Reds Tidbits (2011 Season)

[Jaxbuck]

Well, the Reds have 4 days to trade Hernandez. As far as rentals go, a catcher with his numbers should be able to fetch a prospect who is projected as major leaguer. Heck, the Braves may now be interested. Not only could he play for McCann while he is on the DL and spell him from time to time after he comes off the DL, but could play first vs. left handers (Sloth, aka Freddie Freeman, struggles vs. lefties).

The Reds have no designs on offering arbitration, so now is the time to get something for him and bring up Mesaraco. I just hope that once he is called up the taint of Dusty does not stick with him the rest of his career.

(please insert taint jokes here)

Watch them keep Hernandez, not call up Mes until September then let Hernandez go for nothing. That's just the kind on nonsensical, sloth like thing this horse abortion of a franchise will do.

 

[scott91575]

Watch them keep Hernandez, not call up Mes until September then let Hernandez go for nothing. That's just the kind on nonsensical, sloth like thing this horse abortion of a franchise will do.

The worst thing is it makes zero sense to hang onto Hernandez. He will only catch about half of the remaining games. Even if Mesaraco plays at replacement level (which I doubt) it's at most a 1 game difference for the rest of the year. So it's not even giving up on the rest of the season. Plus, we all know Mesaraco will be with the team to start next year, so that would make him super 2 (which will not be the case if they call him up now). So calling him up now does not change his arbitration status or free agency status.

So there is zero reason not to call him up. On the other hand there are a ton of teams in a pennant race who have complete garbage behind the plate, and it's not like Hernandez is over worked. San Fran is trotting out guys that have no business in the majors. The Angels catching is even worse. Martin has been ok with the Yanks, but I am sure they could use a guy like Hernandez. As I mentioned, the Braves may now need a catcher. Pittsburgh would kill for anyone that can hit, especially a catcher. Even though it's in the division, Hernandez is a rental. For those teams, Hernandez can be worth an extra 2 wins.

Yet, like you said, watch them hang onto him.

 

[Jaxbuck]

The worst thing is it makes zero sense to hang onto Hernandez. He will only catch about half of the remaining games. Even if Mesaraco plays at replacement level (which I doubt) it's at most a 1 game difference for the rest of the year. So it's not even giving up on the rest of the season. Plus, we all know Mesaraco will be with the team to start next year, so that would make him super 2 (which will not be the case if they call him up now). So calling him up now does not change his arbitration status or free agency status.

So there is zero reason not to call him up. On the other hand there are a ton of teams in a pennant race who have complete garbage behind the plate, and it's not like Hernandez is over worked. San Fran is trotting out guys that have no business in the majors. The Angels catching is even worse. Martin has been ok with the Yanks, but I am sure they could use a guy like Hernandez. As I mentioned, the Braves may now need a catcher. Pittsburgh would kill for anyone that can hit, especially a catcher. Even though it's in the division, Hernandez is a rental. For those teams, Hernandez can be worth an extra 2 wins.

Yet, like you said, watch them hang onto him.

No question in my mind.

Look how many AB's Patterson and Tavaras got (never mind the fact they were here in the first place).

Look how long it took them to call up Cozart and Alonzo this year while the offensive black holes in LF and SS drained the life out of the offense.

They get around to doing what obviously needs done about 2 months late or not at all.

I don't care how much they talk, the actions of this franchise indicate to me they are happy with a middling team and an attendance spike. Fans better pray all the kids develop well (like Bruce and Stubbs ) because that's all we are ever going to see.

God damn talking about the Reds is depressing.

 

[scott91575]

No question in my mind.

Look how many AB's Patterson and Tavaras got (never mind the fact they were here in the first place).

Look how long it took them to call up Cozart and Alonzo this year while the offensive black holes in LF and SS drained the life out of the offense.

They get around to doing what obviously needs done about 2 months late or not at all.

I don't care how much they talk, the actions of this franchise indicate to me they are happy with a middling team and an attendance spike. Fans better pray all the kids develop well (like Bruce and Stubbs ) because that's all we are ever going to see.

God damn talking about the Reds is depressing.

Just to add even more, if they hang onto him they better offer him arbitration. Yet at this point he is a type A guy. That pretty much guarantees he would accept since no team is going to give up one of their top picks (in some cases, the top pick) in order to sign him.

I suppose one more year of Hernandez would not hurt. Send Hanigan to the minors while letting him know he will be back. Then once Hernandez turns back into a type B free agent, offer him arbitration with the understanding he won't accept.

Heck, if the Reds do keep Hernandez the best thing that could happen is he completely tanks the 2nd half of the season and is a type B free agent.

 

[generaladm]

Plus you have Francisco running around able to play LF and 3B (theoretically). He's the mofo I would trade as soon as he got off the DL. I have zero faith in him making it at the MLB level.

Just so I'm clear on this, is Francisco the stocky lefty who basically hacks away like a 5 year old with his first wiffle-ball bat regardless of whether the ball is anywhere near the strike zone? If so, I agree with the above statement.

While I agree that Hernandez is supremely expendable as far as his batting and catching/pitch-calling abilities go, I think the Reds keep him because he is the de-facto battery mate for all Spanish speaking pitchers. If he's gone, then I believe Renteria is the only position player who can communicate with the Latinos. I don't necessarily agree with that reasoning, but Volquez and Chapman really need someone on the field who can calm them down when the need arises.

 

[Bucknut24]

Just so I'm clear on this, is Francisco the stocky lefty who basically hacks away like a 5 year old with his first wiffle-ball bat regardless of whether the ball is anywhere near the strike zone? If so, I agree with the above statement.

.

yep, he thinks he can hit the ball into Kentucky with every swing

 

[Jaxbuck]

Just so I'm clear on this, is Francisco the stocky lefty who basically hacks away like a 5 year old with his first wiffle-ball bat regardless of whether the ball is anywhere near the strike zone? If so, I agree with the above statement.

Yes. He's Pedro Cerrano who doesn't even hit the straight ball very much. His bats aren't scared of breaking balls, they are catatonic.

While I agree that Hernandez is supremely expendable as far as his batting and catching/pitch-calling abilities go, I think the Reds keep him because he is the de-facto battery mate for all Spanish speaking pitchers. If he's gone, then I believe Renteria is the only position player who can communicate with the Latinos. I don't necessarily agree with that reasoning, but Volquez and Chapman really need someone on the field who can calm them down when the need arises.

Seasons a wash and Volquez is being calmed down by Mesoraco down in AAA as we speak. If Chapman hasn't learned "calm the fuck down and throw strikes" by now then shame on him.

 

[scott91575]

Just so I'm clear on this, is Francisco the stocky lefty who basically hacks away like a 5 year old with his first wiffle-ball bat regardless of whether the ball is anywhere near the strike zone? If so, I agree with the above statement.

While I agree that Hernandez is supremely expendable as far as his batting and catching/pitch-calling abilities go, I think the Reds keep him because he is the de-facto battery mate for all Spanish speaking pitchers. If he's gone, then I believe Renteria is the only position player who can communicate with the Latinos. I don't necessarily agree with that reasoning, but Volquez and Chapman really need someone on the field who can calm them down when the need arises.

are they sending Hernandez to AAA?

Hanigan and Mesaraco can take Spanish class at Cincinnati State. It not that hard to learn "throw what I fucking tell you to throw and get it over the damn plate."

 

[Jaxbuck]

are they sending Hernandez to AAA?

Hanigan and Mesaraco can take Spanish class at Cincinnati State. It not that hard to learn "throw what I fucking tell you to throw and get it over the damn plate."

exactly

1 finger down = el fastball
2 = el curveball
4 = el changeup

throw them all for el strikeo's.

 

[Bucknut24]

 

[scott91575]

strikeo's

That sounds like Drew Stubbs's breakfast cereal.

 

[Jaxbuck]

That sounds like Drew Stubbs's breakfast cereal.

He and Bruce are missing one hell of an endorsement deal.

 

[generaladm]

Note that I said what I thought the Reds would do, not what makes sense to do. One happening pretty much assures that the other was never considered.

 

[Jaxbuck]

Daniel Murphy playing Ike to the Reds Tina so far this series.

JFC.

 

[Jaxbuck]

The wonder twins go a combined 2 for 8 with only 1 K and 3 LOB.

step 2: ???
step 3: profit