“This is a young, up-and-coming team — but it’s about a year away from serious contention. A jump to third place in the N.L. Central is within reach in 2009.”
Yes, I’m fairly pessimistic about 2009…but I’m VERY bullish on 2010 and beyond. This time next year, I expect to be twice as excited as I am now.
I agree with most of the report, especially that they are a year away from contending.
Definitely Jones shouldn’t make the team, but I’m not surprised they slot Hairston as the LF. If AGon is healthy, you’d assume a guy you re-signed in the offseason for $2 mil+ would be considered as much as an almost 27 year old rookie. I’m not saying he should be the starting LF, but from the outside that seems like a logical perspective. Hopefully Dickerson/Gomes push him out of that spot and Hairston is no more than a superutility guy.
While Gomes is killing the ball, Dickerson is hitting very well, and Jones is stinking it up with an .087 avg. This is what Dusty has to say…
“He hasn’t found his stroke yet,” Reds manager Dusty Baker said. “We’ve seen a lot of left-handed pitchers so far. I know he can play. For whatever reason, sometimes you lose your stroke. When you’re trying to make the team, you don’t have a choice.”
Basically he is making excuses for him, sickening. Jones has NO business on this roster, he really shouldn’t be considered if they had 40 men on the team instead of 25, he is that bad.
Is anyone else beyond sick with Dusty and “his players”?
Offense is a C- at best. The pitching could be better than a B if that #5 spot is solid this year and if the rotation can go longer into ball games than the past few years. Who Dusty plays on a regular basis will dictate his rating. If he continues to play guys based on attributes such a speed rather than their ability to get on base and score then he is no better than a D.
I’d give the offense a C for now – IF the youngsters (Bruce, Votto, EE) hit the ball for power then the grade goes up…but that’s a big IF right now.
I’d give the pitching a B+. There aren’t very many rotations that I trade for the Reds’ rotation…and I don’t remember the last time I thought that. The bullpen should be a strength as well, especially if Cordero gets it together (this spring has been rocky for him to say the least).
The bench can’t possibly be better than a C+. I rank it that high because you’ve got a lot of players that can step in for starters and it won’t be a drastic reduction in talent. Of course, that says more about the lineup talent I think than it does about the bench talent.
And Dusty, well, Dusty gets a C because the players seem to like him even if most of those of us who follow the Reds can’t stand him. If nothing else, he constantly gives us something to talk about – whether it’s his infatuation with Patterson last year or his obsession with HAVOC this year…
2009 stats: Sarasota 2-1 8 Games 8 Games Started 42.1 IP 4.89 ERA 1.44 WHIP
Carolina 3-2 6 Game 6 Game Started 36 2/3 IP 2.95 ERA 1.09 WHIP
Louisville 2-2 5 Game 5 Game Started 29 IP 2.48 ERA 1.21 WHIP
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The Big Board -- In-Depth Reds Organizational Depth Chart (updated 2/23/10)
Salary Chart -- Our chart on the current and future contract status for the Reds roster (updated 2/23/10)
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I don’t think Hairston should be starting and Jones should not be on the team. They really didn’t put too much time or effort on that report.
Interesting that they have Homer picking up that #5 starter spot. Owings might have something to say about that.
Yeah, what brublejr said. How could anyone who is paying attention say that Jones should make the team?
I fear they are a little optimistic to give the offense a “C”. That implies they will have an average offense.
I think their pitching might be better than a “B” though. A B+ of A- might be possible.
Of course, I realize these letter grades are totally meaningless.
I agree with the prediction, though:
“This is a young, up-and-coming team — but it’s about a year away from serious contention. A jump to third place in the N.L. Central is within reach in 2009.”
Yes, I’m fairly pessimistic about 2009…but I’m VERY bullish on 2010 and beyond. This time next year, I expect to be twice as excited as I am now.
I agree with most of the report, especially that they are a year away from contending.
Definitely Jones shouldn’t make the team, but I’m not surprised they slot Hairston as the LF. If AGon is healthy, you’d assume a guy you re-signed in the offseason for $2 mil+ would be considered as much as an almost 27 year old rookie. I’m not saying he should be the starting LF, but from the outside that seems like a logical perspective. Hopefully Dickerson/Gomes push him out of that spot and Hairston is no more than a superutility guy.
This is a better team if Hairston and Keppinger start 3 or 4 times a week off the bench.
I think this prediction is the same one they gave the Rays last year.
While Gomes is killing the ball, Dickerson is hitting very well, and Jones is stinking it up with an .087 avg. This is what Dusty has to say…
“He hasn’t found his stroke yet,” Reds manager Dusty Baker said. “We’ve seen a lot of left-handed pitchers so far. I know he can play. For whatever reason, sometimes you lose your stroke. When you’re trying to make the team, you don’t have a choice.”
Basically he is making excuses for him, sickening. Jones has NO business on this roster, he really shouldn’t be considered if they had 40 men on the team instead of 25, he is that bad.
Is anyone else beyond sick with Dusty and “his players”?
Offense is a C- at best. The pitching could be better than a B if that #5 spot is solid this year and if the rotation can go longer into ball games than the past few years. Who Dusty plays on a regular basis will dictate his rating. If he continues to play guys based on attributes such a speed rather than their ability to get on base and score then he is no better than a D.
I’d give the offense a C for now – IF the youngsters (Bruce, Votto, EE) hit the ball for power then the grade goes up…but that’s a big IF right now.
I’d give the pitching a B+. There aren’t very many rotations that I trade for the Reds’ rotation…and I don’t remember the last time I thought that. The bullpen should be a strength as well, especially if Cordero gets it together (this spring has been rocky for him to say the least).
The bench can’t possibly be better than a C+. I rank it that high because you’ve got a lot of players that can step in for starters and it won’t be a drastic reduction in talent. Of course, that says more about the lineup talent I think than it does about the bench talent.
And Dusty, well, Dusty gets a C because the players seem to like him even if most of those of us who follow the Reds can’t stand him. If nothing else, he constantly gives us something to talk about – whether it’s his infatuation with Patterson last year or his obsession with HAVOC this year…