Loading ...Afternoon game today, with Aaron Harang making his second start of the season for the Reds. He’ll face the Pirates’ Oliver Perez, an interesting young lefthander who has had mixed success in his major league career.
It’d be nice to see Harang bounce back after a shaky outing on Opening Day. Discuss it here!
UPDATE: Kevin Kelly says that it’s a new day for Harang. Let’s hope so.
question: did anyone have problems with their gameday audio accounts today? i had to resubscribe, and i’m hoping i don’t get charged twice for it. i listen to marty and watch the broadcasts, because george and chris just don’t cut it for me and because you often get the other team’s feed on mlb.tv.
Let’s hope we can solve the Oliver Perez magic today!!
We owe this guy a bashing big time!
I’ve got it on MLB Extra Innings today, so I haven’t logged onto MLB. Hope you don’t get charged twice.
And yes, we owe Perez a huge beating today. He’s been rough on us.
The Reds Listserv List had their Listserv game a couple of years ago at a game where Perez was pitching. He threw a one-hitter at Cincy. Ugly.
Nice job on the first batter. Strikeout for Harang.
If you had told me that Harang would be the worst pitcher the first time thru the roster, I wouldn’t have believed it. I expect much better today.
I saw Pittsburgh’s SS Jack Wilson play in rookie ball a few years ago. Appalachian League.
He didn’t stand out, and I barely remember him.
Freel in the line-up for the 2nd day in a row. Does that mean Womack is going somewhere to make room for Phillips?
Dare to dream, Jim.
Sure beats Monday’s start!!
1-2-3 for Harang in the first. Good news!
let’s hope so. i think castellini is too much of a reds fan to get rid of freel, isn’t he?
I think those two walks we saw for Womack on Monday may be the last we see from him for a month.
If Freel got to start every day, and he could keep from accruing alcohol offenses, he’d be as popular in Cincinnati as Chris Sabo was. Similar type players (though Freel has better on-base skills and less power).
Is anyone surprised that Ryan Freel got on base to lead off the game for the Reds?
Fleep! This team can hit!
Come on, Junior!! Time to deliver!
Junior is 0-10 with 5 Ks against Perez. That’s ugly.
0-11.
Aurilla is due after last night!
Narron ball!!
Freel steals third!
Can anyone understand the logic of Aurilia in batting 4th? If you want to break up the lefties, put Kearns there.
JACK JOB!!!!
That’s why Aurilia is hitting fourth, I guess! A three run jack!
Ha, then he does that to make me look like and idiot, but I’ll look stupid for 3 runs any time!
It makes no sense, hitting Aurilia in the cleanup spot. I agree that Kearns would be a better fit.
But it certainly worked today. I’ll take it without much complaint.
Me too, Joe. I’ll take the runs any day.
Right now Aurilla is the best RH hitter on the roster.
Denorfia would have had that ball.
Too many pitches this inning!
Yeah, Harang isn’t cruising as much as I had hoped, after that first inning.
this is the second time that marty has said he believes casey will come back next year.
What does everyone think about that? I like the guy, but I’m not interested in seeing him in a Reds uni again.
there’s a lot to be said for leadership, and casey certainly has it. i miss him. he’s not perfect, but he isn’t a liability, either.
argh!
I’m for getting Dunn the help he needs for learning to play 1B so we can improve the outfield!
Crap! HR! That’s what happens when you throw twenty pitches in a inning!
I wish the Reds would get good enough so they could run more than the same three ads during broadcasts.
Ha! Good call, Jim.
You know, I kinda like Pirates manager Jim Tracy. I think he’s underrated.
Okay, that was a bit better inning by Harang.
take that, tony womack! freel’s on base again.
And Freel stole second! He’s going to force Narron to play him, it appears. He creates havoc every time he plays.
Come on, Richie Baby!! Make it JACK JOB ##2!!
0-12.
Another homer would certainly be nice by Aurilia. Or a walk and a Dunn grand slam.
I love that ESPN’s player card for Rich Aurilia still shows him in a Seattle uniform. He’s played for the Padres and Reds since leaving Seattle.
I love Ryan Freel! He just stole that one. No one else (not even Womack) would have scored there!
A sac fly in short right field. Unreal.
The best thing about the Womack acquisition is that it has motivated Freel to go to the next level.
That’s a pretty good analysis, Jim. I hadn’t considered that, but it sure seems like it’s the case.
Harang’s not sharp. I’m concerned.
Harang hasn’t walked anyone though. He hasn’t hit anyone either, which is good for Reds’ starting pitching.
KEARNS!!!!
Kearnsie!!!!
Let’s bring Harang home!!
The top of order is getting it done.
Griffey can you finally get a hit off Perez??
Okay, we’ll take the walk!!
You know your pitcher is done when he walks a guy that is 0 for 12 against him.
I really feel for the Pirates. I sure hope they get hot after tomorrow!
I saw Harang is good for two more innings at the best. He is at 79 pitches through four innings.
Narron may try to take Harang through the 7th just to avoid the bullpen for as long as he can.
Probably makes you appreciate the days of Bob Prince and “Chicken on the hill by Will!”
I’m betting Abad gets sent down to make room for Phillips.
I’m not sure why he changed but he chose “3″ to represent his three children.
Maybe he thought the old number was bad luck.
What’s Harang pitch count up to? Should he be out there in the 7th?
I think I read 3 is the number all of his kids wear in their sports, and he wanted to change just to recognize them, I think that was the only reason.
105 pitches through six innings.
Double digit K’s
The ERA dropped by three runs.
If not for the 2nd inning, he might have flirted with a complete game.
Come on, bullpen. Let’s see a quality performance today.
Is Burns going to stick long?
Griffey’s kids wear #3 in their youth sports. He switched to match them.
The Pirates crew pointed out in the 2nd inning that Reds starters have gone in inordinate time without walking a batter. The last one to do it was Harang in his last inning on opening day. The starters have now pitched 26 1/3 conecutive innings without a walk. Big kudos to Hume, as well as the boys themselves.
But the bullpen still stinks. Mr. Burns is useless, as feared. As is Mr. White.
Better get some insurance runs!
Thanks to Big Sean for bailing us out. Marty may be right that he wants to return, but I don’t know why the Reds would be interested. He’ll be 32, and though I’m not sure this is possible, is likely to get even slower. Useful for the right price, I guess.
Narron’s certainly been living right. Every nonsensical lineup move he’s made has paid off. Womack’s got an OPS above 1100; Aurilia’s slugging over 600; Freel’s on fire. If we could get the bullpen to come around…
I say this only slightly in jest, but Ryan Freel is really reminding me of Rickey Henderson.
Nicely done by Javy.
I agree about Freel. He’s really locked in. This is exactly what we needed to see; maybe Narron’s hand will be forced, as someone suggested above.
Let’s see how Belisle does here. We need him to be an effective swing man out of the pen.
If not more. At this point, I think any bullpen job is there for the taking.
Hey, Kearns is swinging a good bat so far, too, isn’t he? Not bad for a seventh hitter.
So much for “Matt Belisle, Bullpen Savior.”
I think we need to send what-his-face back down to Louisville to be their pitching coach and bring Soto up here as the bullpen coach,
Nothing is easy for this team. It’s a good thing the hitters are killing the ball, because we are needing every single one of those runs every night.
Nothing is easy for this team. It’s a good thing the hitters are killing the ball, because we are needing every single one of those runs every night.
Comment by Chad — 4/8/2006 @ 4:06 pm
Very astute observation — Chad.
My feeling is we are still lying in the bed that Jim Bowden made for us (pitching and defense wise).
That is the same bed that Dan O’Brien fluffed!
Anybody else notice how the Rich Aurilia venom has all but vanished from the Red’s planet — last year at this time he was the favorite “whipping boy”
That is the same bed that Dan O’Brien fluffed!
Comment by Jim McCullough — 4/8/2006 @ 4:11 pm
I’m thinking that Dan O’Brien wouldn’t go near any bed that Jim Bowden was once in.
Let’s trade Womack to Pittsburgh for Grabow.
Dan would have probably found one of Bowden girlfriends in there.
O’Brien was not at all a good GM — but he was our “healer” GM — the guy who we needed to have for a year or two to get over the craziness of Leatherpant’s regime — before we would be in a position to get on with the real guy (hopefully that’s Krivsky).
Hammond got someone out! Yeah, it was a rope to CF, but it was an out, for the first time all year.
I mind Aurilia a heck of a lot less when he’s playing ahead of Scott Hatteberg and Tony Womack, than when he’s playing ahead of Felipe! (TM Eric Moyer)
George Grande’s mother is 100-years-old???
:?::?::?::?::?:
Promptly followed up by a free pass.
That 500-ish OPS for April/May 2005 didn’t help him any.
Hammond really needs work. He had a stretch in Sarasota where he was automatic.
Good call, Chris. I think no one here would have any quarrel with Aurilia if it weren’t for two things:
1. if Dave Miley hadn’t been ordered to play him over Felipe last year; and
2. if Aurilia hadn’t whined so much about his role with the team.
The first isn’t his fault, but it got him off on the wrong foot with Reds fans. The second is entirely his fault.
If Aurilia had just come in, played hard, and not complained, he’d probably be a Reds favorite right now. He didn’t have a terrible year last year when all was said and done, and he’s playing okay this year.
Oh great…Hammond loads them up for…Rick White?
We’re in big trouble here, Reds fans.
Rick White reminds me of a right-handed Phil Norton
Ever wonder why Narron doesn’t make more defensive replacements at this point in a game like this?
Great comparison with Phil Norton, Bill. And that scares me to death, because Norton was rotten.
If Pinella were here, he would think it was Seattle all over again with this bullpen.
Hernandez helped us out there!
Well, so far so good.
Interesting Note:
Casey hasn’t hit into a douple play this entire series. You think the guy would owe us.
If Rick White can strand three runners, after coming in with one out, I’ll change my mind about him.
Ha! He owes us a bunch of them.
Crap.
I’m getting really tired of this bullpen.
What a freakin’ idiot!!!
Good call, Chris. I think no one here would have any quarrel with Aurilia if it weren’t for two things:
1. if Dave Miley hadn’t been ordered to play him over Felipe last year; and
2. if Aurilia hadn’t whined so much about his role with the team.
The first isn’t his fault, but it got him off on the wrong foot with Reds fans. The second is entirely his fault.
If Aurilia had just come in, played hard, and not complained, he’d probably be a Reds favorite right now. He didn’t have a terrible year last year when all was said and done, and he’s playing okay this year.
Comment by Chad — 4/8/2006 @ 4:23 pm
While, I too, have heard that “story” about how Miley was “ordered” to play Aurilia — I really don’t know that it has been substantiated anywhere. It sure makes the argument better — with 20/20 hindsight.
Aurilia was unmercifully attacked here and in other areas (like Reds List Serve and Redszone, where I post under a different name). People were making “Womack-like” attacks routinely — and NO ONE said then, “Well, I really don’t have a problem with Aurilia except…”
It was a litany of reasons why the Aurilia signing was wrong — period. No ifs, ands or buts.
Now people are getting what I like to describe “immaculate perception” — and are saying that they really never had a problem with the Aurilia signing, except….
I think that’s really funny.
Come on, White! Get the freakin’ job done!!!
Do we need an authentic closer or what?
This week has shown allot of things but the things that concerned me going into this season are still concerns — will we have even adequate pitching? can we catch the ball?
I still don’t think so — even though it looks like we’ll be 4-1
I think you don’t know what you are talking about. Re-read my post up there. The problem with the signing is that Aurilia was handed the starting spot when he wasn’t the best option (Lopez was).
If Aurilia had been signed as a role player, it wouldn’t have been a bad deal. He was never signed to be a backup, though. He was given the starting SS job. And that’s a CRAPPY signing, any way you cut it, and even in hindsight.
Methinks you are the one who isn’t remembering things correctly.
Great comparison with Phil Norton, Bill. And that scares me to death, because Norton was rotten.
Comment by Chad — 4/8/2006 @ 4:26 pm
That’s why I said it.
Finally, the third out! Reds win!
This one belongs to [our beloved] Reds !!!
Praise the Lord!!
Alright! This one belongs to the reds.
Way to come in and slam the door Rick.
These games shouldn’t be this difficult.
i can’t take many more games like this. winning is supposed to be fun, but this isn’t.
When is Vern Ruhle supposed to be back?
Not soon enough, Jim.
Six runs for the Pirates over the past three innings!!
Ridiculous!!
This bullpen has got to go.
Can Womack relieve?
Scary thought for tomorrow:
Williams is pitching. He might take the “Moon-Shot” title from Milton this year.
I think you don’t know what you are talking about. Re-read my post up there. The problem with the signing is that Aurilia was handed the starting spot when he wasn’t the best option (Lopez was).
If Aurilia had been signed as a role player, it wouldn’t have been a bad deal. He was never signed to be a backup, though. He was given the starting SS job. And that’s a CRAPPY signing, any way you cut it, and even in hindsight.
Methinks you are the one who isn’t remembering things correctly.
Comment by Chad — 4/8/2006 @ 4:33 pm
Aurilia CLEARLY won the job over Lopez in ST last year — that is without question.
Now I find it hilarious that people didn’t want Aurilia starting after his stronger spring last year — and wanted to simply give the job to Lopez (who at that point) hadn’t had a stretch in the majors that even compared to Brandon Phillips.
Should Brandon Phillips be handed a starting job too?
Lopez — at that point in time — had offensive stats similar to Phillips now — and was/and still is a much poorer defensive player.
Chris Hammond ERA – 108.00
:shock::shock::shock::shock::shock::shock:
The potential on this team really excites me. What is unfortunate is that this team could play great, and the bullpen will blow enough games to keep them from competing.
The bullpen is just that bad.
Bill, you have no idea what you are talking about, and I can’t stand reading everyone argue with you. Aurilia has sucked for years, and he’s no better than a backup. Lopez was a top prospect that needed to be given a chance to play…and there were no better options!
Nice Brandon Phillips red herring. There is a better option than Phillips right now: Ryan Freel.
Of course, Tony Womack had a great spring, so he deserves to start, in your eyes.
Rich Aurilia had a great spring last year, so he deserved to start.
Their established levels of performance don’t matter, I guess.
You don’t have a clue what you are talking about.
I don’t think Wagner will be down in Lousiville for long. We may have to look at Lousiville for further help with this bullpen before it is all said and done.
See everyone tomorrow!
Randy needs to calm down…
…but he’s mostly right. We know what Aurilia and Womack are going to do over a full season; they have years of performance to show us.
We know, as well, that Freel will, to a great degree of likelihood, outperform Womack. There was a very good reason to believe last year that Lopez would outperform Aurilia — and he did.
Bill, I can’t seriously believe you would defend playing Aurilia and Womack over Lopez and Freel. It’s mind-boggling.
This club is beating up on a bad team. They still have defensive woes — which will do them in over the course of 162 games.
I believe the relief pitching will get better (can’t get much worse) — but not better enough to elevate the club to a contending level.
The starting pitching will be better — but not appreciably better to make a real difference — unless some guys really jump above career norms and/or there is another acquisition.
I think Krivsky has plans to do something trade-wise. I also think he is all over this defensive short-fall.
All the talk about Freel or any other player who comes to the table with great offensive capabilities, means little if we don’t pitch and catch well.
See you tomorrow, Jim and everyone. Gotta run!
It’s been fun these last few days talking about the games here in the game thread.
Bill, I can’t seriously believe you would defend playing Aurilia and Womack over Lopez and Freel. It’s mind-boggling.
Comment by Chad — 4/8/2006 @ 4:44 pm \
I don’t know that I am defending that at all.
I’ve gone on record as saying that I would like to see Freel play. I went to GREAT LENGTHS to try to make that clear.
I also have tried to ask you folks to “seek to understand” Jerry Narron’s reasoning. That isn’t defending someone, that is seeking to understand their point of view. There’s a BIG difference.
If you are reading what I am saying and concluding that Womack and Aurilia should be playing over Freel and Womack, then you are coming to an incorrect conclusion.
Bill, you have no idea what you are talking about, and I can’t stand reading everyone argue with you.
You don’t have a clue what you are talking about.
Comment by Randy — 4/8/2006 @ 4:41 pm
Gee — when I reading the “Commenting Guidelines” this doesn’t seem too appropriate at all.
Aurilia CLEARLY won the job over Lopez in ST last year — that is without question.
That’s pure nonsense. Spring training 2005: Aurilia – .259 AVG, 1 3b, 1 HR. Lopez – .294 AVG, 5 2b. If anything Lopez had the slight edge. To say that Aurilia won anything “CLEARLY” and “without question” just weakens your argument.
And it’s not a “story” that O’Brien ordered Miley to play Aurilia, it’s a fact, reported by several media outlets after O’Brien was gone.
I remember my own thoughts on Aurilia very well (All of this can be found on the archives of the list-serv or this site). When he was signed, I said, “He stunk in SD, but might be an okay backup, provided he doesn’t take playing time away from Lopez.”
When he did, AND hit like Juan Castro’s weak sister, I was very, very annoyed. When he came back from the DL and bitched about playing time, I was still annoyed. When he (generally) shut up, and hit the snot out of the ball for the rest of the summer, I was moderately pleased.
When they re-signed him this winter, after listening to him say he wanted an everyday job, I was again worried (but less so than before) that his 2005 was a fluke and that he’d complain about playing time. Neither of these has happened yet.
Aurilia CLEARLY won the job over Lopez in ST last year — that is without question.
That’s pure nonsense. Spring training 2005: Aurilia – .259 AVG, 1 3b, 1 HR. Lopez – .294 AVG, 5 2b. If anything Lopez had the slight edge. To say that Aurilia won anything “CLEARLY” and “without question” just weakens your argument.
Defensively, an important aspect for the shortstop position, was severely lacking with Lopez in the spring. The club was seeing what they had seen previously with Lopez the year’s before.
That is why Aurilia won the SS job in ST of 2005. It is my mistake to assume that you were not aware of the importance of defense from the SS poistion. I’ve bold-faced the type that I think were of particular concern to Reds brass then.
Heading in to ST of 2005, here’s what ESPN said about Lopez:
Scouting Report
2004 Season
The jury remains out on Felipe Lopez after he produced mixed results during a two-month, late-season trial as the Reds’ everyday shortstop. Lopez showed flashes of his power with 27 extra-base hits in just 264 at-bats, but his erratic play in the field and his inability to consistently make contact were continuing liabilities.
Hitting, Baserunning & Defense
Lopez remains a raw hitter who too often goes out of the strike zone and cannot handle breaking pitches. He has good bat speed and can drive the ball when he makes contact, something he does much better swinging from the right side. He has above-average speed but lacks good baserunning instincts. Lopez has a powerful arm and good infield range, but his hands are not good and he has accuracy problems at both short and third. He had 15 errors in 292 total chances last season.
Now fortunately the Reds didn’t give up on Lopez, as the Indians did on Brandon Phillips, but decided that it was too early for the Reds to give up on Lopez.
They saw that he has solid tools and was just entering his physical prime. AS things turned out, Lopez proved he had started to mature and developed some consistency, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Bill we are seeking to understand. So maybe you can explain why the Reds should bench a drunk (if that is the reason) who can outperform his competitor in every category? Just explain how or why off-field indiscretions that do not effect a persons playing capabilities requires the coach to punish the entire, team, city, etc. I can see where this would be appropriate in high school, college and even the minor leagues, but we are talking about grown men, and in Freel’s case you are essentially wasting 8k for every game he is on the bench. If there is some other reason besides this drunkeness issue that Narron should bench Freel please inform us all, because I still don’t see it.
Bill we are seeking to understand. So maybe you can explain why the Reds should bench a drunk (if that is the reason) who can outperform his competitor in every category? Just explain how or why off-field indiscretions that do not effect a persons playing capabilities requires the coach to punish the entire, team, city, etc. I can see where this would be appropriate in high school, college and even the minor leagues, but we are talking about grown men, and in Freel’s case you are essentially wasting 8k for every game he is on the bench. If there is some other reason besides this drunkeness issue that Narron should bench Freel please inform us all, because I still don’t see it.
Comment by Pinski — 4/8/2006 @ 5:25 pm
Let me try to help you out here, Pinski.
First of all I am hopeful that your request is sincere and not just more condescending, disengenuous babble. I am trying to seriously answer your question — as I have several times before. I do hope you do “get it” this time.
(1) I am notsaying, have never said, would never say that Tony Womack should be playing over Ryan Freel. Look back — I’ve never said it.
What I have tried to do is give you folks several absolutely plausible scenarios under which you might be able to understand the reasoning and rationale of Jerry Narron, Wayne Krivsky and/or Bob Castellini (anyone who’s opinion actually counts in this matter).
One possibility is that Freel is struggling with a substance abuse issue. All indications are that it is quite possible.
Castellini takes his ownership of the Reds seriously — and IF the substance abuse issue is at all valid — I feel confident that these men would at least be considering other options.
It has nothing to do with Ryan Freels higher OBP — it has everything to do with what is right for Ryan Freel as a person. Doc Gooden should have been so lucky as to have had someone who cared for him as a human being more than the statistics he put up during a relatively brief part of his life.
Another reason could quite possibly be that the Reds brass is utilizing Tony Womack to (as some here have also suggested)bring out the best in Ryan Freel. If this is the thing that gets Freel to “grow up” and starts being a true professional who represents the Reds and the city of Cincinnati well, both on and off the field — then Tony Womack was not just a good decision, it was a great one.
If Rick Aurilia’s presence last year did that same for Felipe Lopez, then that too was a brilliant move (let alone the fact that Aurilia led the Reds in hitting with runners in scoring position).
Now there are two perfectly reasonable decisions — there may be even more, we don’t know about.
None of those explanations are backed up by OBP or other statistics — but I don’t believe that makes them any less valid or hard to understand.
This bullpen is flat awfull. Remember when the bullpen was the strongest part of staff and the starters sucked? If the club could get this staff straightened out, the Reds could be contenders….and I wouldn’t have to have that bypass surgery.
Defensively, an important aspect for the shortstop position, was severely lacking with Lopez in the spring. The club was seeing what they had seen previously with Lopez the year’s before.
So first, it was “Aurilia clearly beat out Lopez.” And you “find it hilarious that people didn’t want Aurilia starting after his stronger spring last year — and wanted to simply give the job to Lopez.”
Once that was proven to be totally false, you now say the decision was based on defense, and more, on Lopez’ defense the year before. This was never mentioned. In fact, everyone knew Aurilia would be sub-par defensively.
So which was it: Offense or defense? Spring training 2005, or August 2004?
I have no idea why you can’t admit that Aurilia was starting becuase O’Brien had a woody for “proven veterans,” and that it was a poor decision, both at the time and in retrospect.
(I’ve put about 6 different links in this post, supporting my recollection. If you’re going to again try to mis-characterize what was said last March, go ahead and point us to some evidence.)
So first, it was “Aurilia clearly beat out Lopez.” And you “find it hilarious that people didn’t want Aurilia starting after his stronger spring last year — and wanted to simply give the job to Lopez.”
Once that was proven to be totally false, you now say the decision was based on defense, and more, on Lopez’ defense the year before. This was never mentioned. In fact, everyone knew Aurilia would be sub-par defensively.
So which was it: Offense or defense? Spring training 2005, or August 2004?
I’ve given you my reasons — and to be honest — I can’t see how I could be any more clear on my stance on this topic.
I never centered any conversation on puely offense — that was what was in you head — which believe me, doesn’t make it right.
If you are trying to convince me or anyone else that Lopez was a proven, rock solid choice to start at SS defensively by March 2005 — you have a tough row to hoe.
I’ve sited my position and backed it up.
You are now flip-flopping between spring 2005 and the season before (when Aurilia wasn’t even in the picture).
I have no idea why you can’t admit that Lopez’ defense was so suspect at one point that he didn’t get the job at SS coming out of ST in 2005 — that’s a FACT Jack.
I’ve pointed to all the evidence that anyone would need to in order to MORE THAN support my position.
Now I’m extremely pleased that Lopez has improved — and (as I have stated before) if Aurilia’s presence pushed Lopez to grow up and become a professional, then that was brilliant.
let’s hope Womack’s presence has the same effect on Freel — that he stops getting DUI’s and Drunk and Disorderly plea bargains — and that he starts playing and acting like a professional — both on and off the field.
What part of that could you possibly misunderstand or disagree with?????
:roll::roll::roll::roll:
Are you the guy who – three posts up – was calling people “condecending”?
I deal with people who try silly arguments like this all day long. As soon as one position is proven wrong, you pretend you were actually saying something else. I’m through dealing with this silliness. Your posts are clear enough, and anyone who cares can figure out who said what, and what made sense.
Are you the guy who – three posts up – was calling people “condecending”?
I deal with people who try silly arguments like this all day long. As soon as one position is proven wrong, you pretend you were actually saying something else. I’m through dealing with this silliness. Your posts are clear enough, and anyone who cares can figure out who said what, and what made sense.
Comment by Chris — 4/8/2006 @ 11:50 pm
Thank you, Lord. An answer to my prayer.
Sorry, Bill, I too am having a very hard time with your line of thinking in regards to the Lopez vs. Aurilia spring training competition of 2005.
In my opinion, the following two statements are absolutely false.
Aurilia CLEARLY won the job over Lopez in ST last year — that is without question.
Lopez — at that point in time — had offensive stats similar to Phillips now — and was/and still is a much poorer defensive player.
As for Aurilia clearly having won the job. I don’t agree at all. The following are their offensive numbers for spring training 2005.
BATTERS BA SLG OBA G AB R H TB 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS E
F. Lopez .294 .368 .360 25 68 7 20 25 5 0 0 4 7 18 4 3 3
Aurilia .259 .370 .288 22 54 4 14 20 1 1 1 10 3 5 1 0 2
Lopez outhit Aurilia last spring.
I’m not even so sure Aurilia outplayed Lopez in the field last spring. The knock on Lopez was his hands and throwing accuracy. He made 3 errors last spring, Aurilia made only 2 in a little less playing time. Not a big difference. This Marc Lancaster article supports that Lopez did show marked defensive improvement over his play the previous fall in terms of arm accuracy and consistency. It also alludes to his ability to make the spectacular play also, which, in my opinion, is noting his range, for which Aurilia is lacking. I believe the competition defensively last spring between the two was pretty much even, with Lopez showing the improvements they had hoped that he would over his inconsistant play the previous fall.
Now add in the age of the two players involved. Lopez young talented and maturing, high probability of improving. Aurilia, approaching the declining years age wise, coming off of a bad season.
Now factor in where the Reds were as a team entering 2005. Were they on the verge of playoff contention, where a steady, if unspectacular, defensive SS, like Aurilia, might have made a difference, whether he hit or not. I don’t think so. They were pretty much looking at a .500 season as their best case for 2005. Was it in there best interest to play a declining, steady veteran for one year on a non-contending club, or to invest the year in the talented, but still maturing, young prospect at SS and endure the growing pains in a season where it would very most likely not have an effect on the teams finish.
Looks pretty clear cut to me. Lopez is the correct choice. The Reds made a horrendous decision last spring to start the season with Aurilia as the starting SS.
As for the comment about Lopez’ major league numbers entering last spring being the similar to Phillips’ major league numbers now, I have to ask you this. Did you even bother to look at the numbers?
Here are the numbers you reference as similar:
Player G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG OPS
Lopez 272 920 119 216 45 11 22 101 88 269 18 13 .235 .302 .379 .681
Phillips 135 432 43 89 23 2 6 38 19 92 4 7 .206 .246 .310 .556
If that is still your opinion, after we now know that you have seen the numbers, it tells us all we need to know about how you analyze baseball hitters.
Sorry Bill, but I think you are the one with a “tough row to hoe” in this debate.
Later,
Tom
I’ll say it again — Lopez during the spring training of 2005 — did nothing to allieve the fears of Reds management (about his defense, the holes in his swing, his approach to the game). With that in mind — Aurilia came in and won the job — clearly.
You know playin’ blindman’s bluff is a little baby’s game
You pick up Little Dynamite, I’m gonna pick up Little Gun
Ok, enjoy the site Bill.
Later,
Tom