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Post by The Duke on Apr 17, 2008 8:45:01 GMT -5
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Post by dukecrunchybagel on Apr 17, 2008 10:42:39 GMT -5
It's hard to argue with your plan, Duke, but here are a couple of things I'd do different.
1) Hang onto Josh Fogg for a few more starts - if he pitches at all decently, I think we'll be able to move him (not for much but for at least a low-level prospect). I hate the signing, but we're stuck with it.
2) I have a hard time choosing between Hairston & Cabrera, but I think, upon reflection, Cabrera might be the better call-up, simply because he's a little more comfortable at SS than Hairston. If we DFA Castro, we will need a backup for Keppinger there.
3) Freel is worthless. Krivsky, the rumors went, tried to unload him this winter and had no takers. He won't find any, so we'll have to consider DFAing him and cutting our loses.
4) Valentin & Hatty, OTOH, will be able to garner some interest. Hatty you try to hang onto until June because (barring an injury somewhere) his best value will be as a bench player for a playoff contender somewhere. I'd shop Valentin to the Yankmes right now with Posada and J. Molina both ailing. I'm fine with a Bako/Ross platoon.
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Post by awnawboi21 on Apr 17, 2008 10:54:14 GMT -5
Up to MLB:
Belisle
Bray
Cabrera
Down to AAA or out the door:
Coffey
Castro
Lincoln (just not very impressed, we've got better options...)
Shop around for trades:
Griffey
Hatte
Freel
Weathers
Javy
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Post by psuhistory on Apr 17, 2008 10:57:17 GMT -5
As far as the major league team is concerned, I would be thinking that once Gonzalez is healthy, my bench will improve. If Encarnacion is still struggling to hit his weight, there's an opportunity to let him "refine his skills" in the batting cage and come off the bench. At least for the short term, moving Keppinger to third seems like an option. I would think these veteran players you mention would become more valuable closer to the deadline, when other teams have identified their own needs more clearly. I wouldn't do that much more at the major league level, apart from perhaps adding a psychologist to the medical staff to work with Coffey.
At the risk of a joke, though, it may be worth considering that the British shot an admiral for cowardice in 1757 and proceeded to conquer most of north America during the next two years... That's some serious management style...
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Post by The Duke on Apr 17, 2008 10:59:43 GMT -5
Hairstons been getting starts in AAA at SS which is why I chose him over Cabrera, who has mostly been playing 3B.
I don't see AGon returning at all this year.
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Post by bischof21 on Apr 17, 2008 11:06:58 GMT -5
I like all the moves other then I think I would bring up Cabrera over Hairston at this point. To be honest I think they both deserve to be up here but won't because of the log jam in the OF.
I think Norris should have been starting in CF and leading off for this team since day 1. He is the only true leadoff hitter we have. Patterson isn't an everyday CF nor is he a guy who should be leading off.
I'd try to find a way to bring up McBeth too, he has been tearing it up down in Louisville and I always thought he had tremendous upside.
I'm fine with trying to move Hatteberg and Valentin. I like both of those guys but I just don't think they make sense fitting into our teams plans at this point. Votto is ready to play now and having a lefty/lefty platoon at first base is just plain weird.
What can I say, Juan Castro has been wasting a roster spot on this team for like 5 years now it seems. It's time to show him the door. This team isn't good enough to spend a spot on a defensive specialist.
I'd like to see Bruce up here soon but with Dunn and Griffey still both on the team I don't see it happening. I also don't think we will try to move either of them this early in the season so it will probably be a while before we see Bruce.
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Post by psuhistory on Apr 17, 2008 11:07:47 GMT -5
That's news to me--I'm behind the curve, as usual. Is there a new medical report on Gonzalez? How embarrassing that the GM doesn't know these things...
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Post by The Duke on Apr 17, 2008 11:09:33 GMT -5
That's news to me--I'm behind the curve, as usual. Is there a new medical report on Gonzalez? How embarrassing that the GM doesn't know these things... That he'll be out for the year is my own speculation, but there was a report a few days ago that said they did an MRI and that this knee is still fractured and that he can't run yet. |
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Post by psuhistory on Apr 17, 2008 11:14:05 GMT -5
Yeah, after you posted I found that report; thanks. That sounds bad...
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Post by redvol on Apr 17, 2008 17:41:44 GMT -5
My 8-step plan to success;
1. DFA Coffey and bring up Bray. Frees up one spot on the 40 man roster.
2. DFA Hatteberg. He's a good player and its a crime to give him so few at bats but Votto is the future and they are too similar to keep both. Frees up one more spot on the 40 man.
3. Bring up Jolbert Cabrera. This team needs a right handed bat off the bench with pop. Hopper is no pinch-hitter. This consumes one 40 man roster spot.
4. Send Hopper down to AAA to stay sharp. Freel is more valuable overall and it is no crime to send a player with 1 year experience back to AAA to get at-bats.
5. Reinstate David Ross. Split catching between Ross & Bako. Valentin becomes full time pinch hitter and occassional starter.
6. Stay with Fogg for 2 more starts. If he continues to stink, DFA him and reinstate Belisle to the rotation. The starting pitching looks like it will hold up and we won't lose the central over the 5th spot in the rotation being weak. We'll lose it due to bigger issues.
7. Keep Homer in AAA thru the all star break to ensure his newfound contol is real.
8. If Gonzo is out past May, keep Castro. Otherwise, DFA Castro the moment Gonzo is healthy. There are enough adequate shorstop replacements in Keppinger and Cabrera if Gonzo needs a day off.
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Post by Lark11 on Apr 17, 2008 18:56:20 GMT -5
Well, I'll take a crack at it. At this point, it seems like
1) Trade Edwin Encarnacion and Matt Belisle to the Phillies for Jayson Werth and Ryan Madson.
I'm tired of waiting on Edwin and even if he arrives he's a big time liability with the glove.
Madson is a solid reliever with groundball tendencies and Jayson Werth is a tremendous defensive outfielder who pounds lefties and I suspect he would be very good against righties as well.
2) Trade Todd Coffey and Scott Hatteberg to the Tigers for Brandon Inge and cash.
Inge is having a very strong offensive year, but even when he cools off his glove would be a huge boost to the infield defense. Inge, Feliz, and Zimmerman are the top 3 defensive third basemen around.
3) Call up Billy Bray and demote Mike Lincoln.
Bray's problem is his health, but he can get hurt in the minors as easily as the majors, so may as well bring him up.
4) DFA Juan Castro.
Time for manos de oro to say goodbye.
Lineup
1) Jeff Keppinger ss r
2) Joey Votto 1b l
3) Adam Dunn lf l
4) Brandon Phillips 2b r
5) Ken Griffey Jr. rf l
6) Jayson Werth cf r
7) Brandon Inge 3b r
8) David Ross c r
Bench
c) Bako c l
inf) A.Gonzalez r
inf/of) R.Freel r
of) C.Patterson l
of) N.Hopper r
Rotation
1) Aaron Harang r
2) Bronson Arroyo r
3) Johnny Cueto r
4) Edinson Volquez r
5) Josh Fogg r
Bullpen
cl Francisco Cordero r
mr David Weathers r
mr Jared Burton r
mr Ryan Madson r
mr Jeremy Affeldt l
mr Kent Mercker l
mr Billy Bray l
To me, that's a recipe for improved defense, better offense against southpaws, and a stronger bullpen. All in all, I think it's a better, more well rounded team, but that's just my $.02.
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Post by schellis on Apr 17, 2008 18:57:46 GMT -5
Offer Bray to the Angels for Reggie Willits--Angels could use the bullpen arm and the Reds a true CF/leadoff hitter.
DFA Patterson, Coffey, Fogg and Castro as soon as Gonzalez is back.
Patterson is a all or nothing hitter, usually nothing, doesn't walk so he's nothing more then a .225-.250 hitter with a .300 OBP that hits the occasional homer. Since he's rarely on base his speed is a non-issue.
Coffey has had enough chances and he looks to be a very hittable reliever, the Reds have better options on the farm.
Fogg is just a stop gap till Belisle is ready....Belisle is just a stop gap till Bailey is ready. Fogg is a very average arm that is just a little bit better then Milton. Good thing for the Reds such arms no longer are necessary.
Castro is a all field no hit SS/utility IF that can't field any more. he has no place on a major league roster.
Bray would have been my choice to replace Coffey, but he's gone so I would call up McBeth.
Willits takes Patterson's slot.
Gonzalez takes Castros
Belisle takes Foggs
Now thats the simple stuff if you were really bold I would do this.
Trade Ross, Griffey, Hatteburg and Arroyo to the Mariners for Morrow, Clement and Sexson.
Ross does the backup thing for Seattle. Griffey becomes a massive attendance boost for them, Hatteburg fills a need and Arroyo gives them another vet starter.
Clement gives the Reds a real catcher, Morrow another young arm and while Sexson is crap its his salary that makes the deal work. Plus it gives the Reds a lefty/righty platoon at 1B, which is far better then the lefty/lefty.
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Post by redsfaninindy on Apr 17, 2008 19:28:27 GMT -5
Well, I'll take a crack at it. At this point, it seems like 1) Trade Edwin Encarnacion and Matt Belisle to the Phillies for Jayson Werth and Ryan Madson.
I'm tired of waiting on Edwin and even if he arrives he's a big time liability with the glove. Madson is a solid reliever with groundball tendencies and Jayson Werth is a tremendous defensive outfielder who pounds lefties and I suspect he would be very good against righties as well. 2) Trade Todd Coffey and Scott Hatteberg to the Tigers for Brandon Inge and cash.Inge is having a very strong offensive year, but even when he cools off his glove would be a huge boost to the infield defense. Inge, Feliz, and Zimmerman are the top 3 defensive third basemen around. 3) Call up Billy Bray and demote Mike Lincoln. Bray's problem is his health, but he can get hurt in the minors as easily as the majors, so may as well bring him up.
4) DFA Juan Castro. Time for manos de oro to say goodbye. Lineup
1) Jeff Keppinger ss r
2) Joey Votto 1b l
3) Adam Dunn lf l
4) Brandon Phillips 2b r
5) Ken Griffey Jr. rf l
6) Jayson Werth cf r
7) Brandon Inge 3b r
8) David Ross c rBenchc) Bako c l
inf) A.Gonzalez r
inf/of) R.Freel r
of) C.Patterson l
of) N.Hopper r
Rotation1) Aaron Harang r
2) Bronson Arroyo r
3) Johnny Cueto r
4) Edinson Volquez r
5) Josh Fogg r
Bullpen
cl Francisco Cordero r
mr David Weathers r
mr Jared Burton r
mr Ryan Madson r
mr Jeremy Affeldt l
mr Kent Mercker l
mr Billy Bray lTo me, that's a recipe for improved defense, better offense against southpaws, and a stronger bullpen. All in all, I think it's a better, more well rounded team, but that's just my $.02. /second all of Lark's ideas... I love Inge and it'd be a real boost to have that kind of player at 3rd I'd really like to see some more Hopper love though too |
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Post by powerofcincy on Apr 17, 2008 22:27:20 GMT -5
Hopper made that really atrocious play during the Pirates series, where he made about the worst play possible on a ball off the fence....it was disappointing, I thought he was a better OF than that. Not saying he'll never be a good OF, but he clearly needs some work.
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Post by schellis on Apr 17, 2008 22:43:49 GMT -5
Even the games greatest defensive players will look like the worst at times.
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