Reds Tidbits (2006 Season)

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

3/12/06

Reds’ Dunn adjusts to playing first base

Sunday, March 12, 2006

Jim Massie
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

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SARASOTA, Fla. — At first glance, Adam Dunn would appear to have first baseman stamped all over his massive 6-foot-6 frame.
People around baseball took one look at Dunn and assumed that he had played first base at New Caney High School in Texas before the Cincinnati Reds selected him with their second-round pick in the June 1998 free-agent draft.
"You were stereotyping me," Dunn said. "I hadn’t played first base since probably my sophomore year in high school. I played third and pitched mostly."
The Reds didn’t draft Dunn for his defense. They projected him as a power hitter and figured his fastest route to the big leagues would be as an outfielder. He arrived to stay in Cincinnati midway through the 2001 season and became a fixture in left field. He occasionally spelled Sean Casey at first, but had to borrow his affable teammate’s glove to do so.
When the Reds traded Casey to the Pittsburgh Pirates in December, Dunn suddenly became the team’s first baseman. The move made sense because it opened starting outfield positions for Wily Mo Pena and Austin Kearns. It also hurt Dunn somewhat because he had worked uncounted hours to improve his defense.
"That was the hard thing," Dunn said. "Coming up, I was just making an idiot of myself out there in left field and I worked really hard to get to where I felt comfortable. I wasn’t a Gold Glove by any means. But I felt like I did the job. Now it’s back to square one."
Dunn is trying to move beyond that stage this spring with coaches Bucky Dent and Chris Chambliss. Both see a pupil with promise and a willingness to learn.
"He has good hands," said Chambliss, a former Gold Glove winner at first with the New York Yankees. "He used to be a quarterback so he has the footwork that is necessary to play the position. Of course, he is tall enough. He’s got all the things it takes to play there. It’s just a matter of doing the extra work that he needs to get better."
Reds manager Jerry Narron hired Dent to help improve the team’s infield defense. Dunn, who still occasionally will play left field, is just one of his priorities this spring. Dent planned to spend time today hitting ground balls to Dunn.
"We’ve been doing some things trying to get him comfortable over there," Dent said. "So far he has been very receptive. He has listened. It is just a matter of going over there and getting the feel of playing the game. He’s a good athlete and his hands are pretty good."
For his part, Dunn is more than willing to try. He has noticed one physical difference between left field and first.
"You have to get your legs in shape," he said. "My legs have been wobbly from just bending up and down all the time. That’s been the hardest thing. But I know where I’m supposed to be and all that stuff.
"I don’t really feel out of place over there. I’ve played enough first at the big-league level to where I feel comfortable. It’s just going to be an adjustment that I’m going to have to make."
There are limits, however. Asked if he would do the splits to catch a throw, Dunn laughed.
"No, if I can’t use my Go-Go Gadget arms to go get it, it doesn’t need to be caught," he said.
The Reds showed confidence in Dunn’s ability to do about anything else when they signed him to a two-year, $18.5 million contract.
"I’m glad to have that out of the way," Dunn said. "Now I can just concentrate on baseball and forget about all the stuff that I have no control over."
Part of what he wants to control more is his offense. Although he reached 40 home runs and 100 RBI for a second consecutive season in 2005, Dunn hopes to pare down his strikeouts from 168 and improve his batting average from .247.
"There are so many things that I can do better," he said. "One day it’s all going to click in. Hopefully, it’s this year because I can’t wait much longer. I’m very impatient."
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[crazybuckfan40]

I liked the update on Homer Bailey.

I think it could of been trouble with Dan O as the GM, and they would of fucked him all up, but I think Homer will develop nicely under new management. He has thrown good in his couple outings in ST.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Cincy

3/13/06

Wilson makes progress, one pitch at a time

Impatience is starter's biggest foe after surgery

BY KEVIN KELLY | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER

<!--ARTICLE BODY TEXT-->SARASOTA, Fla. - The crowd shifted from the bullpen, through an opening in the chain-link fence, to a nearby field where dew still clung to the grass.
There, a sinewy pitcher strolled to the mound alone with a ball in hand and a good sweat already working.
Teammates, trainers, coaches, the manager and team doctor clustered around the batting cage Friday morning at the Reds' spring training complex for the conclusion of Paul Wilson's 75-pitch workout.
Jacob Cruz split time in the cage with Aaron Holbert and Dewayne Wise attempting to smack the sinkerballs Wilson hurled at them.
"The action and movement on his ball was pretty substantial. His ball was moving around everywhere," Cruz said a day later. "The speed is not there. Where he could probably get away with it, he's not quite there yet."
No timetable has been established for Wilson's return from the June 17 surgery to mend a torn rotator and frayed labrum in his right shoulder.
Recovery can range from eight to 10 months, Reds medical director Dr. Timothy Kremchek said.
"I told Paul there is no greater satisfaction for me than to be able to watch him throw like he did (Friday) and know that he's not quite there yet, but he's darn close," Kremchek said. "Is he ready to pitch in the big leagues now? No. But doggone it, he's going to be."
Reds manager Jerry Narron also was pleased.
"I really didn't expect him to have any arm speed at all," he said. "I was happy with the arm speed he was showing."
Coming back from a serious arm injury is a grueling affair that tests a patient's physical and mental limits daily.
That the Reds haven't given him a set deadline, Wilson said, has helped.
"Jerry and Wayne (Krivsky, general manager) said to do it right the first time, and we are," Wilson said. "We're walking that fine line of pushing it so hard and trying to challenge it, but at the same time not kill it. Because every time we kill it, it takes a week and a half or a week of no throwing to calm it down."
The 33-year-old knows the rehab process all too well.
A similar shoulder surgery in 1996 and "Tommy John" elbow surgery in 1999 forced the one-time Mets phenom with a 96 mph fastball to reinvent himself. Now he's a sinkerball pitcher more reliant on deception and pitch location than speed.
"You think I would be more patient," Wilson said, "because I'm older now and a little more secure in who I am as a baseball player."
But patience is an impossibility for somebody as competitive and beholden to his employer as Wilson.
After the 2004 season, when he led the Reds in starts (29), innings (1832/3) and wins (11), the team awarded Wilson a two-year contract worth $8.2 million. There is a club option for 2007.
So far the investment's return is nine starts, a 1-5 record and a 7.77 ERA over 461/3 innings.
"There's a deep desire to contribute," Wilson said. "I felt like I was just trying to survive in '96. Now I feel like I'm trying to help this team win a championship. I want to pull my weight. I want to help these guys. I want to be part of this.
"Not that I didn't want to be part of it in '96. It means more now. It just does."
Wilson punished his body this offseason and lost 20 pounds off a 6-foot-5 frame that carried 211 pounds last year. The Reds medical staff would even like to see him regain some weight.
"Aerobically he's in great shape, which is terrific," Kremchek said. "His arm strength is continuing to improve as he throws."
Wilson has followed a structured rehabilitation program since completion of the surgery. He also arrived at the spring complex in mid-January to begin on-field workouts.
There are resistance exercises with rubber tubes and 5-pound weights. There is conditioning - long distance running, abdominal and back work - and lots of stretching.
Wilson's throwing regimen depends on how his arm feels and responds after every mound session.
His next scheduled date against hitters is Thursday, when he'll start mixing in a few breaking balls.
"We're trying to get off the mound as many times as we can," Wilson said. "At the same time giving it enough rest in between to get stronger. That's the thing right now.
"My body is ready to go. We're just waiting on my arm strength. The only way to do that is by throwing off the mound. Throwing off the mound repeatedly."
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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Cincy

3/14/06

Reds notebook

Pitching staff almost back to full health; Milton, Harang set for next starts

BY JOHN FAY | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER

<!--ARTICLE BODY TEXT-->SARASOTA, Fla. - The Reds' rotation - down to two healthy pitchers a few days ago - is four-fifths healthy.

Right-hander Aaron Harang and left-hander Eric Milton will make their next starts.

Harang will start today against the Boston Red Sox in Fort Myers. Harang skipped a start because of inflammation in his pitching shoulder.

The plan is for Milton (strained calf) to start Friday. The Reds may have him throw in a minor league game instead of pitching against Toronto in Dunedin.

"That way we can control it a little more," Reds manager Jerry Narron said.
Milton threw a simulated game Sunday and had no ill effects.

"Everyone was very impressed with him," Narron said.

The calf problem has not hampered Milton from throwing since he suffered it.

Harang's injury was more of a concern because it affected his throwing. But a few days off was all he needed.

"I long-tossed (Sunday)," Harang said. "I didn't have any pain. It took a little longer to get loose. But I didn't feel anything after I got loose.

"I was never really worried because it wasn't a constant pain."

CUTS ROUND II: The Reds trimmed the roster to 48 by re-assigning eight players Monday. The moves:

RHP Travis Chick, LHP Phil Dumatrait, catcher Miguel Perez and first baseman Joey Votto were optioned to Double-A Chattanooga;
RHP Elizardo Ramirez, and infielder Ray Olmedo were optioned to Triple-A Louisville.

RHP Jimmy Journell and LHP Ben Kozlowski were re-assigned to the minor camp.

The only somewhat surprising move was that Homer Bailey didn't get cut.

He's the only non-roster player left in camp without a chance to make the club.

"He's pitching (Monday)," general manager Wayne Krivsky said. "We have that split-squad (Saturday)."

In other words, Bailey, theNo. 1 draft pick in 2004, hasn't moved into contention to make the club; the Reds are merely keeping him on a regular schedule.

AURILIA AT FIRST BASE? Narron was hoping to get Rich Aurilia some time at first base in Monday's game. "I've played Richie everywhere around the infield but first," Narron said. "I want to get him out there while he still has the glove."

WISE MAN: When you're in Dewayne Wise's position - a non-roster player in the crowded field - you've got to make the most of every chance.

Wise has. Wise, 28, an outfielder, went into Monday's game with Minnesota hitting .444 with three homers and four RBI in 18 at-bats. He's also stolen a base and thrown a runner out at the plate.

"He's made a favorable impression," Narron said. "He's done everything a non-roster player can do to get noticed."

Wise was a fifth-round draft pick by the Reds in 1997. They lost him to Toronto in the Rule 5 Draft 2000.

Wise has played 127 games in the majors. His best year was 2004 when he hit .228 with six home runs and 17 RBI for Atlanta.

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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Cincy

3/14/06

A crowded house

Looks like eight pitchers vying for three roster spots

ANALYSIS BY JOHN FAY | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER

<!--ARTICLE BODY TEXT-->SARASOTA, Fla. - Reds manager Jerry Narron's math was a little off.
"We've got one or two spots for about five," Narron said.

Narron was talking about the bullpen. Narron knows some things we don't, but it certainly looks like eight pitchers are vying for three spots. Here's how we arrived at those numbers:

The Reds figure to have seven bullpen spots since they are leaning toward carrying 12 pitchers.

Four will almost certainly go to right-handers David Weathers and Rick White and left-handers Kent Mercker and Chris Hammond. Weathers and Mercker are locks. White and Hammond are on major-league contracts, so the Reds have to pay White ($600,000) and Hammond ($800,000) even if they don't keep them.

That leaves three spots for the younger pitchers. Matt Belisle, Mike Burns, Todd Coffey, Jake Robbins, Brian Shackelford, Allan Simpson, Jason Standridge and Ryan Wagner are all shooting for those spots.

"Someone who pitched well for us last year isn't going to make it," Narron said.

All eight have pitched fairly well so far this spring. Six of the eight have an ERA under 3.00. Wagner (5.40) and Standridge (9.00) have been good in all but one outing.

Outings from now on will have more to do with who goes north and who doesn't.

"Yes, they will," Narron said. "Of the guys right there with a chance to make it, they've all thrown the ball well."

The pitchers can't help but notice the numbers.

"I knew there were spots available when I signed," Burns said. "There are a lot of guys here battling for them. Good competition makes for a better team."

Said Wagner, "I don't even worry about it. I can't worry about anything but doing my job - putting up zeros on the scoreboard."

Burns, a 27-year-old right-hander, was picked up off waivers from Houston.

He pitched in 27 games for the Astros last year (4.94 ERA). But his numbers at Triple-A Round Rock (2-1, 13 saves, 2.10 ERA) were more impressive.

Robbins, a 29-year-old right-hander, closed for Triple-A Buffalo. He was 3-5 with a 3.08 ERA with 23 saves.

Narron has singled out both of them when talking about the bullpen.
They are newcomers to the group.

Belisle (4-8, 4.41 ERA), Coffey (4-1, 4.50) and Shackelford (1-0, 2.43) all pitched well for the Reds last year.

They were the favorites coming into camp.

Belisle is particularly valuable because he can fill the swing role and start as well as relieve. Coffey is the pitcher most mentioned when the Reds talk about a closer of the future.

The only thing working against Shackelford is that Mercker and Hammond are left-handers. Would the Reds start the season with three lefties in the bullpen?

Narron likes Shackelford.

"He did a great job for us last year," Narron said. "The thing I like about Shack is he wants the ball."

Standridge (2-2, 4.06) and Simpson (0-1, 6.75) ended the year on the Reds' roster.

Both have power arms - a big asset in any bullpen. Both are out of options, so the Reds would risk losing them if they don't make the club out of spring.

Wagner spent the second half of last year on the disabled list.

But when he's healthy, his stuff is as good as anyone's in the bullpen.

"You just try to keep pitching well," Wagner said, "so they have to make a tough decision at the end."

Options tend to play a large role in final roster decisions. Belisle, Burns, Coffey, Shackelford and Wagner have options.

That means the Reds can send them to the minors without sending them through waivers.

Robbins is on a minor-league contract so he can go to Louisville with the Reds risking losing him.

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[Jaxbuck]

"Someone who pitched well for us last year isn't going to make it," Narron said

Just exactly who in the fuck pitched "well" for us last year?

Harang, Mercker and Weathers.

End of list.

Those guys are locks to make the club.

I lose a little more confidence in Narron on a daily basis. I think he's Bob Boone/Dave Miley level dumb. Not that any manager can avert the disaster thats about to happen but he insults our intelligence with shit like this.

No good pitcher is getting cut by the Reds Jerry. We only have 3 or 4 of them and 12 spots to fill. That means we will once again have a pitching staff that is 2/3 NON-ML caliber pitchers or washed up has beens.

Catch the fever.

 

[jlb1705]

"Someone who pitched well for us last year isn't going to make it," Narron said.

Haha! You beat me to it, Jax.

I don't even know where to begin with that one, anyway.

 

[crazybuckfan40]

He was talking about Shackelford, who did throw fairly well for us at the end of the season, but he is a lefty, and we already have two vetran lefties in Hammond and mercker so the need for him isnt that great.

I really hope that they keep Wagner, Coffey, and Belisle b/c these are going to be the guys that are groomed into decent bullpen guys, when we are able to contend with pitching a couple years from now.

I am really excited about Bailey's progression too, but he wont be here for a couple more years.

I think there is some young talent and if we can develop it we can say goodbye to the journeyman like Mercker, Weathers, and Hammond.

Kind of getting excited for the season, just b/c I want to see my Reds out there, but I konw the excitement will last till about a month b4 the all star break when the team falls flat on their face.

 

[jlb1705]

This smells like one of the things that has bothered me about the Reds over the last several years... (especially under Bob "pinch-hitting Juan Castro for Ken Griffey, Jr. because the other team brought out a lefty" Boone)

In the past they have insisted on keeping lefties in the bullpen who had no business being on an MLB roster. The reason? Because they are left-handed! I know that it's more ideal to have righties pitching to righties and lefties to lefties, but why in the hell keep a shitty lefty on staff ahead of a righty that may only be half shitty? Right now, the Reds don't have enough good pitchers to think about situational players. The only distinction they should be working with right now is the difference between "sucks" and "doesn't suck quite as much"

My point being... If Shackelford is halfway decent, he should make the team, regardless of how many other lefties would be in the 'pen with him.

 

[crazybuckfan40]

This smells like one of the things that has bothered me about the Reds over the last several years... (especially under Bob "pinch-hitting Juan Castro for Ken Griffey, Jr. because the other team brought out a lefty" Boone)

In the past they have insisted on keeping lefties in the bullpen who had no business being on an MLB roster. The reason? Because they are left-handed! I know that it's more ideal to have righties pitching to righties and lefties to lefties, but why in the hell keep a shitty lefty on staff ahead of a righty that may only be half shitty? Right now, the Reds don't have enough good pitchers to think about situational players. The only distinction they should be working with right now is the difference between "sucks" and "doesn't suck quite as much"

My point being... If Shackelford is halfway decent, he should make the team, regardless of how many other lefties would be in the 'pen with him.

Classic example Phil fuckin' Norton.:!

I think the problem in Cincy is all the darn Lefties.

I think we have more lefties on this team than righties, pitching and playing the field.

No offense to lefties of course.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Cincy

3/15/06

Harang stung by line drive

Pitcher OK after getting hit on side

BY KEVIN KELLY | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER

<!--ARTICLE BODY TEXT-->FORT MYERS, Fla. - Aaron Harang took home a souvenir from his return to the mound Tuesday - a "nasty red mark" on his right side.

Red Sox slugger Manny Ramirez struck the Reds starter, who was scratched from his previous scheduled start five days earlier because of right shoulder inflammation, with a line drive in the first inning at City of Palms Park.

"That stung a little bit," Harang said. "It's one of those ones that when you get hit, and the adrenaline is flowing, you don't really feel it until a few minutes later."

The right-hander (2-0, 2.00 ERA) threw Ramirez out at first base to end the first inning and returned to pitch a perfect second inning.

"I'm just glad it hit him on the side and not somewhere where it could hurt him," Reds manager Jerry Narron said, "because that ball was smoked."

Because of the shoulder inflammation and the fact it had been 10 days since his last start, Harang was limited to 26 pitches over two scoreless innings and 30 more in the bullpen. He reported no problems.

"I feel good about how things are going," said Harang, whose next scheduled start is Sunday against the Phillies. "I've still got three or four more starts. By the time spring is over I should be at six or seven innings."

MINOR MATTERS: The minor-league contract Brian Buchanan signed with the Reds did not include a formal invitation to major-league spring training.

Buchanan was told that he would dress for some Grapefruit League games.

"Turns out they've been bringing me over to all of them," said Buchanan, who has played in 11 of 15 games. "I'm not expecting anything. I just want to go out, play the game and hopefully turn some heads."

Buchanan, 32, who played in 40 games with the Mets and Padres last season, delivered a pinch-hit solo home run in the ninth inning Tuesday. He is 8-for-16 with three doubles, one home run and three RBI this spring.

"When I signed with the Reds, I assumed that I would be starting in Triple-A Louisville," Buchanan said. "But since I've been getting at-bats over here and doing OK, I feel like I have a chance to make this club."

OUCH: The plan Tuesday was to use Jacob Cruz as the designated hitter Tuesday, but the veteran stayed at the Reds' complex in Sarasota. Cruz was held out of baseball activities after a pitch by Twins pitcher Kevin Cameron hit him on the side of the right knee Monday.

"From the sound, I thought, 'Uh, oh, I broke my knee cap,' " he said. "It's been a tough spring. ... All kind of stuff is happening to me."

Before Monday, a sore hamstring had limited Cruz to one pinch-hitting appearance since March 8.

WHAT ABOUT WILLIAMSON? There has been much speculation in Chicago that Cubs reliever, and former Reds closer, Scott Williamson is available in a trade.

Reds general manager Wayne Krivsky would not comment when asked if the Reds have been approached.

Williamson, a 30-year-old right-hander, would fit the closer role.

Last season he returned from a second surgery on his right elbow, and was 0-0 with a 5.65 ERA in 17 games. He allowed 15 hits and struck out 23 over 141/3 innings.

Enquirer staff writer John Fay contributed

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Cincy

3/15/06

Edwin coming of age

BY KEVIN KELLY | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER

<!--ARTICLE BODY TEXT-->FORT MYERS, Fla. - The offensive exploits of Edwin Encarnacion are a popular topic around Reds camp.

"Torrid," teammate Jacob Cruz said, "is a word that comes to mind."

In his third plate appearance Tuesday at City of Palms Park, the Reds' third baseman sent an 0-and-2 pitch from Red Sox reliever Lenny DiNardo onto a bullpen canopy beyond the left-field wall for a two-run home run.

A single in the seventh inning of the 9-7 victory against Boston was Encarnacion's 15th hit in 11 games.

"He's more confident this year," Reds All-Star shortstop Felipe Lopez said. "He's done it at Triple-A. He's done it everywhere else. It's the same game except faster and with bigger names. It's just a matter of losing that fear of what everybody else thinks and going out there and doing your thing."

The Reds re-signed Rich Aurilia partly as an insurance policy for Encarnacion, but the 23-year-old is doing everything to prove it is his job exclusively.

"I think Eddie knows how big a year this one is," Reds manager Jerry Narron said. "It's a chance to establish himself as a major-league player."

Encarnacion has six home runs and 14 RBI to go with a .484 batting average, .543 on-base percentage and 1.258 slugging percentage. He also has looked more polished in the field, committing just one error.

"I feel more comfortable with my defense and, with my offense, I think I can do the job," Encarnacion said. "If I can keep working like I have hopefully it's going to be a great year."

The Reds sent him to Triple-A to start last season despite putting forth arguably the best offensive effort of any player in camp.

Encarnacion was in a Reds uniform by June, and after a brief stint at Louisville became the team's starting third baseman when Joe Randa was traded in late July.

In 69 games with the Reds, he batted .232 and committed 10 errors. That wasn't the end of his season.

"This is my work," he says. "This is what I like to do."

Encarnacion went home to La Romana in the Dominican Republic and stayed with his family before joining the Aguilas team less than three weeks after the major-league season ended. In 31 games with Aguilas he batted .265 with four home runs and 18 RBI.

"That helped me a lot," Encarnacion said. "When I came here I was ready to play because I saw a lot of pitching."

Offense has never presented much of a problem for Encarnacion. In 616 minor-league games he fashioned a .288 batting average.

But during Encarnacion's first five professional seasons he committed 152 errors in 538 games. His 25 errors with Double-A Chattanooga during the 2004 season were his fewest committed in a season.

Enter Bucky Dent, the Reds' new bench coach and, according to insiders, one of the top infield instructors in baseball.

Three to four times a week Dent and Encarnacion, whose work ethic impresses his teammates, go to an empty field at the Reds' spring training complex.

There they work on defensive footwork.

"Sometimes when my feet are slow, my throw (to first base) isn't good," Encarnacion said. "But when I move my feet, the throw is straight every time."

Lopez also has tried to guide Encarnacion away from the defensive pitfalls that he overcame.

"He talks to me every day when we're taking groundballs," Encarnacion said. "For three years he did the same thing with his throw. He's shown me everything he did to get better."

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Cincy

3/16/06

Getting a fair shake

McCracken is making most of playing time

BY KEVIN KELLY | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER

<!--ARTICLE BODY TEXT-->SARASOTA, Fla. - Quinton McCracken had to learn how to run again.
For an athlete whose quickness helped build a professional career, there was no other choice.

"It's not easy. It's definitely not easy," McCracken said. "But if you want to play, and play up to the level you're expected to play at and want to play at, you have to get about your business."

Wondering where baseball might have led McCracken were it not for a collision into the Tropicana Field outfield wall in May 1999 distracts from what achievements followed.

In Reds camp this spring as a non-roster invitee, and one of several players vying for a reserve role, the veteran outfielder is a different type of player than in his days with the expansion Devil Rays before the torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

"What makes him really attractive are the intangibles," manager Jerry Narron said. "He can play all over the outfield. He gives you a switch hitter with experience coming off the bench. He can pinch run and play any of the outfield spots in a starting role.

"Those are all plusses for him."

McCracken, 35, has played 11 games this spring. His .400 batting average is among the team's best.

"I'm getting an opportunity to get out there and run around," McCracken said. "As a guy coming in trying to make a team, that's all you can ask for."

Last year with the Diamondbacks he was in a similar position.

The only non-roster invitee to make Arizona's opening day roster, he started 22 games early in the season while Jose Cruz Jr. recovered from an injury before taking on the role of spot starter and pinch hitter.

"I have a whole new respect for the guys that are successful at it, because it's not an easy job to sit for a few days and come in and face those nasty setup men when you're cold," McCracken said of pinch hitting. "That's why most organizations, most managers tend to lean on veteran guys like myself. We've been around awhile and maybe have a book on some of those pitchers and can handle the situation."

Jacob Cruz set a Reds record and led the major leagues with 20 pinch hits last season. McCracken had 19 to tie Arizona's club record set by Carlos Baerga in 2003.

Situational aptitude is the secret.

"If the situation dictates a bunt to get things started or if a guy's all over the place and not throwing strikes," he said, "the situation dictates what my approach will be."

Of the 954 career major-league games McCracken has played, the first 274 were with the Rockies.

He began the 1997 season with 13 consecutive stolen bases en route to a career-high 28. Tampa Bay selected McCracken, who played baseball and football at Duke, in the second round of the 1997 expansion draft.

In his first season with the Devil Rays, he played in a career-best 155 games and batted .292 with 179 hits, 19 stolen bases and 77 runs scored.

Over the next three seasons, however, the knee injury and resulting surgery limited McCracken to 79 major-league games.

The Devil Rays released him. The Cardinals released him. Free agency after the 2001 season led to signing a minor-league contract with Arizona in 2002.

"It took me a couple of years to get back to playing at the level I was playing prior to the knee injury," said McCracken, who hit a career-high .309 in 123 games with the Diamondbacks in 2002.

He played in 115 games the next season, but a small meniscus tear in his right knee limited him to 74 games in 2004.

The Reds were an attractive option in part because of their offense.

"They wanted to get a little more versatility as far as guys who can run, steal some bags, help manufacture some runs and give those big boppers a break here and there," he said. "That's a role I've been familiar with the past few years. So here we are competing and trying to make the roster in that same capacity."

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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Cincy

3/16/06

Reds claim Kata, waive Simpson

Ex-Phillie joins crowded list of versatile infielders

BY JOHN FAY | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER

<!--ARTICLE BODY TEXT-->SARASOTA, Fla. - When general manager Wayne Krivsky saw Matt Kata's name on the waiver wire, he saw a player he liked, so he put in a claim.

Never mind that Kata is a versatile infielder, joining Ryan Freel, Rich Aurilia and Tony Womack in that category on the roster.

"He's a quality pro who can play second, third, shortstop or outfield," Krivsky said.

And where does Kata fit in?

"I'll let (Reds manager Jerry Narron) work that out," Krivsky said.
The move certainly would put the Reds in position to trade one of the aforementioned infielders.

The Reds signed Kata off waivers from the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday - the only scheduled day off this spring.

The make room for Kata on the 40-man roster, the Reds released right-hander Allan Simpson.

Simpson, 28, was obtained for right-hander Jose Acevedo from the Colorado Rockies April 9 of last year. He spent most of last year at Triple-A Louisville, going 4-4 with a 4.06 ERA. He was called up to the Reds in September and went 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA.

Simpson has a power arm but has struggled with control - a walk every other inning in his career. He was 1-0 and had not given up a run in five games this spring.

He was out of options, so the Reds would have had to put him on waivers to get him to the minors.

Kata, who turned 28 Tuesday, has appeared in 160 big-league games. He has a .248 career average with nine home runs and 42 RBI.

He appeared in seven games for the Phillies this spring and went 4-for-21 with an RBI.

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[Jaxbuck]

This smells like one of the things that has bothered me about the Reds over the last several years... (especially under Bob "pinch-hitting Juan Castro for Ken Griffey, Jr. because the other team brought out a lefty" Boone)

In the past they have insisted on keeping lefties in the bullpen who had no business being on an MLB roster. The reason? Because they are left-handed! I know that it's more ideal to have righties pitching to righties and lefties to lefties, but why in the hell keep a shitty lefty on staff ahead of a righty that may only be half shitty? Right now, the Reds don't have enough good pitchers to think about situational players. The only distinction they should be working with right now is the difference between "sucks" and "doesn't suck quite as much"

My point being... If Shackelford is halfway decent, he should make the team, regardless of how many other lefties would be in the 'pen with him.

Exactly.

Now apply this same moronic slavishness to playing "by the book" over to offense and you get my frustration with the Reds managers, media and those who go on and on about situational hitting and strikeouts.

We have guys who get on base at a high percentage, absolutely smash the ball and consequently score more runs than anyone in the NL.

Scoring more runs is good enough for me but you have a very vocal majority(Marty, George Grande, Reds managers) who just aren't happy with production. They want to see scrappy veteran Richie Aurilia lay down a nice sac bunt in the 3rd inning to move Freel over at Coors field while Griffey and Dunn sit because the other pitchers left handed.