jerk.
by andromache on Aug 6, 2009 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i dream about that
every single day
by Charlie Scrabbles on Aug 6, 2009 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is there any chance, instead of your Ray Knight proposal, that we could just kidnap Cueto
and keep him from pitching until Winter Ball.
by timb116 on Aug 6, 2009 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No reason to let him throw in Winter Ball this year.
Shut him down until next spring, I say.
by Geki on Aug 6, 2009 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
it's not up to the Reds
It’s his decision, not theirs. They tried to dissuade him last year.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
by BubbaFan on Aug 6, 2009 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He will be a perfect compliment to our 34 year old secret weapon
"I never should have given up the animation rights."
by BobbyO on Aug 6, 2009 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
At least our 34 year-old secret weapon has MLB awesomeness on his resume.
by jsl413 on Aug 6, 2009 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.
Let me write out a formal proof for you.
by Gray on Aug 6, 2009 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nothing is indicative of future results. Conjecture is best case scenario.
So, since he dun’ good yesterday, I’m optimistic today.
by jsl413 on Aug 6, 2009 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
They push back Owings' return and give Lehr one more shot, I think
"We, as for me all seasons you are affected peculiarly in the edge of my seat and are happy concerning the fact that the Adam Dunn fan has been mixed up exactly." - Reynard-san
by BK on Aug 6, 2009 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
How do you send a guy down
that’s been your only effective pitcher in the past 3 weeks?
by jsl413 on Aug 6, 2009 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
But without Owings, what will become of our bench?
by Brendanukkah on Aug 6, 2009 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Let Owings play LF the rest of the year.
Stick Lehr in at #5SP, use Owings to pitch when needed. He can warm up between pitches in the outfield, then between innings, and then move to pitcher and be a RP too.
by jsl413 on Aug 6, 2009 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
old school
can he pick up one of those windmill wind-ups too?
by timb116 on Aug 6, 2009 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Owings really hasn't shown the plate discipline to be a full-time hitter
His strikeout rate is really high.
"My brain is almost the size of normal human being," he said. "Almost. Real pleased with that." -Scott Rolen
by RedsMasochist on Aug 6, 2009 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Small sample size.
Never know until you try! Career numbers are compelling, especially if he dedicated more time to plate discipline and hitting and stopped worrying about being a #5 starter.
by jsl413 on Aug 6, 2009 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
But as soon as he stops worrying about being a #5 starter
you’ve essentially lost him as a pitching option. There’s only so much time and energy to devote to things, and if he’s going to commit to improving his hitting (and fielding, you can’t assume he’d be able to play LF) he won’t be able to maintain his pitching. He’s marginal as a starter as it is.
I’m not willing to lose him as a starting option just to let him play LF for 50 meaningless games.
Isn't there a slanket somewhere you should be filling with your farts?
by nycredsfan on Aug 6, 2009 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree.
I’m really only 10% serious about making him a hitter. But he doesn’t have a future as a quality starter unless Dave Duncan gets a hold of him.
by jsl413 on Aug 6, 2009 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Owings really is an interesting asset to the team
I think he has shown that his full potential as a starter is no more than a #5 level guy. His bat certainly has value off the bench in situations, but i really dont see him being as effective a hitter as he could be.
I think i might rather see him out of the bullpen. Migh tthat give him more of an opportunity to develop as a hitter?
"Avoid the Clap, Jimmy Dugan. That's good advice!"
by jmgard6 on Aug 6, 2009 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks, Atlanta
Their bonus to Mike Minor sets a new bar for the no. 7 pick, even with this economy and the additional leverage teams now have in getting a comp pick if they can’t sign their draftee.
by ken on Aug 6, 2009 12:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Interesting post over at Redleg Nation
A new contributor over there figures out what the problem with our offense is (hint, it rhymes with (Billy Honshmalez)
He replaces our production in the #1 and #2 spots with league average production, and figures out that with the addition of Rolen the offense would score 4.566 runs per game, good for 5th in the NL.
Crazy part is league average production for each spot is:
1) .338 OBP, .401 SLG
2) .343 OBP, .428 SLG
That’s not that amazingly good. Hanigan’s OPS is close to that #2 figure. Looks like with a couple of smart decions this could be a pretty good offense.
Go read the post, it’s good.
Isn't there a slanket somewhere you should be filling with your farts?
by nycredsfan on Aug 6, 2009 12:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This is truly a pitiful reality.
Fans figure out that the 1 and 2 hitters are the primary culprit in the order, but Dusty keeps doing the same thing and expects different results.
by jsl413 on Aug 6, 2009 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
you told us what that's defined as yesterday....
by GrooveLeg on Aug 6, 2009 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't remember what I said.
Am I beating a dead horse or something? There’s been a lot of that lately.
by jsl413 on Aug 6, 2009 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
A good working definition of insanity
That’s a great case for “it’s Dusty’s fault.” Dusty’s a great MLBPA shop steward and a terrible manager.
by RijoSaboCaseyWKRP on Aug 6, 2009 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Pretty Much Same As Last Year
The OBP average last year was almost the same as the current. In fact, there were just 50-some players with an OBP of more than .350 in 2008. But hey, every team should have 8-10 of ’em, right?
by Mr. Redlegs on Aug 6, 2009 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Every team should have 1.5 of them!
Obviously, some teams are bad (San Diego, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati), so other teams have 3-4 and the Reds have several sitting down in the 3, 5 and 8 hole.
Stubbs could be one. Hanigan could be batting second. Boom, runs.
by jsl413 on Aug 6, 2009 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I Seriously Doubt . . .
. . . Hanigan gets pitched the same in the 2-hole as the 8-hole, thus putting up his current numbers with the pitcher batting him, in his first full-time run-through of the league. His second-half numbers: .195/.298/.195 with 0 RBI in 47 PAs.
League is catching up with him. League always catches up with these kind of players.
by Mr. Redlegs on Aug 6, 2009 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think it's foolish to assume that Hanigan will continue to be a top of the lineup caiber hitter
but I think what most here are trying to fight clear of is the fact that the Reds not only start two of the worst performing offensive performers in the majors, but that they continually bat them 1&2 in front of the only legitimate offensive threat in the lineup, thus creating missed opportunities to score runs.
That kind of insanity inspires flights of fancy in all of us.
Will you stop it with the vegetables
by Man Mountain on Aug 6, 2009 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't know what their OBPs were
but when the Brewers played the Nats, their first 4 guys were .300 BA or above and the fifth guy had a .295.
by ol Pete on Aug 6, 2009 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm at a loss. who is supposed to lead off for this team?
There are no good candidates (Votto? after all he knows how to hit with the bases empty). It’s simple to say, replace that loser with a league average performer, but we don’t have one.
Personally, I’m unsold on Hanigan. While I’d be willing to try him in either spot, the point is he’s living on a small sample. If he fails, and he ain’t exactly been hitting the cover off the ball lately, that still leaves two holes.
by timb116 on Aug 6, 2009 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
1. Stubbs 2. Hanigan 3. Votto 4. Rolen 5. Phillips 6. Gomes 7. Wlad 8. Janish 9. Pitcher
Till Bruce/Dickerson come back.
by jsl413 on Aug 6, 2009 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Stubbs is NOT on the roster. he's not on the 40 man. he's not coming until September
Even then, Willy will be manning CF for the foreseeable future. You can hope he’s gone come 2010, but I remain unconvinced that Dusty and Walt will make that decision. I would, you would, the folks at every Sabermetric site in the universe, most Fay blog fans and all Hal blog fans, everybody but the three people who count.
Learn it. It will help deal with the inevitable pain of being a Reds fan. it’s Zen
by timb116 on Aug 6, 2009 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Stubbs is my leadoff hitter as A-Gon is Dusty's shortstop.
by jsl413 on Aug 6, 2009 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I do love you, jsl
I will state that too. Except CDick’s my lead-off hitter and CF.
by timb116 on Aug 6, 2009 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
For how long?
He’s got a bum shoulder for the rest of the year. At least my guy COULD play if called upon!
p.s. thanks for the love
by jsl413 on Aug 6, 2009 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dickerson took extended BP against Owings yesterday
they both should be back sooner rather than later.
by Charlie Scrabbles on Aug 6, 2009 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If I'm not mistaken
Stubbs will have to be added to the 40 man roster this off-season to protect him in the Rule V draft. Just throwing it out there, as it came to mind after reading your comment.
"My brain is almost the size of normal human being," he said. "Almost. Real pleased with that." -Scott Rolen
by RedsMasochist on Aug 6, 2009 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Stubbs is 25.
It’s about damn time he’s on the 40 man.
by jsl413 on Aug 6, 2009 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not yet, he turns 25 in October
I know it’s splitting hairs, but it matters with prospects
Isn't there a slanket somewhere you should be filling with your farts?
by nycredsfan on Aug 6, 2009 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
A bus ticket to Cincinnati
Isn't there a slanket somewhere you should be filling with your farts?
by nycredsfan on Aug 6, 2009 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
To watch the Bengals?
that seems cruel. there’s no baseball in Cincinnati in October. Duh
by timb116 on Aug 6, 2009 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
that way he might get here by his birthday
Will you stop it with the vegetables
by Man Mountain on Aug 6, 2009 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hi there!
A couple of thoughts:
1. It’s fun to rattle on and on about “sunk costs”, especially when it’s not your money. The thing is, the cost isn’t just Taveras’s/Baker’s contract, but also the cost of the contract replacing that one. People on the interweb can piss and moan all they want about “the owner should just eat the contract and move on”, but we’re talking real, live money here, and it isn’t ours.
2. What did you expect Castellini to say? “Yea, we know Baker sucks, but we’ve been trying to find a replacement for like 2 months and no one wants the gig. As soon as we line someone up, his ass is out of here!” I fully expect to see someone else in the dugout next year, but Bob can’t really say that now.
3. If the Reds can sign Leake for $2.2-2.3M, that isn’t all that bad. Last year’s #8 pick, Gordon Beckham, signed for $2.6M (one pick after the Reds gave Alonso $2M); in ’07, the Rockies gave Casey Weathers $1.8M, and in ’06 none other than the Red Leggings gave not-as-good-as-Willy-Taveras Drew Stubbs $2M.
4. While I’m firmly in the “the Rolen deal isn’t the end of life as we know it” camp, that THT article has a glaring mistake in it – along with other monitary mistakes (not counting remaining ‘09 salaries at all, glossing over the money coming from Toronto (which isn’t really known anyway)), he double counts EdE’s salary for next year.
"You never know how you look through other people's eyes"
by sidnancy on Aug 6, 2009 1:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Beckham was picked last year???
Man, that guy is AWESOME. My roommate played baseball with him in high school.
by jsl413 on Aug 6, 2009 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
good thoughts overall... i thought that THT article was accounting for too much but i didn't bother with the math...
1. what about replacing him with someone in the organization? i trust dickerson and stubbs to get on base more than WT.
agree on everything else.
by GrooveLeg on Aug 6, 2009 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Still
You still need 25 guys on the MLB roster. If the promote Stubbs, not only will he get a raise, the guy who gets promoted to AAA gets a raise, and so on down the line. It’s not alot if they do something like that (maybe $500-600K over this season and next), but it still isn’t our money, either.
"You never know how you look through other people's eyes"
by sidnancy on Aug 6, 2009 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh no, a weekend's ticket revenue!!!
(25,000 avg. attendence, avg. 10/ticket) x2
by jsl413 on Aug 6, 2009 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If they're that cash strapped
then they need to dump some salary. It might not allow them to acquire a LF AND ss/2b, but I would really hope they could afford to promote internally to maximum their chance of winning next year. I’m forced to conclude that they don’t know how to assess talent.
by RijoSaboCaseyWKRP on Aug 6, 2009 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
thats the point
if you are going to spend extra money to improve 3rd base by a couple wins- it would only cost 500k to have at least the same improvement in CF with a stubbs/dickerson platoon.
So if you are serious about winning you at the least reduce Taveras PA by about 400.
In reality every knows they are not going to DFA Taveras reducing his role to 5th OF would great help the Reds.
by davidmac84 on Aug 6, 2009 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
does WT have any PA bonuses built in to his contract?
by GrooveLeg on Aug 6, 2009 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes, he does
- 2 years/$6.25M (2009-10)
* signed by Cincinnati as a free agent 12/27/08
* 09:$2.25M, 10:$4M
* performance bonus: up to $0.25M for 600 PAs in 2009, up to $0.5M for 600 PAs in 2010
* Taveras to donate one percent of annual base salary to club charity
- taken from Cot’s baseball contracts
"My brain is almost the size of normal human being," he said. "Almost. Real pleased with that." -Scott Rolen
by RedsMasochist on Aug 6, 2009 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Might as well have been 600 ABs for all that fucker's walked
Will you stop it with the vegetables
by Man Mountain on Aug 6, 2009 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, the proof is in the pudding
They thought that 3B was the problem, so they spent money there – overlooking the glaringly obvious black holes in SS and CF which would have required less money to improve in the short term. Their faith in players like Willy and A.Gon at the expense of players like Edwin is as much to their detriment as payroll woes.
by RijoSaboCaseyWKRP on Aug 6, 2009 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah if you read the comments in that THT article
he further explains that the Reds would likely have to boost payroll about $10 mil next season to make stuff happen. and that is closer to impossible than Taveras becoming an All-Star next year.
by Charlie Scrabbles on Aug 6, 2009 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
which reminds us what Viva El Birdo's said when the Reds first hired Jocketty
that he’d probably need a $85-95 million payroll to fit his GMing talents.
Will you stop it with the vegetables
by Man Mountain on Aug 6, 2009 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Quick, someone get Bill Gates to think the Reds are a charity.
Maybe he’ll donate $50M.
by jsl413 on Aug 6, 2009 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Evinced by the Rolen deal.
Let me write out a formal proof for you.
by Gray on Aug 6, 2009 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thank You!
Tried to tell some of these guys about the monies the other day, they argued til they were Dodger blue and they’re still wrong. It’s REAL money that has to be paid and impacts the player payroll as well as operations budgets.
Indians owner today says they are projected to lose $16 million this year, which is right in line with me telling you folks the Reds are projected to lose $15 million, per Castellini conference call with his front office, development and scouting staffs.
But surely some of the MBA geniuses will continue telling everyone that the math is wrong because of their keen sense of revenue declines in sponsorships, attendance, local media contracts, advertising and a lower MLB revenue sharing stream due to the economy’s impact on the overall revenues of the game.
by Mr. Redlegs on Aug 6, 2009 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Reds are not going to lose 15 million this year
unless Castellini takes a very large salary.
by davidmac84 on Aug 6, 2009 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's the Projection
We’ll see when they get their revenue sharing monies.
by Mr. Redlegs on Aug 6, 2009 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
When they open up their books, I'll believe their numbers
The Reds, Indians, or any club.
by ken on Aug 6, 2009 8:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Please, let's not start this argument again
Until major league clubs open their books to the public there is no real way to substantiate the claims and counter-claims to either side’s satisfaction.
"My brain is almost the size of normal human being," he said. "Almost. Real pleased with that." -Scott Rolen
by RedsMasochist on Aug 6, 2009 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
we'll find out eventually
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
by BubbaFan on Aug 6, 2009 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If that kind of loss was being projected
how could they have justified the Rolen trade? I know they’re clueless, but surely they can add and subtract.
by RijoSaboCaseyWKRP on Aug 6, 2009 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
With Monies from Blue Jays
They will be paying Rolen less ($4.25m) than they were going to pay EE ($4.75m).
by Mr. Redlegs on Aug 6, 2009 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm with RSCWKRP
Where’s a source/reasoning on this? I didn’t think we knew how much money we got from them. Rolen’s 5mill bonus is paid by the Cards in 2010, leaving 11 to be paid.
by jsl413 on Aug 6, 2009 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Here's the Math
Jays paying the remainder of Rolen for this year.
Cards are paying $4 mil bonus he’s due in 2010.
Reds had EE slotted and budgeted in 2010 at $4.75. mil
Subtract that number from Rolen’s $11 mil due in 2010.
That’s now $6.25 mil extra on the budget.
Jays are supposedly paying anywhere from $2-$4 mil toward Rolen in 2010. Deduct from $6.25 mil and that’s $4.25 mil.
Meaning, comparing 3b to 3b, they are paying Rolen less than EE in 2010, but that’s still a $4.25 mil bump in overall payroll.
by Mr. Redlegs on Aug 6, 2009 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
you are double subtracting
They are paying Rolen $9 million next year, which is more than they would have been paying EdE.
"It seems like we're not hitting because we're not getting hits." - Dusty being Dusty
by Slyde on Aug 6, 2009 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I suspect they are taking a very short term view
As are many individuals, businesses, and governments.
They want to lower payroll now, because they are counting on the economy improving next year. Just like state governments are borrowing against next year’s revenues to make this year’s budget balance.
The recession has been going on for a long time, and based on anything short of another Great Depression, it should be over by next year.
If it’s not, a lot of people are going to be burned. (Personally, I think it may well be worse next year, but I can understand why people would assume otherwise.)
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
by BubbaFan on Aug 6, 2009 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No one knows what's going on.
Economists say “it’s the depression,” “it’s going to be over by 2010,” or anything in between.
by jsl413 on Aug 6, 2009 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
there's a voluminous amount of data
Next year isn’t hard to predict.
by ol Pete on Aug 6, 2009 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It is for social science majors like me.
what’s an economy?
by jsl413 on Aug 6, 2009 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Isn't there a slanket somewhere you should be filling with your farts?
by nycredsfan on Aug 6, 2009 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah, I agree
But people in general tend toward “optimism bias,” and IME, businessmen are even more optimistic than normal people. They have to be, to take that leap.
Yeah, the red ink is ugly next year – for the Reds, for the Ohio and California and New York and Arizona state budgets, for the federal government, for Citibank and American Airlines and GM – but they’re all telling themselves it will be better next year, and if it’s not, well, they’ll work something out somehow.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
by BubbaFan on Aug 6, 2009 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
...and none of that is as bad as
a bankrupt COUNTY that can’t do anything about its busted sewers (thanks to sketchy advice given at a jacked up rate).
Business folks, generally, have been taught one way to do things and it’s worked for so long that many can’t figure out why it doesn’t right now. It’s like if physicists suddenly lived without Newton’s Laws, they just don’t know where to go from here. So my guess/hope is that some young creative types will be given some reins to do something to fix it. But I doubt that.
by Cy Schourek on Aug 6, 2009 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yes, that's really ugly
They said yesterday they might call in the National Guard to keep order, because they can’t pay their police force.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
by BubbaFan on Aug 6, 2009 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You're saying that businessmen (and businesswomen) are not normal?
One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor.
George Carlin
by Madville on Aug 7, 2009 2:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This year.
They’re adding something like 6 million next year between the difference in Edwin and Rolen’s salary, aren’t they? That’s not concerning them?
"We, as for me all seasons you are affected peculiarly in the edge of my seat and are happy concerning the fact that the Adam Dunn fan has been mixed up exactly." - Reynard-san
by BK on Aug 6, 2009 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'll say it's wrong, because owners lie, have always lied, have never opened their books, and have no reason to tell the truth
Re-read Lords of the Realm. They have plenty of money
by timb116 on Aug 6, 2009 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
the analysis I have seen is still
projecting MLB revenue to increase in 09 with attendance dropping.
The MLB network came online this year/ the in year reports have been extremely positive about MLB interenet revenue this year. And again the current economic problems do not reset the national media contracts.
by davidmac84 on Aug 6, 2009 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You Keep Talking About National Media
Stop it. We know the national contracts haven’t changed. It’s the LOCAL MEDIA contracts that are taking a beating. I explained that twice the other day. You refuse to listen and learn.
The Reds get a very low rights fee in TV and radio because they now control all the advertising on FS Ohio and WLW. That’s where the biggest monies came from but in this economy those revenues went south. It’s an enormous hit.
Reds also lost a couple of huge major sponsorships, including GM. They also reduced the overall costs to attend a game by 8.1 percent, something like the No. 4-5 highest decrease in baseball.
Stuff adds up quickly. And an owner has NO reason to lie in front of staff on a private conference call about the money issue when their discussion is about flexibility on draft signabilities and monies that can exchange hands on trades.
by Mr. Redlegs on Aug 6, 2009 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
When you put sunk costs in quotes
I feel like you don’t understand what they are.
But hey, neither do most other people around baseball, so it’s nothing unique to you.
Let me write out a formal proof for you.
by Gray on Aug 6, 2009 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Gray, what is it that you're in grad school for again?
by Brian B on Aug 6, 2009 6:45 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
If the Reds Fire Baker
They will almost certainly have to hire a manager on the cheap. Since Rick Sweet has coached and managed all these young guys and they have his respect, that seems the logical direction. Young team, familiar manager. Not like Sweet hasn’t earned a shot.
And as someone noted above, it’s not the same as the Miley situation. He absolutely deserved the shot but he was completely intimidated by Griffey and Larkin. Reds don’t have that kind of presence in the clubhouse any longer so Sweet might be the right guy at the right time for this group of players.
by Mr. Redlegs on Aug 6, 2009 1:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Scott Rolen, Aaron Harang
Maybe Alex Gonzalez would scare him into playing time and resigning, too.
by jsl413 on Aug 6, 2009 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don't even joke about that
One of our few rays of hope for next season is Agon being gone.
"My brain is almost the size of normal human being," he said. "Almost. Real pleased with that." -Scott Rolen
by RedsMasochist on Aug 6, 2009 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
what would Rick Sweet have to do with resigning anyone?
Will you stop it with the vegetables
by Man Mountain on Aug 6, 2009 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
enter Scotty Rolen
he seems to be the kind that could frighten a new manager.
And I wonder how bilingual Mr. Sweet is. One of the nicest things about Dusty is that he can talk to all the Hispanic players (which I’m convinced is a huge deal, because I can’t imagine its fun to go through translaters all the time).
I think it’d be fun to get an Ozzie Guillen type to manage…he really turned around the atmosphere in the south side, getting them away from the “woe is us” thinking, and I’m sure he does his share of stupid shit too, but at least he’s entertaining in a different way.
by Cy Schourek on Aug 6, 2009 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ozzie's the Patron Saint of Stupid Shit
Will you stop it with the vegetables
by Man Mountain on Aug 6, 2009 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe with stuff he says
but tactically he’s light years ahead of Dusty.
Isn't there a slanket somewhere you should be filling with your farts?
by nycredsfan on Aug 6, 2009 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
in that he doesn't po-facedly continue to give at bats to terrible players
but all the wasting outs and hit and run and small ball garbage still applies. Along with the voodoo and homophobia and whatnot.
He’s a little more flexible tactically, but it’s hardly worth it.
Will you stop it with the vegetables
by Man Mountain on Aug 6, 2009 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Players Hate Guillen
If they didn have a good GM who got them good players, and the White had not won the World Series, Guillen would already be long gone.
by Mr. Redlegs on Aug 6, 2009 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Like Griffey?
Isn't there a slanket somewhere you should be filling with your farts?
by nycredsfan on Aug 6, 2009 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Like, Look at Their Roster
Plus they just added Peavy for the stretch and beyond.
by Mr. Redlegs on Aug 6, 2009 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's like sMarty's brain had an account here
All good points, since Dave has managed a number of World Series teams since…..oh, hold it, no one’s ever evern asked to manage. Barry and Ken are VERY powerful
by timb116 on Aug 6, 2009 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rolen Is Very Quiet
Rolen says very little. Consummate professional in the way he goes about his job. But he is very large. I mean, towering.
He clashed with Bowa like all the Phillies clashed with Bowa. Someone was always yelling in that clubhouse. It was madness.
He clashed with TLR because the genius questioned his manhood for not playing hurt.
by Mr. Redlegs on Aug 6, 2009 1:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Rolen doesn't smile when he plays
ergo, he hates baseball.
"It seems like we're not hitting because we're not getting hits." - Dusty being Dusty
by Slyde on Aug 6, 2009 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rolen Doesn't Smile Much
But he’s a really nice guy. Very nice. And it’s just amazing how big he is upclose . . . and he uses this really, really small glove.
by Mr. Redlegs on Aug 6, 2009 2:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Small gloves make it easier to get the ball out!
twss and that’s why infield gloves are small, and why I prefer a small glove.
by jsl413 on Aug 6, 2009 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
True
But it’s really odd to see a glove that small on a player so large.
by Mr. Redlegs on Aug 6, 2009 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
he doesn't smile much because he's grumpy and doesn't have fun
/mocking Paul Daugherty
"It seems like we're not hitting because we're not getting hits." - Dusty being Dusty
by Slyde on Aug 6, 2009 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, but does he run really hard everywhere?
Phone's ringing, Dude.
by rjdio on Aug 6, 2009 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
watch out! i think the old inkslinger is swooning
Will you stop it with the vegetables
by Man Mountain on Aug 6, 2009 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Submitted for your approval.
Phone's ringing, Dude.
by rjdio on Aug 6, 2009 2:10 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
singular?
Will you stop it with the vegetables
by Man Mountain on Aug 6, 2009 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Just open to interpretation
Phone's ringing, Dude.
by rjdio on Aug 6, 2009 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought Bowden was out as GM in Washington...
Nats keep acquiring former Reds
I have robot insurance.
by 3 Fast 3 Furious on Aug 6, 2009 2:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
wow, Ward barely even qualifies as a Red
but they still wanted him, huh?
"It seems like we're not hitting because we're not getting hits." - Dusty being Dusty
by Slyde on Aug 6, 2009 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, he might be serviceable in LF.
They need OFs, right?
I have robot insurance.
by 3 Fast 3 Furious on Aug 6, 2009 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
it's funny at first
then you realize that the Reds and Nats are both just lunging at crumbs
Will you stop it with the vegetables
by Man Mountain on Aug 6, 2009 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nice reply!
Let me write out a formal proof for you.
by Gray on Aug 6, 2009 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I love Brandon Phillips
I know a lot of people are down on him for swinging early in the count and for grounding into too many DPs. I’m not. He’s not a superstar, but he is what he is. He also does what he wants and says what wants without caring about the repercussions. His moving to short or getting traded comment was the first thing off the top of his head; I love that.
Also, I’m sure there were a lot of people who figured Brandon had no idea who Frazier was. Good for BP.
by Brian B on Aug 6, 2009 2:15 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs
i liked his comment, too, because it cut right through the official PR fog that WJ put out yesterday
Will you stop it with the vegetables
by Man Mountain on Aug 6, 2009 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't like him because it's part of my schtick.
"It seems like we're not hitting because we're not getting hits." - Dusty being Dusty
by Slyde on Aug 6, 2009 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
An Important Consideration
No doubt.
by Mr. Redlegs on Aug 6, 2009 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Now, now
He’s been more than generous in ceding the “Probably Correct About Something But Expressing It in the Most Curmudgeonly Way Possible” part of his schtick to you.
That’s not fair. We’ve got at least five or six folks here that do that.
by Brendanukkah on Aug 6, 2009 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I've always liked him too,
I just think the Reds overvalued him in the past. His approach has been much better this year, and if he could continue that I would love to keep him.
I also like his comments about Frazier
That’s real talk, dawg.
Isn't there a slanket somewhere you should be filling with your farts?
by nycredsfan on Aug 6, 2009 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Phillips Can't Play Shortstop
He couldn’t play in the minors (he was awful), he has four games in the big leagues (two organizations) at the position since 2002, and he hasn’t played it regularly on any level since 2005 . . . but 4-5 years later at age 28-29 he’s supposed to be the answer?
Oh-kay.
by Mr. Redlegs on Aug 6, 2009 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought he came up as an adequate SS in the minors.
by jsl413 on Aug 6, 2009 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Phillips was dreadful at SS
I tweeted these yesterday:
In 6 minor league seasons and 572 games at SS, he made a whopping 148 errors for a .943 fielding percentage, or 1 error per 17.26 chances. Atrocious.
by Mr. Redlegs on Aug 6, 2009 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
you have a Twitter account?
be still, my heart
by Charlie Scrabbles on Aug 6, 2009 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hell Froze Over
I fought it to the end.
by Mr. Redlegs on Aug 6, 2009 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, I'd say he's improved since then.
I think he could show a better fielding percentage than that now.
by jsl413 on Aug 6, 2009 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Based on What?
Not being snarky, just asking: why would he magically improve at a position he hasn’t played in four years, and a position he wasn’t very good to begin with?
by Mr. Redlegs on Aug 6, 2009 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
More fielding experience in general, in the infield.
I just don’t see a reason not to try it out and evaluate it this year.
by jsl413 on Aug 6, 2009 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i agree...
he’s a much better ballplayer now than he was in the minors. i’m sure brandon can play as good if not better SS than jeff keppinger, jerry harriston, paul janish or any other average player who has done an adequate job there the last few years…
by GrooveLeg on Aug 6, 2009 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Janish is better than adequate defensively.
BP’s offensive numbers justify moving him to SS if we get an above average replacement at 2B for him.
by jsl413 on Aug 6, 2009 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
this is the absolute key
don’t move him just to move him. Move him because there is somebody worthy of playing 2B.
"It seems like we're not hitting because we're not getting hits." - Dusty being Dusty
by Slyde on Aug 6, 2009 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Worthy of playing at 2B that is a worse defender.
Thus cannot move to SS, whereas there is a possibility that Brandon can, and can do a good job there. If you told me we could have 2x BP playing 2B and SS, I’d certainly take it, even if you gave them only average defense at those spots. How many runs has Brandon’s D saved this year anyway?
+ Gold Glove is a laughable award.
by jsl413 on Aug 6, 2009 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
he's only been worth about 3 runs with the glove this year
but his 3-year average is +9.
"It seems like we're not hitting because we're not getting hits." - Dusty being Dusty
by Slyde on Aug 6, 2009 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
agree with the body, but not the title...
i know janish has been called a great defender and is talked up as such, but i’ve never seen good range out of him or any kind of magnificent play that i had to see again. he has a very strong, dead-on arm but he hasn’t shown me why he’s such a great defender… maybe i’m not watching enough games (tongue firmly in cheek).
by GrooveLeg on Aug 6, 2009 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Part of the reason he hasn't made spectacular plays
is he generally makes tough plays look routine. Plus, he hasn’t really played in enough games to have a chance to make great plays.
Gonzo makes “spectacular” plays all the time because his range is so bad he makes routine groundouts look like web gems
Isn't there a slanket somewhere you should be filling with your farts?
by nycredsfan on Aug 6, 2009 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, Gonzo's range has really kicked the bucket.
by jsl413 on Aug 6, 2009 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Do You Know This Because. . . .
. . . you are watching games or because you’re reading a defensive metric?
Gonzalez, like Ripken, is a “position” shortstop, meaning he aligns himself according to scouting reports and the specific pitch to a batter. Basically, they are playing in the right place most of the time.
by Mr. Redlegs on Aug 6, 2009 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Because I heard his knees creak.
And watched his legs move slowly.
by jsl413 on Aug 6, 2009 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
and yet he makes fewer plays than he used to make
that’s what the defensive metrics tell us.
"It seems like we're not hitting because we're not getting hits." - Dusty being Dusty
by Slyde on Aug 6, 2009 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Reminds me...
“Aren’t you one of those guys who’s always running in here yelling ‘disco sucks?’ What’s the matter, cat got your bong, man? Is that how you learned to communicate? Running in here and yelling stuff? Is that what your precious “rock and roll” teaches you?"
“No, it teaches me that DISCO SUCKS!”
by Brendanukkah on Aug 6, 2009 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
that was the joke i was trying to make.
i haven’t seen much out of him because he hardly plays.
i didn’t mean to make this a discussion about paul janish.
by GrooveLeg on Aug 6, 2009 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
who?
Isn't there a slanket somewhere you should be filling with your farts?
by nycredsfan on Aug 6, 2009 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He was also a cocky 19, 20, 21 year old when the majority of those errors were made
He’s a different player now.
"It seems like we're not hitting because we're not getting hits." - Dusty being Dusty
by Slyde on Aug 6, 2009 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He was a cocky 24-year-old when he was kicking balls in 2005.
He’s a pretty cocky 28-year-old now.
by Mr. Redlegs on Aug 6, 2009 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
minor league parks sometimes amplify error totals
by ol Pete on Aug 6, 2009 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Also, the age of a minor league player sometimes contribute to that
Young players are more raw and have less experience in the field, so less errors are made. Of course, we’re kind of throwing out the fact that error totals aren’t a good metric of defensive capability, aren’t we?
"We, as for me all seasons you are affected peculiarly in the edge of my seat and are happy concerning the fact that the Adam Dunn fan has been mixed up exactly." - Reynard-san
by BK on Aug 6, 2009 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought I did below, but everyone is ignoring it
/pouts
Isn't there a slanket somewhere you should be filling with your farts?
by nycredsfan on Aug 6, 2009 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I got your back.
"We, as for me all seasons you are affected peculiarly in the edge of my seat and are happy concerning the fact that the Adam Dunn fan has been mixed up exactly." - Reynard-san
by BK on Aug 6, 2009 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
so, you are assuming that an increase in maturity and knowledge of the game can't possibly factor into an improvement
SS is a harder position to play, but not so much harder that it makes the move ridiculous. It’s at least worth an attempt for the last 2 months of the season, just to find out how he handles it, no?
"It seems like we're not hitting because we're not getting hits." - Dusty being Dusty
by Slyde on Aug 6, 2009 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, Maybe. . .
. . . especially if they gave a couple of the kids—Sutton, Valaika, Frazier—a chane to play 2b in that time.
Cubs went through the same thing with Sandberg, who was a much better SS in Phils’ system than Phillips was for Indians. When you have someone that damn good at a position, like Phillips at 2b, it takes some stones to move him back to a position he so thoroughly stunk.
by Mr. Redlegs on Aug 6, 2009 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
the question is
whether it’s better to be average at 2 positions or really good at one and terrible at the other. I don’t have the answer, but I would venture to guess that it is better to not have a crappy player on the field.
"It seems like we're not hitting because we're not getting hits." - Dusty being Dusty
by Slyde on Aug 6, 2009 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yup
But I’d rather have the sure-fire Gold Glover at his best position than an erratic, error-prone defender at the position where the most balls are hit.
by Mr. Redlegs on Aug 6, 2009 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
again, I think you are making assumptions that aren't obviously true
Maybe BP didn’t take defense seriously until he was forced to move? Is there harm in trying?
"It seems like we're not hitting because we're not getting hits." - Dusty being Dusty
by Slyde on Aug 6, 2009 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm Not Big on Ifs, Ands, and Buts. . .
However, like I said above, I have no issue trying. Maybe it would put an end to this madness.
Has there ever been a Gold Glove-caliber 2b who moved to SS 4-5 years after he last played the position and excelled?
by Mr. Redlegs on Aug 6, 2009 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Michael Young
Though there is a lot of debate over his real and perceived defensive value, especially since the advanced defensive metrics were in their infancy when he made the switch.
"My brain is almost the size of normal human being," he said. "Almost. Real pleased with that." -Scott Rolen
by RedsMasochist on Aug 6, 2009 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
but if u like big buts ive got one for you. scott rolen. nate mcclendon told me about it after tossing a round of pepper a dozen years ago. spicy!#MR_REDLEgs
Will you stop it with the vegetables
by Man Mountain on Aug 6, 2009 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Using errors to judge defensive ability isn't really the best way to do it, especially in the minors
Case in point:
Alex Gonzalez errors this year: 4
Zach Cozart errors this year: 19
So the defensive savior we’re talking about at SS has commited almost 5 times as many errors as the guy we can’t wait to get rid of. But I’m sure with all of your inside sources you knew that the infield in Carolina is considered one of the worst in the minors, and Cozart is rated as a +6 run defender there this season.
Isn't there a slanket somewhere you should be filling with your farts?
by nycredsfan on Aug 6, 2009 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Disagree
. . . because an error is an error. No sugarcoating. Scouts will take in account a ball that was impacted by the field, lousy scorekeepers and so forth. But the physicality of making an error doesn’t just diminish.
Sure, the minors fields make some difference, but the hard infield at Texas isn’t the same as the high-grass infield at Detroit or the soft infield dirt in Boston, and so forth. Players have to adjust in the big leagues as well as the minors.
So you give some handicap on crappy minors fields but it’s not like 50 percent. It’s up to each individual play.
by Mr. Redlegs on Aug 6, 2009 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The point is
I think we would all agree that Cozart is a better SS than Gonzo. Even if not, EVERY scout I’ve ever read says Cozart is a very good SS, (which the defensive metrics agree with) but looking at the error totals, he looks horrible.
You said because of BPs errors in the minors he was a terrible shortstop and I’m saying that isn’t good evidence.
Isn't there a slanket somewhere you should be filling with your farts?
by nycredsfan on Aug 6, 2009 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I disagree that an error is an error
SSs in particular can have higher error totals if they have better range, because they get to more balls. Another example is assigning on OF an error for making a great throw to the catcher when the catcher can’t field the ball. Those and all the other error judgments made by official scorers that could go either way. And while I’m at it, there is a huge variance in the quality of official scorers. The Cards guy is a prostitute to the team. Others aren’t.
by ol Pete on Aug 6, 2009 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Somewhere the ghost of Robin Yount weeps over the impossibility of switching positions mid-career
by timb116 on Aug 6, 2009 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He went to the outfield
Slight difference.
by Mr. Redlegs on Aug 6, 2009 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He did?!?!
Yeah, I know he’s gone, but I don’t care. That was so stupid…..
by timb116 on Aug 6, 2009 7:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
u know who has incred huge stones? Scott Rolen Towering, Gibraltar-like testes…small cup tho #MR_REDLEgs
Will you stop it with the vegetables
by Man Mountain on Aug 6, 2009 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You know, I'm just gonna say this once, because the irony of me saying ti might make something near by explode
but, you don’t know everything and this insider thing you got going on would be a little more palatable if say it wasn’t placing in conference calls in the Reds’ front office and simultaneously in the White Sox clubhouse AND polishing a Dave Miley bobblehead.
Phillips is a Gold Glove second baseman who played SS through the minors and came up as a SS. He was traded to the Indians as an SS. He has an unbelievably strong arm and good footwork. The idea that SS takes so much more athleticism than turning a double is a joke. It take an arm and Brandon has it.
Now, Lord knows, I love a matter-of-fact assertion as much as the next guy or gal, but the next time you claiming something as delivered to from the hive mind of the Reds organization could you provide one iota of data.
I’m not trying to be a dick, but, Jesus, this site has people who rely on things like numbers and data, and plans and public statements and this “let me tell you something, junior, I’ve been in this business 45 years” is cool IF you link to one thing. Just one thing, besides rumor and “someone said something” and the “general consensus is.” Please
Pretty please. Just one source
by timb116 on Aug 6, 2009 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Damn
Owned
Isn't there a slanket somewhere you should be filling with your farts?
by nycredsfan on Aug 6, 2009 2:44 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
Really?
Aren’t you one of those people who’s vast knowledge of sports is what people like me write for you?
If you didn’t read it, you wouldn’t know it.
by Mr. Redlegs on Aug 6, 2009 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe it's the Reds' Mole.
Or maybe it’s just an inflammatory fraud.
by jsl413 on Aug 6, 2009 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
True
not enough non-sequitirs and mixed metaphors for it to be Doc.
Isn't there a slanket somewhere you should be filling with your farts?
by nycredsfan on Aug 6, 2009 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
A blow hard that probably got banned from Teh Fay's blog
by Dave from Louisville on Aug 6, 2009 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No
Mr. Redlegs is from C. Trent’s blog. He and Trent had their differences from time to time, but Trent respected MRL as a fellow sports journalist.
MRL was not banned from Fay’s blog. Quite the opposite. The Enquirer put him in charge of the Reds message board, Red Letter Days.
Yeah, MRL is an older gentleman, and has a bit of a “you kids get off my lawn” attitude. But he knows stuff, and he has connections.
If he revealed his true identity, he would not be able to share that inside info with us.
Don’t chase him off. He’s a valuable contributor.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
by BubbaFan on Aug 6, 2009 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't think anyone's doing that
But if he’s going to act condescending towards the commenters here, he won’t be welcome for long. Dave shouldn’t be retaliating the way he is either, but keeping this site from turning into a pissing match is what’s separated us from places like Fay’s blog in the past.
"We, as for me all seasons you are affected peculiarly in the edge of my seat and are happy concerning the fact that the Adam Dunn fan has been mixed up exactly." - Reynard-san
by BK on Aug 6, 2009 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think
people might be more accepting of the condescending attitude if they knew he really is a sports journalist who’s been working in the field longer than many of us have been alive, and not a 12-year-old pretending to be someone he’s not on the Internet.
(FWIW, we went through this at C. Trent’s blog, too.)
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
by BubbaFan on Aug 6, 2009 5:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No, I know he's a journalist
That doesn’t mean he hasn’t been acting rudely here. If he wants to slum it with us bloggers, fine. I actually appreciated the anecdotes about the daily routine of covering a team. But for fuck’s sake, don’t be an assbag about it!
This goes for all you other assbags too! Quit it!
by Brendanukkah on Aug 6, 2009 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
FWIW
I doubt he’ll post here much. Typically, he comes around, posts for a day or two, then wanders off again.
And honestly, I don’t think he cares if he’s rude. That’s one of the good things about getting old. You just don’t give a crap what other people think any more. If it really bugs you, ban him, because he’s not going to change.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
by BubbaFan on Aug 6, 2009 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I truly don't care what people think
I’ll bet I’m older than he is. I don’t like to be rude though. If he is really a sports journalist how is it he doesn’t understand that minor league error totals aren’t a very good way to evaluate skill level, especially for SSs? Is he still hanging on to the notion that Omar Vizquel will never be a good fielding SS?
by ol Pete on Aug 6, 2009 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
IME
He’s kind of an old-school guy. Don’t ask him about OBP, it might make Slyde’s head explode.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
by BubbaFan on Aug 6, 2009 5:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I disagree
The condescending attitude should not be excused by his being involved in sports journalism. If he is a professional, and makes a claim to be one under the Mr.RedLegs persona, then he should conduct himself in a manner befitting a professional.
"My brain is almost the size of normal human being," he said. "Almost. Real pleased with that." -Scott Rolen
by RedsMasochist on Aug 6, 2009 5:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I was thinking about this
as one who was rude back to him.
I was probably a bit unfair to him, but my thing with him is that there was no sense of “I see what you’re saying, but….”
It was all “If you knew who I know, and had the connections I have, you’d see you’re wrong” without addressing what we were actually saying.
Also, a little bit of, “sorry, I know it probably seems sketchy that I’m claiming to be all these things, but you’ll just have to trust me that I know people” might go a long way.
Isn't there a slanket somewhere you should be filling with your farts?
by nycredsfan on Aug 6, 2009 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I guess I don't get this part either
Every other sports journalist in America is known, and yet they keep their sources. Why does this guy need to stay anonymous? And if anonymity is so important, just be anonymous and don’t start flaunting connections and credentials you’ll never be able to prove.
It just comes across as someone trying desperately to seem and feel important.
Isn't there a slanket somewhere you should be filling with your farts?
by nycredsfan on Aug 6, 2009 6:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
do you really not get it?
Why do you think people like McCoy, Sheldon and Fay slip him stuff to post, rather than posting it themselves?
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
by BubbaFan on Aug 6, 2009 7:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Post where?
Seems to me like everyone wants credit for scoops. Maybe I’m naive or dumb, but why would Hal give this guy something he could only anonymously post here? And if he’s posting inside info where his name is attached, like on his own blog, why couldn’t he give his name here too? It’s not like he has to reveal his sources if he tells us his name.
Isn't there a slanket somewhere you should be filling with your farts?
by nycredsfan on Aug 6, 2009 9:41 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
MRL
runs the Enquirer’s Reds message board, Red Letter Daze. He has also been active on C. Trent’s various blogs. and Trent confirmed that he’s a long-time sports journalist. But he’s never revealed his real name to the public. (I think Trent knows who he really is.) He has a blog, or used to, but blogs under the Mr. Redlegs name, too.
Even for us non-journalists…you can say things anonymously that you wouldn’t say if your real name was attached. Most of us here post anonymously, don’t we? How many people have been fired or disciplined because they revealed what they thought was innocuous information on their blogs?
In some cases, revealing your name does reveal your sources. Especially in a small market like Cincinnati.
Also, being too blunt can hurt your relationship with the team. You can’t call someone out, then expect him to give you an interview the next day.
It’s not like MRL came over here saying he was a bigshot journalist and we should all shut up and listen to him. He was asked what his sources were, how he knew what he said he knew, etc. He told us as much as felt comfortable revealing. Just as we all do here.
Personally, I think it’s great to have a regular journalist “slum” with us bloggers. Even C. Trent didn’t do that. I think it could be beneficial for both sides.
MRL posted something at Red Letter Daze about how he asked the beat writer for another team why he didn’t post the lineup on his blog. The lineup was up for three hours, the beat writer was hanging around with nothing to do, waiting for an interview or whatever, and the fans were dying to know what lineup was. It just never occurred to the beat writer that anyone was that interested in the lineup. MRL told him that fans love to dissect the lineup, the earlier the better. It was a revelation to the beat writer.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
by BubbaFan on Aug 7, 2009 7:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Because I respect you and your point of view
I’ll take your word for his credibility and connections, but I would like to point something out.
Believe the Info or Not Who cares? You’re making it personal. But if I tell you Castellini went on conference call with staff to say the projected losses are $15 mil, you might want to shut your yap and listen instead of being an obstinate know-nothing.
Isn't there a slanket somewhere you should be filling with your farts?
by nycredsfan on Aug 7, 2009 8:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I am old too and well connected
(and rather well hung too, but I digress) that don’t make me" Mr.I know all the answers and you kids can blow me"…or does it.
One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor.
George Carlin
by Madville on Aug 7, 2009 3:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not sure who you're talking to
but to my knowledge I’ve never read anything you wrote except what’s on this site, which I almost universally disagree with.
So keeping with the trend, no, I haven’t gotten my sports knowledge from you
Isn't there a slanket somewhere you should be filling with your farts?
by nycredsfan on Aug 6, 2009 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You're right
I’ve read your ridiculous posts on Fay’s blog, and, wait for it…..
disagreed with all of those too, pops
Isn't there a slanket somewhere you should be filling with your farts?
by nycredsfan on Aug 6, 2009 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So Ask Cincy.com . . .
Who’s posts get more rec’ds than anyone on their Reds boards?
You disagree all the time? Fine. But that tells me you are the know-it-all.
by Mr. Redlegs on Aug 6, 2009 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wouldn't wear being rec'd on Fay's blog as a badge of honor
That blog about melted down when Jeff Keppinger got traded.
Isn't there a slanket somewhere you should be filling with your farts?
by nycredsfan on Aug 6, 2009 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Certainly not like getting rec'd a lot around here.
Right guys?
Guys?
by Brendanukkah on Aug 6, 2009 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
totally different
’round here, we rec for comedy, not well-informed and thoroughly-sourced baseball knowledge.
by Charlie Scrabbles on Aug 6, 2009 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Well, all posts that aren't funny
should be well-informed and thoroughly sourced. Or a question.
by jsl413 on Aug 6, 2009 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Or a picture of a half naked woman
/Madville’d
Isn't there a slanket somewhere you should be filling with your farts?
by nycredsfan on Aug 6, 2009 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I kinda doubt you rec for comedy either
Handsomeness and push ups ability on the other hand…
by Brendanukkah on Aug 6, 2009 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
notice i havent rec'd you since i met you in real life
by Charlie Scrabbles on Aug 6, 2009 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's like meeting phone sex operators in person
Erections are hard to come by after something like that.
by Brendanukkah on Aug 6, 2009 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
maybe for you
ive never had a problem with getting erections.
by Charlie Scrabbles on Aug 6, 2009 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This is like bragging about your gold medal in the Special Olympics.
"We, as for me all seasons you are affected peculiarly in the edge of my seat and are happy concerning the fact that the Adam Dunn fan has been mixed up exactly." - Reynard-san
by BK on Aug 6, 2009 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
lol
rec’d
Isn't there a slanket somewhere you should be filling with your farts?
by nycredsfan on Aug 6, 2009 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
in all fairness...
it doesn’t take much to impress those commenters.
by GrooveLeg on Aug 6, 2009 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I just want to interject here
let’s not turn this into a pissing contest about what blogs are better or who has better commenters. It’ll go nowhere.
"It seems like we're not hitting because we're not getting hits." - Dusty being Dusty
by Slyde on Aug 6, 2009 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
and this isn't just for grooveleg
that’s just whose post I decided to reply to
"It seems like we're not hitting because we're not getting hits." - Dusty being Dusty
by Slyde on Aug 6, 2009 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
classy'd
/he started it!
Isn't there a slanket somewhere you should be filling with your farts?
by nycredsfan on Aug 6, 2009 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
wow
just…wow
dick-measuring? surely you are too sophisticated for that.
by Charlie Scrabbles on Aug 6, 2009 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You haven't spent much time in DC, have you Scrabbles?
by Brendanukkah on Aug 6, 2009 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
one time for a day trip
we visited the Mall and i went to the Natural History Museum. my wife wouldnt let me get the stegosaurus puzzle though.
by Charlie Scrabbles on Aug 6, 2009 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
"Who’s posts get more rec’ds than anyone on their Reds boards?"
Is that really something to boast about? Just saying…..
First time I shot her, I shot her in the side.
Hard to watch her suffer, but with the second shot she died...
by btcoop71 on Aug 7, 2009 8:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
All snark aside
Just because you say you’re a baseball journalist doesn’t give you the benefit of the doubt on a site like ours. You probably are, I’m not going to dispute that, but without giving us a little evidence, you can’t run around here like you’re infallible because you have access, because without that proof, you’re not. It works the same way for all commenters here, and the same with most blogs. If you don’t link your source, nobody’s going to take you seriously. And just because you have access doesn’t give you the right to talk above the commenters here. Treating everyone like they don’t know shit isn’t a good way to make friends.
Say I came onto a Bengals’ fan-site and claimed to be a beat writer, and started talking about things I’d heard. Is an anonymous commenter on a blog someone you’d trust to get information from? Me neither.
"We, as for me all seasons you are affected peculiarly in the edge of my seat and are happy concerning the fact that the Adam Dunn fan has been mixed up exactly." - Reynard-san
by BK on Aug 6, 2009 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So when is this Hanley deal going down
WE HAD SOURCES!
by Dave from Louisville on Aug 6, 2009 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
SS for the Marlins
WE HAVE SOURCES
by Dave from Louisville on Aug 6, 2009 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I Just Don't Care Whether You Believe It Or Not
If you have the baseball wisdom to look at the posts, the info within, the writing, use some common sense, and can make an objective judgment, then you’ll generally like what you read.
But if you bother to look around, especially on Twitter accounts, e.g., I don’t hear people screaming for sources and links when similar behind-the-scenes info and gossip is being bandied about. Gammons hasn’t used a named source in 30 years. Stark isn’t far behind. The insider baseball people know this stuff comes from coaches, agents, front office personnel.
by Mr. Redlegs on Aug 6, 2009 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
But Peter Gammons
doesn’t post stuff as “Mr. Moneybags” or appear on ESPN with a paper bag over his head.
We know who he is, and if he’s blatantly wrong about something he can be called out for it.
Anonymity gives people big balls and haughty attitudes
Isn't there a slanket somewhere you should be filling with your farts?
by nycredsfan on Aug 6, 2009 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I Have Both
And 33 years’ experience. But that doesn’t stop y’all from disagreeing. Some times you’re right, many times you’re wrong. But as I’ve learned on fan blogs, especially in the NFL, fans are never wrong. Just ask them.
by Mr. Redlegs on Aug 6, 2009 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
are you insinuating that you are never wrong?
by GrooveLeg on Aug 6, 2009 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Of course not
Do you know any perfect people? St. Peter is on Line 1 if you do.
by Mr. Redlegs on Aug 6, 2009 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nobody's claiming that they're never wrong
But not engaging in a discussion with someone because you claim to be above it isn’t a good way or saying that you’re right.
"We, as for me all seasons you are affected peculiarly in the edge of my seat and are happy concerning the fact that the Adam Dunn fan has been mixed up exactly." - Reynard-san
by BK on Aug 6, 2009 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
the weird thing is, I heard a re-broadcast years of Gammons ESPN winter meetings
report during the summer and he told me exactly which team were going to sign which free agents and all three of those players ended up signing with a different team. Claiming no source/no truth Gammons as an idol doesn’t impress me. I like Peter well enough, but I wouldn’t trust any more telling me that Brandon Phillips can’t move to short, when I’ve been a damn baseball fan all my life and know he can (if he wants to). Gammons has access, not scouting ability
by timb116 on Aug 6, 2009 7:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The people on Twitter who are posting inside information
are people like Jon Heyman, Ken Rosenthal, and such. Those are people who have a body of work, that don’t post anonymously. The buzz going around Twitter generally comes from them. if I created an account, and posted that the Reds just traded for A-Rod, would you trust that source? I wouldn’t.
Coming on here and saying that we need the “baseball wisdom” to look at your posts is condescending, and not what we’re about here. If you’re so wise, convince someone of the point you’re defending without using your “status” as a writer. On here, you’re just a name. Nobody cares what the other posters here do in real life, because that’s not what the arguments are about. The common saying here, is that you don’t agree with something, you should “attack the argument, not the poster”. If you have an argument, expect to get challenged on it, and stop being defensive when someone challenges one of your points. It doesn’t help the conversation and makes you look like a tool.
"We, as for me all seasons you are affected peculiarly in the edge of my seat and are happy concerning the fact that the Adam Dunn fan has been mixed up exactly." - Reynard-san
by BK on Aug 6, 2009 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Where does this blog claim to be a "family blog"?
"We, as for me all seasons you are affected peculiarly in the edge of my seat and are happy concerning the fact that the Adam Dunn fan has been mixed up exactly." - Reynard-san
by BK on Aug 6, 2009 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah mother-fucker where?
Way to keep it real BK
by Dave from Louisville on Aug 6, 2009 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Way to Keep it Unnecessary
. . . if there are women or young readers.
by Mr. Redlegs on Aug 6, 2009 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What century are you from?
Women are somehow less able to deal with “Dirty Language”? Might they get the vapors and pass out at the keyboard? Not attacking you personally, but that just kind of struck me funny.
"My brain is almost the size of normal human being," he said. "Almost. Real pleased with that." -Scott Rolen
by RedsMasochist on Aug 6, 2009 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Shut up.
I’m just saying that it’s not up to him to show up here and make the site PG-13, because it’s not, and it never has been.
"We, as for me all seasons you are affected peculiarly in the edge of my seat and are happy concerning the fact that the Adam Dunn fan has been mixed up exactly." - Reynard-san
by BK on Aug 6, 2009 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Classy
And I didn’t just show up. I’ve been around.
by Mr. Redlegs on Aug 6, 2009 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He told Dave to shut up
You can hit the little “Up” icon to see who someone replied to.
by Brendanukkah on Aug 6, 2009 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It was joke, Good Humor Man
See below. Pathetic.
by Mr. Redlegs on Aug 6, 2009 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Certainly Not
But I’ve been around the Reds blogosphere for 5 years. Most people know and have come to trust I have access and know things they don’t get from McCoy, Sheldon and Fay. Hell, I’ve had two of those to slip me stuff and say, “Use it.”
by Mr. Redlegs on Aug 6, 2009 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So why won't you tell us who you are?
Or at least give us a reason to trust you?
by jsl413 on Aug 6, 2009 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
i dont care who he is
and if i did know, it would not make me trust him any more or less. his arguments are still not convincing.
by Charlie Scrabbles on Aug 6, 2009 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm just curious.
I don’t believe everything I read, but I want to know if someone has access to sources I don’t. If it doesn’t add up, i’m not going to believe it.
by jsl413 on Aug 6, 2009 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Then You're Just Hard-Headed
and wasting my time.
by Mr. Redlegs on Aug 6, 2009 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
im hard-headed?
please explain.
by Charlie Scrabbles on Aug 6, 2009 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why Explain. . . ?
When you defined it in your at 1:10. Sorry man, but you said it didn’t matter what anyone said or who proved what, you don’t believe anything. So, enjoy the inside of that envelope you live in.
by Mr. Redlegs on Aug 6, 2009 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
seriously?
come on man, dont be like this. you know what i said.
by Charlie Scrabbles on Aug 6, 2009 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
and im really sorry to be wasting your time
i thought you had an interview to do at 4? better get a move on ’cause youre a bit late.
by Charlie Scrabbles on Aug 6, 2009 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Autogrphs
Panthers are signing autographs along the rope and running late from practice.
by Mr. Redlegs on Aug 6, 2009 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Look, I like Mark Sheldon, but what is it that makes him a baseball expert?
He gets quotes and repeats them. he watches a game and decides what important thing happened. 99% of the time the important thing is obvious; 1% of the time one of them asks a question no one else cares about (Bronson, did you use steroids before they were banned?) and the rest of the lemmings follow that lede until they’ve forgotten there’s a baseball season.
Claiming having access to Mark Sheldon or John Fay or Hal makes one a baseball expert means that Moe “wins and losses are the only measure of a pitcher’s value” Eggers is a baseball expert and I refuse to accept that. In fact, it’s ludicrous.
by timb116 on Aug 6, 2009 7:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What stuff? Did you use it?
We Are ... Marshall!
by Thundering Turtle on Aug 6, 2009 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good for you.
But if you think that gives you some kind of status here, then you’re sorely mistaken. Nobody cares who you are here. If you can make a point and defend it, that’s going to go a lot farther than claiming that you’re right because you’re in the media.
"We, as for me all seasons you are affected peculiarly in the edge of my seat and are happy concerning the fact that the Adam Dunn fan has been mixed up exactly." - Reynard-san
by BK on Aug 6, 2009 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Believe the Info or Not
Who cares? You’re making it personal. But if I tell you Castellini went on conference call with staff to say the projected losses are $15 mil, you might want to shut your yap and listen instead of being an obstinate know-nothing.
by Mr. Redlegs on Aug 6, 2009 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
In case it was overlooked, I'll ask again.
What “stuff” did the Reds beat writers give you? Did you use it?
We Are ... Marshall!
by Thundering Turtle on Aug 6, 2009 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sorry, I Did Miss It
Answer later . . . gotta run. One of them is Dunn. It’s good. Real good.
by Mr. Redlegs on Aug 6, 2009 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't wanna pull the old "How very convenient" card
So I’ll just say that it makes sense that one of the Reds guys might give a Washington guy something about Dunn. Since, y’know, Dunn plays in Washington and not for the Reds anymore.
by Brendanukkah on Aug 6, 2009 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He's lazy and bad at clutch.
And we’re getting him back hooray.
by jsl413 on Aug 6, 2009 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No,
it’s that Adam hates baseball
Isn't there a slanket somewhere you should be filling with your farts?
by nycredsfan on Aug 6, 2009 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
BK wasn't the one arguing with you about projected losses
by Brendanukkah on Aug 6, 2009 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
you obstinate know-nothing
I have robot insurance.
by 3 Fast 3 Furious on Aug 6, 2009 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Did we ever get an answer as to why
they’re taking on more salary next year despite allegedly being $15MM in the hole?
by RijoSaboCaseyWKRP on Aug 6, 2009 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not the one who turned this into a biggest dick contest.
I’m not even arguing against your point, because I actually believe you. It doesn’t surprise me in the least that the Reds are in debt. But if you’re going to come on here with some “insider info”, be prepared to defend it with a source or numbers, and for the billionth time, don’t get defensive when somebody challenges you. If someone attacks your argument, attack theirs back, don’t tell them that you’re above them because you’re in the media. If you’ve been around as much as you say you have, you should know that you aren’t helping your cause here. Trust me.
"We, as for me all seasons you are affected peculiarly in the edge of my seat and are happy concerning the fact that the Adam Dunn fan has been mixed up exactly." - Reynard-san
by BK on Aug 6, 2009 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Writers Have Finite Sources, Usually . . .
. . . scouts and members of the coaching staff, many times other beat writers, and commonly someone in the front office, like one of the people on the conference call with Castellini about the money. Every team in sports has moles. Well, maybe not the Oakland Raiders.
Everyday we deal with these people—on the field, in the pressbox, the stadium cafeteria, emails, texts—the works. You develop a strong level of trust for background for writing stories or just for gossip and conjecture because not one-fifth of what happens in the background of pro sports ever gets printed. Just doesn’t. For one, a lot of it is everyday stuff that every team goes through. It’s interesting in idle talk but not really newsworthy in the bigger sense.
The media gathers in the clubhouses at an MLB game around 3:30p for a 7p start. First stop: lineup board. Second stop: medical reports. Third stop: look around the locker room to see who is missing and who is new. Fourth stop: BSing in the middle of the clubhouse with other media folks to exchange gossip, news, etc. while waiting on the manager’s meeting.
During batting practice, it’s a free flow of incredible information. Best time of the night. Managers like Torre, Francona and Cox like to hold court in the dugout. It’s just great because most of the talk is about what’s happening around the game that day. And that’s were the pipeline of info really flows.
The best place for info is actually the press box cafeteria, which is a misnomer. It serves the entire team staff, media, basically whomever wants to pay the $10. There, the scouts gather in clusters and they are the biggest gossipers in sports. Ask anything, you’ll get an answer. A very good answer.
But it’s that way in all of sports, and it’s that way in politics, too. The people talk. You don’t see everything in print or on TV. Doesn’t mean it’s not true, that it’s not happening. I have friends who are/have been White House correspondents. Their backdrop stories are incredible. In exchange, I tell them things like a high-profile owner of an NFL team whose wife is sick with cancer but he continues taking team cheerleaders on junkets to Atlantic City in his limo.
Sheet happens. Believe me or not, but the stuff is usually pretty damn good.
by Mr. Redlegs on Aug 6, 2009 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Are you Michael Wilbon?
He told me he hates blogs.
by jsl413 on Aug 6, 2009 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Funny, Wilbon is a Cubs Fan
And he lives in Arizona.
by Mr. Redlegs on Aug 6, 2009 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
There's some insider shit
that you could never get from just watching PTI
Isn't there a slanket somewhere you should be filling with your farts?
by nycredsfan on Aug 6, 2009 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And works for the Washington Post?
And has a cubicle right next to Tony?
by jsl413 on Aug 6, 2009 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
it's funny cuz i don't know any real sports writer who would troll the comments section of a blog all day...
by GrooveLeg on Aug 6, 2009 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's Because You Don't Know Sports Writers
We troll and troll and troll for information. Sites like this one do some pretty good work. You can get some decent ideas buried among the comments.
My primary work the past 14 years is NFL. I’m actually at Carolina Panthers training camp today in S.C. I have a 4 p.m. interview. I troll the blogs and newspapers with addiction, looking for nuggets and ideas.
So happens that the only sports team I really follow since the Colts moved to Indy is the Reds. My bosses know. They monitor from time to time. Sheet, one of them is a Yankees fan and the other is a Cardinals fan. They do the same. They’re on the blogs.
But I covered MLB most of my career and still do pieces during what is my “offseason” after the Super Bowl and after the draft.
by Mr. Redlegs on Aug 6, 2009 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Can you ask Dusty why he bats the two worst hitters in the league
Leadoff and 2nd? And why he bends over for Veterans? And why he has a mancrush on shitty CFs?
by jsl413 on Aug 6, 2009 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Kornheiser No Longer Works at WaPo
He also doesn’t have a cubicle, I’m told. Cleaned out his desk back in the spring when they terminated his writing contract.
by Mr. Redlegs on Aug 6, 2009 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Must have been after I talked to Mr. Wilbon.
Who doesn’t return emails, by the way. What a jackass.
by jsl413 on Aug 6, 2009 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Did you really email him?
I don’t blame him for not returning. He probably gets 500 emails a day from random clowns. (you excluded of course :-) )
Isn't there a slanket somewhere you should be filling with your farts?
by nycredsfan on Aug 6, 2009 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, he came to speak to us.
And I indicated that in the subject, and wrote a really thought out email to him. I would have appreciated a token reply.
by jsl413 on Aug 6, 2009 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wilbon is a super nice guy
But he is completed inundated by email. He has a double-secret email for work, friends, media contacts, etc.
by Mr. Redlegs on Aug 6, 2009 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And a triple-secret one
for the President, the Jonas Brothers, and Dora the Explorer
Isn't there a slanket somewhere you should be filling with your farts?
by nycredsfan on Aug 6, 2009 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Oh Sure
That’s why I have a “handle” for 5 years now. So I can casually reveal my identity and jeopardize my work associations in NFL and MLB. Right-o.
by Mr. Redlegs on Aug 6, 2009 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
do you wear the Mr. Redlegs mascot costume when you go hang out with all your sports friends?
by GrooveLeg on Aug 6, 2009 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You've solved it!
He’s the REAL Mr. Redlegs!!
How’s your head after that fall last year? That must’ve been embarrassing.
Isn't there a slanket somewhere you should be filling with your farts?
by nycredsfan on Aug 6, 2009 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Notice. . .
None of them will sit on me lap.
by Mr. Redlegs on Aug 6, 2009 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
just your face...
Mr. Redlegs gives free mustache rides.
by GrooveLeg on Aug 6, 2009 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Mustache Wax Is Utilitarian
and costs just $4.69 a can.
by Mr. Redlegs on Aug 6, 2009 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I've been known to wear a Reds cap to practices
but I never, ever wore the black road cap. That was a crime.
by Mr. Redlegs on Aug 6, 2009 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Black? Crime?
Jesus, that’s racist. You must live in MoCo.
by Brendanukkah on Aug 6, 2009 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why live in the slums?
We live in McLean, Va.
by Mr. Redlegs on Aug 6, 2009 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That makes a lot of sense
Like, a lot of sense.
by Brendanukkah on Aug 6, 2009 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
posting on redreporter
would jeopardize your work associations in the NFL? That’s weak.
by ol Pete on Aug 6, 2009 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is Jim Bowden back in Washington?
The Nats acquired former Reds Daryle Ward and Norris Hopper today. Go figure.
We Are ... Marshall!
by Thundering Turtle on Aug 6, 2009 2:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Holy carp, Sea-Bass was actually helpful to the team in 2007.
2.5 WAR. Who’da thunk…
by jsl413 on Aug 6, 2009 3:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
His offense was actually pretty good that year
Isn't there a slanket somewhere you should be filling with your farts?
by nycredsfan on Aug 6, 2009 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Haha, this year:
40% of Gonzo’s swings have been at pitches outside of the K-zone. He also has swung at the most pitches (55%, Laynce Nyx at 51.4%, 34.3% outside of the zone)…
http://www.fangraphs.com/winss.aspx?team=Reds&pos=all&stats=bat&qual=100&type=5&season=2009&month=0
by jsl413 on Aug 6, 2009 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Does it say how many of them are sliders?
That dude has never met a slider he wouldn’t swing at.
by Mr. Redlegs on Aug 6, 2009 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
FanGraphs ranking the top prospects traded at the trade deadline..
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/trade-deadline-prospects-ranked-part-4
8. Zach Stewart, RHP
From Cincinnati to Toronto
The trade of veteran third baseman Scott Rolen to Cincinnati still has people shaking their heads. Not only did the Jays shed salary and pick up a potential closer in Roenicke but the Reds also surrendered Stewart, who was the club’s third round draft pick in 2008. The right-handed former college closer has seen his value rise significantly in 2009 as he’s shown the ability to stick in the starting rotation. Stewart began the year in high-A ball where he allowed 47 hits in 42.1 innings of work. He then moved up to double-A where he allowed 29 hits in 37 innings of work and posted a walk rate of 2.43 BB/9 and a strikeout rate of 7.54 BB/9. Cincinnati then promoted him to triple-A where he moved back to the bullpen in anticipation of him helping out at the MLB level late in ‘09, if needed. The 22-year-old allowed 11 hits and eight walks in 12.1 innings of work while also striking out 16 batters. Toronto has committed to moving him back to the starting rotation, although that may not occur until 2010 (which would help control his innings total for the year).
10. Josh Roenicke, RHP
From Cincinnati to Toronto
Roenicke has more MLB experience than any other player on this list and he immediately slid into the Toronto bullpen after the trade. A late bloomer who was 23 years old when he was drafted out of UCLA, the right-hander has a big-time fastball that can touch 99 but sits around 94 mph. He also utilizes a cutter and a slider. Roenicke has the potential to be the Jays’ closer of the future, especially if he can gain more consistency with his control. In 28 triple-A innings in 2009, Roenicke allowed 30 hits while posting a walk rate of 1.93 BB/9 and a strikeout rate of 10.28 K/9. In 15.1 big-league innings, he’s allowed 16 hits, seven walks and 18 Ks. He has yet to allow a homer this year and has allowed just six in 159 pro innings. Roenicke’s younger brother Jason also pitches in the Jays’ system and the family is familiar with Canada, as father Gary played briefly with the Expos.
by jsl413 on Aug 6, 2009 3:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
So much for Stewart just being a middle relief prospect
Isn't there a slanket somewhere you should be filling with your farts?
by nycredsfan on Aug 6, 2009 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Baseball America also did a similar rundown
They listed Zach Stewart as the second best prospect traded this deadline behind Brett Wallace.
by Hype Machine on Aug 6, 2009 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Cards get an elite OF in his prime
we get an aging, injury prone 3B
Isn't there a slanket somewhere you should be filling with your farts?
by nycredsfan on Aug 6, 2009 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What really gets me
Is that the Phillies and the Red Sox didn’t even have to give up a prospect as highly touted as Stewart to get Cliff Lee and Martinez, respectively. And both of those guys are cheap next year and still relatively young.
by Hype Machine on Aug 6, 2009 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i dont know
i figure guys like Hagadone, Knapp, Carrasco, and Masterson are on the level of Stewart. i think your point still applies though.
by Charlie Scrabbles on Aug 6, 2009 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree with you
It just seems to me that the Phillies and Red Sox pulled off better deals without dealing their so called “untouchables” while the Reds seemed to panic and throw in what most people considered to be one of theirs at the last minute.
by Hype Machine on Aug 6, 2009 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Julio Castillo sentenced to 30 days in jail, 3 years probation
The pitcher who injured a fan in the stands with a thrown ball during the Peoria/Dayton brawl last season had his sentence handed down today.
"My brain is almost the size of normal human being," he said. "Almost. Real pleased with that." -Scott Rolen
by RedsMasochist on Aug 6, 2009 3:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Mr. Redlegs is a know it all blog hijacker
Seriously how many comments this thread?
by Dave from Louisville on Aug 6, 2009 3:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
game thread quality.
I have robot insurance.
by 3 Fast 3 Furious on Aug 6, 2009 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
At least quantity.
We Are ... Marshall!
by Thundering Turtle on Aug 6, 2009 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, the quality doesn't quite line up.
There aren’t enough pictures in this one.
I have robot insurance.
by 3 Fast 3 Furious on Aug 6, 2009 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No misspellings of common words.
It’s not going to work.
I have robot insurance.
by 3 Fast 3 Furious on Aug 6, 2009 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So someone needs to 'shop in "Gimme cheezburger or I bite ya"?
"My brain is almost the size of normal human being," he said. "Almost. Real pleased with that." -Scott Rolen
by RedsMasochist on Aug 6, 2009 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Now it's starting to feel like a game thread.
I have robot insurance.
by 3 Fast 3 Furious on Aug 6, 2009 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
...and Votto just came up with 2 outs and the bases empty
NOW it feels like a game thread.
by Charlie Scrabbles on Aug 6, 2009 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Wait, not yet....
What’s everyone drinking?
Isn't there a slanket somewhere you should be filling with your farts?
by nycredsfan on Aug 6, 2009 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Apple juice and having some goldfish crackers as a snack
But then I need to take my nap, or else I’ll get fussy.
"We, as for me all seasons you are affected peculiarly in the edge of my seat and are happy concerning the fact that the Adam Dunn fan has been mixed up exactly." - Reynard-san
by BK on Aug 6, 2009 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
GrooveLeg!
This is a PG-13 site! You’re going to TIME OUT.
"We, as for me all seasons you are affected peculiarly in the edge of my seat and are happy concerning the fact that the Adam Dunn fan has been mixed up exactly." - Reynard-san
by BK on Aug 6, 2009 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
mmmmmmm, goldfish crackers
must go to store………….
Isn't there a slanket somewhere you should be filling with your farts?
by nycredsfan on Aug 6, 2009 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
How about some fucking skin kids
Lets get back to the basics, that which has made RR the most important Reds site on the whole internet.
Baseball. Crude Humor, Sabremetrics, and half naked women.
One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor.
George Carlin
by Madville on Aug 7, 2009 3:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
..there was the confusion of "troll" and "trawl" a bit earlier in the thread, fwiw
by Cy Schourek on Aug 6, 2009 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No. It's accurate.
He is a troll, and that’s what trolls do… they troll and troll and troll and troll some more. At least that’s my impression.
"I never should have given up the animation rights."
by BobbyO on Aug 6, 2009 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This blog has gone from a productive blog where we all listen to each other bitch about the Reds and make witty comments
to us listening to Mr. Redlegs rant about how important he is.
by Dave from Louisville on Aug 6, 2009 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
but it's so much fun...
i’ve never seen such an uproar… then again, i’m pretty new.
by GrooveLeg on Aug 6, 2009 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Only because there's no game today and not a lot of interesting Reds news
"My brain is almost the size of normal human being," he said. "Almost. Real pleased with that." -Scott Rolen
by RedsMasochist on Aug 6, 2009 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i hope this doesn't happen again...
i’m a little surprised it did to be honest.
by GrooveLeg on Aug 6, 2009 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Walt was lying about the waiver shit, by the way.
Mets acquired a WASH INF today. So, he must have cleared waivers..
by jsl413 on Aug 6, 2009 4:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
yeah, that was one of those "90% of fans don't understand waivers" statements
that he can get away with. EVERYONE is put through waivers this time of year, right?
by Cy Schourek on Aug 6, 2009 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Anyone watching The Breakfast Club or Vacation tonight?
"It seems like we're not hitting because we're not getting hits." - Dusty being Dusty
by Slyde on Aug 6, 2009 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
sob, sob
now who will represent high school life in the north shore of chicago to kids nationwide?
by Cy Schourek on Aug 6, 2009 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
WHEWW
Reading Mr. Redlegs’ rants about “baseball wisdom” and “insider sources” was worse than Ctown boy. At least he wasnt a condescending douche, just a general douche.
"Avoid the Clap, Jimmy Dugan. That's good advice!"
by jmgard6 on Aug 6, 2009 5:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
no need to name call
go sit in the timeout chair.
"It seems like we're not hitting because we're not getting hits." - Dusty being Dusty
by Slyde on Aug 6, 2009 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
you might as well plug that thing in
and do irreparable physical damage as well
by Charlie Scrabbles on Aug 6, 2009 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Name calling isn't helping the situation.
"We, as for me all seasons you are affected peculiarly in the edge of my seat and are happy concerning the fact that the Adam Dunn fan has been mixed up exactly." - Reynard-san
by BK on Aug 6, 2009 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Attacking the argument
Isn’t “baseball wisdom” what guys like Dusty Baker have? How’s that working out?
That brings me to my proposal: given all of the new folks who have come on lately, I think it would be a good idea for the mods to draft a “RR Constitution.” This would not be a set of rules (like sorry-ass BCB), but rather a framework of how we RRs would like this blog to operate and what we stand for—something to guide the uninitiated.
A number of long-time RRs (including myself) have brought up the idea that we don’t like where things have been headed on RR lately, and I think the mods have done an admirable job of trying to steer newcomers in the right direction. But I also think that a constitution of sorts would be helpful in this regard.
/inserted in suggestion box’d
"I never should have given up the animation rights."
by BobbyO on Aug 6, 2009 5:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Nevermind
I guess that already exists.
"I never should have given up the animation rights."
by BobbyO on Aug 6, 2009 5:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The real debate is whether it's a living document
by ken on Aug 6, 2009 8:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Comments are closed after 30 days.
by Brendanukkah on Aug 6, 2009 9:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
But times have changed
RR Talk Show wasn’t even around when the founding Slyder penned his manifesto.
by ken on Aug 6, 2009 9:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm definitely open to refining what it means to be a Red Reporter
but on the other, I also don’t want to overthink it. If the community wants to organize such a document, I’d be behind it. Otherwise, I fear that I’ll just be accused of creating more rules.
"It seems like we're not hitting because we're not getting hits." - Dusty being Dusty
by Slyde on Aug 6, 2009 11:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rules are what make this blog what it is.
And prevent it from being a bunch of illiterates talking about baseball. Sometimes it’s cliquish, but I think moderation on RR is excellent.
by jsl413 on Aug 6, 2009 11:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
sometimes the rules don't prevent illiteracy.
Buut I alwayes chek mi gramer!
"If it wasn't this, it'd be something else."
by ZJiff30 on Aug 7, 2009 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The only 2 rules that I know of that are strictly enforced
1. No full frontal nude pictures of BK, Caleb or Ol’Pete (or anyone else for that matter)
2.Attack the idea not the person – The fundamental RR principal
3. Provide statistical backup for your opinions or information Nah…
One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor.
George Carlin
by Madville on Aug 7, 2009 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Did anyone see Hal's announcement?
The Dayton Daily News has terminated him
by timb116 on Aug 6, 2009 9:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Seriously?
That’s bullshit, but indicative of the dysfunction of papers these days.
Isn't there a slanket somewhere you should be filling with your farts?
by nycredsfan on Aug 6, 2009 9:53 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
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