Reds Tidbits (2008 season)

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

Big Red Machine architect dies at 89
Howsam produced two World Series titles as GM
Wednesday, February 20, 2008 2:59 AM
By Scott Priestle


THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

FILE PHOTO
Reds general manager Bob Howsam in 1975



Thousands of schoolchildren in the Cincinnati area will attend a Reds game for free this summer, their reward for earning good grades. It is part of Bob Howsam's legacy.
Every Reds team picture from the 1970s features no more facial hair than a Little League team picture, a clean-cut counter to a growing counterculture. It, too, is part of Howsam's legacy.

Continued......

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Cincy

Bruce impresses Baker
BY JOHN FAY | [email protected]

Dusty Baker would like to see former Reds manager Sparky Anderson in camp with the Reds.
"I'd really like to see that," he said. "He gave me a lot of advice. I'd like to bring him for a couple of days . . . I called it going to the library when I talked to guys like him.
Baker also got his first look at outfielder Jay Bruce hitting on Tuesday.

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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Cincy

All quiet on contract front for Dunn
BY JOHN FAY | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER

SARASOTA, Fla. - Adam Dunn came to Reds camp Tuesday and was his usual happy-go-lucky self, lighting up his new favorite target, fellow outfielder Jay Bruce, and generally enjoying himself.
But there is the possibility that this is Dunn's last Reds camp.
Dunn says nothing is going on as far as talks about a contract extension. The Reds picked up his option Oct. 31, but as it is, he'll become a free agent after the season.

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[coastalbuck]

Interesting..... Red Reporter

Free agent pitcher Josh Fogg told friends in Denver that he has agreed to a one-year $1 million contract with the Reds.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Cincy

Baker likes pitcher Fogg
Ex-Rockie won 10 games in 2007
BY JOHN FAY | [email protected]

Reds manager Dusty Baker said today he would support bringing free-agent pitcher Josh Fogg into training camp.

?He appears to getting better," Baker said. "Plus, if he can pitch in Colorado, he pitch anywhere. He was a pretty big man for them down the stretch, so you know he?s not afraid of big games. It gives us another guy who knows how to pitch. If one of our young guys isn?t ready, it gives them time to get ready.?

The Reds are on the verge of signing Fogg, according to a report by the Rocky Mountain News.
Fogg, a 31-year-old right-hander, pitched for the Colorado Rockies last season. Fogg went 10-9 in 30 appearances, 29 starts, with a 4.94 ERA. He pitched 1652/3 innings, allowing 194 hits while striking out 94 and walking 59.
"We don't have anything to announce," Reds general manager Wayne Krivsky said Wednesday. "It's not a done deal, but we've been talking to him throughout the winter, and I've had some conversations with him since I've been down here (in Sarasota, Fla.)."

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[BuckPhin]

Free agent pitcher Josh Fogg told friends in Denver that he has agreed to a one-year $1 million contract with the Reds.

 

[jlb1705]

I don't have a problem at all with this move. He's a placeholder, and he comes cheap. I for one had no delusions of the Reds contending this season. I'm glad that it appears that they will not be trading for Blanton. I'd hate to see the Reds pull out all the stops to field a team that can win 85 games and not make the playoffs, and in doing so let go of young players that can probably have a greater impact when this team's window opens in a year or two.

Signing Fogg likely means that we keep Bailey and Cueto, and they start the year in AAA. It also likely means that Affeldt moves to the pen, where he belongs. These are both good things.

 

[CookyPuss]

I don't have a problem at all with this move. He's a placeholder, and he comes cheap. I for one had no delusions of the Reds contending this season. I'm glad that it appears that they will not be trading for Blanton. I'd hate to see the Reds pull out all the stops to field a team that can win 85 games and not make the playoffs, and in doing so let go of young players that can probably have a greater impact when this team's window opens in a year or two.

Signing Fogg likely means that we keep Bailey and Cueto, and they start the year in AAA. It also likely means that Affeldt moves to the pen, where he belongs. These are both good things.

That was my reaction as well. Heard Will Caroll from Baseball Prospectus on the radio and he had some interesting points. Said the Fogg deal was blah. Said he would trade Bailey and Votto for Blanton because Votto is solid but not a "superstar" and Bailey+Baker=suicide. Oh, he also said that knowing Baker, Votto will be a bench/platoon with Hatte so what's the point in keeping him. Personally, I think if Bailey and Cueto are as good as advertised, you don't mortgage the future to win a mediocre division and try to hope you pull a 2006 Cardinals in the post season. I hope Baker pulls a Belichik and evolves from his past experiences.

 

[Jaxbuck]

I don't have a problem at all with this move. He's a placeholder, and he comes cheap. I for one had no delusions of the Reds contending this season. I'm glad that it appears that they will not be trading for Blanton. I'd hate to see the Reds pull out all the stops to field a team that can win 85 games and not make the playoffs, and in doing so let go of young players that can probably have a greater impact when this team's window opens in a year or two.

Signing Fogg likely means that we keep Bailey and Cueto, and they start the year in AAA. It also likely means that Affeldt moves to the pen, where he belongs. These are both good things.

I'm with you. 1M/1Yr for a MLB average placeholder is a lot better than giving up prospects for one.

They have to be able to put a competative product on the field, Fogg is cheap insurance in case the kids don't pan out.

No big deal.

 

[CookyPuss]

I'm with you. 1M/1Yr for a MLB average placeholder is a lot better than giving up prospects for one.

They have to be able to put a competative product on the field, Fogg is cheap insurance in case the kids don't pan out.

No big deal.

Except to Fogg who turned down a 1 year, 5 mill year from Colorado earlier this offseason. Dumb ass.

This move has zero risk, there was no reason not to do it.

 

[Mike80]

Hell if you get 150 innings and something under a 5 ERA from him he's worth it.

This gives Dusty another veteran arm to burn up instead of Bailey or any of the other younger pitching.

AND Josh Fogg isn't exactly Eric Milton, if he thinks he can go, he'll go.

 

[crazybuckfan40]

I agree with you guys...No reason not to do it...Gives us more options, and keep Cueto down in AAA to begin the season for sure where I fully believe that he should start...

 

[jlb1705]

If the Reds get 150 innings and a sub-5.00 ERA from him, it's an absolute steal.

I was in the camp who looked at Joe Blanton and thought that he'd put up significantly worse numbers in GABP than he did in Oakland. He'd have been going from an extreme pitchers' park to an extreme hitters' park, and I don't think it would have been nearly alleviated by switching leagues. Fogg probably won't do as well (mediocre) even as I feared Blanton might have, but he also gets paid less and doesn't come at the cost of near MLB-ready prospects.

 

[Mike80]

If the Reds get 150 innings and a sub-5.00 ERA from him, it's an absolute steal.

I was in the camp who looked at Joe Blanton and thought that he'd put up significantly worse numbers in GABP than he did in Oakland. He'd have been going from an extreme pitchers' park to an extreme hitters' park, and I don't think it would have been nearly alleviated by switching leagues. Fogg probably won't do as well (mediocre) even as I feared Blanton might have, but he also gets paid less and doesn't come at the cost of near MLB-ready prospects.

I do wonder how GABP compares to the pre-humidor (or even the post-humidor) Coors Field. I do know that looking at his splits, he was significantly better on the road than at home, so that might be a glimmer of hope for you all.

Fogg had a 4.94 ERA last year while pitching at Coors half the year. He also pitched about 165 innings too. He had a 5.97 ERA at Coors and a 4.15 on the road.

Like I said, given were the Reds are both with the big team and seemingly what they have in the minors, this is a steal right now assuming he pitches at all this year.

 

[jlb1705]

I put very little stock into Fogg's road splits while he was with the Rockies. In the NL West, that means most of his road games came in pitchers' parks in San Diego, LA and San Francisco. His home splits may be the better comp, but I think in the Coors Field humidor ERA, GABP actually plays a little more hitter-friendly.