17 Days To Go Until Opening Day... Who is your 25-Man Roster?
by MixFMKyle on Mar 19, 2010 3:33 PM EDT
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Hard to believe that just two weeks from this coming Monday is Opening Day against the Cardinals at Great American Ball Park. I sure hope the nice, warm weather we have enjoyed in Reds land this week is here for Opening Day as well. While many of the positions on the team are set, there are a few battles for roster spots before the team breaks camp and head northeast to start the year.
Will the Reds decide to keep Aaron Miles because the money he is owed? Or will they go younger with more speed, offense, and versatility and keep a guy like Paul Janish or Drew Sutton? Who wins the 5th starter job? Will there be a need for cuban food in the Reds clubhouse? Is it possible Drew Stubbs starts the year in AAA? My predictions are below.
Starting Pitchers (5):
1- 39 Aaron Harang
2- 47 Johnny Cueto
3- 61 Bronson Arroyo
4- 34 Homer Bailey
5 / Bullpen - 56 Matt Maloney
Actually if they really wanted to, the Reds only need a 5th starter twice in the whole month. I can see where an extra day would be good for Cueto and Bailey, but usually they like to keep Harang & Arroyo on their regular 5-Day rotation. Obviously, I think the Reds prefer Chapman starts the year in the minors for at least 5-10 starts, if not 15. This spot could easily belong to Micah Owings as well. Travis Wood, could be a dark horse candidate for this 5th spot, but I think for now I'm going with Maloney.
Bullpen (7)
1- 48 Francisco Cordero
2- 40 Nick Massett
3- 53 Arthur Rhodes
4- 51 Jared Burton
5- 52 Daniel Ray Herrera
6- 33 Micah Owings
7- 57 Mike Lincoln
Carlos Fisher and his tight elbow may mean a start at AAA or the DL if he can't get back to game action in the next 7 days. I guess you could say Ondrusek or Wood could start with the big club in the bullpen, but not likely. The Reds really don't have room on the 40-Man roster for someone like Kip Wells or Justin Lehr, and they haven't performed this well in their late inning appearances anyway..
Starting Position Players (8)
1- 55 Ramon Hernandez (C)
2- 19 Joey Votto (1B)
3- 4 Brandon Phillips (2B)
4- 27 Scott Rolen (3B)
5- 2 Orlando Cabrera (SS)
6- 31 Jonny Gomes (LF)
7- 21 Chris Dickerson (CF)
8- 32 Jay Bruce (RF)
Bench - (5)
1- 29 Ryan Hanigan
2- 6 Drew Stubbs
3- 15 Drew Sutton
4- 25 Wladmir Balentien
5- 7 Paul Janish
Again, the 40-Man roster is full, but in my scenario, Aaron Miles is a goner, and that would open a spot. I still don't see how any of the non-roster guys (Cairo, Burke) are clear upgrades over Drew Sutton or Paul Janish. Wilkin Castillo is the NRI who has had the best spring, and his ability to play 5 Positions (C, LF, RF, 2b, 3b), along with his speed could be an asset on a 25-Man Roster. He would have to bump Sutton or Janish though. Juan Francisco could be an intriguing option as well, but it sounds like he still has some plate discipline issues to overcome. If he can become decent in left field, he could share time with Gomes, and also spell Rolen at 3rd base, while keeping a power bat in the lineup. When he didn't start, he would be by far our big threat off the bench.
In the Outfield, you could argue Laynce Nix might make sense over Balentien, but Balentien has had a good spring, and is out of options. Personally, I feel the Reds would be better served leaving Nix as insurance at AAA. I guess he could be the LH bench bat as well.
Thoughts?
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My 25 man.
Starters:
1. Aaron Harang
2. Johnny Cueto
3. Bronson Arroyo
4. Homer Bailey
5. Matt Maloney
Bullpen:
6. Francisco Cordero
7. Nick Masset
8. Arthur Rhodes
9. Jared Burton
10. Daniel Ray Herrera
11. Micah Ownings
12. Mike Lincoln (*)
Starters: (Subject to change) :P
13. C- Ramon Hernandez
14. 1B- Joey Votto
15. 2B- Brandon Phillips
16. SS- Orlando Cabrera
17. 3B- Scott Rolen
18. RF- Jay Bruce
19. CF- Drew Stubbs
20. LF- Jonny Gomes
Bench:
21. Chris Dickerson
22. Ryan Hanigan
23. Wladimir Balentien
24. Paul Janish
25. Aaron Miles
That’s what I think it will be- although we could see Stubbs and Dickerson switch (too early to tell). And LF seems like it’ll be a platoon. I’d really rather see a young guy like Ondrusek or one of the other young right handers in place of Lincoln, but right now, I don’t think that will happen, and it might be best to keep Ondrusek in the minors for now. Fisher is a guy I’d really like to see up at some point.
I’d also like to see Miles go. I think that Sutton would be an improvement over Miles, but I feel like the 2.7 million that we’re paying Miles might get him the roster spot, sadly.
"People don't kill people. Burning oreo packages kill people."
you are most likely right about Miles
If that is the case, I vote we keep Sutton over Janish then. Atleast Sutton has a little pop, and has more speed.
Find me on Twitter- http://www.twitter.com/mixfmkyle
I don't think they'll do that
Janish is probably a lock, because his glove is so good. Sutton is not a SS. And Miles isn’t, either, really.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
This is probably right on
I’d rather see Sutton over Miles… possibly even Wilkin over Miles, but I doubt they’re going to eat that $2.7M before the season starts, sunk cost or no.
The upshot is that Heisey, Fraizer, Francisco, Chapman, Leake, Wood, Bray and Ondrusek should be ready soon. And I think Sutton could tear up Louisville, though I have no idea where he would play regularly. I’d think they’d find a place to stow him, but I wonder what happens to guys like Dorn, Nix, Anderson etc.
Yeah, those guys and the Cincinnati Reds. They're a terrible football team. / Because they're a baseball team? / Exactly. You know who's the worst football team? The Philadelphia Flyers. - Best Show
by RijoSaboCaseyWKRP on Mar 19, 2010 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions
I think it's close
I don’t think Stubbs will be a backup outfielder. He’ll start in CF. If not, he’ll start in Louisville. They will not keep him as a bench player.
And it might be more accurate to count Dickerson as the starter and Gomes as the reserve. I think they’ll platoon in LF, and with three times as many righties as lefties, Dickerson will get the lion’s share of starts.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
I overlooked that in my haste
I agree with you, no bench for Stubbs — and I think he still has the edge on the starting job in CF on Opening Day.
It’s still pretty unclear where Wlad lands in all of this. Dickerson figures to get most of the starts in LF if Stubbs is the CFer since he’s been hitting and plays better defense, but it’s a position Wlad may be ultimately better suited for, given the dearth of power on the team.
Yeah, those guys and the Cincinnati Reds. They're a terrible football team. / Because they're a baseball team? / Exactly. You know who's the worst football team? The Philadelphia Flyers. - Best Show
by RijoSaboCaseyWKRP on Mar 19, 2010 5:55 PM EDT up reply actions
good point
It could be Wlad instead of C-Dick in LF.
Though the Reds don’t seem too enamored of Wladdy. Last year, he hardly saw the light of day, even after the Reds were out of it. If they really thought he could be a starting LFer, or even half of one, you’d think they’d have played him more at the end, as they did with Janish.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
on second thought
I’m not sure Wladdy’s reverse splits are for real. It was only last year his splits reversed, so it could be a sample size thing. His splits were not reversed in the minors, nor in 2008.
I’m thinking the Reds probably don’t think of him as someone who hits righties better than lefties, and they may be justified in this.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
Nice work, crolf.
And I agree that Miles is not the best option, but he’ll make the team.
I think Gomes will get more PA this year than C-Dick if Stubbs is the CF starter. Besides, C-Dick is always hurt.
I’d rather get rid of Lincoln and keep Enerio del Rosario, but Lincoln will head east with the team.
And I like pickles. They’re yum.
It doesn't matter what you think, or what I think. It's what Dusty thinks that matters, and he's a knucklehead.
by PeteyHendrix on Mar 19, 2010 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions
That is how i see it
nice to have a spring without a lot of question marks.
Volquez, Bailey, Cueto, Chapman, and Leake. The future is so bright I have to wear sunglasses.
by justin007000 on Mar 19, 2010 8:52 PM EDT up reply actions
There are going to be some tough decisions to make…at least Darthelle McVader won’t be going North errr East…
Starters:
1. Aaron Harang
2. Johnny Cueto
3. Bronson Arroyo
4. Homer Bailey
5.Androidis Chappyman
Bullpen:
6. Francisco Cordero
7. Nick Masset
8. Arthur Rhodes
9. Jared Burton
10. Daniel Ray Herrera
11. Micah Ownings
12.Matt maloney
Starters: (Subject to change) :P
13. C- Ramon Hernandez
14. 1B- Joey Votto
15. 2B- Brandon Phillips
16. SS- Orlando Cabrera
17. 3B- Scott Rolen
18. RF- Jay Bruce
19. CF- Drew Stubbs/Chris Dickerson (The dreaded platoon)
20. LF- Jonny Gomes
Bench:
21. Chris Dickerson/Drew Stubbs
22. Ryan Hanigan
23.Laynce Nyx
24. Paul Janish
25. Aaron Miles
AS of today I cannot see any reason to send Androidis to 3A. Maloney to the pen over Lincoln…
I wish Frazier would make it over Miles, but common sense prevails.
What does one do with Wlad, Sutton and END ?
And then there’sWilkin too….
Gleet:The chronic morbid discharge as from the nostrils of horses.
Dusty is Considering Moving Maloney to the Bullpen
The only way this makes sense is if the Reds are seriously considering making Chapman or Wood the 5th starter.
I am still of the mind that you start with Maloney in the rotation, give Chapman and Wood time to season in the minors, and see how they are doing in May or June.
Volquez, Bailey, Cueto, Chapman, and Leake. The future is so bright I have to wear sunglasses.
Agreed, Maloney can always move to the 'pen later in the year if need be. But if he starts in the pen it might be hard to have him start later if need be
OTOH, I was thinking that having Chappy as the 5th starter might be the best thing for him for this reason: If they want to control his innings, the 5th starter spot is perfect for that. He’d only pitch a few times in April, and could always be skipped throughout the season, either because of a day off or in favor of Maloney, etc.
Don’t know if that’ll happen, or if it should, but having him as the 5th starter, if they go that route, should make it easy for them to keep his innings under control.
It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. -Aristotle
I feel like it is easier to keep Chapman's innings under control in the Minor's
The organization is always more important then winning in AAA. They can do things to limit his innings and pitch counts more easily in AAA than in Cincinnati.
Plus I don’t think limiting his innings is as important as it is in the big leagues. Cubans throw a lot of Innings. My 2 cents at least.
Volquez, Bailey, Cueto, Chapman, and Leake. The future is so bright I have to wear sunglasses.
by justin007000 on Mar 19, 2010 9:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, i thought about this. He supposedly threw 118 innings last year, but that was just in the Cuban league
If you add in all the other stuff he did, like international play, I bet it was way higher than that. I’m not so sure innings limits are that big of a deal for him after all.
It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. -Aristotle
are they seriously considering Lehr?
The guy they gave away to Korea, who then gave him back?
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
The Fay
FTH?
"They all play at the same time," Baker said. "I’m trying to get them together at same time – (Drew) Stubbs, Jay (Bruce) and (Jonny) Gomes – so they can get a cohesive outfield going defensively."
It sounds like Dickerson is the center fielder for at least now.
Sounds like Stubbs is the CFer for now. And Gomes is the LFer. Otherwise, why would Dusty be trying to get them to be a cohesive outfield?
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
Although I'm not a fan of:
1. Spring Training as the best way to establish a player’s worth or
2. Chris Dickerson as a full time player or
3.Holding back Stubb’s who appears to have a fairly high ceiling
I am in favor of these two possibilities
A. Stubbs and C-Dick platooning in CF at least at the beginning of the season. If Chris stays hot..well Dudsy sometimes plays the hot hand.
B. Androidis as the 5th Starter and Maloney in the pen.
If Harang or Cueto or Bailey flater or get hurt thenThe Reds have Maloney as the next man in.
Gleet:The chronic morbid discharge as from the nostrils of horses.
yeah, but
that’s the kind of thing managers and GMs always say during spring training. Everyone’s in it, until they’re DFA’d or sent to minor league camp.
I just don’t see how the Fay drew the conclusion that he drew, since he’s certainly been around to know this song and dance.
It really makes me wonder if he made similar leaps when he reported all those other things that turned out not to be true. (Like that Homer Bailey and Joey Votto for Bedard trade.)
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
"fuck the heck"
it’s from FJM
"always look on the unbucket side of life"
by Charlie Scrabbles on Mar 20, 2010 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions
Fay guesses about most things, and he's wrong more often than not
I’ve completely stopped paying attention to any of his predictions.
It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. -Aristotle
Uh oh Fay told slyde that they were going to become millionaire authors...
Gleet:The chronic morbid discharge as from the nostrils of horses.
My 25 Man Roster
Starters (5)
Harang
Cueto
Arroyo
Bailey
Chapman
Bullpen (7)
Cordero
Burton
Rhodes
Herrera
Massett
Owings
Ondrusek
Starting Position Players (8)
C- Hernandez (should be Hanigan)
1B- Votto
2B- Phillips
3B- Rolen
SS- Cabrera
LF- Dickerson
CF- Stubbs
RF- Bruce
Bench (5)
IF- Janish
OF- Gomes
OF- Balentien
C- Hanigan
UTIL- Francisco
I know Francisco still has to work on his plate discipline, but if he can be decent in LF, he can play either LF or 3B and spell Votto at 1B. He would potentially be our biggest power threat off the bench.
by Who's on First? on Mar 19, 2010 11:26 PM EDT reply actions
If you have Ballentien and Gomes you don't need END of the bench for a power PH.
5 right handed batters on the bench?
Jannish is no PH
Gomes is a terrible PH
Wouldn’t it make sense to have miles or Nix
or C-Dick on the bench or Sutton he goes both ways just like Miles
In fact they could be roomies.
Gleet:The chronic morbid discharge as from the nostrils of horses.
you sir, are correct.
I forgot about that.
Gleet:The chronic morbid discharge as from the nostrils of horses.
I figure
left field is going to be some kind of platoon, probably Dickerson/Gomes and I like Balentien and he’s out of options. He could probably see a significant amount of time in Left field too.
by Who's on First? on Mar 20, 2010 9:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Miles of smiles
All I remember was we were giddy as a teenager when we unloaded The Virus and his contract and got Miles in a deal with Oakland. Now we’re stuck with Miles’ money and wishing … what?
The baseball-bat collision is violent and involves large forces which act over a very short time and which compress the ball to a fraction of its normal size. -- Alan M. Nathan
I, sir, have not forgotten the old days.
The days where men were men, women were women, and Willy Taveras was “manning” centerfield. Aaron Miles is not Willy T, and so I am happy to have him on the team.
"Red Reporter - An elitist clique full of like-minded douchebags." - BK
Some, however,
in the midst of turmoil, despair and a sense of desperation, have suggested that the Redlegs are compelled to keep Aaron afloat owing to his extensive contract.
I frankly can’t see a good reason to keep a bad ballplayer on the team just because we owe him money. Frickin’ make him walk the plank. If we continue to do business this way, then we are indeed a team that is essentially committed to mediocrity.
The baseball-bat collision is violent and involves large forces which act over a very short time and which compress the ball to a fraction of its normal size. -- Alan M. Nathan
I think, if Walt truly doesn't want him, they'll cut him. They've done it before with relief pitchers.
But the money, combined with the fact that Miles was Walt’s player in St. Louis, makes me think they’ll give him a shot as a utility guy. Basically, I don’t think that they think he sucks. If he continues to prove otherwise, and they have better options in AAA, I could see him getting cut.
It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. -Aristotle
I guess I don't disagree w/you
as utility guys go, I am OK with Miles but I ain’t buyin’ the discussion that the only reason we’d keep him on the 25 is because of his contract. I tended to get that notion from some of the postings here.
The baseball-bat collision is violent and involves large forces which act over a very short time and which compress the ball to a fraction of its normal size. -- Alan M. Nathan
maybe not the only reason
But the business side of baseball matters. They don’t just consider who the best player is.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
Give me an exact example
of why I should keep a guy on the roster who isn’t as good as somebody else just because he has a bigger contract? Miles can play at Lousyville for the same money and the Reds could be better with somebody else on the 25. Unless I was born completely under a rock, there is NO way you can make this reply, BF, in a straight face.
The baseball-bat collision is violent and involves large forces which act over a very short time and which compress the ball to a fraction of its normal size. -- Alan M. Nathan
I think the difference
is that you can’t just stick a player in Louisville for insurance. Some, you can. The kids with options. But some will have to be exposed to waivers, or can elect free agency.
If there’s a big difference – the kid is awesome and the veteran sucks – then dump the veteran and eat his salary. The Reds have proven themselves willing to do thi. But if there’s not that much of a difference, then the business side of baseball matters. It’s the difference between keeping both players and keeping only one of them.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
well I do need to mention
that we took Aaron Miles of our own free will in a bid to unload Taveras (or so it seems) … so if he sucked when we got him, that would continue to explain why we are a second-division team. We could have just said NO to Miles and traded Rosales for The Virus, even up.
But …. noooooooooooooo …. now we are huddled around here, trying to decide whether to actually use a good player on the 25 or whether to keep a lame ass journeyman on the team, just because we owe him $2.7 million of real money.
Ask me again about this in June.
The baseball-bat collision is violent and involves large forces which act over a very short time and which compress the ball to a fraction of its normal size. -- Alan M. Nathan
I guess i need to clarify the rant
we didn’t actually need to take any players at all in the Rosales-Taveras deal, did we? I meant Taveras AND Rosales even up (for the cash.)
The baseball-bat collision is violent and involves large forces which act over a very short time and which compress the ball to a fraction of its normal size. -- Alan M. Nathan
yes, we did need to take Miles
The A’s wanted to get rid of Miles (and his contract), and the Reds wanted to get rid of Taveras (and his contract). The deal wasn’t going to get done otherwise.
And I think the Reds genuinely wanted Miles. They are worried about Rolen’s fragility. He’s been injury-prone in the past, so they stocking up on infielders. Miles had a bad year last year, but before that, he had three pretty decent years in St. Louis. If last year was a fluke, well, he’s not a bad option in case Rolen goes down.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
it was a bad contract swap, John
Volquez, Bailey, Cueto, Chapman, and Leake. The future is so bright I have to wear sunglasses.
by justin007000 on Mar 20, 2010 8:45 PM EDT up reply actions
My point is ...
if we want to stock up on infielders, why do we get stuck with infielders who, if they aren’t very good, cost us so much money that we have to keep them on the roster?
All in all, I am just not getting here … the logic that you are using, that we are swapping bad contracts. A much easier scenario, and forgive me if I make this too simple:
We release Taveras and eat his salary.
We keep Rosales, who is an infielder that we say we need to stock up on.
The A’s keep Miles.
Instead, we go through all this and are stuck with an infielder who we all realize isn’t likely to help us, so we keep somebody in the minors who COULD, all because we thought we needed to make this blockbuster deal that could have been avoided by just putting Willy T in a boat and shoving it downstream.
The baseball-bat collision is violent and involves large forces which act over a very short time and which compress the ball to a fraction of its normal size. -- Alan M. Nathan
I think it's clear
the Reds don’t have a lot of faith in their young infielders. I don’t think the Reds trusted any of them to take over 3B if Rolen went down for an extended period of time. The Reds clearly weren’t that high on Rosales any more. They did not trust him to start. Young players like Sutton, Janish, and Rosales are a risk. You don’t know if they’ll be able to hold it down if they have to start every day.
Basically, the bet they are making on Miles is the same one they are making on Orlando Cabrera. If he plays like he did last year, the deal was a mistake. If last year was a fluke, they got their money’s worth.
And then there’s the money. Even if the Reds end up dumping Miles and eating his contract, they’re better off than eating Willy T’s.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
fwiw
I have no problem with Miles as a utility player. I just like to discuss the nature of the beast. I got the sense that we’re backed into a corner of having to keep a utility guy on the team because of his salary.
I would hope that the team tries to improve in this area. I realize it isn’t a perfect science but from my point of view, I can make it as perfect as I want.
The baseball-bat collision is violent and involves large forces which act over a very short time and which compress the ball to a fraction of its normal size. -- Alan M. Nathan
but who do the Reds have that is heads and shoulders better than Miles?
Volquez, Bailey, Cueto, Chapman, and Leake. The future is so bright I have to wear sunglasses.
by justin007000 on Mar 21, 2010 12:36 AM EDT up reply actions
head and shoulders above
… would elevate him to a starting job.
Here’s where I came in on this.
Some posts said we were stuck with Miles on the 25 because we owe him so much money. I find that to be rather tenuous business practice to owe that much money to a guy who can’t be anything but a utility player.
If he is Rolen’s backup, that’s a consideration but all the same, he’s a utility player. (Today he played second base, which ain’t where Rolen plays.)
We should not have utility players who are only on the 25 just because they have big contracts. They should be on the 25 because they can help the team.
Why am I having so much trouble making this simple?
The baseball-bat collision is violent and involves large forces which act over a very short time and which compress the ball to a fraction of its normal size. -- Alan M. Nathan
I'm just asking why release him if there isn't a better option?
Yeah it sucks that the Reds paid too much money for Taveras, and now they are paying slightly less money for a utility player. But it isn’t like the Reds have a 2006 vintage Ryan Freel type of utility guy who Miles is blocking out. The only player I see Miles blocking is Sutton, and I can’t imagine they are that different.
Volquez, Bailey, Cueto, Chapman, and Leake. The future is so bright I have to wear sunglasses.
by justin007000 on Mar 21, 2010 2:23 AM EDT up reply actions
I dunno...
head and shoulders above would elevate him to a starting job.
Not on this team. There’s a quantum leap between unproven players like Sutton and our starters: BP, Rolen, Votto. O-Cab might arguably not that great, but he’s a SS, and none of the young backup infielders except Janish is a SS.
I think it could be argued that Miles falls into the gap between the young and unproven guys probably destined to be backups, if they stick in the big leagues at all, and our starters. At least, if last year was a fluke and the previous three years were not. He played almost full time, and didn’t suck too badly. Plus, he’s a better relief pitcher than Janish.
If the choice was between Miles and Sutton, I’d probably go with Sutton, but the choice is really Sutton and Miles vs. just Sutton, because Sutton still has options. If you’re going to be paying Miles anyway, might as well keep him.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
I don't disagree.
Maybe if you or I were running the team, we’d feel like we’d be paying the same amount of money to have Miles rot in AAA, but I would guess that our current execs probably feel like that kind of money belongs in the majors. I’m not saying that it’s right, but it just kind of seems like it’s how things are done.
"People don't kill people. Burning oreo packages kill people."
why I find some of this amusing
… all of you make good points on Miles and I can’t argue when people make good points. But what still is funny is that the A’s apparently think Rosales is better (cheaper for sure) than Miles and were willing to pay US money (I think) to make the deal in addition to curing us of the Virus. According to some of you, Miles is better than Rosales. (I frankly don’t want to see either one of them play much.)
I reflect back to a thread earlier when I asked what Beane was chewing on that day. I still can’t really grasp that deal.
Who was our Polish PTBNL in that deal, or was it a boy named Cash?
The baseball-bat collision is violent and involves large forces which act over a very short time and which compress the ball to a fraction of its normal size. -- Alan M. Nathan
I definitely read 'pay US money' as...
pay United States money… I got really confused.
"People don't kill people. Burning oreo packages kill people."
US vs. Them
the little dots would give it away if it doesn’t have one of ($) these attached.
The baseball-bat collision is violent and involves large forces which act over a very short time and which compress the ball to a fraction of its normal size. -- Alan M. Nathan
I think the A's are nuts
Rosales as the starting SS? They are insane.
They are strange over there in Oakland. They also gave us two good pitching prospects for Chris Denorfia. Even though Deno had just had TJ surgery and wasn’t going to play for a year. Then he ended up playing mostly for the Sacramento Rivercats, until he became a minor league free agent.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
I feel like the A's are Cincinnati's ATM
Volquez, Bailey, Cueto, Chapman, and Leake. The future is so bright I have to wear sunglasses.
by justin007000 on Mar 21, 2010 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions
They owe us for 2005!
We were doing just fine, playing good baseball, and then we took a west coast trip that started with an interleague series against the A’s. We promptly lost like all of those games, and with them, the season.
by Brendanukkah on Mar 21, 2010 11:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Volquez, Bailey, Cueto, Chapman, and Leake. The future is so bright I have to wear sunglasses.
by justin007000 on Mar 21, 2010 11:45 PM EDT up reply actions
That makes more sense
I remember watching those games at the Soft Rock Cafe in Centerville. And in 2005 I moved to DC. Five years. Good lord.
by Brendanukkah on Mar 22, 2010 12:04 AM EDT up reply actions
who set up those games, anyhow?
The thinking needs to start a lot earlier in the process.
The baseball-bat collision is violent and involves large forces which act over a very short time and which compress the ball to a fraction of its normal size. -- Alan M. Nathan
Starters (5)
Harang
Cueto
Arroyo
Bailey
Wood
Bullpen (7)
Cordero
Burton
Rhodes
Herrera
Massett
Owings
Maloney (Ondrusek)
Starting Position Players (8)
C- Hernandez
1B- Votto
2B- Phillips
3B- Rolen
SS- Cabrera
LF- Dickerson
CF- Stubbs
RF- Bruce
Bench (5)
IF- Janish
OF- Gomes
IF- Miles
C- Hanigan
UT- Sutton
C. Trent
had something yesterday that the Fay only partially covered.
He also talked about the conditions here and not making too many judgements. Breaking pitches aren’t breaking as well, that hurts guys like Homer Bailey (was a split that didn’t break that was hit for a homer) and Daniel Ray Herrera, and helps someone like Jonny Gomes, who feasts on fastballs.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
I don't get all the love for Wlad.
Care to educate me?
Anyone…BubbaFan…?
Gleet:The chronic morbid discharge as from the nostrils of horses.
I think one thing is he is out of options, So it is time to see something.
by Eastwindquinn on Mar 20, 2010 10:38 PM EDT up reply actions
yes, he's out of options
So if the Reds want to keep him, they have to put him on the opening day roster. And he has power, something the Reds have been lacking in.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
Power...loking at HRs and Doubles:
Wlad in his last 559 PAs hit 15 HRs and 31 DBLs
Gomes in his last 491 PAs hit 28 HRs and 28 DBLs that about 100 less PAs
Nix in his last 337PAs hit 15 HRs and 26DBLs – about the same a Wlad in 222 less PAs.
I think of guys who hit doubles and HRs like Votto. as power guys. Wlad doesn’t have the consistency in those two ares of either Gomes on Nix…
Wlad is not a great PH or defensive player and his power numbers are not very exciting to me and he’s out of options then why not put him on the 25 and work like hell to trade him. The Reds have plenty of OFs but still could use a a young good hitting good fielding SS.
Gleet:The chronic morbid discharge as from the nostrils of horses.
"could use a a young good hitting good fielding SS."
Yup. On which tree do they grow?
"You know it's gonna be a good one when you see Fred Quimby's name at the beginning."
by Fat Vegas Alan on Mar 20, 2010 11:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Here is why Mads
Wlad has untapped potential. Could he end up as a career .240/.295/.420 guy? Yes that wouldn’t be surprising. God only knows how many talented prospects have turned in to Corey Patterson, Willy Mo Pena, Jeremy Sowers, and Brandon Larson. But He could also come in closer to his minor league stats, .266/.345/.584.
We know what Nix is, a career 4th or 5th outfielder, who has good power but an out machine. Last season Nix put up a .291 OBP the second highest OBP of his career… Nix isn’t a bad option for the last outfield spot, but Wlad still could turn into a productive everyday outfielder, Nix will not.
Nix is in on a minor league contract. He can open in Louisville and Wlad can open in Cincinnati. If Wlad doesn’t work out the Reds can call up Nix. Wouldn’t it be a kick in the pants for the Reds to lose Wlad on waivers, have him turn his career around in his next stop, and the Reds never even really gave him a chance?
Wlad has an upside Nix does not have.
Volquez, Bailey, Cueto, Chapman, and Leake. The future is so bright I have to wear sunglasses.
by justin007000 on Mar 20, 2010 11:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Right, and if you look at the complete package, Wlad is better than Nix right now.
Nix might have more power, but he makes way too many outs. Their corner OF defense is comparable, and we won’t need either one in CF, so defense is a wash.
Basically, I’d rather have the guy with slightly less power (but the potential for as much or more) and the OBP skills, and all the upside, with the guy who is more like a AAAA player.
It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. -Aristotle
That was a terribly written post
sorry, my brain is addled right now. Trying to write about meaning in Delta blues lyrics
It’s a got me low, fo sho.
It’s a got me low, child, fo sho
I’m a feelin’ po’, with nowhere to go
It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. -Aristotle
there's something about those songs
they depress me.
"always look on the unbucket side of life"
by Charlie Scrabbles on Mar 21, 2010 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions
truer
more apropos words were never spoken
"always look on the unbucket side of life"
by Charlie Scrabbles on Mar 21, 2010 6:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Agreed.
Hey, I need a little help here…
WB slugged .430 for the Reds last year and that was good enough for second best among guys with 100-300 PAs (Stubbs slugged .440). Dude’s 24. He needs some ABs against righties.
"You know it's gonna be a good one when you see Fred Quimby's name at the beginning."
by Fat Vegas Alan on Mar 20, 2010 11:27 PM EDT up reply actions
yes, he's got youth going for him
He’s four years younger than Nix and Gomes. He’s still getting better, while Gomes and Nix are presumably at their peaks, or even on the way down. They’ll be thirty this year. Wladdy will turn 26 in July.
But I think a lot of RRs don’t really see Wlad as competing with Nix or Gomes, but with Dickerson. Dickerson’s got a better glove, but for left field, most teams are willing to take a defensive hit in exchange for a power bat.
However, as I said above, I’m not convinced Wladdy’s reverse splits are for real, and I suspect the Reds aren’t, either.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
Interesting...I don't think of Wlad competing with C-Dick at all
I see him competing for a ‘role job’.:
Back-up LF, RH PH power bat off the benchoff the bench.
He could make the 25 in that role.
Only if Gomes completely fails ( or is injured) do I see Wlad Wlad competing against Dickerson..
I don’t hate Wlad…I hate to see him rot away on the bench at 25.
Gleet:The chronic morbid discharge as from the nostrils of horses.
If the Reds are ever playing ball in October
it will be because Jonny Gomes is our leftfielder, putting up Manny type numbers and frustrating the hell out of us right before he has a 2-homer, 5-ribber night.
Since we intend to continue having the leftfielder welfare camp in place, we will be a 3rd or 4th place team, seeking an identity, wondering how in hell we can turn somebody named Wladimir Ballentien into an everyday ballplayer.
I say, give him a chance. Sell his contract to the Rangers or the Pirates.
Let us PLEASE find a real outfield.
The baseball-bat collision is violent and involves large forces which act over a very short time and which compress the ball to a fraction of its normal size. -- Alan M. Nathan
I bet you $50 the Reds play in October this year
Volquez, Bailey, Cueto, Chapman, and Leake. The future is so bright I have to wear sunglasses.
by justin007000 on Mar 21, 2010 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions
semantics, I suppose
We connect the phrase, generally, with post-season, do we not?
The baseball-bat collision is violent and involves large forces which act over a very short time and which compress the ball to a fraction of its normal size. -- Alan M. Nathan
I'm being a dick.
Volquez, Bailey, Cueto, Chapman, and Leake. The future is so bright I have to wear sunglasses.
by justin007000 on Mar 21, 2010 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions
You need to start upping your bets
This is better than the $10 you’ll be winning from your Pirates-esteeming roommate, but think bigger!
by Brendanukkah on Mar 21, 2010 11:13 PM EDT up reply actions
you never know
Not everyone is silly enough to ask why somebody would make such a wager.
The baseball-bat collision is violent and involves large forces which act over a very short time and which compress the ball to a fraction of its normal size. -- Alan M. Nathan
Real Outfield
Gomes in LF
Stubbs/Dickerson platoon in CF
Bruce in RF
Gleet:The chronic morbid discharge as from the nostrils of horses.
If anything, you'll see Gomes/Dickerson platoon in LF, and Stubbs playing everyday in CF until he proves he can suck something awful
by Highlifeman21 on Mar 22, 2010 6:45 PM EDT up reply actions
I hate platooning
But I tried to give a nod to C-Dick
Subbs
Gomes
Bruce
with C-Dick in the wings…real outfield.
Potential doesn't win games.
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