2008 Reds *could* become scary good

[agonytheclown]

After following the MUCH ANTICIPATED debut of Reds phenomenon prospect Jay Bruce, the whole offense has just been changed with his inclusion. Phillips, Dunn, Griffey (sort of), Encarnacion (fading fast), Votto, Keppinger (when he comes back) and Hairston (maybe a fluke) can rake it. If not for the bullpen collapsing tonight, the Reds would have walked away with a 9-3 defeat of the lowly Pirates. I know the Pirates stink, but there is no way I'd want to face a lineup like the Reds now have. Hopefully -- fingers crossed -- Dusty Baker doesn't decide to put his student pet Patterson back in CF any time soon. If he does, and Bruce comes out, I bet Baker will get fired. I'm rambling as I always do, LOL, but if the Reds bullpen can somehow get better here on out, the Reds will have a cakewalk in the NL Central.

[bucksfan07]

Re: 2008 Reds *could* become scary good

After following the MUCH ANTICIPATED debut of Reds phenomenon prospect Jay Bruce, the whole offense has just been changed with his inclusion. Phillips, Dunn, Griffey (sort of), Encarnacion (fading fast), Votto, Keppinger (when he comes back) and Hairston (maybe a fluke) can rake it. If not for the bullpen collapsing tonight, the Reds would have walked away with a 9-3 defeat of the lowly Pirates. I know the Pirates stink, but there is no way I'd want to face a lineup like the Reds now have. Hopefully -- fingers crossed -- Dusty Baker doesn't decide to put his student pet Patterson back in CF any time soon. If he does, and Bruce comes out, I bet Baker will get fired. I'm rambling as I always do, LOL, but if the Reds bullpen can somehow get better here on out, the Reds will have a cakewalk in the NL Central.

there's no way they win the division this year. Ever hear of the Cubs and Cardinals? I think 1-2 years from now though they could have the best team in the NL, not just the Central.

[Alliball]

Re: 2008 Reds *could* become scary good

One game right?

[Brandon13]

Re: 2008 Reds *could* become scary good

There is no realistic situation in which "...the Reds will have a cakewalk in the NL Central."

[av7]

Re: 2008 Reds *could* become scary good

Interesting about Fogg, http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?...=.jsp&c_id=cin

I would actually prefer him to come back, we really need help.

[ESPNdeportes]

Re: 2008 Reds *could* become scary good

Interesting about Fogg, http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?...=.jsp&c_id=cin

I would actually prefer him to come back, we really need help.

Take him back! He's been terrible this year.

[ESPNdeportes]

Re: 2008 Reds *could* become scary good

Yeah I don't know about this year, I'm looking at this season as trying to set the table for next season.

I'm assuming they'll trade Griffey, it seems to be about 50/50 for Dunn, so a lot will depend on that

The other big question mark is if highly ranked prospect Homer Bailey figures it out. He came up for a stent last year, was ok, but frankly walked too many people. He's also a bit of a head case and apparently is resistant to changes from the coaching staff in Louisville. But, if he somehow figures it out, he could be a solid starter next year for the Reds.

[jake44np]

Re: 2008 Reds *could* become scary good

Yeah I don't know about this year, I'm looking at this season as trying to set the table for next season.

I'm assuming they'll trade Griffey, it seems to be about 50/50 for Dunn, so a lot will depend on that

The other big question mark is if highly ranked prospect Homer Bailey figures it out. He came up for a stent last year, was ok, but frankly walked too many people. He's also a bit of a head case and apparently is resistant to changes from the coaching staff in Louisville. But, if he somehow figures it out, he could be a solid starter next year for the Reds.

I dont think they will trade Griffey or Dunn this year, I think they will resign Dunn long term sometime this year. The Reds ownership really likes Dunn and he is quietly having a really good year. As for Griffey, I think they will buy out the last year of his contract next year and they will try to sign a right handed hitting OF for next year this offseason. The 12 million they will save on Griffey next year can buy a big RH bat.
I dont think the Reds have a shot at winning the division this year but I really think they are setting themselves up to be very good for a long time starting next year.

They have the best young pitching in the NL right now with Volquez, Cueto, and Bailey. Also Harrang is one of the best pitchers in baseball and is not a old man by any means. They also have one of the best closers in the game locked up for 4 years and a decent setup man in Jared Burton.
Add the pitching youth with Bruce, Votto, Dunn, Keppinger, Phillips, and Encarncion and they have a really young really good core.

[pfunk880]

Re: 2008 Reds *could* become scary good

Dusty Baker will ruin your young arms soon enough, sadly.
http://thebiglead.com/?p=5926

Also, jake44np, I don't think getting Cordero for four years at the price they paid will end up being such a good thing. It looks good now, and as a Brewer fan, I would love to have Cordero right now. But closers can go quickly and who knows what you will be paying for in four years. Yeah, Eric GagMe was a horrific signing by Milwaukee, but at least it is only a one-year mistake.

[jt45]

Re: 2008 Reds *could* become scary good

Don't forget that Homer Bailey is waiting in AAA to solidify their rotation as soon as they get tired of Matt Belisle.

[jake44np]

Re: 2008 Reds *could* become scary good

Dusty Baker will ruin your young arms soon enough, sadly.
http://thebiglead.com/?p=5926

Also, jake44np, I don't think getting Cordero for four years at the price they paid will end up being such a good thing. It looks good now, and as a Brewer fan, I would love to have Cordero right now. But closers can go quickly and who knows what you will be paying for in four years. Yeah, Eric GagMe was a horrific signing by Milwaukee, but at least it is only a one-year mistake.

It still cracks me up that Cub fans think Dusty ruined those 2. Prior had arm problems way before Dusty was the manager.
There was a great piece on ESPN a while back, it said management of the Cubs ruined them not Dusty. Dusty told the Cubs management they needed more pitching help and they told him to use the young guys as much as possible. They told him to win now and not worry about the future and that is what he did.

Also I could not disagree more with Cordero not being a big deal! The Reds blew 40 saves last year! Cordero is like 11 for 12 so far this year, if the Reds would have had him last year they would have been a contender all year.
As a Brewers fan you should know how important a good closer is. I just read today that the Brewers have blown like 10 of 21 save chances this year. Can you imagine how much better the Brewers would look with 10 or 11 more wins already this year??!!

I think if anything the Reds should be happey they didnt go the route that the Brewers took by trying to sign an aging closer for less money. They gave Gagne 10 million a year but would not give Cordero 12 million a year???

[PhantomPain]

Re: 2008 Reds *could* become scary good

Don't forget that Homer Bailey is waiting in AAA to solidify their rotation as soon as they get tired of Matt Belisle.

It isn't a matter of when they get tired of Belisle, it is a matter of when Bailey will decide to listen to his elders and learn how to hit the freaking strike zone. Lately, he hasn't been able to do either.

[bucksfan07]

Re: 2008 Reds *could* become scary good

It still cracks me up that Cub fans think Dusty ruined those 2. Prior had arm problems way before Dusty was the manager.
There was a great piece on ESPN a while back, it said management of the Cubs ruined them not Dusty. Dusty told the Cubs management they needed more pitching help and they told him to use the young guys as much as possible. They told him to win now and not worry about the future and that is what he did.

Also I could not disagree more with Cordero not being a big deal! The Reds blew 40 saves last year! Cordero is like 11 for 12 so far this year, if the Reds would have had him last year they would have been a contender all year.
As a Brewers fan you should know how important a good closer is. I just read today that the Brewers have blown like 10 of 21 save chances this year. Can you imagine how much better the Brewers would look with 10 or 11 more wins already this year??!!

I think if anything the Reds should be happey they didnt go the route that the Brewers took by trying to sign an aging closer for less money. They gave Gagne 10 million a year but would not give Cordero 12 million a year???

yes, but the key is the years on the contracts: Gagne was a mistake but only for one year, 2 years from now, how good will Cordero be? Thats why the Brewers didn't resign him for 4 years because half way through his contract he'll most likely be washed up, much like Gagne now.

[jake44np]

Re: 2008 Reds *could* become scary good

yes, but the key is the years on the contracts: Gagne was a mistake but only for one year, 2 years from now, how good will Cordero be? Thats why the Brewers didn't resign him for 4 years because half way through his contract he'll most likely be washed up, much like Gagne now.

Again as a Brewers fan that is what you want to believe.
Gagne is washed up because he has a bad arm and has had injury problems the last few years, Cordero has never really had any arm problems.
Cordero is only 33 and will be fine in 3 years from now, he has been lights out for the Reds this year and we are glad to have him.
There is no way Cordero will be washed up half way through his contract in 2 years!
It is ok to admit or be mad that your team made the wrong decision, I do it with the Reds all the time.(Corey Patterson)

[BaseballCtchr]

Re: 2008 Reds *could* become scary good

I gotta get what you guys in the NL Central have been drinking this year.