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Post by scottscudder on Nov 7, 2023 22:54:59 GMT -5
Who is in your starting infield next season?
Is India still on this team, or do you trade him?
Is Elly a SS, a 3B, or do you move him to the outfield?
If Elly is moved to 3B, where does Marte go?
Is Steer your 1B? Left field?
I like India a lot, but I think it's going to be tempting to trade him this offseason. The Reds have pitching needs and perhaps need a right handed outfield power bat.
I'm thinking India is traded and the infield looks like:
Elly: 3B Marte: SS McLain: 2B Steer: 1B CES: DH
I could see playing Elly at SS and Marte at 3B, but I tend to think Elly's best position is 3B, only based on observation and nothing else. McLain may be the best option at SS, but I'm not sure Marte has played 2B very much.
If you keep India, then it feels like Elly to the outfield becomes a consideration. I'm not sure I like that idea. I suppose another option is to move Steer to LF, CES to 1B, and India to DH, but is India's bat good enough to be a DH? I'm just not seeing India as a good positional fit any longer. Seems to be thought of as a leader in the clubhouse, but I don't see where he fits in the lineup.
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Post by curbinmann on Nov 13, 2023 22:28:48 GMT -5
Who is in your starting infield next season? Is India still on this team, or do you trade him? Is Elly a SS, a 3B, or do you move him to the outfield? If Elly is moved to 3B, where does Marte go? Is Steer your 1B? Left field? I like India a lot, but I think it's going to be tempting to trade him this offseason. The Reds have pitching needs and perhaps need a right handed outfield power bat. I'm thinking India is traded and the infield looks like: Elly: 3B Marte: SS McLain: 2B Steer: 1B CES: DH I could see playing Elly at SS and Marte at 3B, but I tend to think Elly's best position is 3B, only based on observation and nothing else. McLain may be the best option at SS, but I'm not sure Marte has played 2B very much. If you keep India, then it feels like Elly to the outfield becomes a consideration. I'm not sure I like that idea. I suppose another option is to move Steer to LF, CES to 1B, and India to DH, but is India's bat good enough to be a DH? I'm just not seeing India as a good positional fit any longer. Seems to be thought of as a leader in the clubhouse, but I don't see where he fits in the lineup. Steer will be playing left field
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Post by Brushback on Nov 27, 2023 1:49:47 GMT -5
Don't think anything is settled as far as permenant spots for positional players. Will continue seeing Steer play wherever he is needed. 1b, 2b, ss and 3b will continue being game of musical chairs. Curious about what happens when Edwin Arroyo arrives. Think he is future shortstop for this franchise. Very slick fielder with some pop in his bat. Edwin will only add to this logjam.
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Post by scottscudder on Dec 7, 2023 22:31:21 GMT -5
This is only more complicated now with the signing of Candelario. Feels like one of the infielders could be on the trading block, perhaps for pitching. They might just be moving Steer to LF more permanently though, and allowing 6 guys (Marte, EDLC, McLain, India, CES, Candelario) to cover the 4 infield positions + DH.
It's sure feeling like there is no spot for Votto to return.
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Post by Brushback on Dec 8, 2023 6:26:31 GMT -5
Only way Votto returns is perhaps as hitting coach. Dude would be outstanding hitting coach.
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Post by scottscudder on Dec 8, 2023 8:55:17 GMT -5
If the Reds have locked in on Candelario and invested in him as a 1B/3B/DH guy, it seems like Marte or CES potentially become trade chips. I actually prefer to keep Marte and CES vs. signing Candelario, but that train has left the building.
If you were going to trade either Marte or CES, who would you give up in a trade? I'm thinking CES is the guy I would move, as Marte seems to have a ton of potential.
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Post by schellis on Dec 8, 2023 9:03:29 GMT -5
If the Reds have locked in on Candelario and invested in him as a 1B/3B/DH guy, it seems like Marte or CES potentially become trade chips. I actually prefer to keep Marte and CES vs. signing Candelario, but that train has left the building. If you were going to trade either Marte or CES, who would you give up in a trade? I'm thinking CES is the guy I would move, as Marte seems to have a ton of potential. Depends on what you'd be comfortable with as the return. Marte will bring back a better arm then CES. They weren't the only parts (or even the main parts) but its the difference between getting Luis Castillo and Mahle. Both good pitchers, but Castillo is clearly the better arm. Right now I rather deal CES as well, I think he's a fine hitter but will be a DH/1B which is the role that I think Candelario will take on (I also rather have him then Candelario and have spent that money on someone like Gray) a power only guy like CES isn't that difficult to find. Of course other teams know that as well so the return won't be as great unless you add parts or the player coming back is a FA after this year. Marte I only move for a controllable arm
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gabb
Tony Perez
Posts: 572
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Post by gabb on Dec 12, 2023 21:57:30 GMT -5
Is there any chance Marte begins the season in Louisville? And then end up trading nobody….at least not this winter. They can ride it out, and maybe sign Woodruff to a cheap 2 yr deal with an option for a 3rd…and sign Clayton Kershaw to a 1 yr deal. I just feel like they have some money to spend this offseason, and the FA market might be better than dealing chips away before July.
And I guess it doesn’t have to be Marte getting demoted. It could be any of the infielders…depending on how ST goes. Somebody’s bound to have a sophomore slump. And even Trout got sent back down to work on things, so why not Elly or CES (if it calls for it).
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Post by Brushback on Dec 12, 2023 23:54:52 GMT -5
This is only more complicated now with the signing of Candelario. Feels like one of the infielders could be on the trading block, perhaps for pitching. They might just be moving Steer to LF more permanently though, and allowing 6 guys (Marte, EDLC, McLain, India, CES, Candelario) to cover the 4 infield positions + DH. It's sure feeling like there is no spot for Votto to return. More complicated for sure but I think Candelario mean's india is history. Adding to the complication is Edwin Arroyo. Think he will soon be the everyday shortstop. Slick fielding defender with a bit of pop in his bat. Solid player who can bring this infield together. Cruz seems to make the sensational play but screw up the routine plays. Don't like him at shortstop. Better suited for 3rd but don't see Marte moving anywhere. Cruz still has to prove he can make adjustments to major league pitching. He ended tbe season looking totally lost and confuse a times.
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Post by scottscudder on Dec 13, 2023 14:13:30 GMT -5
This is only more complicated now with the signing of Candelario. Feels like one of the infielders could be on the trading block, perhaps for pitching. They might just be moving Steer to LF more permanently though, and allowing 6 guys (Marte, EDLC, McLain, India, CES, Candelario) to cover the 4 infield positions + DH. It's sure feeling like there is no spot for Votto to return. More complicated for sure but I think Candelario mean's india is history. Adding to the complication is Edwin Arroyo. Think he will soon be the everyday shortstop. Slick fielding defender with a bit of pop in his bat. Solid player who can bring this infield together. Cruz seems to make the sensational play but screw up the routine plays. Don't like him at shortstop. Better suited for 3rd but don't see Marte moving anywhere. Cruz still has to prove he can make adjustments to major league pitching. He ended tbe season looking totally lost and confuse a times. Yeah, I think India is likely to be traded. But as it stands, the Reds have 6 guys to rotate through 5 positions. It seems workable, but I would hope that India is generally the odd man out. Until they are either injured or not performing, I do not want the signing of Candelario to result in reduced playing time for Marte, EDLC, McLain, or CES. That would make no sense to me. What has been annoying me the most is the frequent mention of how India, CES, and Candelario can all play 3B. Marte needs to be at 3B nearly everyday. It's early, and I could be wrong, but I think he has a ton of potential. The only way I see Marte coming off of 3B is to play SS or 2B, not to sit on the bench so India or Candelario can get some ABs. EDIT/UPDATE: I was listening to an interview with Candelario earlier this evening. When asked, he said it was up to Bell where he plays, but indicated that he is a 3B who also plays some 1B. Really felt like he plans to get significant time at 3B. I'm wondering if he was promised time there before signing his contract. Doesn't feel great to me. As mentioned above, I'd hate to see Marte displaced.
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Post by IndiaCaravan on Jan 6, 2024 14:15:00 GMT -5
As long as that really tall guy and that really short guy play 150 games each (if healthy), I can deal with the rest of the overcrowding discomfort for now. It doesn't feel right parting with India right now without giving him a couple months, again if healthy.
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Post by The Duke on Jan 11, 2024 9:00:21 GMT -5
1B: CES 2B: McClain SS: EDLC 3B: Marte DH: Candelario
I think Steer is a super sub playing 1B/3B/LF/RF/DH enough to get 400+ PA, more if (when) someone gets hurt.
I think India is traded at some point before the start of the season.
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Post by crashdavissports on Jan 22, 2024 16:09:02 GMT -5
1B: CES 2B: McClain SS: EDLC 3B: Marte DH: Candelario I think Steer is a super sub playing 1B/3B/LF/RF/DH enough to get 400+ PA, more if (when) someone gets hurt. I think India is traded at some point before the start of the season. I think Steer is going to be our everyday LF. Who is the better fielder between CES and Candelario? My assumption is the high priced free agent gets the field and t he young guy gets the DH role. I think they may try to put EDLC at 3B and Marte at SS, or keep them there. Not sure on that, as EDLC has the talent, but he seems to struggle with the glove a little at SS from time to time. He has the best arm for the position, but I thought I had read somewhere they think EDLC is destined for 3rd sometime soon in his career. Especially with Arroyo coming up in the next year or two. We have so much talent in the field. Only question is can the rookies keep growing in year two, or will they have sophomore slumps? Can the starting pitching staff hold up, stay healthy and the bullpen close our games. My 26 Man Prediction C Stephenson 1B Candelario 2B McLain 3B Marte SS De La Cruz LF Steer CF Friedl RF Fraley DH Encarnacion-Strand BH Maile BH India BH Benson BH Barrero BH Fairchild SP Montas SP Greene SP Lodolo SP Martinez SP Abbott RP Sims RP Suter RP Pagan RP Moll RP Farmer RP Antone CL Diaz
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Post by The Duke on Jan 23, 2024 8:03:24 GMT -5
Most of what i've read is that Marte has pretty much already outgrown SS. If it isn't EDLC at SS, then I think it's McClain, but I think EDLC gets every opportunity there to start the year.
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Post by scottscudder on Jan 25, 2024 8:30:17 GMT -5
Here's a question. Although not preferable, one of the ways this overcrowded infield situation could be resolved is that we see one of the younger guys have a significant sophomore slump and regress to the point that they need to go back to AAA. Between Marte, EDLC, McLain, CES, and I'll even throw in Steer, who do we think has the highest likelihood of a return to AAA in 2024?
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