Loading ...Let’s take a short stroll around the internets….
–Joey Votto has been named NL Player of the Week.
Reds first baseman Joey Votto’s hot stretch, during which he hit .560 to lead the league, has earned him honors as the National League player of the week.
Votto went 14-for-25 for streaking Cincinnati, with 10 of the hits doubles. That put him in position to also lead the NL with a slugging percentage of 1.080.
The 10 doubles came in the five-game span, Tuesday-through-Saturday, a concentrated display not seen in 77 years. Hall of Fame outfielder Paul Waner did it for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1932.
I, for one, am very happy to see Votto finishing the season on a positive note.
–Remember yesterday, when Dusty Baker said this: ‘“I look at runs more than average,” Baker said. “The Astros are hitting higher than us. But we’ve outscored them.”’
It doesn’t take much prodding to send JinAZ into action, as he promptly compared the Reds offense to that of the ‘Stros. Interesting read, and I think we will all agree with his conclusion:
The Reds offense this year has been lousy. We all know that, of course. But if you just look at actual run scored totals, you won’t quite grasp how much of a problem it has been.
–I think our collective mental health would improve if we just ignored everything that comes out of Dusty’s mouth.
Remember yesterday, when Dusty Baker said this: ‘“I look at runs more than average,” Baker said. “The Astros are hitting higher than us. But we’ve outscored them.”’
Perhaps you should look at the teams IN FRONT OF YOU in comparisons, not the ones behind you.
Perhaps you should look at the teams IN FRONT OF YOU in comparisons, not the ones behind you.
Dusty was probably thinking us simple minded folk wouldn’t notice that the Astros are behind us.
@Matt WI:
..or maybe he doesn’t know the Astros are behind us. I think he called them the ‘Colt 45’s’ in is last interview…..
Nice.
Also around the interwebs… rumors fly that Milwaukee is listening to offers for Prince Fielder. He’s coming into his final year of his contract at $10.5 mil. I’m unsure if it is also his free agency year (Cott’s has him listed as 3yrs of service, so I’ll assume this is year four and 2010 is year five, so one more year at arbitration?).
His power and Votto in LF could be enough to absorb Janish at SS and whatever Hannigan does behind the plate. You’d give up a lot to be sure: Maybe Yonder, maybe Cueto or Arroyo, and another top flight pitching prospect.
I’ll take another few cost controlled years of Votto and six of Alonso instead of paying market price for this VERY good player.
Along those lines, it seems to me that Jason Bay will not be among the top 3 or 4 outfield free agents this offseason. That tells me a lower budget team could possibly snatch him up for reasonable money. I’m not fan of tying up big money in outfielders, but a good RBI guy like him could make a huge difference. Find a taker for Cordero, and it might be possible.
Bay’s price will go up with every post season hit.
@Sultan of Swaff: I don’t actually think this is a feasible idea, but it sure would be fun. Good call on clearing room with shipping out Coco’s contract.
Given the economic conditions I would be shocked if the Reds spend any “real” monies this offseason. To get any Free agent that would be a significant upgrade (aka Jason Bay) will be outside the pocket book of this franchise. We need to stop this idea of “buying” talent, we have to do what the Marlins do and build our team from within.
@Sultan of Swaff: If they go with Janish at SS and don’t spend much in way of upgrades elsewhere, it is financially doable. I’ve read that early thoughts are that Bay will go for 4-yr/$60M in the offseason. As Chris notes, post-season heroics could impact that.
When I put together a 2010 payroll projection a little over a month ago, it looked like they could add about $17.5M in payroll and keep total payroll in the upper-$70M range.
However that means a lot of major league minimum guys in the bullpen, and most of the bench at the minimum. In that scenario, 2010 payroll would be tight, but the only 2011 guaranteed contracts would be Phillips and Bay. (The only 2011 guaranteed contract now are Phillips and Cordero.)
With Lidge falling apart, you wonder if the Phils don’t win the series and it’s due to the closer if they would be open to deal for Coco in the off season.
I have heard reports the Reds payroll will be closer to 60 million then 70 million next year due to the struggling economy and low turnout at games this season.
Couldn’t the Phils use Coco right now?
Ah, there’s the rub, isn’t it? Vicious cycle. Someone has to make up their minds to break it at some point. The division is winnable for the Reds, IMO, with a nice bat addition. A Bay or Fielder could make all the difference in the world.
@RedinFla: I think you are onto something.
For once, I’ll be quite comfortable with our young talent coming off the bench–Dickerson, Gomes, Frazier, Balentein. But yeah, if you trade Coco and make Masset the closer (all for it), there’s not a lot of depth there. We’ve been pretty good at acquiring bullpen arms on the cheap, but this would leave a lot to chance.
I don’t know if the division is winnable, the Cards would really have to regress, but there’s no reason not to go for it with so much money coming off the books.
Again, July of next year will be a very important one for the direction of the franchise.
One would think the Phillies would be very interested in Cordero right now since they’re entering the post-season with a minor league-caliber closer.
(who says teams need closers to win?)
@Steve Price: Teams need good pitchers go win. They don’t necessarily need a designated closer.
(I’m just not a big fan of the “rigidly defined closer” — someone who ONLY pitches the 9th inning and ONLY pitches if it’s a save situation.
I think if the turning point in the game comes when the opponent loads the bases with 1 out in the 7th inning, and their best 2 hitters are coming up, THAT’s when your best relief pitcher should pitch.)
So anyway… not really disagreeing w/ the point that the Phillies bullpen has been awful, and that they could probably use Cordero… just taking the opportunity to comment on the way most managers implement the idea of a “closer” these days.
I don’t believe if the Phils traded for Coco now they could use him. I believe playoff rosters had to be set a few weeks back.
Anyone see tonight’s line-up and that Taveras is leading off?
Dusty is trying to kill the Reds fan in me with each and every move he makes or word he mutters. Please, someone tell me it will all be over soon. I think I’m going to cry.
Playoff rosters are set, yes….unless there’s an “injury”
Matt – the Brewers want to trade Fielder because they understand his value is at its max and they have no viable pitching prospects close to salvaging the worst starting rotation in the NL. Additionally, as seen this year, the only expendable piece is JJ Hardy who likely won’t bring you back a top flight starter. With Braun signed long term, they are looking to deal Fielder. The rumor I’ve heard mentioned most extensively is Fielder for Matt Cain. Personally, I’d deal Braun before Fielder.
Sultan – the Cards are closer to regression than you think. Piniero, DeRosa, and Holliday are all likely gone by next year. Carpenter is far from a sure thing with his injuries. While building around Wainright and Pujols is doable, the Cards didn’t run away with anything until all the midseason acquisitions, most of whom are FA.
I’m incredibly intrigued with the situation in the OF. I don’t see any need to add pitching. The Reds have played great with the guys in the rotation and adding Harang will be a lift. If the Reds just cut loose some dead weight (Taveras and Hernandez) and find ways to play Dickerson, Gomes, and Francisco in with Stubbs and Bruce, the offense will be much improved. It gives you the financial flexibility to make a move midseason.