Comments on: Redleg Trade Review: Austin Kearns and Felipe Lopez http://redlegnation.com/2009/08/18/redleg-trade-review-austin-kearns-and-felipe-lopez/ A Cincinnati Reds Blog | Dishing out hot, creamy bowls of bloggy goodness Mon, 22 Mar 2010 07:39:55 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: MikeC http://redlegnation.com/2009/08/18/redleg-trade-review-austin-kearns-and-felipe-lopez/#comment-1822106 MikeC Thu, 20 Aug 2009 01:18:48 +0000 http://redlegnation.com/?p=9103#comment-1822106 In an interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Brewers GM claimed to have several parties interested in Bill Hall. This guy is owed $10 million next year and can't hit .200. The article went on to speculate that the Reds were interested and that both Arroyo and Harang had passed waivers. I can't believe any team would trade much more than a bag of used baseballs for Hall and only if the Brewers picked up most of his salary. If the Reds make a deal like this, "The Trade" will look like a steal in comparison. In an interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Brewers GM claimed to have several parties interested in Bill Hall. This guy is owed $10 million next year and can’t hit .200. The article went on to speculate that the Reds were interested and that both Arroyo and Harang had passed waivers.
I can’t believe any team would trade much more than a bag of used baseballs for Hall and only if the Brewers picked up most of his salary. If the Reds make a deal like this, “The Trade” will look like a steal in comparison.

]]> By: Steve Price http://redlegnation.com/2009/08/18/redleg-trade-review-austin-kearns-and-felipe-lopez/#comment-1820111 Steve Price Wed, 19 Aug 2009 02:17:39 +0000 http://redlegnation.com/?p=9103#comment-1820111 We greatly overpaid on this deal. 1) As a 22 year old, Kearns had very good power for a RF...his slugging percentage was .500. Votto's last year, at age 24, was .506 and he plays 1b which is a more important power position. The year we traded Kearns his SLP was .492 at the time of trade. Anyway, outfield was not a point of strength at that time...we already had dealt Pena, and Ryan Freel was entering his decline phase...and was truly the most overrated player on the Reds. 2) Lopez was not good in the field...however, he was playing ss...we should've switched he and Phillips then; in fact, I thought we would...and his bat seems to keep hitting even today... 3) No one expected Harris to play as well as he has. He's not an all-star, but he and Lopez would've really helped this year's team, too. 4) Wagner should never have been drafted in teh first round (never draft relievers in first round) and was also brought up too soon as a marketing ploy. 5) I thought Bray would be good; frankly, he's now a forever question mark 6) Majewski was bad scouting and bad homework... 7) Thompson was hurt when we got him; he's been hurt since we got him, and he's hurt now....that should tell us something... 8) The Reds had minor league relievers they could've used; we used 33 pitchers in Louisville that year.... We greatly overpaid on this deal.

1) As a 22 year old, Kearns had very good power for a RF…his slugging percentage was .500. Votto’s last year, at age 24, was .506 and he plays 1b which is a more important power position. The year we traded Kearns his SLP was .492 at the time of trade. Anyway, outfield was not a point of strength at that time…we already had dealt Pena, and Ryan Freel was entering his decline phase…and was truly the most overrated player on the Reds.

2) Lopez was not good in the field…however, he was playing ss…we should’ve switched he and Phillips then; in fact, I thought we would…and his bat seems to keep hitting even today…

3) No one expected Harris to play as well as he has. He’s not an all-star, but he and Lopez would’ve really helped this year’s team, too.

4) Wagner should never have been drafted in teh first round (never draft relievers in first round) and was also brought up too soon as a marketing ploy.

5) I thought Bray would be good; frankly, he’s now a forever question mark

6) Majewski was bad scouting and bad homework…

7) Thompson was hurt when we got him; he’s been hurt since we got him, and he’s hurt now….that should tell us something…

8) The Reds had minor league relievers they could’ve used; we used 33 pitchers in Louisville that year….

]]> By: brublejr http://redlegnation.com/2009/08/18/redleg-trade-review-austin-kearns-and-felipe-lopez/#comment-1819979 brublejr Wed, 19 Aug 2009 01:31:23 +0000 http://redlegnation.com/?p=9103#comment-1819979 I still think to this day the reasons why those three were traded: 1.) Lopez was lazy, sucked defensively, and had worn out his welcome. He was a cancer to the team. I fully believe that to this day. 2.) Kearns arbitration numbers were getting WAY too high for a player of his production. He would have been traded at some point to get relief of his contract. 3.) Wagner was a pain in the butt and his violent arm motion meant he wasn't going to be around for a long time. I still think they could have gotten a better haul, but they hit the panic button in order to try to stay close. It failed miserably. Ironically, arguably the player who has performed the best since the trade was Harris, who nobody wanted to give a chance to. I still think to this day the reasons why those three were traded:

1.) Lopez was lazy, sucked defensively, and had worn out his welcome. He was a cancer to the team. I fully believe that to this day.

2.) Kearns arbitration numbers were getting WAY too high for a player of his production. He would have been traded at some point to get relief of his contract.

3.) Wagner was a pain in the butt and his violent arm motion meant he wasn’t going to be around for a long time.

I still think they could have gotten a better haul, but they hit the panic button in order to try to stay close. It failed miserably.

Ironically, arguably the player who has performed the best since the trade was Harris, who nobody wanted to give a chance to.

]]> By: John http://redlegnation.com/2009/08/18/redleg-trade-review-austin-kearns-and-felipe-lopez/#comment-1819595 John Tue, 18 Aug 2009 22:47:45 +0000 http://redlegnation.com/?p=9103#comment-1819595 Every once in a while, I remember that Taveras signed a 2-year, multimillion dollar deal and will be here, in the lineup every day, at least until the ASB next year, and I get really depressed because: 1) Without Volquez, they have 2-3 question marks in the rotation next year. 2) They still don't have any offense. 3) There is no way they will contend for anything until at least 2011, and that's being generous. Why am I a Reds fan? What's the point? Every once in a while, I remember that Taveras signed a 2-year, multimillion dollar deal and will be here, in the lineup every day, at least until the ASB next year, and I get really depressed because:

1) Without Volquez, they have 2-3 question marks in the rotation next year.

2) They still don’t have any offense.

3) There is no way they will contend for anything until at least 2011, and that’s being generous.

Why am I a Reds fan? What’s the point?

]]> By: Glenn http://redlegnation.com/2009/08/18/redleg-trade-review-austin-kearns-and-felipe-lopez/#comment-1819589 Glenn Tue, 18 Aug 2009 22:46:09 +0000 http://redlegnation.com/?p=9103#comment-1819589 Surely you jest! Surely you jest!

]]> By: John http://redlegnation.com/2009/08/18/redleg-trade-review-austin-kearns-and-felipe-lopez/#comment-1819582 John Tue, 18 Aug 2009 22:42:18 +0000 http://redlegnation.com/?p=9103#comment-1819582 Arroyo for Hall? Kinda overpaying, isn't it? Arroyo for Hall?

Kinda overpaying, isn’t it?

]]> By: David http://redlegnation.com/2009/08/18/redleg-trade-review-austin-kearns-and-felipe-lopez/#comment-1819563 David Tue, 18 Aug 2009 22:01:50 +0000 http://redlegnation.com/?p=9103#comment-1819563 GregD - well we may both be wrong. I heard on the radio that the Brewers are talking trade with Bill Hall. Reds are interested. Arroyo for Hall anyone? GregD – well we may both be wrong. I heard on the radio that the Brewers are talking trade with Bill Hall. Reds are interested. Arroyo for Hall anyone?

]]> By: David http://redlegnation.com/2009/08/18/redleg-trade-review-austin-kearns-and-felipe-lopez/#comment-1819560 David Tue, 18 Aug 2009 22:00:10 +0000 http://redlegnation.com/?p=9103#comment-1819560 Why is it so difficult to play an outfield of Gomes, Dickerson and Balentien? I swear, Patterson must have given Taveras the same naked pics of Baker's daughter Patterson was using last season to stay in the lineup. Why is it so difficult to play an outfield of Gomes, Dickerson and Balentien? I swear, Patterson must have given Taveras the same naked pics of Baker’s daughter Patterson was using last season to stay in the lineup.

]]> By: RiverCity Redleg http://redlegnation.com/2009/08/18/redleg-trade-review-austin-kearns-and-felipe-lopez/#comment-1819513 RiverCity Redleg Tue, 18 Aug 2009 21:02:11 +0000 http://redlegnation.com/?p=9103#comment-1819513 Don't know why it even matters anymore, but here's tonight's lineup (sigh): REDS Dickerson 9 Taveras 8 Votto 3 Phillips 4 Balentien 7 Rosales 5 Hanigan 2 Janish 6 Bailey 1 Don’t know why it even matters anymore, but here’s tonight’s lineup (sigh):

REDS

Dickerson 9
Taveras 8
Votto 3
Phillips 4
Balentien 7
Rosales 5
Hanigan 2
Janish 6
Bailey 1

]]> By: RiverCity Redleg http://redlegnation.com/2009/08/18/redleg-trade-review-austin-kearns-and-felipe-lopez/#comment-1819508 RiverCity Redleg Tue, 18 Aug 2009 20:34:18 +0000 http://redlegnation.com/?p=9103#comment-1819508 Before this season, I actually thought we would do good by re-signing Lopez and playing him at 2B, moving BP to SS. I guess we can still do it fo next year. Before this season, I actually thought we would do good by re-signing Lopez and playing him at 2B, moving BP to SS. I guess we can still do it fo next year.

]]> By: RiverCity Redleg http://redlegnation.com/2009/08/18/redleg-trade-review-austin-kearns-and-felipe-lopez/#comment-1819507 RiverCity Redleg Tue, 18 Aug 2009 20:31:27 +0000 http://redlegnation.com/?p=9103#comment-1819507 I agree w/ David... I never bought into Kearns was going to be a star. He had zero power for a RF. We desperately needed bullpen help at the time and MajicMan and Bray were supposed to provide that immediately. I'm still a huge fan of Bray's. When healthy he is a stud lefty. He just can't stay healthy. We gave up nothing in this trade and with Thompson and Bray we could still get value. I agree w/ David… I never bought into Kearns was going to be a star. He had zero power for a RF. We desperately needed bullpen help at the time and MajicMan and Bray were supposed to provide that immediately. I’m still a huge fan of Bray’s. When healthy he is a stud lefty. He just can’t stay healthy. We gave up nothing in this trade and with Thompson and Bray we could still get value.

]]> By: GregD http://redlegnation.com/2009/08/18/redleg-trade-review-austin-kearns-and-felipe-lopez/#comment-1819501 GregD Tue, 18 Aug 2009 19:48:02 +0000 http://redlegnation.com/?p=9103#comment-1819501 <i>This is the trade which many use as their rallying cry to disdain everything recent about Cincinnati baseball</i> PS. I think that honor has easily passed to <strike>Patterson</strike> Taveras and Baker. This is the trade which many use as their rallying cry to disdain everything recent about Cincinnati baseball

PS. I think that honor has easily passed to Patterson Taveras and Baker.

]]> By: Kerm http://redlegnation.com/2009/08/18/redleg-trade-review-austin-kearns-and-felipe-lopez/#comment-1819489 Kerm Tue, 18 Aug 2009 19:32:15 +0000 http://redlegnation.com/?p=9103#comment-1819489 I remember I went to the game against the Rockies that day, (redeemed my Valentine's day present). The usher told me as he was wiping off the seats that Kerns and Lopez were gone. Sad day, but what else could we have done. Brought back Esteban Yan again? If only everyday Eddie wouldn't have gotten hurt that year, *sigh. I remember I went to the game against the Rockies that day, (redeemed my Valentine’s day present). The usher told me as he was wiping off the seats that Kerns and Lopez were gone. Sad day, but what else could we have done. Brought back Esteban Yan again? If only everyday Eddie wouldn’t have gotten hurt that year, *sigh.

]]> By: Matt WI http://redlegnation.com/2009/08/18/redleg-trade-review-austin-kearns-and-felipe-lopez/#comment-1819472 Matt WI Tue, 18 Aug 2009 19:16:41 +0000 http://redlegnation.com/?p=9103#comment-1819472 This trade remains a "flash-bulb memory" for me. I was living in Iowa at the time and my older brother called to see what I thought of the trade... which was the first I had heard of it. I was so irritated at the time. It's definitley one of those "what would have been" situations if the trade never went down. I do take some comfort in knowing that Kearns never became the star we thought he'd be. I could always take or leave Felipe Lopez. Here's to hoping Bray and Thompson become valuable, as noted in post #3 This trade remains a “flash-bulb memory” for me. I was living in Iowa at the time and my older brother called to see what I thought of the trade… which was the first I had heard of it. I was so irritated at the time. It’s definitley one of those “what would have been” situations if the trade never went down. I do take some comfort in knowing that Kearns never became the star we thought he’d be. I could always take or leave Felipe Lopez. Here’s to hoping Bray and Thompson become valuable, as noted in post #3

]]> By: GregD http://redlegnation.com/2009/08/18/redleg-trade-review-austin-kearns-and-felipe-lopez/#comment-1819469 GregD Tue, 18 Aug 2009 19:05:16 +0000 http://redlegnation.com/?p=9103#comment-1819469 <i>The thing that bothers me most is the absolute ridicule this trade gets because most assume the Reds could have gotten more.</i> No, the Reds could have gotten bullpen arms without sacrificing so much offense. They (and other teams) proved this in deals made in the summer of '06. Even Krivsky admitted that he overpaid. As far as Majewski goes, that was classic sell high by the Nats, especially given their knowledge of his arm problems that season. I've still never heard an answer as to how the Reds didn't know about that, given that the Reds and Nationals had the same team doctor (Kremcheck.) The thing that bothers me most is the absolute ridicule this trade gets because most assume the Reds could have gotten more.

No, the Reds could have gotten bullpen arms without sacrificing so much offense. They (and other teams) proved this in deals made in the summer of ‘06. Even Krivsky admitted that he overpaid.

As far as Majewski goes, that was classic sell high by the Nats, especially given their knowledge of his arm problems that season. I’ve still never heard an answer as to how the Reds didn’t know about that, given that the Reds and Nationals had the same team doctor (Kremcheck.)

]]>