Reds tidbits (2010 season)

[scott91575]

Also, Carlos Fisher has been sent down, the Reds will purchase the contract of Russ Springer tomorrow and bring him up. They do not have to make a decision on the 40-man roster for Springer until Dickerson's 60-day DL stint officially ends on Wednesday, since they're already playing a man short.

Should be interesting. I assume either Nix or Owings is gone.

 

[jlb1705]

Should be interesting. I assume either Nix or Owings is gone.

Or Harang to the 60-day DL?

 

[scott91575]

Or Harang to the 60-day DL?

Possible. That would at least put off the decision until September. I don't think they could keep him there the rest of the year.

 

[Jaxbuck]

Possible. That would at least put off the decision until September. I don't think they could keep him there the rest of the year.

Springer is a good example of why I was frustrated with no trade deadline movement. I understand there might not have been much worth pursuing and I don't want a trade for the sake of a trade.

My concern is with all this "depth" and "lots people they could call up to help anytime they want to" argument. Who do you expose to waivers to call them up? If you wait until September they can't play in the post season.

A guy made the analogy over at RZ that he was expecting them to package up a lot of these extra pawns and sell them off for a knight or a bishop. Now they did jack shit and we have the world's supply of pawns and still only so many squares to put them in.

 

[scott91575]

Springer is a good example of why I was frustrated with no trade deadline movement. I understand there might not have been much worth pursuing and I don't want a trade for the sake of a trade.

My concern is with all this "depth" and "lots people they could call up to help anytime they want to" argument. Who do you expose to waivers to call them up? If you wait until September they can't play in the post season.

A guy made the analogy over at RZ that he was expecting them to package up a lot of these extra pawns and sell them off for a knight or a bishop. Now they did jack shit and we have the world's supply of pawns and still only so many squares to put them in.

We are not exactly up on what teams were asking. Most general managers agree, the more you have the more teams ask for. It's kind of stupid, but it's like dealing with a poor vs. a rich man. You will often ask for more from a rich man because you know he has more to give. I have a feeling every team was asking for Travis Wood even though many ended up getting guys similar to Maloney or LeCure.

Besides, I think we found out which teams were asking for anything reasonable. Out of all the guys who were traded, who did you actually want? The Reds were in on Lee, but Seattle wanted Smoak. Oswalt was probably not going to be traded in the division, and did not want to end up in Cincinnati. Berkman - no thanks. He can only play first. Kearns? No effing way. Bengie Molina - No need for a catcher. Miguel Tejada - makes Cabrera look like an all star. Kerry Wood - garbage. Scott Posednik - maybe, but not exactly a knight. Ryan Theriot - we already have a weak hitting infielder who doesn't walk, and Theriot is not good in the field. Peralta - junk, and not good at SS. Westbrook - no thanks. The bullpen doesn't need Dotel, Capps, Ramirez, Lopez, Ohman, or especially Qualls. Guzman would have been a decent utility guy, but he can't catch a cold.

I would love Ludwick, but that was not going to happen inside the division (Padres freaking stole him).

So really it comes down to one guy where the Reds had a shot and would have helped - Cliff Lee. From what I hear the Reds put together a really good package, and they just liked Smoak a lot.

The guys who really would have helped this team simply were not dealt, and that normally means they were not dealing or asking too much (which would have meant dealing Wood and maybe another player already on the major league roster).

I am not too upset no deals were made. If I saw someone dealt who really could have helped I might have been a little upset. Yet for the most part it was a bunch of garbage being dealt, and the only exceptions were not coming to Cincy.

 

[Jaxbuck]

We are not exactly up on what teams were asking. Most general managers agree, the more you have the more teams ask for. It's kind of stupid, but it's like dealing with a poor vs. a rich man. You will often ask for more from a rich man because you know he has more to give. I have a feeling every team was asking for Travis Wood even though many ended up getting guys similar to Maloney or LeCure.

Besides, I think we found out which teams were asking for anything reasonable. Out of all the guys who were traded, who did you actually want? The Reds were in on Lee, but Seattle wanted Smoak. Oswalt was probably not going to be traded in the division, and did not want to end up in Cincinnati. Berkman - no thanks. He can only play first. Kearns? No effing way. Bengie Molina - No need for a catcher. Miguel Tejada - makes Cabrera look like an all star. Kerry Wood - garbage. Scott Posednik - maybe, but not exactly a knight. Ryan Theriot - we already have a weak hitting infielder who doesn't walk, and Theriot is not good in the field. Peralta - junk, and not good at SS. Westbrook - no thanks. The bullpen doesn't need Dotel, Capps, Ramirez, Lopez, Ohman, or especially Qualls. Guzman would have been a decent utility guy, but he can't catch a cold.

I would love Ludwick, but that was not going to happen inside the division (Padres freaking stole him).

So really it comes down to one guy where the Reds had a shot and would have helped - Cliff Lee. From what I hear the Reds put together a really good package, and they just liked Smoak a lot.

The guys who really would have helped this team simply were not dealt, and that normally means they were not dealing or asking too much (which would have meant dealing Wood and maybe another player already on the major league roster).

I am not too upset no deals were made. If I saw someone dealt who really could have helped I might have been a little upset. Yet for the most part it was a bunch of garbage being dealt, and the only exceptions were not coming to Cincy.

I agree, there wasn't anyone actually traded outside of Lee that was a major upgrade. My frustration is more just an general sense of "ok now what in the hell do we do" than "Walt fucked up".

I kind of got the feeling this was going to happen all through July because every time I saw a name rumored for trade I ended up telling myself "why would we give up anything for him when we have ____ already in house or just a year or so away?"

It's a high class problem to have and hopefully in the off season, or maybe even in August, they can turn some of the pawns into better pieces. The question then becomes do they actually see LF, SS, closer as an area of need to go along with a TOR starter?

My vision for them as it all stands right now is let Cozart/Janish take over SS next year. Let Arroyo walk and see what the kids can do for the rotation then use your 10MM or so that freed up to get a top of the line LF. If that could be a Werth or Crawford for that money then I'll be doing back flips.

 

[scott91575]

I agree, there wasn't anyone actually traded outside of Lee that was a major upgrade. My frustration is more just an general sense of "ok now what in the hell do we do" than "Walt fucked up".

I kind of got the feeling this was going to happen all through July because every time I saw a name rumored for trade I ended up telling myself "why would we give up anything for him when we have ____ already in house or just a year or so away?"

It's a high class problem to have and hopefully in the off season, or maybe even in August, they can turn some of the pawns into better pieces. The question then becomes do they actually see LF, SS, closer as an area of need to go along with a TOR starter?

My vision for them as it all stands right now is let Cozart/Janish take over SS next year. Let Arroyo walk and see what the kids can do for the rotation then use your 10MM or so that freed up to get a top of the line LF. If that could be a Werth or Crawford for that money then I'll be doing back flips.

That money and some of Harang's money should go to Votto. I know you are not a Phillips fan, but he will need some of Cordero's money (although Phillips is not cheap right now like Votto, but still worth more). Cueto will also be due arbitration by then, along with a ton of other players. I am pretty sure this team plans on Heisey in LF, Stubbs in CF, and Bruce in RF for years to come while hopefully locking up Votto and some of the young pitchers. The only way they could pull in anyone would be under a short term deal, but that is not going to happen with those types of guys. Hence why I wanted Corey Hart so much. He is a FA after next year, and under that $10 million mark.

Sadly, the best you are going to get for a short term $10 million deal is a guy like Johnny Damon (he is at $8,000,000, but you get the idea).

 

[Jaxbuck]

That money and some of Harang's money should go to Votto. I know you are not a Phillips fan, but he will need some of Cordero's money (although Phillips is not cheap right now like Votto, but still worth more). Cueto will also be due arbitration by then, along with a ton of other players. I am pretty sure this team plans on Heisey in LF, Stubbs in CF, and Bruce in RF for years to come while hopefully locking up Votto and some of the young pitchers. The only way they could pull in anyone would be under a short term deal, but that is not going to happen with those types of guys. Hence why I wanted Corey Hart so much. He is a FA after next year, and under that $10 million mark.

Sadly, the best you are going to get for a short term $10 million deal is a guy like Johnny Damon (he is at $8,000,000, but you get the idea).

Even with the raises due they should have about 10MM in payflex if they don't re-up Arroyo and payroll stays the same. If payroll goes up from the attendance spike then the 10MM number goes up as well as if they can get creative and backload contracts etc.

The problem I have with the Heisey scenario is A) why the fuck Dusty doesn't play him more this year when Gomes has sucked balls in every month that isn't May and B) you need someone with leadoff skills to man either LF or SS the way this team is currently constructed. I don't know that Heisey profiles as that and the fact they don't play him more makes me think internally they question him profiling as an everyday player as well.

My dream guy is Crawford and I would trade Alonzo for him if we could negotiate a contract with him before the deal went down. We don't have a spot for Alonzo, they don't need Crawford. Assuming you can get the contract right it could work out well for both sides.

BTW Johnny Damon at 8MM a year for this particular team would be worth every penny. Crawford, Damon whoever...someone eventually has to be a good OBP guy in front of Votto or you are wasting a lot of Votto's value.

Hell if he could keep up this years production I'd consider Thames from the Yankees (but he probably can't).

 

[Bestbuck36]

Jeebus Dusty!

Sorry Travis. Gonna need a near perfect game from you tonight. The Dusty decided to sit the MVP on you when he's hitting over .500 vs Ohlendorf. Good freakin grief!

He did put Heisey in center tonight though so I guess there is that........

 

[Bestbuck36]

Holy crap, Phillips comes out looking bunt then draws a leadoff walk! Go figure.

What?! Now Cabrera walks also? Whats the world coming to?

IF this guy doesnt find his command soon, the Reds are going to roll tonight.

 

[Bestbuck36]

Cairo says, No Votto = No Problem. Reds up 1-0 runners on 1st and 2nd with no outs still in the 1st. Nicely done Miguel!

 

[Bestbuck36]

Jay Bruce strikes out on nothing but fastballs. Thats sad. What the hell has happened to Jay. He came up like a house on fire now he's pretty damned pathetic really. So sad.

Reds up 1-0. Now go throw that perfect game Travis!

 

[Bestbuck36]

Good start for Mr Wood yet again.

Reds coming up 1-0

 

[Bestbuck36]

Outstanding at bat by Chris Heisey! 9 pitches in he hits a huge double off the left field wall. Kid definitely needs more playing time. Time to sit Jay tomorrow vs Maholm and get him two starts in a row. Nicely done Chris. Now lets see the bottom of the order get him in.

Good at bat by Hanigan. Fly ball to center moves Heisey to third, one out. Wood is up. Wonder if Travis can get a good bunt down here....... nope. Wood grounds out to the SS keeping Heisey at 3rd. Phillips up now with 2 down. Doesnt feel like a good situation now. Didnt get him in but great patience by Brandon Phillips. In two at bats he's seen 13 pitches and two walks. Did I really just type that? I like this BP, now come on Cabrera!

 

[Jaxbuck]

Sorry Travis. Gonna need a near perfect game from you tonight. The Dusty decided to sit the MVP on you when he's hitting over .500 vs Ohlendorf. Good freakin grief!

He did put Heisey in center tonight though so I guess there is that........

The MVP has a "tweaked" wrist.

Cross your fingers.