Red Reposter - I know this whole thing looks like unbridled Dusty bashing, but I seriously do kinda like the guy. Kinda.
by Charlie Scrabbles on Aug 30, 2011 1:32 PM EDT
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SI's Jon Heyman has some juicy gossip, though it is definitely not unexpected
"Sources suggest there has been some difference of opinion over playing time between Reds GM Walt Jocketty and manager Dusty Baker, who has a year to go on his contract. The Reds are over .500 for the first time since early July, but it is curious how much playing time veterans Miguel Cairo and Freddie Lewis are getting in a lost season. Rival execs say they also would have traded Ramon Hernandez before the July 31 trade deadline and employed Devin Mesoraco as catcher. Hernandez was claimed on waivers by a competitor and pulled back by the Reds. He would have helped the Giants, among others." (He also lists his postseason award candidates and doesn't even have Joey Votto on his MVP list. Schmuck.) -
Redleg Nation does an excellent job fleshing out the details of Heyman's confirmed quarrel
Seriously, click through and read the whole thing. Steve cites the Fred Lewis and Edgar Renteria situations as evidence that the differences of opinion between Jocketty and Baker go much deeper and much further back in history than just the Yonder Alonso situation. Here's the takeaway:
"I think a majority of us were extremely disappointed with the relative inaction of the Reds last off-season, and our skepticism has been proven right by the team’s performance this year, falling short of their 2010 season. Walt Jocketty’s moves were small bore, at best. You can debate the merits of Lewis, Gomes, Renteria and Janish all you want. But when even the meager steps taken by the GM are deliberately sabotaged by the manager, you have a recipe ripe for failure. Seriously, is continued success possible with such a dysfunctional relationship between the GM and manager?" -
Red Hot Mama weighs in
"This situation is clearly something that needs to be addressed in the next off-season. It might even be more important than whether Aroldis Chapman is a starter or reliever." -
If indeed the Jocketty/Baker relationship is on a one-way train to Splitsville
Daedalus makes no bones about which side she'll take. "Usually, managers don't make a huge difference in what a team does, but when you have a borderline team, like the Reds, who are missing some parts, a manager can make or break a team. And Dusty broke this team."
The Fayplacement asks Dusty how he comes up with his line ups
and he contemplatively replied, "Well, I just, uh... I kinda think about stuff that I see, or dream them." Fayplacement then remarked at how cool it is that he dreams them, and Dusty continued, "Nothing works all the time, I don’t care how you do it. This game is basically about matchups and the odds."
I can appreciate that Dusty spends a lot of time on his line ups. He's definitely not just filling them out on a whim. But perhaps that is his biggest problem. I think he's overthinking it. Take the example from the article, the time when he penciled in Fred Lewis to play LF against Jason Hammel and the Rockies. Lewis was 7-9 in his career against Hammel, which is certainly impressive. But should that be the most important thing to take into account when figuring this stuff out? Sure, Lewis has seven hits against Hammel, but isn't it more important that players like Heisey, Alonso, and Sappelt get some reps in the bigs?
Blog Red Machine takes exception to the idea that the Reds made no moves this past off-season
The DDN piece that ken linked in yesterday's Reposter is the focus of his ire, as he cites the big money extensions to Jay Bruce, Johnny Cueto, Joey Votto, and Bronson Arroyo. While the Reds didn't go out and get a Zack Greinke or a Shaun Marcum, they did lock up their nucleus for the foreseeable future. I think this is a fair point, and one which easily forget or dismiss. But the point still stands that LF and SS were issues in the off-season and continue to be so.
Perhaps the Reds biggest need though, a front-of-the-rotation pitcher, is one that I thought would not be a problem this season. Let's not forget that coming into the season, the Reds had a staff that went nine-deep with what could reasonably be judged as at least league-average pitchers. But starting pitching is, like my insightful banter here, a funny thing. Bronson Arroyo fell apart, Travis Wood and Edinson Volquez were demoted, Homer Bailey has dealt with injuries and inconsistency, Sam LeCure went to the bullpen, and Matt Maloney has been injured and in Louisville. Only two of the Reds nine-deep rotation have emerged as anything resembling solid starters, and that's just not enough. Nobody - not even Walt - could have reasonably anticipated that.
Ryan Hanigan - iron man again
After catching all weekend including the 14-inning game on Sunday, Hanigan was in the starting lineup again last night. Ramon Hernandez has a bad bruise on his right arm and looks to be another few days from being ready again. I know this is totally expected and not at all surprising, but why not put Monie on the DL if you know he'll be out nearly a week? Devin Mesoraco will be up when rosters expand in a few days anyway, so why not bring him up a few days early and avoid the dangers of playing with only one catcher? I would really love to know if such a loathing for using the DL is an industry standard or if it's really only something the Reds do. Either way, it's dumb.
Hardball Talk's Power Rankings have the Reds at #13
and with a .500 record, it's no surprise that they are square in the middle of the pack.
Jeff Sullivan enlightens us on another aspect of Adam Dunn's legendarily futile season
While he leads the league in strike out rate and worst batting average, he also leads the league in foul ball rate. Basically, when Dunner makes contact (which is rare enough as it is, right?) he fouls the pitch off 62.2% of the time. I don't know what that really means, but at the very least it's just one more bizarre dimension of a truly surreal season from the big fella.
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Does Walt have the wherewithal to fire Dusty? Or would he just go off quietly into the night this offseason?
"You said 'walks' twice."
"I like walks."
I'm not convinced that Walt has the authority to fire Dusty
I have a feeling Walt didn’t even want to re-up Dusty this off-season.
Follow on Twitter: @jluckhaupt. Buy The Wire-to-Wire Reds today!
When John Heyman asked me to be a source for his story, I thought it would make a good storyline
Actually, I’ve heard rumors for a couple of years that Dusty is Bob’s guy. That’s colored my view a bit.
Follow on Twitter: @jluckhaupt. Buy The Wire-to-Wire Reds today!
Dusty's a fair target after this season, but I've developed a "devil you know" complex at this point
And I don’t know if anyone else that’s available would be better. Especially retreads like Bobby Valentine or Phil Garner. But I also don’t think a rookie manager would be a great idea.
That's a good way to put it.
He’s done enough to show me he’s trying to address some problems.
-Bruce in cleanup (2x)
-Sappelt at the top of the lineup (high OBP)
-Alonso, Frazier, Sappelt, Heisey, Gomes, Lewis….in LF, yet not at the expense of defense
-Alonso at 3b, addressing the need for another LH bat
-Heisey with a clean shot at LF
-Cozart with a clean shot at SS
-Resting Rolen
-Keeping pitch counts down with starters
-What else?
Not everything has worked, or come at a moment’s notice, but he’s managed pretty well in the face of so much going wrong between the lines. I used to not like his bullpen handling, now I just realize some of those guys aren’t getting it done for him.
Unless there is a messiah figure to bring in, I don’t see why we should fire Dusty. Especially if they are sure there isn’t any complacency on the team.
"The Reds have started 2011 the way they ended 2010!"
If there really is a split between he and Walt
I’d rather see Dusty gone than go through another season of them trying to get each other fired.
Follow on Twitter: @jluckhaupt. Buy The Wire-to-Wire Reds today!
Walt's the one with the relationship with Castellini, not Dusty.
A dope trailer is no place for a kitty.
by GlennBraggsSwingAndMissBrokenBat on Aug 30, 2011 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions
This is not true
Castellini has a relationship with both of them, which perhaps is the biggest issue.
Follow on Twitter: @jluckhaupt. Buy The Wire-to-Wire Reds today!
But it would seem that Banana Bob would be closer to Walt
Both old, white men who developed their relationship in St. Louis.
He may like Dusty, and want to appease him, but I think if Jocketty went to Bob and said it’s him or me, then Baker is going.
"There's only one god, and his name is Death. And what do we say to Death? Not today!" --- Syrio Forel, Game of Thrones
by cesarhernandez on Aug 30, 2011 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions
You may be right
I don’t know what it’d come down to in a “him or me” situation.
Follow on Twitter: @jluckhaupt. Buy The Wire-to-Wire Reds today!
I know you weren't "connected" then like now
But do you get the impression that Dusty was all Bob’s idea originally? That maybe Wayne didn’t want to hire him?
It feels so nice to be back to normal
No idea on that one
but Krivsky was in the booth the other day. So many things I wanted to ask, but I’m a nobody. Still was very interesting to listen to. He’s a smart guy.
Follow on Twitter: @jluckhaupt. Buy The Wire-to-Wire Reds today!
I really wish the Reds could've been his 2nd or 3rd GM gig instead of his 1st
I feel like he would’ve had a lot more success.
It feels so nice to be back to normal
I'm not sure he's cut out for being a GM
but it’s a shame that being a GM made him come off as not being a very smart baseball person.
Follow on Twitter: @jluckhaupt. Buy The Wire-to-Wire Reds today!
i think it was more the sweaters he wore that made him seem not very smart
by 'tHan on Aug 30, 2011 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
I agree...he was turrible
i really cant see how anyone would like to go back to these days….
Nobody listens to Andrew
by nlt-andrew68 on Aug 30, 2011 8:15 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't know what the general feeling is/was about him
But I felt like he was a very smart baseball person, but just couldn’t handle the pressure and/or made too many reactionary moves.
It feels so nice to be back to normal
Exactly. I feel like Dusty has the power to sabotage anything Walt does, and Walt has shown me much more to indicate he should stick around.
It feels so nice to be back to normal
I guess, but to my mind the biggest problems this year have not been lineup order or PT,
but transactions. And the team would have been a lot better without the one-month lag on transactions, which has nothing to do with Dusty. Is the real problem that Janish or Renteria are hitting second, or is it that Cozart didn’t join the team until late, that Gomes wasn’t traded earlier to open a spot for Alonso, that Hernandez wasn’t traded to get something good and give Mes a chance?
by Cuetotally Amazing on Aug 30, 2011 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Fair point, but (and I have absolutely no way to prove this)
I’m still convinced that Cozart was a late callup and Ramon is on this team because of Dusty’s influence.
I know, I know, it’s Walt’s call. I still think Dusty had a lot of sway in those 2 particular cases.
It feels so nice to be back to normal
That's the big question, and we just don't know.
If there is tension between them, and I am not really convinced of that even after reading the Redleg Nation version of the story (tension or just periodic strategic disagreements, which are normal?), then it would be hard to imagine that Walt gives Dusty any influence on transactions. If there isn’t tension, then I could see that, but then tension can’t be used as an excuse.
by Cuetotally Amazing on Aug 30, 2011 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, true. All I know is Dusty is fiercely loyal, and values veteran experience
These two things are not criticisms, nor can they reasonably be denied.
Also, Dusty has said he gets consulted on roster moves (but that it’s not his call)
I just think in both cases Dusty lobbied hard to give his SS more time, and that he needed Ramon on the roster. Remember, at the time, Hanny’s numbers still sucked on the year. If Bob was involved at all in the discussions (which seems likely) I think the combination of pressure from Dusty and Bob meant Walt’s hands were tied.
Just my personal conspiracy theory.
It feels so nice to be back to normal
You have to have a conspiracy theory.
Mine is that Yankees fans are behind the farmers market movement so that less money goes to Bob Castellini’s wholesale produce business and the Reds therefore cannot afford to sign Joey Votto to a big contract in a couple years.
by Cuetotally Amazing on Aug 30, 2011 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh, that one is much bigger than you think.
It’s all New Yorkers, not just Yankee fans.
I was with a friend in Queens today and we drove by a huge, old, run-down factory and he said “there’s a farm on the roof of that factory. You can buy their stuff at the Union Square greenmarket.”
Which is funny, because so many young, “urban” types seem to love the Reds! They have their hat and everything….
It feels so nice to be back to normal
by nycredsfan on Aug 30, 2011 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I think it was the opposite
It was Walt who wanted to stick with Janish. Walt said he wasn’t doing any callups. Then Dusty benched Janish for Renteria, and the next thing you know, Cozart’s called up. It was Dusty who forced that transaction.
And Dusty promptly benched Renteria for Cozart. He could’ve given him the Lewis/Alonso treatment, but he didn’t. Cozart was the starting SS as soon as he was called up.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
Transactions and field managing have both been an issue
Walt made minimal changes this off season while the Brewers went out and upgraded their previously weak starting staff. If the Reds had let Bronson walk, they could have probably put together a package of players including the blocked Frazier and Alonso for starters to pick up Zach Greinke. They had the prospects, and if they let Arroyo walk they had the money. Imagine a Greinke, Cueto, Leake 1-2-3.
At the same time I didn’t have many issues at the time with the lack of off season moves, but I have learned you just can’t sit and hope all your current players get better and don’t regress, which was a mistake, especially considering that Scott Rolen was a key member of the offensive production in 2010, and while the Reds had quality pitching last year, only Arroyo and Cueto threw complete and healthy big league seasons, and the rest was a mismash of Bailey, Leake, Wood, Volquez, Harang, Maloney, and LeCure. They really needed an anchor to stabilize the staff.
While lineups and PT have been a minor issue, bullpen management has been huge. Even last night demonstrated the issue, with the exception of Coco and Chapman, the relievers seem to be running on fumes, and last night Dusty used two pitchers for the 9th, Bray and Masset have shown signs of fatigue, so it is probably best to avoid one of them if you can.
All in all there is plenty of blame to go around.
It will get better.
but Walt's contract is up, right?
So why wouldn’t he just walk away?
"You said 'walks' twice."
"I like walks."
My theory is that Walt wants the GM job
but does not get to pick the manager because he does not write the checks.
Follow on Twitter: @jluckhaupt. Buy The Wire-to-Wire Reds today!
Which, if true, is weird
because Bob seems to trust his “baseball people” completely in every way, except this one thing.
It feels so nice to be back to normal
Well, there's always a chance that I'm wrong
Follow on Twitter: @jluckhaupt. Buy The Wire-to-Wire Reds today!
I think he also wants to be a thorn in St. Louis's side
wouldn’t you? He had great success, turned the organization around after its own lost decade, and is dumped one year removed from winning a World Series, and after a run of being the class of the N.L. To add insult to injury, TLR, the manager he brought with him from Oakland, the manager he stuck with through a lean period in the late 90s, stayed with the Cardinals after he was dismissed.
It will get better.
Believe it or not, not everybody is motivated by revenge
And even if he was, the Reds taking the division away from the Cardinals last year probably satisfied him. Plus the Cardinals are going to miss the playoffs this year for the third time in the four years that they canned Walt.
oooh, he's an insider! Trust him!
I agree
Calmer than you are.
by 3 Fast 3 Furious on Aug 30, 2011 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions
I feel like this comment is turning into an annual, if not semi-annual occurrence:
John Heyman can blow me.
Tequila and pancakes, anyone?
by Kevin Mitchell is Batman on Aug 30, 2011 1:58 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
is John Heyman your wife?
"You said 'walks' twice."
"I like walks."
by Cy Schourek on Aug 30, 2011 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Dusty vs. Walt, not likely
I don’t think there are many MLB operations that don’t have a little bit of friction between the GM and the field manager. So I don’t make more of this than it is.
If the Reds had won 12 more games over the last 150 days, they’d be in first place, assuming some of the 12 had been against the Brewers. That established, it’s hard for Walt and Dusty to completely disagree on what went wrong.
No defense of either side here but the Reds are just not good enough in all parts of the game to have this kind of friction, if it is genuine.
It’s bad form for the GM to play politics with the batting order and Walt is aware of that. If there’s a worm in the woodwork, it’s probably Banana Bob Castellini, who also ought to know better.
Bloggers don't play nothing. They just it back and hold court and criticize.
How is Mesoraco getting on the 40 man?
This place will blow a gasket if he’s not called up this year.
"The Reds have started 2011 the way they ended 2010!"
Honestly, at this point I don't even care if he is called up
Because if both Hanny and Ramon are still on the roster, he ain’t gonna be able to play anyway.
It feels so nice to be back to normal
by nycredsfan on Aug 30, 2011 2:34 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
If Mes is called up
then Alonso won’t get to warm up the pitchers between innings. He’ll be pretty much useless then.
Follow on Twitter: @jluckhaupt. Buy The Wire-to-Wire Reds today!
I just stole this joke on twitter, BTW. Thought you should know :-)
It feels so nice to be back to normal
x
John Fay: “Devin Mesoraco has been on the roster for 3 weeks and only has 3 pinch hit at bats, all of which were grand slams. When might he get a start?”
Dusty: “See, there’s a lot more to baseball than hitting. You’ve got to be able to hit cut-off men, go first to third on a single, that kind of thing. I’ve had Billy Hatcher working with him on that stuff. So we’ll see.”
Fay: “You do know that Devin is a catcher, right?”
Dusty: “See, there’s a lot more to baseball than hitting. Calling signs, handling the staff. You don’t learn that stuff overnight, and it’s tough to experiment with that in the majors. It would’ve been nice if he could’ve been doing that in Louisville.”
Fay: “You do know that Devin started 100 games at catcher in Louisville this year, and has played over 350 during his career?”
Silence
Dusty: “Monie and Hanny are so good in the clutch situations, I’m really not sure if Devin is ready to handle that kind of thing. Plus, does he even speak Spanish?”
Fay: “So when do you think Devin might start a game?”
Dusty: “Do we need a DH again this year? Since we lost Gomes, I’ve been worried about not having a true DH on the roster. Maybe Devin can do that.”
It feels so nice to be back to normal
by nycredsfan on Aug 30, 2011 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions 10 recs
You would if you'd stop aiming for me
"Wait, you think I'm being mean to the pretend orangutan?" -- battlekow
you should complete this conversation
it will inevitably get to the point that dusty becomes belligerent
x
Fay: “The team won’t need a DH until next June sometime”
Dusty: “I’m just really tired of always being questioned about my lineups. Do you think Sparky Anderson got this many questions about his lineup? How about Earl Weaver? I bet he never got these questions. I think hard about this. Sometimes I have dreams where I see Monie hitting a grand slam and just know he needs to be in the lineup. Once, I had a vision of Joey Votto hitting a home run, so I put him in the lineup.”
Fay: “ummmmm”
Dusty: “If I listened to you and the fans, I’d be starting Mike Leake at shortstop. Fans are dumbasses. I’m the professional. Now shut the hell up.”
It feels so nice to be back to normal
by nycredsfan on Aug 30, 2011 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions 7 recs
It was once said about me that I use exclamation points when I write, but never when I talk
It’s true, and that’s entirely your influence.
by Brendanukkah on Aug 30, 2011 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions
i do what i can
it’s much easier to get excited on the internet than it is in real life
by 'tHan on Aug 30, 2011 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions 6 recs
I love this comment for so many reasons.
Not least of which is the irony that it contains no punctuation of any sort.
It feels so nice to be back to normal
DFA Renteria, I say
That useless bastard has dragged the 2011 Reds down long enough with his lackluster defense and terrible hitting.
"Wait, you think I'm being mean to the pretend orangutan?" -- battlekow
I agree he should be DFAd
Such a great player deserves to be on a winning team. He could definitely help push a contender over the top
It feels so nice to be back to normal
by nycredsfan on Aug 30, 2011 2:38 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 4 recs
As long as you keep thinking this is funny, I'll keep coming up with creative responses.
It feels so nice to be back to normal
"I'll stop doin' it when you stop laughin'..."
"Wait, you think I'm being mean to the pretend orangutan?" -- battlekow
hey, be careful.
you nearly violated the agreement.
(You do know he named his penis EdgR Renteria, don’t you?)
A Ongreed the Deserving
-coviner's lawful neutral Paladin / Debutante character
I agree
Dumperia is human butt wipe.
by Charlie Scrabbles on Aug 30, 2011 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions
I really don't get why you hate winning.
It feels so nice to be back to normal
by nycredsfan on Aug 30, 2011 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I think the biggest problem with Fred Lewis' usage
is not that he was only started 8 times at leadooff this season (Stubbs and his Ks are probably safer there) or that he wasn’t platooned (he’s faced almost strictly righties this year and is 0-13 against lefties), but that Gomes made so many starts against righties at his and Heisey’s expense early in the year.
I assume Walt had a platoon in mind, but Dusty really dragged his feet on that one.
"OVERCHARGE, v. To ask a higher price than you can get." -Ambrose Bierce
by RijoSaboCaseyWKRP on Aug 30, 2011 2:40 PM EDT reply actions
Yeah, Dusty's matchup magic didn't work there. It was painful to watch.
Conversely, Lewis’ power has really been disappointing. The dude is pretty strong and plays in GABP.
"The Reds have started 2011 the way they ended 2010!"
Dusty clearly didn't see eye to eye with Walt on LF from the very beginning
I was shocked at the denigrating comments Dusty made about Lewis in ST. Claiming a guy might not even make the roster when he’s signed to a guaranteed MLB deal. That’s just silly and unnecessary.
It really sucks, but it seems like Walt absolutely has to Dusty-proof the roster to keep stupid shit like this from happening. Which, despite how good he has been, is why I kinda hope Cairo gets traded this offseason.
It feels so nice to be back to normal
Or when Lewis was activated from the DL
Dusty said something along the lines of, well Lewis’s rehab time ended so he had to come up.
It will get better.
I think the biggest problem with Fred Lewis' usage is that he sucks
"Wait, you think I'm being mean to the pretend orangutan?" -- battlekow
He's pretty bad, but
.345 OBP against RHP this season. If he had been the LFer against all RHP from the beginning, things would’ve gone a lot better, and Gomes would probably still be on the team.
And Yonder could be in AAA playing everyday. And we’d still be under the delusion that Dusty would actually play him someday.
It feels so nice to be back to normal
Yeah, that's my only contention
Lewis is probably not even a platoon starter for next year, but he doesn’t totally suck. I’d be OK if they tendered him as the 5th OF, though I’d prefer they bring Hermida back. Lewis is a lefty bat who can get on base at an above-average clip, he’s an able defensive replacement and can he can pinch-run. Good enough for the bench.
"OVERCHARGE, v. To ask a higher price than you can get." -Ambrose Bierce
by RijoSaboCaseyWKRP on Aug 30, 2011 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions
If Yonder is on the team in any capacity, they don't need Lewis
The only reason I’d remotely consider him is because he’s a lefty, and this team desperately needs another LH starter in the lineup.
Still, I’d rather have Sappelt, Heisey, Frazier, and probably Hermida on the team than Lewis.
It feels so nice to be back to normal
I guess Lewis would be a solid 5th outfielder
if they find a real left fielder, and Heisey is the 4th out fielder.
Sappelt is a hack.
It will get better.
Silliness
Interestingly, nobody here seems to be criticizing Jocketty, who went on record more than once assigning roles to the players he signed. I thought that was the manager’s job: GM sets the roster, manager uses the roster.
It’s true that Dusty’s plays this year haven’t worked out as well as they did last year. But he can hardly be blamed for the underachievement of Volquez, Wood and Arroyo, the inconsistency of Bruce, Bailey, Chapman and Stubbs, or the injury to Rolen. The fact is that the club doesn’t have much money to go chasing free agents. The LF situation, admittedly mismanaged by Dusty, is not the reason for the poor season. Neither are his sometimes questionable lineups. The Reds need their veterans to perform and their young players to continue progressing. When that doesn’t happen, you wind up with the 2011 Reds. A different manager maybe would have squeezed out a few more wins under these circumstances, but they’d still be no better than the cardinals are right now.
There has been plenty of Jocketty criticism for his inaction last offseason
But like the blog above says, when even small moves are undermined by the manager, it’s hard to succeed.
It feels so nice to be back to normal
But tlike I suggested,
I don’t think Jocketty had a lot of money/latitude from ownership to go make bold moves in the offseason. As far as trades, other teams look like they want players like Chapman and Mesoraco, which seems to me like a non-starter (remember when the Orioles wanted Bruce, Votto and Cueto for Erik Bedard?).
So again, I don’t think that managing Fred Lewis properly would have done anything to change the inconsistencies, underachievement and injuries of the players.
So we shouldn't be criticizing anyone then?
You need to find a new blog, my friend. That’s all we do here!
It feels so nice to be back to normal
Red Reporter: Running People Off Since 2005
"Wait, you think I'm being mean to the pretend orangutan?" -- battlekow
by jch24 on Aug 30, 2011 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
I, as usual, disagree
While the degree and timing of Rolen’s injury can’t be blamed on dusty, he shouldn’t have counted on Rolen playing even as much as last year – ‘10 was Rolen’s 3rd year of 500+ PA since ’04.
The problem isn’t that Dusty should just waive his magic wand and make everything perfect; it’s that he seems to so misuse what he’s given. He was given a decent option for LF and refused to use it; he was given a back-up plan for Rolen’s eventual injury and refused to develop it. Hell, he even completely reversed himself and instead of ignoring Lewis started playing him needlessly in LF after Gomes was traded.
A different manager may or may not have squeezed more wins out of the ’11 Reds; a good manager certainly would have put them in a better position to win.
"You never know how you look through other people's eyes"
Dusty knew that
He said after last season that he would have to give Rolen even more time off this year, because he wore down over the season last year, even with Sundays off.
But he couldn’t seem to bring himself to do it. I think he panicked.
Also, they were counting on END being Rolen’s backup. Instead, due to injury, it was Cairo. Cairo’s been solid, but he’s an old guy, too, and can’t play too often.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
he's not, really
It just seems like he is.
Well, he pinch-hits a lot, but he doesn’t start all that much.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
Since July 22, when Todd Frazier joined the team,
Cairo has started 19 games out of 36 team games. So, just over every other game.
In the 98 team games before that, he started 33. So yeah, i’d say he’s starting a lot more now, and yeah, about every other game.
It feels so nice to be back to normal
I meant at third
He had to start at second for a week or so, when BP was hurt. There was no one else to play 2B, with Renteria also ailing and Janish playing SS.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
True
I think Dusty should be rightly criticized for moves that didn’t work out. For me, making Gomes a full-time starter, rather than playing him situationally as in 2010, was a chief error, as well as the delaying in calling up Cozart (though that may be on Jocketty). But I think the magnitude of Dusty’s errors do not equal the disappointment that has been this season. I’ve provided all those reasons above, none of which have a thing to do with Dusty, which I think were the determining factors in the season. When 60% of your rotation goes belly up and another one (Bailey) misses serious time, and when the major RH bat in your lineup has a bum shoulder, and when Stubbs regresses and Bruce is streakier than ever, and when you’re a small market club with few real trade options…well, it’s hard for me to get too worked up over Dusty. A lot of his plays didn’t work out this year, but I still can’t pin it on him.
'Dusty broke this team'
Them’s fighting words! But it’s hard to argue against it. I think the biggest thing that’s not mentioned are these one run losses. Granted last night wasn’t Dusty’s fault but I’d say the majority of them are since Dusty mismanages the bullpen in prolly 80% of those losses. To top it off, some of his pinch-hitting strategies are questionable (Gomes was like 0-13). The Royals and the Reds are the top 2 teams in the majors in one-run losses. KC is 56-79 in the standings, the Reds 67-67. We’re clearly a better team and given better opportunities and situations, we’ve should’ve been ‘at least’ in the 70-80 win range so far this season
twitter - MattAnderson19
by in_Votto_We_Trust on Aug 30, 2011 2:49 PM EDT reply actions
I'm kind of ambivalent about the "Mismanages the bullpen" thing in regards to close losses
Only because a lot of times the “right” reliever blew the game.
My problem with him is that he has been trying to do his best TLR impression all year by using 4 relievers in a single inning in a 4 run game. That has had as much to do with the ’pen wearing out as anything, IMO.
It feels so nice to be back to normal
I would love for all this knifey-spooney nonsense to go away.
I understand the need for a LOOGY, but you don’t have to have a ROOGY and a LOOGY and use them both in the same inning. Bill Bray can get out RH batters, Lurch (or Arredndo) can get out LH batters. Yet, many times Dusty would use 2 or 3 of these guys in an inning, and almost always it would blow up in his face.
Let a man come in and do the Popcorn.
I think Chapman's problem was mechanics, not psyche
But your point stands.
"Wait, you think I'm being mean to the pretend orangutan?" -- battlekow
look at what Dusty did to Chapman!
It will get better.
by Yossarian22 on Aug 30, 2011 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I really wonder what happened with Renteria
I’m not sure that’s all on Dusty. Renteria’s first announcement to the Spanish press – before the Reds confirmed his signing – was that he chose the Reds because he wanted to be an everyday SS. That doesn’t sound like someone who agreed to be a utility infielder. Maybe…just maybe…Walt really did sign Renteria without asking him if he was willing to play 3B.
And Dusty did pencil Renteria in at 3B once, only to change the lineup before the game started. Did Dusty have second thoughts, or did Renteria pitch a hissy fit?
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
great question
I thought Dusty didn’t take kindly to hissy fits? Remember when CDick got snippy because Stubbs was the starting CF before ST was over? Maybe Dusty lets veterans get away with a lot more
CDick wasn't a WS MVP!
You had me at meat tornado. ~ Ron Swanson
by BigBabyBruce on Aug 30, 2011 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions
dusty might not like it
But what are you going to to? If a guy says he can’t play a position, you really can’t throw him out there.
It was different with C-Dick. He was saying he wanted to play a position.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
that's true
I just got the impression Edgar could play third but refused to because he didn’t want to. Did Rent really just say he wasn’t capable of doing it?
Dusty quoted him
as saying he “wasn’t comfortable” taking balls at third.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
and maybe Renteria couldn't play third
his arm isn’t all that great anymore, and it may be very difficult for him to throw from third base. Dusty may have had him work at third early in spring training, and Renteria couldn’t hack it. Rather than embarrassing Renteria at third, when it was clear he didn’t have the arm for it, he just didn’t put there at all during live games.
The biggest problem was signing Renteria, he was a back up shortstop behind a back up shortstop. He and Janish aren’t all that difference, Renteria hits a bit better, but Janish makes up for that with better defense. No team should have both on their 25 man roster.
It will get better.
that's true, too
After seeing Renteria’s arm, I could believe he’s really not capable of playing third. Dusty did use him at second from time to time.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
I'm glad we didn't have to see Renteria playing 3B
"OVERCHARGE, v. To ask a higher price than you can get." -Ambrose Bierce
by RijoSaboCaseyWKRP on Aug 30, 2011 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Definitely. Your eyes would've burned up from all of the awesome.
It feels so nice to be back to normal
by nycredsfan on Aug 30, 2011 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
FTFY
Your eyes would’ve burned up from all of the awesome four-hoppers to Votto.
Let a man come in and do the Popcorn.
This is getting exhausting
It feels so nice to be back to normal
by nycredsfan on Aug 30, 2011 4:58 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
don't you mean TWHS?
The ends justify the means
by Highlifeman21 on Sep 2, 2011 1:45 AM EDT up reply actions
Meanwhile...
Dontrelle Willis has cleared waivers. Doubt a trade happens there.
Oh, and my two cents on the manager: Dusty can eat a bag of dicks.
"There's only one god, and his name is Death. And what do we say to Death? Not today!" --- Syrio Forel, Game of Thrones
this surprises me.
Not a single team wanted a mid-level starter for negligible cash? Common, it was 5 years ago the Reds were dregging up Joe Mays and Sunny Kim.
"You said 'walks' twice."
"I like walks."
It probably means he can be had for cheap next year.
As a 4th starter (in the event of a trade for SP) or to take Chappy’s spot in the bullpen.
Let a man come in and do the Popcorn.
Also heard that Bray cleared yesterday
Well there was one claim, but the league quickly figured out it was a hoax after tracing the “jbowden69” user name to its source.
BTW, great caption Chuck
Yonder definitely has the best strikezone judgement and command of anyone on the team not named Joey.
It feels so nice to be back to normal
In that pic
He reminds me of that scene with Minnie Driver in Good Will Hunting. That was the inspiration.
by Charlie Scrabbles on Aug 30, 2011 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Come on, his head's not THAT big
"Wait, you think I'm being mean to the pretend orangutan?" -- battlekow
Unbelievable. (Arroyo vs. Halladay)
Phillips 2B
Renteria SS
Votto 1B
Bruce RF
Cairo 3B
Stubbs CF
Lewis LF
Hanigan C
Arroyo P
It feels so nice to be back to normal
I like it except for Renteria hitting second
"Wait, you think I'm being mean to the pretend orangutan?" -- battlekow
That's the only good part of this lineup
It feels so nice to be back to normal
by nycredsfan on Aug 30, 2011 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
don't worry, this is already starting to get old to me
"Wait, you think I'm being mean to the pretend orangutan?" -- battlekow
I was about to say. You can't possibly like this lineup, so playing this "role" has to be kind of sucky for you too.
It feels so nice to be back to normal
It seems like the overall criticism of Renteria has increased since the conclusion of the bet
Everyone is ripping the guy just to read the responses.
Molecular gastronomy can take a hike as far as I'm concerned.
by RoastBeefKazenzakis on Aug 30, 2011 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions
I just don't get why Todd Frazier can't play LF
He’s been on the roster for about 40 days and has 20 starts. But only 1 in LF. It’s like Dusty decided that he can only be a 3B, but he’s not good enough to actually play there over Cairo.
So even though it continues to be a shitshow in LF, he won’t play him there either.
It feels so nice to be back to normal
And what's crazy
is that Dave Sappelt has only been on the roster for about 23 days, but he already has 12 starts and only 17 fewer PAs than Frazier, despite not hitting nor fielding particularly well.
Dusty be trippin’
It feels so nice to be back to normal
Oh, I take it all back
Miguel Cairo is 5-14 lifetime against Halladay.
It feels so nice to be back to normal
The non-use of Frazier is one of the most disappointing aspects of Dusty's roster management
Such a clear-cut in-house option for 3B next season (with the versatility of being a backup plan at LF too), and he won’t use him at all.
expectations are premeditated resentments - cheshirecat
wow so the Yonder at 3B experiment
lasts one day, where he didn’t get any chances……and a right-hander is starting yet Dustyballs figures the right-handed Cairo at 3B makes sense.
This blows.
"There's only one god, and his name is Death. And what do we say to Death? Not today!" --- Syrio Forel, Game of Thrones
by cesarhernandez on Aug 30, 2011 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions
The Yonder at 3B experiment didn't last only one day.
Frustration is fine, but don’t overreact. They said yesterday he wouldn’t be starting today.
by Cuetotally Amazing on Aug 30, 2011 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Really?
And what was the reason given for why he wouldn’t start at 3B today? Need Cairo’s veterany-ness?
"There's only one god, and his name is Death. And what do we say to Death? Not today!" --- Syrio Forel, Game of Thrones
by cesarhernandez on Aug 30, 2011 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Bottom line is
there’s absolutely no reason for Lewis and Cairo to be starting for this team at this point in the season.
"There's only one god, and his name is Death. And what do we say to Death? Not today!" --- Syrio Forel, Game of Thrones
by cesarhernandez on Aug 30, 2011 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions
You are right
Cairo and Lewis should be comfortably settled into purely bench roles by now
expectations are premeditated resentments - cheshirecat
Dusty said Homer is a good pitcher to have Alonso play 3B behind
Homer has a fair amount of strike outs, and is an extreme flyball pitcher.
Arroyo depends on his defense, but there is no excuse for Cairo to be starting over Frazier at this point.
It will get better.
Yeah, it was an Arroyo/Bailey thing.
Not saying I wouldn’t like to see Alonso again tonight, and wouldn’t prefer Frazier over Cairo, but I definitely don’t think that they’ve given up on Alonso at 3B just because he isn’t playing tonight.
by Cuetotally Amazing on Aug 30, 2011 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions
of course
putting Alonso behind Leake for a couple of games will probably give you a better idea of whether he can hack it down there.
It will get better.
Dusty speaks spanish
Let’s trade him.
Calmer than you are.
by 3 Fast 3 Furious on Aug 30, 2011 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions
I kind of love Kenny Williams
I’m glad he isn’t the Reds GM, but he is incredibly entertaining.
It feels so nice to be back to normal
Guillen for Logan Morrison would be the best challenge trade since Hobbs/Volquez
by ken on Aug 30, 2011 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
That trade might actually happen
Logan is not loved by Florida management…..
"There's only one god, and his name is Death. And what do we say to Death? Not today!" --- Syrio Forel, Game of Thrones
by cesarhernandez on Aug 30, 2011 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions
If the White Sox get Morrison for their manager
I’m going to be so pissed.
It feels so nice to be back to normal
Especially since Guillen is a moron
Also, that would be the first good move KW has made in the past three years. I do not like either of those two right now. They have conspired to screw up their season far worse than the Reds have.
expectations are premeditated resentments - cheshirecat
just saw via Yonder and BP's twitter acocunts
that the Reds had another team photo. When do we get to see it? I want to see Heisey’s hipster glasses! (wait, he might be with Louisville right now)
Does anyone else love the new option to add your location to status updates via facebook? I'm having fun with it...
"Luna Lovegood is really freaking awesome in every way." -Me
In other news
There’s a guy in Hamilton who’ll fuck anything full of hot air. I should let my ex know. #zing
"Wait, you think I'm being mean to the pretend orangutan?" -- battlekow
I miss those "Cincy News of the Weird" blips you used to do.
"You said 'walks' twice."
"I like walks."
I might have to start doing those again
"Wait, you think I'm being mean to the pretend orangutan?" -- battlekow
Nobody reads FanShots
After catching all weekend including the 14-inning game on Sunday, Hanigan was in the starting lineup again last night. Ramon Hernandez has a bad bruise on his right arm and looks to be another few days from being ready again. I know this is totally expected and not at all surprising, but why not put Monie on the DL if you know he’ll be out nearly a week? Devin Mesoraco will be up when rosters expand in a few days anyway, so why not bring him up a few days early and avoid the dangers of playing with only one catcher? I would really love to know if such a loathing for using the DL is an industry standard or if it’s really only something the Reds do. Either way, it’s dumb.
Let a man come in and do the Popcorn.
There's a very good chance
Ibanez, Lidge and Oswalt are off the books this year. Philly’s printing money. Hamels might take a discount to go back home, but I don’t see SDP or LAD coming up with the cash, and LAA looks like they’re set for the rotation.
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