Reds Tidbits (2006 Season)

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Cincy

2/22/06

Claussen, Harang move up

From back of rotation to front

BY JOHN FAY | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER

<!--ARTICLE BODY TEXT-->SARASOTA, Fla. - Pitchers Aaron Harang and Brandon Claussen improved enough from 2004 to 2005 that manager Jerry Narron is ready to put them at the front of the current rotation.

"Based on last year, you'd have to put them on the top," Narron said. "They were the most consistent."

But if the Reds are going to do better this season than last season, Harang and Claussen are going to have to make the same kind of leap in '06.

"Every year, I try to come in and do better than the last year," Harang said. "I think for Brandon and me, the key is being more consistent. Stay at a high level all year."

Harang, 27, a right-hander, and Claussen, 26, a lefty, are linked because they came to the team a day apart. Both were obtained during the great fire sale/rebuilding job of 2003.

They were brought in for future.

The future is now.

This is Harang's third year in the rotation. He has shown the ability to be a dominant pitcher at times. He went 11-13 with a 3.83 ERA last season. He was voted the winner of the Johnny Vander Meer Award as the Reds' top pitcher.

He shaved a run off his ERA from 2004, going from 4.86 to 3.83. He also pitched a career-high 2112/3 innings, exceeding his career-high by 50.

But a June swoon kept him from having a really good year. Harang was 0-4 with 6.67 ERA over five starts in the month. He was 11-9 with a 3.33 ERA the rest of the season.

Again, consistency is the goal.

"I don't want to have those bad starts," he said.

Claussen made even a bigger jump than Harang. He went from 2-8 with a 6.14 ERA in 2004 to 10-11 with 4.21 ERA in 2005.

He's hoping to make a similar leap.

"Everybody wants to improve from year to year," Claussen said. "I believe I will. I have confidence in all my pitches. I have confidence in the team around me. I think it's going to be a good year."

Claussen seemed to get over the hump late last season. He was 6-2 with a 2.92 ERA over a 12-start stretch from July to September. "Confidence was the biggest difference," he said. "That does a lot for an individual when your peers have confidence in you."

The Reds still need a solid No. 1 starter to build the rotation around, but if Harang and Claussen can move up from No. 4 or 5 types to No. 2 and 3 types, the franchise can start to move out of the long doldrums.

Narron saw the stuff from Harang and Claussen last year to do that. He's hopeful they can take the next step.

"With experience, everybody has a chance to get better," Narron said. "I don't care who you are in this game, you've got to continue to make adjustments and you've got to get better. Barry Bonds was a great player in the late '80s and (early) '90s. But he continued to make adjustments and got even better. It's all about getting better, never leveling off.

"That's what separates the great players for the marginal players."

E-mail [email protected]

 

[Jaxbuck]

"That's what separates the great players for the marginal players."

Talent helps too. Something few Reds pitchers have a shred of.

 

[crazybuckfan40]

Talent helps too. Something few Reds pitchers have a shred of.

LOL, aint that the truth.

I do kind of like the thought of Clauseen and Harang at the top, but They are going to struggle against teams in the league.

I hope that these two improve as much as they did last year and become much better and hopefully some other guys can step up and fill in the rest of the rotation. I really hope I dont have to watch Milton suck it up all year, hopefully he remembers how to pitch this year.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Cincy

Reds notebook

Question marks at second base

BY JOHN FAY | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER

<!--ARTICLE BODY TEXT-->SARASOTA, Fla. - When Reds manager Jerry Narron was finished, he said:
"Did I avoid your question?"

Well, yes, he did

Narron had been asked about the second-base job, and here's what he said:

"Over the next couple of days - we've finally got everyone in - I'm going to bring in (Scott) Hatteberg, (Tony) Womack, (Rich) Aurilia, (Ryan) Freel, Tuffy Rhodes, Quinton McCracken and (Frank) Menechino and talk to them all about what their roles would be. That's going to be one of my biggest challenges, keeping them all sharp. It's not going to be easy. They're all veteran guys."

That didn't really address who the starting second baseman will be, and Narron doesn't want to tip his hand.

"Everybody's in camp the first day; everybody's healthy the first day," Narron said. "A lot of times, what we think is going to happen doesn't.
"I don't want to say what I'm going to do on April 1 or 2. It's too early."
Aurilia asked Narron if he needed a first baseman's mitt.

"I told him to get a first baseman's, second baseman's, third baseman's, shortstop's and outfielder's," Narron said. "I don't think he'll need a pitcher's or catcher's glove."

FLORIDA OPERATION: The Reds continue to move forward on transforming their Florida operation.

They could have a signed letter of intent to buy the Florida State League Single-A franchise from Boston as soon as today.

The club also is looking into the possibility of obtaining the Sarasota County Fairgrounds, with the plan of building a joint facility with the Pittsburgh Pirates there.

The thought is the Florida legislature is more likely to fund a facility for two teams than for one.

LEFT THINKING: There's a chance the Reds could start the year with four left-handers in the rotation.

If Paul Wilson isn't ready, lefty Michael Gosling is one of the candidates to replace him.

That would mean Eric Milton, Brandon Claussen and Dave Williams, lefties all, would be in the rotation.

"If you have four lefties, there's no way to separate them," Narron said.
Gosling, signed off waivers from Arizona, probably will go to Triple-A if he doesn't make the rotation.

"You've got (Kent) Mercker, (Chris) Hammond and Brian Shackelford all ahead of him in the bullpen," Narron said. "And that's just left-handers."

Narron said he's leaning toward a 12-man pitching staff.

SCOUT ADDED: The Reds hired Mark Snipp to be a special assignment scout. Snipp will work with senior director of scouting Chris Buckley. Snipp has worked for the California Angels (1984-86), Chicago White Sox (1987-90) and Toronto Blue Jays (1991-2003).

Snipp helped sign Robin Ventura, Vernon Wells, Lee Stevens and Casey Blake.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: From Mercker: "Remember, you can't make the team on the first day. But they can cut you. Josh Hancock."

E-mail [email protected]

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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Cincy

2/24/06

Peña a Red for now

Any future trade wouldn't be soon

BY JOHN FAY | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER

<!--ARTICLE BODY TEXT-->SARASOTA, Fla. - When Reds general manager Wayne Krivsky said Scott Hatteberg could end up being more than a role player, it was easy to jump to this conclusion:

Wily Mo Peña is on the block.

It makes a lot of sense - trade Peña, move Adam Dunn back to left field and start Hatteberg at first.

Hatteberg's power numbers were about what Sean Casey's were last year, so there'd be no great offensive drop-off. It improves the team defensively, because Dunn is better than Peña in left and Hatteberg's better than Dunn at first.

Reds manager Jerry Narron will tell anyone who asks that you win with pitching and defense.

So if you can get a pitcher - even a prospect - in the process for Peña, it would seem to make perfect sense.

But don't look for it to happen - not any time soon at least.

"We're always looking to improve the team," Krivsky said. "But I'm not looking to make any big trades (right now). Let's get settled into spring training."

But Krivsky wouldn't rule out the possibility of trading an outfielder - probably Peña or Austin Kearns.

"We'll listen to anything," Krivsky said. "I don't think we're in the position where we can close any doors."

For right now, however, Peña is the Reds' left fielder.

Peña is confident he can be a good everyday player.

"I'm working hard on everything," he said. "I'm going to focus and try to get better."

The Reds know what they're going to get from Peña offensively: big power numbers and lots of strikeouts.

He hit .254 with 19 home runs and 51 RBI in only 311 at-bats last season. His home run ratio (16.3) ranked just outside the top 10 in the National League. But he struck out once every 2.68 at-bats.

Defensively, Peña continues to be a major liability. The Reds hope playing him at one position every day helps.

"It should definitely help to be in one spot," Narron said. "Just seeing the ball off the bat the same way will help."

Peña was rushed to the majors after playing only 105 games above Single-A. Because he signed a major-league contract at 17, the Reds were forced to keep him in the majors or risk losing him via waivers because he ran out of options after four years in the minors.

The Reds got Peña for Michael Coleman and Drew Henson in a trade with the New York Yankees March 21, 2001.

Then-general manager Jim Bowden was so enamored with Peña that losing him was never an option. The Reds even tried him at third base during the spring of 2003.

Peña, who turned 24 Jan. 23, is entering his fourth full year in the big leagues. But he has only 830 at-bats.

Peña also needs to put in the time to improve defensively. Narron says that will happen.

"He's willing to work," Narron said. "Anyone who says he's not hasn't been around him enough to know. He gets frustrated at times. But he's not a lazy guy."

 

[Jaxbuck]

"Over the next couple of days - we've finally got everyone in - I'm going to bring in (Scott) Hatteberg, (Tony) Womack, (Rich) Aurilia, (Ryan) Freel, Tuffy Rhodes, Quinton McCracken and (Frank) Menechino and talk to them all about what their roles would be. That's going to be one of my biggest challenges, keeping them all sharp. It's not going to be easy. They're all veteran guys."

Let me help you here Jerry. My address to this motley crew of "veterans" If I were manager.

"First, you are all lucky to be on a MLB roster. Your best days are either behind you, or are never coming at all. If we had any minor league talent at all you'd either be playing for KC, Tampa or in Japan.

Second, acknowledging the fact we do indeed suck ass, we can lose 80 to 90 games this year with you or without you. None of you can pitch. Most of you cant hit or field either but thats beside the point.

Taking points one and two into account you guys will do exactly what you are told, when you are told to do it with a big fucking smile on your face and absolutely zero griping or I will personally arrange air fare to Yokahama for you. If I tell you the hot dog vendor behind the 3rd base dugout looks like he needs a break, I better see you worthless fucks tripping over each other to take over for him.

Any questions?"

There's another version thats about 3 sentences long where I tell them their mothers should have hit them in the head with a shovel and sold the milk but I thought they might respond better to the soft approach above.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Cincy

2/25/06

Aurilia on the move

Veteran preparing to play any infield spot

BY JOHN FAY | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER

<!--ARTICLE BODY TEXT-->SARASOTA, Fla. - It's odd to say after the year Rich Aurilia had, but his situation isn't much clearer this season than it was last.
Last year, Aurilia was given an opportunity to win the shortstop job in spring training.
This year, the Reds haven't really said what Aurilia is shooting for.
The second-base job is open, but when Reds manager Jerry Narron was asked about it the other day, he mentioned six players - three of whom don't even play second.
Aurilia understands and expects the uncertainty.
"I don't think they know," he said. "I've played the game long enough to prepare for anything."
That means the possibility of playing second, third, shortstop and first - even though Aurilia has played only one game at first in his big-league career.
"Do I want to play at one position?" Aurilia said. "Sure. But I'm not going to let ego and pride get in my way."
Aurilia, 34, is entering his 11th season in the majors. Last year was his best statistically since 2001.
But it was an odd year. Aurilia won the starting shortstop job in the spring. Then he lost it when he went on the disabled list - somewhat reluctantly - with a strained left hamstring May 11. Aurilia was hitting .198 at the time of the injury.
Felipe Lopez took over in Aurilia's absence and played sensationally - making the All-Star team and having one of the best seasons offensively ever by a Red shortstop.
After Aurilia returned from the DL on May 28, he played extremely well. He hit .306 with 11 home runs and 56 RBI over his last 89 games - making 64 starts at second base, 14 at third base and four at shortstop.
Overall, Aurilia hit .282 with 14 home runs and 68 RBI in 468 at-bats. He led the club with a .343 average with runners in scoring position.
Aurilia, however, was not happy with all the bouncing around, and he made it known at times.
But his play never reflected it. He played nearly flawless defense, wherever he played, and he was among the most productive players offensively over the last 4½ months of the season.
"Whether you're happy or unhappy, you've got to go out and perform no matter what's going on," Reds manager Jerry Narron said. "That's what separates pros from the other guys. It's easier to play when everything in your life is going well."
Narron made it clear he wanted Aurilia back as soon as he had the interim tag taken off his manager title.
"Richie knows how to play the game," Narron said. "He's an intelligent player. I like players like Richie."
Narron would not, however, promise Aurilia an everyday position. That's why Aurilia didn't sign with the Reds until Jan. 24 - the last day he could.
Aurilia would like a shot at winning the second-base job. Tony Womack and Ryan Freel will tell you the same thing.
Narron would not handicap the race in any way.
"He's not tipping his hand to me," Aurilia said. "Healthy competition can be good."
Aurilia is the Reds' backup plan if Edwin Encarnacion struggles at third base.
E-mail [email protected]
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Cincy

2/25/06

Harang gets the early nod

BY JOHN FAY | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER

<!--ARTICLE BODY TEXT-->SARASOTA, Fla. - Reds manager Jerry Narron went beyond his it-isn't-written-in-cement comment.
"It isn't even written in mud," he said.
But right now the plan is for Aaron Harang to be the Opening Day starter April 3 when the Reds start the season with the Chicago Cubs at Great American Ball Park.Aaron Harang deserves a chance at it," Narron said. "We'll see what happens. We have to get aligned by the middle of March. It might even be lined up now."
Harang was the Reds' best starter last year. He went 11-13 with a 3.83 ERA.
He's not marking Opening Day on his calendar yet.
"For anyone, it would be exciting," he said. "But I'm going to go out and prepare myself for my start - no matter when it is."
Being the Opening Day starter in Cincinnati is a big deal, given the tradition and pomp and circumstance of the day.
"It would be an honor," Harang said. "This is the oldest franchise."
Incidentally, one of the hallmarks of the club in recent years has been different Opening Day starters every year.
Harang would be the sixth different Opening Day starter in six years: 2005 - Paul Wilson; 2004 - Cory Lidle; 2003 - Jimmy Haynes; 2002 - Joey Hamilton; 2001 - Pete Harnisch.

 

[crazybuckfan40]

Let me help you here Jerry. My address to this motley crew of "veterans" If I were manager.

"First, you are all lucky to be on a MLB roster. Your best days are either behind you, or are never coming at all. If we had any minor league talent at all you'd either be playing for KC, Tampa or in Japan.

Second, acknowledging the fact we do indeed suck ass, we can lose 80 to 90 games this year with you or without you. None of you can pitch. Most of you cant hit or field either but thats beside the point.

Taking points one and two into account you guys will do exactly what you are told, when you are told to do it with a big fucking smile on your face and absolutely zero griping or I will personally arrange air fare to Yokahama for you. If I tell you the hot dog vendor behind the 3rd base dugout looks like he needs a break, I better see you worthless fucks tripping over each other to take over for him.

Any questions?"

There's another version thats about 3 sentences long where I tell them their mothers should have hit them in the head with a shovel and sold the milk but I thought they might respond better to the soft approach above.

This is all very true except for Ryan Freel.

While he may not be mr. everything, he is just one of those guys you need on your team. The lineup has always been better when he is in it. He will do what he has to do to try and get on base. Then when he is on base he will run them harder than anyone in the league and then when he is on the field he will sell out and give up his body just to get his team an out.

I don't understand why the damn organization doesnt see this.

Get rid of Rich fuckin' Aurilla, and who ever the fuck the other guys are.

Then we need someone to come in and pitch the damn ball.

 

[Jaxbuck]

This is all very true except for Ryan Freel.

While he may not be mr. everything, he is just one of those guys you need on your team. The lineup has always been better when he is in it. He will do what he has to do to try and get on base. Then when he is on base he will run them harder than anyone in the league and then when he is on the field he will sell out and give up his body just to get his team an out.

I don't understand why the damn organization doesnt see this.

Get rid of Rich fuckin' Aurilla, and who ever the fuck the other guys are.

Then we need someone to come in and pitch the damn ball.

Yes Freel has value.

The problem with him is he isn't very good at any of the positions he plays and he runs around so out of control he's a very real danger to hurt some of the other players.

Also, as much as I'd like to see him a fixture at 2b and hitting leadoff he hasn't shown the ability to stay healthy. His body breaks down if he plays every day so he's a real catch 22 for any manager.

 

[crazybuckfan40]

Yes Freel has value.

The problem with him is he isn't very good at any of the positions he plays and he runs around so out of control he's a very real danger to hurt some of the other players.

Also, as much as I'd like to see him a fixture at 2b and hitting leadoff he hasn't shown the ability to stay healthy. His body breaks down if he plays every day so he's a real catch 22 for any manager.

Yeah he isnt the greatest player at any position but he is just that guy that you have to love what he does and find a place for him to be on the field.

I know he has had some injury problems, but I think he hasnt had a whole lot of big league experience and he seems like a smart guy that wil figure out that while it is valuable to the team when he is all over the field it is more valuable for the team when he is in the lineup and not sitting on the bench in street clothes.

The other thing I have a problem with, and this was more with Miley and I hope Narron isnt the same way, but trying to fuck with the lineup too much.

He needs to sit these guys down tell them that they have roles and they need to understand those rules or get the fuck out.

Freel should be the everyday 2b, Lopez at short, and EE at 3rd. Then if richie boy doesnt like being the utility guy that gets his shot in the lineup every 5th or 6th game with sprinkled in double switches and pinch hitting he needs to be shown the door. He wanted traded last year, but then when they tryed to look for a buyer he quickly realized he wasnt worth a fuck b/c no one wanted him.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Cincy

2/26/06

Belisle can start or be a reliever

Probably will wind up in bullpen, but he'd be happy in the rotation

BY JOHN FAY | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER

<!--ARTICLE BODY TEXT-->SARASOTA, Fla. - Matt Belisle, reliever or starter?

It's one of the big questions of Reds camp. Even Belisle isn't sure where he'll end up.

"I'm working with the reliever group now," Belisle said. "I was with the starter group. They're going to move me around."

The Reds like Belisle's arm. He went 4-8 with a 4.41 ERA last season in his first full year in the big leagues. He was 2-2 with a 5.25 ERA as a starter and 2-6 with a 4.09 ERA as a reliever.

Belisle, a 25-year-old right-hander, tired toward the end of the year. He allowed 15 runs over his last 10 appearances of the year, pushing his ERA from 3.77 to 4.41.

With Paul Wilson's status iffy for at least the start of the season, the Reds could need a starter early.

But right now it looks as though left-hander Michael Gosling and right-hander Justin Germano will get first crack at filling in if Wilson can't go.

That's OK with Belisle.

"I'd like to do the same thing as last year: help the team win any way I can," he said. "If I got the opportunity to be one of the five starters, it would be great."

But Belisle probably will end up in the bullpen.

"He did a very good job for us last year," Reds manager Jerry Narron said. "We don't want to mess with that."

NO HERNIA: Further examination proved that William Bergolla does not have a hernia.

That means he won't have surgery.

"I'm glad," Bergolla said.

The last time he had hernia surgery, he missed two months.

Bergolla does have a very high groin strain. He suffered it in Winter Ball. He began treatment Saturday and could return to baseball activities in a week or so.

HOMER PLAN: The Reds don't have a definitive level in mind for right-hander Homer Bailey.

"We're going to challenge Homer," said Johnny Almaraz, the director of player development/international operations. "Homer's going to dictate where we send him."

It will be either high-A Sarasota or Double-A Chattanooga.

Putting him at Chattanooga would be significant, because players often make the jump from Double-A straight to the majors.

WAGNER'S BACK: Right-hander Ryan Wagner returned to camp after missing two days with the flu.

"I'm never sick," he said. "So when I get sick, I'm a big wuss. I had a 103 fever (Friday). I thought I was going to die."

E-mail [email protected]

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[Jaxbuck]

It's one of the big questions of Reds camp. Even Belisle isn't sure where he'll end up.

"I'm working with the reliever group now," Belisle said. "I was with the starter group. They're going to move me around."

Translated: "Even among this sorry ass group of no talent rejects who were the worst collection of pitchers in MLB last year, I can't win a spot in the rotation. In fact I'm just of average ability among a group that pretty much has no ability."

Yeah your futures bright kid.

I know this organization is in absolute shit state but when where to play no talent pitcher #72 becomes "one of the biggest questions in camp" it just sickens me.

Hey Reds media-the pitching blows, we all know it, they all know it. Untill some talent comes in here why keep acting like somethings going to change? Write some stories about all the good young talent we have on offense or JR's next career milestone. Quit focusing on these rag armed journeymen and where they fit in our "staff."

From far too much personal experience on this subject, it reminds me of when a family member is in the last stages of their fight with cancer. You enjoy the last few good days you have with them and don't spend that time talking about cancer research or their condition.

Well we all know we are going to lose our beloved Reds sooner rather than later to a malignant pitching staff. Spring Training should be those last few golden days when everything is perfect, given the situation, and you just enjoy their company. No need to bring up the malignancy any more than is absolutely neccessary.

 

[crazybuckfan40]

I am trying to figure out why they mention Bergolla's name. He was the worst guy they ever brought up from triple A. i don't even know if he had a hit.

Dont be so fast to give up on Belisle yet. He is still only 25. I don't think he should be a starter, but he could be a nice guy in the bullpen.

He has only pitched 90 innings in his carrer. He has an ERA of 4.48, which with some experience should come down. An Era of under 4 would be very good for a reds reliever.

I also am starting to see light at the end of the tunnel, but it isnt this year.

If we can develop Clauseen into a #4 to go along with Harang who is very servicable as a #2.

From all reports Homer Bailey has been impressing, he is throwing mid 90's and was making our guys look silly I guess. Give him a year or maybe two and then he could be a stud at the top of our pitching staff, that we have so desperatly needed for years.

If we could just have one more guy develop we would have a nice staff. Then we would need to develop a bullpen, but we have the starting points with Wagner and Belisle.

We have a very young core of talent and hopefully it will start to produce in a couple years.

 

[Jaxbuck]

From all reports Homer Bailey has been impressing, he is throwing mid 90's and was making our guys look silly I guess. Give him a year or maybe two and then he could be a stud at the top of our pitching staff, that we have so desperatly needed for years.

Homer doesn't project as a #1 starter. He's a 2-3 at best if he isn't a reliever.

Right now he's got a ML fastball and curve but no 3rd pitch. He also has control issues. So if/when he can get the control down he's still a 2 pitch pitcher. That equals closer not rotation ace. We're also talking 2008 at the EARLIEST for Homer to even see the majors let alone be a force.

If he does come up with a third pitch (he's working on it now) it isn't being pessamistic to say it will be marginal by ML standards. A guy with a plus fastball, plus curve and below average 3rd pitch isn't going to be a dominant starter. A quality 2-3, maybe but not a bonafide #1 staff ace.

The optimist in me says with our offense all you really need is five #3 type pitchers and a dominant pen. The realist in me looks at our organizational depth and how far away we are from even that and is afraid all the hitters will be gone by the time we develop any pitching at all.

Also the third part of the equation that doesn't get discussed enough...defense. In order to put this lineup together you have some serious defensive holes that give back a bunch of those runs the offense scores. WMP, JR(at this point in his career), Dunn, EE, Freel, LaRue and even Lopez are all defensive liabilities. In fact only AK in right field is an above average defender.

The offense can overcome the defense if the pitching were even just average but no offense in baseball can overcome all-time-level bad pitching and below average defense. Just too many runs given up over the course of a season to overcome.

All this brings me back to my standard position on the Reds. They cannot win as currently constructed. Some or all of the current young offensive studs will have to be traded to get the type of mass infusion of talent our minor league system needs in order to produce a viable, balanced, cheap, homegrown, talented team in the future.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Cincy

2/27/06

Coffey: Future closer?

BY JOHN FAY | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER

<!--ARTICLE BODY TEXT-->SARASOTA, Fla. - Todd Coffey is used to the closer questions.
"You're about the nine millionth person to ask me about it," the right-handed Coffey said.
Coffey, 25, has been anointed by former Reds ace Mario Soto as the closer of the future. General manager Wayne Krivsky and CEO Bob Castellini have mentioned Coffey as a potential closer as well.
Not that manager Jerry Narron, who will make the final call, hasn't put Coffey at the top of his closer list.
"The only thing I've said about him closing is he did it in the minor leagues," Narron said. "I don't think I've said he's in the running any more or any less than anyone else to be a closer on this team."
That's OK with Coffey.
"I'm just trying to make the team," he said. "Whatever role Jerry uses me in is fine. I'm going to pitch the same no matter if it's the fifth or ninth inning. I'm going to do whatever it takes to help the team win."
Coffey had a decent 2005. He went 4-1 with a 4.50 ERA. But he was very hittable at times. He gave up 84 hits and only struck out 26 in 58 innings.
Compare that with 2004 - when at two stops in the minors he allowed 51 hits and struck out 64 in 59 innings.
The Reds sent Coffey to the Instructional League to try to get back his split-finger fastball in hopes that it would make him harder to hit.
"It's coming along pretty good," Coffey said. "Obviously, this is the first time I've thrown it to hitters. It's hard to tell because they know what's coming. I'll continue to play with it."
Narron gave it a similar review.
"It looks OK," Narron said. "It's something he used in the minor leagues effectively."
"He's trying to add it to his repertoire," added Narron. "We'll see how good it is when he faces Albert Pujols."
Coffey also has been working with Soto on the circle change-up.
"It's kind of the same as the one I threw before," Coffey said. "But little things make a big difference. It comes out of my hand just like a fastball. Guys knew it was coming but still swung and missed."
Last year was an interesting one for Coffey. He was horrible in his first stint - 11.25 ERA in three outings from April 19-26. But he was much better the second time around, posting a 4-1 record and 4.00 ERA in 54 outings from May 9 to the end of the season.
"It was a dream come true - in the big leagues, one of 750," he said. "I learned a lot. I learned so much from (David) Weathers and (Kent) Mercker."
Coffey's arm is first-rate. But it's his attitude and work ethic that first impressed Soto, who is in camp as a guest instructor.
"I didn't know him," Soto said. "But the first time I saw him I liked his arm and the way he pitches. He throws strikes. But he loves to pitch. I like that."
Narron says similar things about Coffey but he doesn't want to raise the expectations too high.
"We're just trying to get him ready for the season," Narron said. "We're looking for him to pitch well enough to make the club.
"We're going to go with match-ups (as far as closing). Weathers and Mercker are the most experienced guys. If someone else can step and do it, great."
E-mail [email protected]
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