Jordan Smith optioned to Louisville, Homer Bailey off the DL

by UncleWeez on May 5, 2011 10:51 AM EDT

To make room for today's starter, Homer Bailey, the Reds optioned Jordan Smith to AAA Louisville. Smith was plagued by some bad luck in his 17 innings this year, with a .382 BABIP contributing in part to his ugly 5.29 ERA. He saved the pen once or twice this year, stopping the bleeding in a few of the games that got away from the starters. A 5.82 K/9 to go along with a 3.18 BB/9 didn't help matters, though he's never had a huge K/9 rate in the majors. His xFIP indicates that he was pitching a full run better than his ERA indicated, but at the moment, there's not really room for him.

I'm sure we'll see Mr. Smith come to ~~Washington~~ Cincinnati again at some point this season, and with the glut of pitching the Reds have beginning to show its face again, maybe it's time to get Smith his first extended taste of AAA. It'll be interesting to see who gets the call first between Smith and Arredondo if and when the time comes.

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I have to believe one of these guys will be traded

While it doesn’t seem like Walt’s M-O is to do much trading, it’s the best way we have of fixing the problem at 3B, if indeed there is a long-term problem there.

#NotIntendedToBeAFactualStatement

by johnu1 on May 5, 2011 11:14 AM EDT reply actions

With Rolen signed as long as he is

when he’s healthy he should be there. Tying up more money in the position doesn’t seem like the prudent thing to do, because then you have a player worth starting sitting the bench. Acquiring a 3B using our best current trade chip would only seem worth it if they landed a long-term 3B still a few years away from the majors, and those type guys are not guys teams usually look to trade.

by pack_fan on May 5, 2011 6:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah

I think the priority should be:
LF, Ace, SS, 3B.

Plus unless Wayne Krivksy is on the other end, Smith is nothing more than a spare part for an impact player.

Formally justin007000!
Soon to be a major religion!

by Yossarian22 on May 5, 2011 8:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Agree'd ... Smith is no ace-in-waiting

But as part of a package that you’d need to include a pitcher anyway … he might be one who could turn the trade. Or Maloney or LeCure or Dontrelle Willis or Arredondo or Klinker.

So the trade isn’t really a pitcher for an infielder but a whole range of people, maybe even a menage-a-trois.

Any presumptions are made on the ongoing belief that Rolen will NEVER be as good as he was and certainly not good enough to stay in the lineup. Without a good 3B, this team goes three-and-out again in post-season.

#NotIntendedToBeAFactualStatement

by johnu1 on May 5, 2011 10:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Well without a good third baseman with the current roster construction they are in trouble

but Since Rolen is around and will likely play at some point, I would rather Walt fix left field. If we get a left fielder who can hit, Rolen’s production in the lineup is less essential.

Formally justin007000!
Soon to be a major religion!

by Yossarian22 on May 5, 2011 10:48 PM EDT up reply actions