Comments on: TSN looks ahead to the trading deadline

By: GregD

GregD — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 04:06:33 +0000

David – right, I’m not talking about trading ALL of the Reds players that have been discussed here. I’m saying I’d look at one/two of them as a possibility before trading the top prospects who are most ready in the system for a short-term fix. Obviously it all depends on the deal. I’m less sold on the guys like Francisco, for example, so I wouldn’t object to a package including him.

Bill – right. In my offensive projections in the other thread, I assumed Votto at last year’s offense and Encarnacion at his career numbers.

By: GregD

GregD — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 04:02:51 +0000

30 managers in MLB have a 400 obp catcher?
ooohhh-kkaaayyy

By: Mr. Redlegs

Mr. Redlegs — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 02:32:56 +0000

“But I put a .400 OBP player near the top of my lineup regardless of his speed or his power. Any other viewpoint doesn’t understand baseball.”

So the 30 managers in MLB don’t know anything about baseball for not batting a slow-footed catcher at the top of the order. Ohh-kay.

By: Glenn

Glenn — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 21:37:22 +0000

I’d have to agree with you Travis. The team has a winning record. No one’s running off and hiding in the NL Central. There’s no sense in trading key (producing) players off this roster at this point in the season. Let’s wait and see how this plays out. If the team goes in the tank that approach should be rethought.

By: Glenn

Glenn — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 21:33:45 +0000

I’ve heard a lot of talk about benching Gonzalez and putting in Janish based on Janish being a better hitter.
IMO switching one out for the other would just be a wash. He started the season out pretty well, but in the long haul I’m just not sure at all that Janish is a better hitter. He might turn out to be as good as Gonzo at the plate, but no where in his development has J been thought of as a difference maker with the bat. I’d have no problem with Dusty playing him more than he does but I don’t think the Reds are going to be any better offensively with Janish in there.

By: Dan

Dan — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 21:27:33 +0000

Trade producing veterans if it brings you a great return!

What if Harang could bring a serious bat (who’s under team control for another year or two after this)? And what if you could plug Homer into Harang’s spot and not lose much at all?

I think it’s worth considering. (In truth, if you’re thinking about preserving the future of the Reds — which I do a lot, possibly to a fault — trading Harang is a much better move than trading 2 or 3 young prospects. Harang is 31 I think, and therefore getting expensive, and probably also slowly starting to get worse. That’s what happens to most players in their 30’s.)

By: Travis G.

Travis G. — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 21:26:50 +0000

I wouldn’t trade anyone unless the Brewers or Cubs race out front and build a 7- or 8-game lead. Not sure this offense can make up that ground.

If Votto and EdE come back soon and play like their old selves (which can’t be taken for granted, given both their health issues) and the division remains winnable, the Reds should look to bolster the offense and possibly the bullpen using a couple of the guys GregD mentioned in #28. We’re talking an incremental improvement, really, unless ownership agrees to boost payroll.

If Harang could net a bona fide impact bat (not sure that’s possible) or a nearly ready stud prospect, I think that’s worth doing. But other than those unlikely scenarios, Jocketty shouldn’t take anything away from this team. It’s built to compete next year, but has somehow managed to stay relevant without a leadoff man or cleanup hitter.

By: Glenn

Glenn — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 21:26:11 +0000

Given his salary for the next two years, coupled with his total lack of production, I can’t imagine any team taking Tavaras off the Reds hands. Wrapping him up in a deal would more likely be looked at as a deal breaker than a pot sweatener. Unless they eat his salary, Tavaras will probably be with the club all year.

By: David

David — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 21:05:05 +0000

Greg –

Weathers alone won’t cost the team 15 games, but I’m pretty sure you knew I didn’t mean that. Your point is to trade guys like Phillips/Harang/Arroyo/Weathers/Cordero. I think that is an awful idea at the moment given we ARE in contention currently without 3 of the top players on this roster. Why save these young unproven players and trade producing veterans?

By: per14

per14 — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 20:59:28 +0000

#14: On a good team, okay, maybe. But I put a .400 OBP player near the top of my lineup regardless of his speed or his power. Any other viewpoint doesn’t understand baseball. It’s all about not making outs and giving Votto and BP changes to drive in runs with their power.

By: pinson343

pinson343 — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 20:45:19 +0000

Ruth, Ted Williams, and Bonds (if you count him) all had years better than Joey’s stats.
Others too probably, but you could start by looking up their numbers.

By: Dan

Dan — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 20:39:00 +0000

RCR, no one in the history of baseball is as good as Votto has been so far in 2009: .357/.464/.627. No one. (Is there? Babe Ruth? Lou Gehrig maybe?)

Votto is very very good, I think, but he’ll regress from that.

Luckily, Edwin should similarly improve. He’s much better than .127/.286/.190.

By: RiverCity Redleg

RiverCity Redleg — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 20:28:05 +0000

Bill, Votto very well may be just that good.

By: RiverCity Redleg

RiverCity Redleg — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 20:26:49 +0000

Greg, when I referenced that article in yesterday’s Down on the Farm thread the commenter after me sided with Reds’ management that he shouldn’t be allowed to throw b/cof the high injury risk. So, I assume that there is indeed at least a school of thought that pitch carries a higher injury risk. Although, I don’t see why, but then again, I’m not a pitcher.

By: Bill Lack

Bill Lack — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 19:44:31 +0000

#31) Assuming Votto comes back and is successful (though you can’t reasonably expect him to carry the numbers he’s currently carrying all year) and that EE raises his to his career level or above.