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Yeah, the “real” spring training games won’t start until tomorrow (when the Reds face Cleveland), but the Reds have an intrasquad game today that should be plenty interesting.
The good guys will be playing the good guys, but take a look at the lineups below. You’ll notice that the home lineup seems pretty close to what we all expect to see on Opening Day. Orlando Cabrera should be dropped to 7th or 8th (but that will never happen because, as we know, the shortstop must bat second in Dusty Baker’s lineup) and Scott Rolen should be hitting second, but I’m not going to get worked up over lineups in an intrasquad scrimmage.
I swear, I’m not going to get worked up. Too early for that, right?
Right?
Anyway, here are the lineups for today’s titanic struggle, courtesy of John Fay:
Home team
Drew Stubbs cf
Orlando Cabrera ss
Joey Votto 1b
Brandon Phillips 2b
Scott Rolen 3b
Jay Bruce rf
Jonny Gomes lf
Ramon Hernandez c
Devin Mesoraco DH
Homer Bailey pVisitors
Chris Dickerson cf
Paul Janish ss
Laynce Nix lf
Juan Francisco 3b
Wladimir Balentien rf
Yonder Alonso 1b
Todd Frazier 2b
Ryan Hanigan c
Wilkin Castillo dh
Aaron Harang p
Of course, what we’re all interested to see is how Aroldis Chapman performs in a somewhat-competitive situation. Stay tuned.
The CF and SS are 1-2 in both lineups. That is fantastic. Is there any way they resign Dusty?
Alonso, Frazier, and Mesoraco are the only two starters who didn’t see major league service time last year, and Frazier is playing 2B.
I skipped right over that, Greg. The fact that Frazier is playing 2B is great news, as far as I’m concerned. I predict he will be the starting 2B in Cincinnati at some point this season (I expect BP to be traded).
@Kurt Frost: I hope not.
If Dusty managed the Big Red Machine, he would’ve had Geronimo and Concepcion leading off. Yep, the two worst hitters in a lineup of legendary players would have gotten more ABs than anyone else.
Chad…but they were both FAST…
FWIW, I don’t think Baker’s back unless this team makes the playoffs..a winning record won’t do it.
You saying resign or re-sign? I guess they both mean the same thing.
The cf – ss thing steamed me too.
It’s pretty well ridiculous that he has to have CF/SS at 1/2…I keep telling myself, just one more year…
At least I hope…
New year, same ‘ol Dusty.
Agree with a lot of the posts already. I think BP will be traded. I think it is flatly gut wrenching to see Baker’s lineup cards filled out with the same 1/2.
Anybody else think that the away team wins this game?
@david: Yes, but b/c those guys are fighting for jobs and have something to prove. Going into the season, I’ll take the home team every day.
I think Bill’s right here. Jocketty will want to bring in his own guy, and the only way Dusty can justify another contract will be a playoff appearance.
The home team looks to be close to the opening day lineup (other than the pitcher and DH). Here’s to hoping the visitors win, eh? I’d love to see that kind of depth.
Dusty.
Not much to add. The notion of Janish batting second just speaks for itself.
I will say though, I feel better about the names on the two lineups combined than I would have felt anytime in at least the last 4 seasons.
Nobody’s mentioned it yet, but I am extremely suprised that Mesoraco is the DH for the home team. You couldn’t have given Dorn a look?
I’m guessing that it is not a coincidence that both players starting at DH are also catchers. Might explain why two people not known for their bats are in the lineup at DH.
i assume you mean phillips gets traded if the reds are losing? if the reds are in it, why would they trade phillips? yes i know he gets 11 mil next year, but the reds have big contracts ocming off the books. i don’t see a straight salary dump if they’re winning and have payroll flexibility.
I agree with David, although I think I’d rather them give our 1st round catcher a look than Danny Dorn, who I doubt will ever amount to anything in the majors.
I was very surprised to see this development.
Cabrera batting 2nd and Rolen 5th will be the opening day lineup.
Ditto, definitely. I’m a big Janish fan, just not in the 2-spot.
Didn’t I suggest a while back that there MIGHT be enough optimism to find some other name besides Titanic?
All the so called experts might take note of Juan Francisco hitting in the 4 hole while higher rated prospects Alonso and Frazier hitting 6 and 7.
I’m curious why you feel this way about Dorn. I think he could be a decent platoon OF and am kinda of surprised he wasn’t a Rule 5 selection.
The YES network reported this afternoon that the Reds were very interested in Gary Matthews Jr. and that the Mets would probably trade him this spring.
Just thought y’all might be interested.
@Bill Lack: I don’t know a lot about Dorn but I do know that Reds fans were raving about his power 2 years ago. It seems that often as a player rises in the Reds system, the less fans think of his potential value, even if he’s doing well.
The ultimate step of course is when the player joins the Reds, and goes from being an untouchable prospect to a suspect. But that’s the subject of a different thread.
Since Willie Taveras is gone, I have nothing I would trade for him.
@preach: Amen. Going after him would have made no sense before the Gomes signing. After???
@Bill Lack: Ditto. He is Brian Daubach 2.0. Could have a nice major league career, especially in the AL, IMHO.
Fay has a summary of Chapman’s inning of work today.
He beaned Frazier in the knee, and Todd had to be helped off the field.
Link didn’t work…
http://cincinnati.com/blogs/reds/2010/03/04/chapmans-first/
Frazier’s fine – no xrays needed. He has a superficial bruise (not of the bone bruise variety suffered by Beltran).
As for Chapman, I’m convinced the Reds are going to rush this guy. Everything anyone associated with the team says indicates he is better along than they thought. With all the hype surrounding him, the boost in attendance he’ll get his first few outings, and no clear cut #5, I think he is the fifth starter before June 1. I really wish that they’d treat him like Neftali Feliz and bring him along more slowly, allowing him to pitch some (maybe) out of the bullpen in September. Instead, I see the Jonathan Sanchez treatment taking place. The MLB level is no place to learn how to pitch.
Right, the Reds report it’s a bruised quadriceps. Don’t think that could be serious, but I bet it hurt.
I’m glad Chapman won’t be pitching against our guys any more.
Alonso doubled off him, promising in terms of Alonso’s hitting lefties.
@WORLD: Without HGH is is CP III
Sounds as though Arroyo had a fairly good outing. Considering he hadn’t pitched since August he did quite well.
@hoosierdad: I’m assuming you meant Harang’s outing. And yeah, I’m glad to see him start off well. This bodes well for the rotation.
Thankfully, the Reds have zero interest in Matthews Jr.