Reds Tidbits (2007 Season)

[Jaxbuck]

If Majwski isnt healthy, which is looking more and more possible, I think Hermanson could sneak into the last spot. This is assuming he is healthy. It is definitly between Salmon, Hermanson, and Lightenberg.

Definitly. Inside edge to Salmon at this point from what little there is to go on. Health is a big issue with the other 2.

Coffey and Belisle can get it up there pretty good(92-95 mph). I've heard Salmon is pretty much in that same range. Bray's velocity isnt that bad for a lefty either.

Agreed. Coffey, Belisile, Bray and Salmon (from what I read) are not soft tossers.


I still expect some trades once the Reds have figured out who they want to keep and who they want to dangle. A lot of the guys on the 25 man bubble are MLB servicible players.

 

[crazybuckfan40]

I would much rather have guys that throw hard to come in the game after we have starters like Harang, Arroyo, Lohse, Milton that arent really dialing it up there...

It really changes up the look for the batters...

Salmon doesnt have a profile on the Reds site, but I do believe there was talk of wanting to bring him up late in the season as he was having a good season at AAA, but he was not on the 40 man roster...

I like the idea of trying to dangle some of these guys as trade bait, and even if they feel like Salmon is going to be up around mid season they could keep a guy like Hermanson and try and deal him mid season if he is putting up some good numbers, if not get rid of him and bring up Salmon...

 

[crazybuckfan40]

At this point I believe that we have 25 pitchers that we could talk about...

2 of them are hurt right now, but you would have to think that if healthy and throwing like they are capable of they would be on the 25 man roster...These two are Majewski and Guardado...

Then we have 23 pitchers who have logged innings in the spring so far...

I would say we can put our starting rotation like this:

1. Harang
2. Arroyo
3. Lohse
4. Milton
5. Loos/Wilson/Livingston/The Lizard

In the pen I would say the locks would be:

1. Bray
2. Coffey
3. Cormeir
4. Stanton
5. Weathers

Then we have some guys I havent heard about or who will be in the minors, where do you guys think these guys will end up or will we just let them go?

1. Bailey - AAA, if he is pitching well we could see him up by midseason.
2. Salmon - Could earn a spot on the opening day roster if Majewski is still hurt, if not AAA.
3. Coutlangus - I know nothing here
4. Kershner - Nothing here as well
5. Lightenberg - Used to be a great closer, another guy they are just giving a chance, if he doesnt make the team will he be realeased or go to AAA?
6. Hermanson - Same as Ligtenberg
7. Livingston - Don't think he has a chance to win the 5th spot and if he doesnt will he go to AAA?
8. Lizard - Same as Livingston
9. Loos/Wilson - whoever doesnt win the 5th spot will they get a spot in the pen or get realeased or be willing to go to AAA.
10. Meadows - I am just assuming that he will be gone after spring training
11. Medlock - AAA?
12. Santos - Gone after spring?
13. Shack - AAA, up and down like last year?
14. Shearn - AAA?

After continuing to look at it, it really looks like we might have an overall solid staff...

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

Options abound for final spot in rotation
Narron has a bevy of pitchers to sift through before making decision
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Scott Priestle
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

• Word from Reds camp

</IMG>


SARASOTA, Fla. ? Cincinnati Reds manager Jerry Narron was discussing the candidates for the final spot in the rotation yesterday when the conversation turned to left-hander Bobby Livingston. "He?s in for that fifth spot, too. I don?t know if I said his name," Narron said, adding with a laugh, "Geez, so many of ?em, help me out if I miss somebody. Somebody?s agent is going to be calling Wayne."


Continued.....

 

[Okinawa's#1Buck]

I still expect some trades once the Reds have figured out who they want to keep and who they want to dangle. A lot of the guys on the 25 man bubble are MLB servicible players.

I've been thinking the same thing over the last few days. Could be a chance to reload some talent in the farm system. The problem is teams know a lot of these guys will be cut, so why give up anything of value for them. We'd need to trade the roster guys and go the others.

I really like Conine, but he seems to be eating up a roster spot for Deno or Hopper at this point. I know Narron really likes him, so he is likely to stay.

It'd be a dream if we could move Milton. I think 2 from Loose, Belile, Wilson and (my sleeper choice) Livingston would be great in the rotation. That'd still leave Baily, Elizardo, Dumatrait and the 2 who don't make the roster as injury replacement options.

I don't see Mejewski making the team out of spring at this point. I expect he'll start at AAA due to the injury. That leaves up a really nice call up option and a (hopefully) returning Eddie on the way.

 

[Jaxbuck]

I agree with everything you guys are saying. I think Sarloos is guaranteed a spot in the final 11(or 12) because he was traded for.

Yes teams know these guys might be cut anyway but they can still be dealt. Probably won't be anything earth shattering but maybe you catch lightning in a bottle.

I'll say right now if L-berg, Harmanson or Conine show any signs of life whats so ever they need to be dealt for whatever you can get in return. Don't fall for thinking we have unearthed a gem, chances are they can't hold up and help us all season. We have roughly equal replacements in house who are younger and cheaper.

 

[Okinawa's#1Buck]

I'll say right now if L-berg, Harmanson or Conine show any signs of life whats so ever they need to be dealt for whatever you can get in return. Don't fall for thinking we have unearthed a gem, chances are they can't hold up and help us all season. We have roughly equal replacements in house who are younger and cheaper.

Lightenberg and hermanson are both in camp as non-roster invitees. If they make the roster they are due 500K. Doesn't get much cheaper than that.

Assuming his back is truely healthy, I'd like to see Hermon's Head make the club. It is always good to see the local guy on the team and his experience is a big factor also. If it means Salmon starts at AAA and is our first in line for a promotion, so be it.

 

[crazybuckfan40]

I am all for trading Connie if we can because that would involve brining up Votto and having one of Deno and Hopper up...

I think both of the last two will prove that they are major league ready and with Dunn, Griff, Freel, and Hamilton that gives us some speed and some solid bats off the bench...

Overall it really looks like we will have a solid team over the next couple years with the young guys we have at key positions and the pitching staff looks to be on the up and up...

If we can put together a couple more good drafts like lasts years we should start to see us build from the ground up...

 

[Bestbuck36]

I have to say at this point the spot thats irritating me the most is Conine. There are just too many guys ready to play for this team to keep Conine on the roster when he adds nothing more than experience. Votto, Hopper and maybe Deno should be on this roster. Hatteberg and Votto at first with the other able to pinch hit is pretty solid. Hamilton I have to believe, has made this team. His defense alone has been enough but for now he's also crushing the ball all over the place. Dunn, Hamilton, Griffey, Freel, Hopper and Deno. Thats the outfield and I'm starting to jump on the Deno train, if only because he's still young enough to trade if he can get some time in up in Cincy. I think Hopper is our sleeper. With a guy like Hopper and Freel at the top of the order, the basebaths should be pretty exciting. Griffey will have a good year this year, I believe that. The meat of our order looks pretty good to me as long as Hamilton can stay clean and focused... what a story. Solid 5-7 guys also in Phillips, Ross and Hatteberg/Votto.
If this team doesn't at least make some noise it has to fall on management. We have more bullpen help than two teams need, not stellar but deep. The top of our pitching rotation is very good and Homer will be up no later than June imo. This team has to make some serious noise.........doesn't it?

 

[crazybuckfan40]

I have to say at this point the spot thats irritating me the most is Conine. There are just too many guys ready to play for this team to keep Conine on the roster when he adds nothing more than experience. Votto, Hopper and maybe Deno should be on this roster. Hatteberg and Votto at first with the other able to pinch hit is pretty solid. Hamilton I have to believe, has made this team. His defense alone has been enough but for now he's also crushing the ball all over the place. Dunn, Hamilton, Griffey, Freel, Hopper and Deno. Thats the outfield and I'm starting to jump on the Deno train, if only because he's still young enough to trade if he can get some time in up in Cincy. I think Hopper is our sleeper. With a guy like Hopper and Freel at the top of the order, the basebaths should be pretty exciting. Griffey will have a good year this year, I believe that. The meat of our order looks pretty good to me as long as Hamilton can stay clean and focused... what a story. Solid 5-7 guys also in Phillips, Ross and Hatteberg/Votto.
If this team doesn't at least make some noise it has to fall on management. We have more bullpen help than two teams need, not stellar but deep. The top of our pitching rotation is very good and Homer will be up no later than June imo. This team has to make some serious noise.........doesn't it?

I agree with everything here, but maybe the Reds want to see Votto a little more b4 making that move...I believe he had a bad year two years ago and then had a breakout year last year...If he continues to do well this year he will be up sooner rather than later, and Connie brings good experience, while Votto gets some more time in the minors...

Also found some stats on Medlock from last year...

He was 7-2 with a 2.97 ERA and 70 SO in 69 2/3 innings at AA Chattanoga last year...

Also and maybe Jax can answer this question, but is there a reason why Cueto isnt in camp this spring...He is our number 2 pitching prospect behind Homer right?

 

[Bestbuck36]

D'oh I totally forgot EdE in the middle of that lineup! How does that happen.

Also forgot about a guy like Bubba Crosby. This kid is going to be in the bigs this season. Pete Rose type player that can push a team into the playoffs with the intangibles. The Reds only weakness right now is age and injury. I don't see the rotation as a weakness except for Milton and thats probably going to work itself out one way or the other.

BTW the Reds are winning again today against Tamp Bay's virtual starting lineup 3-1.

 

[coastalbuck]

BTW the Reds are winning again today against Tamp Bay's virtual starting lineup 3-1.

And finished the same way to stay perfect... Go Reds

 

[Jaxbuck]

Lightenberg and hermanson are both in camp as non-roster invitees. If they make the roster they are due 500K. Doesn't get much cheaper than that.

Rookies get MLB minimum which is slightly less than that iirc.

Assuming his back is truely healthy, I'd like to see Hermon's Head make the club. It is always good to see the local guy on the team and his experience is a big factor also. If it means Salmon starts at AAA and is our first in line for a promotion, so be it.

If healthy I agree but I don't think he is.

I'd still rather see him start out hot and trade him before the eventual season ending injury, get a prospect then call up a Salmon. You get roughly equal production for slightly less money in a younger guy and hopefully a living breathing prospect to boot, AKA the Billy Beane model.

As bad as pitching is MLB wide and as crazy as the market has gotten some of our fringe guys actually may have value. Its freaking amazing.

Also agree 100% with whoever said get Conine the fuck out of here. he brings zilch, is old, costs more and is one more scrappy vet that Jerry Narron won't be able to resist playing waayyyy too much. Everytime I see a guy like this take even 1 AB away from a younger guy with some upside I want to kick Narrons balls up into the roof of his mouth.

 

[Okinawa's#1Buck]

I have to say at this point the spot thats irritating me the most is Conine. There are just too many guys ready to play for this team to keep Conine on the roster when he adds nothing more than experience. Votto, Hopper and maybe Deno should be on this roster. Hatteberg and Votto at first with the other able to pinch hit is pretty solid. Hamilton I have to believe, has made this team. His defense alone has been enough but for now he's also crushing the ball all over the place. Dunn, Hamilton, Griffey, Freel, Hopper and Deno. Thats the outfield and I'm starting to jump on the Deno train, if only because he's still young enough to trade if he can get some time in up in Cincy. I think Hopper is our sleeper. With a guy like Hopper and Freel at the top of the order, the basebaths should be pretty exciting. Griffey will have a good year this year, I believe that. The meat of our order looks pretty good to me as long as Hamilton can stay clean and focused... what a story. Solid 5-7 guys also in Phillips, Ross and Hatteberg/Votto.
If this team doesn't at least make some noise it has to fall on management. We have more bullpen help than two teams need, not stellar but deep. The top of our pitching rotation is very good and Homer will be up no later than June imo. This team has to make some serious noise.........doesn't it?

I like most of what you are saying here, but I have to think 40 is right, Votto need a little more seasoning before he is ready. Once he is called to the big club, he should be in position to get AB's every day. A platoon situation would only stunt his development at this point.

Also, I don't see how we could even imagine Hopper in the starting line up. He'd be a 5th or possibly 6th OF at best even if Conine was traded.

Oh, and, I'd actually be pissed if Bubba Crosby makes this club. No matter what he can bring to the club, it can't be that much an improvement over Deon or Hopper. The only way is if management really thought Deno and Hopper NEEDED to get AB's every day in order to continue their growing. Even then I think I'd rather carry a 3rd catcher than Bubba.

 

[jlb1705]

I like most of what you are saying here, but I have to think 40 is right, Votto need a little more seasoning before he is ready. Once he is called to the big club, he should be in position to get AB's every day. A platoon situation would only stunt his development at this point.

I tried to write a post earlier saying that exact thing, but it wasn't coming out right.