|
|
Post by bkleo504 on Mar 17, 2008 15:12:30 GMT -5
Hey guys, as I said I had been kind of "out of the loop" this offseason from ESPN since I got really discouraged from posting so I may be bringing up a topic that has been discussed numerous times, but how's everyone feel about the Volquez deal? Hamilton's tearing up spring, and I think we likely didn't get equal value for him. However, I think it was a deal that had to be made to an AL team that could DH him occasionally. Either way, I was VERY upset to see him go. I really think his story brought a lot of hope to people, and I really hope he can accomplish great things in baseball proving a lot of doubters wrong. It's a shame he couldn't do it in Cinci though, I remember in an article he once stated he hoped to be a Red his whole career so hopefully this deal works out for both sides. Then again, it'd be the first time in a long time that a deal has swung in the Rangers' favor.
|
|
|
|
Post by The Duke on Mar 17, 2008 15:18:19 GMT -5
I wish Hamilton all the best, and I hope he is an all-star, but I just can't see him staying healthy over the course of an enitre season:
1. Has had knee problems for years (surgeries)
2. Has had ticky tack injures for years
3. Massive crack habit messed up his central nervous system
4. Refuses to take medication on fear he will relapse
The most he has ever played as a pro was last year where he played a combined 102 games between the minors and the bigs, and only 76 of those were MLB starts. This is after he was drafted in 1999, nearly 9 years ago. I think in 100 games he could put up this stat line:
.315
28 HR
78 rbi
but then he'll miss 62 games throughout the year, and historically speaking, I am giving him the benefit of the doubt that he will play 100 games. Volquez may be a calculated risk, but I think it is one that needed to have been made.
Even if Volquez flops and Hamilton wins an MVP I won't blame Krivski for making the move.
That said Volquez has looked VERY impressive this spring (19 K vs 3 BB in 13 IP) and has shown 4 pitches, 2 being plus pitches (fastball, changeup), and an emotional maturity you get from a 25 year old as opposed to a 21 year old.
|
|
|
|
Post by bkleo504 on Mar 17, 2008 15:25:50 GMT -5
That's how I feel too, and as I said I think Hamilton HAD to go to the AL so he wouldn't have to face the wear and tear of being an outfielder every day. I'd imagine he will have a tough time staying healthy, but Volquez was a risky move. So far the good thing is Volquez isn't displaying those maturity issues that caused him to miss time with the Rangers so that's a good point. Right now I am just most concerned about how his style translates to GABP. That's always my biggest concern with any new Reds pitcher. It'll be fun to watch how these two turn out though. If Volquez ends up being good then he could be a true steal.
|
|
|
|
Post by Lark11 on Mar 17, 2008 19:03:41 GMT -5
Man, I've gotta be honest, I HATED that trade. I really, really did.
I thought it was an absolute slam dunk that the Reds would be built around Jay Bruce and Josh Hamilton for years to come. It seemed so logical and incredible that we could actually build around two such sublimely talented players.
In addition, we could let Dunn and Griffey walk after the season for compensatory picks and have 2/3 of our outfield set with 5 tool talents. An outfield defense of Hamilton and Bruce would be the best we've seen in years and would free up centerfield for a legitimate leadoff hitter.
To be honest, I think Hamilton is more talented than everyone in MLB this side of A-Rod and maybe David Wright. I just don't think anyone else has his skillset. He's hitting something like .575 again in spring training and he may turn in an epic season this year.
I'm just hopeful that Volquez turns into a quality pitcher, because I think we just dealt away a true once in a generation talent.
|
|
|
|
Post by blee2525 on Mar 17, 2008 19:43:51 GMT -5
That's how I feel too, and as I said I think Hamilton HAD to go to the AL so he wouldn't have to face the wear and tear of being an outfielder every day. I'd imagine he will have a tough time staying healthy, but Volquez was a risky move. So far the good thing is Volquez isn't displaying those maturity issues that caused him to miss time with the Rangers so that's a good point. Right now I am just most concerned about how his style translates to GABP. That's always my biggest concern with any new Reds pitcher. It'll be fun to watch how these two turn out though. If Volquez ends up being good then he could be a true steal. I hope Volquez is fantastic, but he'll never be a "steal." Brandon Phillips was a steal since all we gave up was Jeff Stevens. Josh Hamilton was a steal since all we gave up was cash. Regardless of what Volquez becomes, we gave up a whole lot of talent to get him, ergo he cannot be a "steal." |
|
|
|
Post by redvol on Mar 17, 2008 20:02:10 GMT -5
I'm a fellow ESPN refuge who didn't post much over there.
However, I did post about the Hamilton trade - which I hated. Not because I dislike either player. I just believe that a rookie outfielder with Hamilton's statistics is too valuable given the Reds outfield predicament unless a proven major league pitcher comes in return (notice I didn't say a #1).
With Griffey and Dunn being free-agents in 2009, our outfield may consist of Jay Bruce, Norris Hopper and Ryan Freel in 2009. This simply won't get it done, regardless of Bruce's potential. By trading Hamilton, we almost have to sign Dunn to a regrettable contract. This is a bad negotiating position for any GM.
I would have taken 300-400 at bats from Hamilton in 2008 and 2009 before making a decision. His trade value would have likely been higher if he maintained his OPS - which would have been a good bet in my opinion.
All the best to Volquez, we need him like no team ever has.
|
|
