Comments on: A Question http://redlegnation.com/2008/12/21/a-question/ A Cincinnati Reds Blog | Dishing out hot, creamy bowls of bloggy goodness Mon, 22 Mar 2010 04:08:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: ZOILA http://redlegnation.com/2008/12/21/a-question/#comment-1938843 ZOILA Sun, 28 Feb 2010 06:52:28 +0000 http://redlegnation.com/2008/12/21/a-question/#comment-1938843 Appreciate it. Yet one more superior site post, this really is the reason why My spouse and I come to your site constantly.. Appreciate it. Yet one more superior site post, this really is the reason why My spouse and I come to your site constantly..

]]> By: WTF http://redlegnation.com/2008/12/21/a-question/#comment-1330942 WTF Mon, 22 Dec 2008 17:58:17 +0000 http://redlegnation.com/2008/12/21/a-question/#comment-1330942 To the negative posters: I understand the reason for the pessimism. Too many years of dashed hopes. Too many years of a supposed great Winter, decent April, but out of contention by all-star. I've learned Winter hype (possitive or negative) means nothing, stats do lie, and you can't count on a player (whether for better or worse) having the same year as last year. Winning seasons, playoffs and championships are great, but I just want to see solid fundamental baseball at this point. All the rest of that stuff will happen when I get my first wish. As far as the offense question is concerned: I don't mind that we've lost a little offense (though I'm not convinced we have yet), we lost last year because of our defense. And other than loosing Dunn, I feel that perhaps we've gotten a bit worse this offseason. My feeling is quit worrying about bringing in a right-handed stick for the outfield, get us a defensive master with a .250 average. To the negative posters: I understand the reason for the pessimism. Too many years of dashed hopes. Too many years of a supposed great Winter, decent April, but out of contention by all-star. I’ve learned Winter hype (possitive or negative) means nothing, stats do lie, and you can’t count on a player (whether for better or worse) having the same year as last year. Winning seasons, playoffs and championships are great, but I just want to see solid fundamental baseball at this point. All the rest of that stuff will happen when I get my first wish.

As far as the offense question is concerned: I don’t mind that we’ve lost a little offense (though I’m not convinced we have yet), we lost last year because of our defense. And other than loosing Dunn, I feel that perhaps we’ve gotten a bit worse this offseason. My feeling is quit worrying about bringing in a right-handed stick for the outfield, get us a defensive master with a .250 average.

]]> By: Mark in CC http://redlegnation.com/2008/12/21/a-question/#comment-1330919 Mark in CC Mon, 22 Dec 2008 17:40:40 +0000 http://redlegnation.com/2008/12/21/a-question/#comment-1330919 To say they will be worse in '09 than '08 is a real reach. I think they are better already for several reasons. 1. Will need fewer runs. The Defense got better after the leftfielder and rightfielder were shipped out. Taveras or Hairston is an upgrade there. If Gonzo is back defense is better again and he will definitely provide some power offensively (15 to 25 HRs). 2. Offensively: Bruce '09 will be better than Bruce '08 and should pick up some of the power loss. When Hairston was in the lead-off spot the offense was better. Either he, Taveras or Hopper can do this. Dickerson (if he isn't as good as '08) will provide the Griffey offense of '08 with better baserunning and defense. If Hopper comes close to '07 that is an upgrade. Hairston/Taveras (especially if Taveras adds 60+ steals) is an upgrade. Hernandez/Hanigan a big upgrade over '08 catching. Baserunning should be better also as won't be so clogged up without the right fielder taking one base at a time and the leftfielder being too fat and slow. The offense should be better. Even if not it will be better because of better defense. To say they will be worse in ‘09 than ‘08 is a real reach. I think they are better already for several reasons.

1. Will need fewer runs.
The Defense got better after the leftfielder and rightfielder were shipped out. Taveras or Hairston is an upgrade there.

If Gonzo is back defense is better again and he will definitely provide some power offensively (15 to 25 HRs).

2. Offensively:
Bruce ‘09 will be better than Bruce ‘08 and should pick up some of the power loss.

When Hairston was in the lead-off spot the offense was better. Either he, Taveras or Hopper can do this.

Dickerson (if he isn’t as good as ‘08) will provide the Griffey offense of ‘08 with better baserunning and defense.

If Hopper comes close to ‘07 that is an upgrade.

Hairston/Taveras (especially if Taveras adds 60+ steals) is an upgrade.

Hernandez/Hanigan a big upgrade over ‘08 catching.

Baserunning should be better also as won’t be so clogged up without the right fielder taking one base at a time and the leftfielder being too fat and slow.

The offense should be better. Even if not it will be better because of better defense.

]]> By: John http://redlegnation.com/2008/12/21/a-question/#comment-1330782 John Mon, 22 Dec 2008 16:40:32 +0000 http://redlegnation.com/2008/12/21/a-question/#comment-1330782 Reason 1: no Corey Patterson. Chris Dickerson is a definite upgrade. Reason 2: no Paul Bako. Hanigan and Hernandez are worlds better than Bako. Reason 3: Harang will bounce back (as long as Baker doesn't use him in relief. Reason 4: Johnny Cueto now has a year under his belt and become an even better pitcher than he was last year. Reason 5: I saw the improvement that Joey Votto made throughout the year and there is no reason to belive that won't continue. Reason 6: Jay Bruce has a year under his belt also and will make strides this year, especially against left hand pitching. And he is better defensively that Griffey. Reason 7: I'm hopeful that EE will have a breakout year, both at the plate and defensively. If not, he's gone. Reason 8: Left field manned by Baldelli, Hopper, Hairston or Stubbs will be better defensively than Dunn. Reason 9: Dunn and Griffey were the clubhouse leaders and both were slackers and others began playing with their lack of enthusiasm. Opposing broadcasters and journalists were asking if they had ever seen a more lackluster team. When Griffey and Dunn were gone Votto, Phillips, and Bruce became the team leaders and their enthusiasm for the game was contagious and was reflected on the field. Reason 10: Josh Fogg won't be pitching for the Reds. Reason 11: With our youth leading the way, we had a winning record for the month of September. Go Reds. Reason 1: no Corey Patterson. Chris Dickerson is a definite upgrade.
Reason 2: no Paul Bako. Hanigan and Hernandez are worlds better than Bako.
Reason 3: Harang will bounce back (as long as Baker doesn’t use him in relief.
Reason 4: Johnny Cueto now has a year under his belt and become an even better pitcher than he was last year.
Reason 5: I saw the improvement that Joey Votto made throughout the year and there is no reason to belive that won’t continue.
Reason 6: Jay Bruce has a year under his belt also and will make strides this year, especially against left hand pitching. And he is better defensively that Griffey.
Reason 7: I’m hopeful that EE will have a breakout year, both at the plate and defensively. If not, he’s gone.
Reason 8: Left field manned by Baldelli, Hopper, Hairston or Stubbs will be better defensively than Dunn.
Reason 9: Dunn and Griffey were the clubhouse leaders and both were slackers and others began playing with their lack of enthusiasm. Opposing broadcasters and journalists were asking if they had ever seen a more lackluster team. When Griffey and Dunn were gone Votto, Phillips, and Bruce became the team leaders and their enthusiasm for the game was contagious and was reflected on the field.
Reason 10: Josh Fogg won’t be pitching for the Reds.
Reason 11: With our youth leading the way, we had a winning record for the month of September.
Go Reds.

]]> By: Travis G. http://redlegnation.com/2008/12/21/a-question/#comment-1330778 Travis G. Mon, 22 Dec 2008 16:39:26 +0000 http://redlegnation.com/2008/12/21/a-question/#comment-1330778 I agree with you, Glenn. Now that Furcal has signed, there aren't any players out there who fit the Reds' needs closely enough to spend big bucks for multiple seasons. But there will undoubtedly be a couple of surprising names available come late January, and corner outfielders are not terribly hard to find. With Frazier, Fransisco and Valaika waiting in the wings, I'm beginning to think it would be smart to trade Edwin for Beltre. Their offensive production is quite comparable, but Beltre's defense would really help the pitching staff and whichever guy "wins" the starting SS job. I haven't given up hope yet, because there are so many holes to fill that the team literally has to do something, but I'm terrified of the very real possibility that this will be our Opening Day lineup: CF Taveras SS Keppinger RF Bruce 2B Phillips 1B Votto 3B Encarnacion LF Dickerson/Hopper C Hernandez I agree with you, Glenn. Now that Furcal has signed, there aren’t any players out there who fit the Reds’ needs closely enough to spend big bucks for multiple seasons. But there will undoubtedly be a couple of surprising names available come late January, and corner outfielders are not terribly hard to find.

With Frazier, Fransisco and Valaika waiting in the wings, I’m beginning to think it would be smart to trade Edwin for Beltre. Their offensive production is quite comparable, but Beltre’s defense would really help the pitching staff and whichever guy “wins” the starting SS job.

I haven’t given up hope yet, because there are so many holes to fill that the team literally has to do something, but I’m terrified of the very real possibility that this will be our Opening Day lineup:

CF Taveras
SS Keppinger
RF Bruce
2B Phillips
1B Votto
3B Encarnacion
LF Dickerson/Hopper
C Hernandez

]]> By: Bill http://redlegnation.com/2008/12/21/a-question/#comment-1330341 Bill Mon, 22 Dec 2008 13:24:23 +0000 http://redlegnation.com/2008/12/21/a-question/#comment-1330341 And the problem with planning on winning low scoring games is that I'd think a lot would be determined by good defense and the Reds have done nothing to improve in that area either. And the problem with planning on winning low scoring games is that I’d think a lot would be determined by good defense and the Reds have done nothing to improve in that area either.

]]> By: brublejr http://redlegnation.com/2008/12/21/a-question/#comment-1329846 brublejr Mon, 22 Dec 2008 10:18:50 +0000 http://redlegnation.com/2008/12/21/a-question/#comment-1329846 If we sign Willy and Hairston and they start the Reds staff will have to win games 2-1 or 1-0. As I said in the other thread...Distgusting. I have less hope this year than I have had in a while, and that is saying something. We should have good pitching and no hitting, complete oposite of years past. If we sign Willy and Hairston and they start the Reds staff will have to win games 2-1 or 1-0. As I said in the other thread…Distgusting.

I have less hope this year than I have had in a while, and that is saying something.

We should have good pitching and no hitting, complete oposite of years past.

]]> By: Glenn http://redlegnation.com/2008/12/21/a-question/#comment-1329054 Glenn Mon, 22 Dec 2008 03:34:58 +0000 http://redlegnation.com/2008/12/21/a-question/#comment-1329054 I think Walt is smart to wait this out a little. This group of FA's are going to be sadly disappointed with the contracts they receive. The Reds may end up with a valuable player they might not have been able to sign in a normal off year. The longer Walt waits the better deal he gets. I think Walt is smart to wait this out a little. This group of FA’s are going to be sadly disappointed with the contracts they receive. The Reds may end up with a valuable player they might not have been able to sign in a normal off year. The longer Walt waits the better deal he gets.

]]> By: Dave from Louisville http://redlegnation.com/2008/12/21/a-question/#comment-1328911 Dave from Louisville Mon, 22 Dec 2008 02:40:04 +0000 http://redlegnation.com/2008/12/21/a-question/#comment-1328911 As it stands right now, 2008 Reds offense is probably the worst in the majors. There is no way, Walt is limiting his OF options to JHJ, WT, and RB. Things I want for Christmas: 1. Sign Baldelli 2. Trade for Beltre 3. Trade for Dye But I agreed with the group in that if some huge improvements are not made 2009 will be a long year. As it stands right now, 2008 Reds offense is probably the worst in the majors. There is no way, Walt is limiting his OF options to JHJ, WT, and RB.

Things I want for Christmas:
1. Sign Baldelli
2. Trade for Beltre
3. Trade for Dye

But I agreed with the group in that if some huge improvements are not made 2009 will be a long year.

]]> By: KY Chip http://redlegnation.com/2008/12/21/a-question/#comment-1328906 KY Chip Mon, 22 Dec 2008 02:37:05 +0000 http://redlegnation.com/2008/12/21/a-question/#comment-1328906 Just posted about 30 min. ago on reds.com: Reds have signed 35-year old veteran lefty Aaron Fultz to a minor league contract with a spring training invite. This is the same Aaron Fultz who did not pitch a single inning in the majors last year. If he can return to what he did in '07, then it's a great FA sign. But, alas, I feel there's a reason Cleveland cut him last March. Just posted about 30 min. ago on reds.com:

Reds have signed 35-year old veteran lefty Aaron Fultz to a minor league contract with a spring training invite.

This is the same Aaron Fultz who did not pitch a single inning in the majors last year.

If he can return to what he did in ‘07, then it’s a great FA sign. But, alas, I feel there’s a reason Cleveland cut him last March.

]]> By: Chris http://redlegnation.com/2008/12/21/a-question/#comment-1328806 Chris Mon, 22 Dec 2008 01:21:02 +0000 http://redlegnation.com/2008/12/21/a-question/#comment-1328806 I'm sure Dusty will find a way to get "665 PA of absolute suck" into the lineup somehow. Leading candidates as of Dec. 21, in order (combining likely suck-i-tude with likely playing time): Hernandez, Hairston, Hanigan, Keppinger (only if they play him hurt again), Corey Patterson (until I see him in a different uniform). I’m sure Dusty will find a way to get “665 PA of absolute suck” into the lineup somehow.

Leading candidates as of Dec. 21, in order (combining likely suck-i-tude with likely playing time): Hernandez, Hairston,
Hanigan, Keppinger (only if they play him hurt again), Corey Patterson (until I see him in a different uniform).

]]> By: preach http://redlegnation.com/2008/12/21/a-question/#comment-1328725 preach Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:30:13 +0000 http://redlegnation.com/2008/12/21/a-question/#comment-1328725 If nothing else is done the season ahead is doomed. period. Put a sign outside all GABP gates this season which says: "Lose ye all hope all those who enter here". Doomed. Right now this is the worst lineup in major league baseball. It's not even Christmas and my stomach hurts just thinking about the season to come. Doomed, I say. If nothing else is done the season ahead is doomed. period. Put a sign outside all GABP gates this season which says: “Lose ye all hope all those who enter here”.

Doomed.

Right now this is the worst lineup in major league baseball. It’s not even Christmas and my stomach hurts just thinking about the season to come.

Doomed, I say.

]]> By: doug http://redlegnation.com/2008/12/21/a-question/#comment-1328391 doug Sun, 21 Dec 2008 22:05:12 +0000 http://redlegnation.com/2008/12/21/a-question/#comment-1328391 Chad, There is very little chance that Hairston can repeat his season from a year ago, but I would say its more likely than having a guy like Taveras all of a sudden be able to hit the ball out of the infield, which he has never shown the ability to do since maybe little league. Still, losing 665 PA of absolute suck from Bako/Patterson and replacing them with just league average is going to help immensely. We still need another .800-.850 OPS bat in the lineup, preferably that played LF, but I think there is a very good chance we can put out a better offensive team than we did last year simply by avoiding Taveras and losing the 'contributions' of Bako and Patterson. Chad,
There is very little chance that Hairston can repeat his season from a year ago, but I would say its more likely than having a guy like Taveras all of a sudden be able to hit the ball out of the infield, which he has never shown the ability to do since maybe little league.

Still, losing 665 PA of absolute suck from Bako/Patterson and replacing them with just league average is going to help immensely. We still need another .800-.850 OPS bat in the lineup, preferably that played LF, but I think there is a very good chance we can put out a better offensive team than we did last year simply by avoiding Taveras and losing the ‘contributions’ of Bako and Patterson.

]]> By: Shawn http://redlegnation.com/2008/12/21/a-question/#comment-1328373 Shawn Sun, 21 Dec 2008 21:54:11 +0000 http://redlegnation.com/2008/12/21/a-question/#comment-1328373 If the team they have now is the one that starts the season, it's last place for sure. However, there's plenty of time to get another bat or two. No time for panic yet. If the team they have now is the one that starts the season, it’s last place for sure. However, there’s plenty of time to get another bat or two. No time for panic yet.

]]> By: Shawn http://redlegnation.com/2008/12/21/a-question/#comment-1328372 Shawn Sun, 21 Dec 2008 21:53:54 +0000 http://redlegnation.com/2008/12/21/a-question/#comment-1328372 If they team they have now is the one that started the season, it's last place for sure. However, there's plenty of time to get another bat or two. No time for panic yet. If they team they have now is the one that started the season, it’s last place for sure. However, there’s plenty of time to get another bat or two. No time for panic yet.

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