2007 Cincinnati Reds

[SlimKibbles]

Re: 2007 Cincinnati Reds

Being in a weak division like they are, it is possible. They have 32 games left, I think, with a lot against the Cubs, Cards, and Brewers. In my mind, I think they need to go 25-7 the rest of the way to have a shot. It might actually be pretty interesting the rest of the way. I may be going to the game in Milwaukee on 9/14. A buddy and I are planning on going to that one and then the Wisconsin/Citadel game the next day in Madison just for the hell of it.

[jfsolo]

Re: 2007 Cincinnati Reds

I will look at this off season the same way I looked at last off season, they must get a true # 1 at front of the rotation, and a legitimate closer at the end of the the bully.

Until those things happen we are not going to make a serious run at the playoffs.

Some of you guys are letting a little hope make its way into your hearts, don't do it. They're just teasing as usual.

[SlimKibbles]

Re: 2007 Cincinnati Reds

Even if they did somehow make the postseason, they wouldn't make it past the first round. Don't worry, I have little to no hope but I might be paying attention this last month more than I have in the last few seasons.

As far as your #1 guy at the front of the rotation comment goes, Harang really isn't that bad. He might be better suited for something in-between a #1 and #2 but there isn't a spot like that, obviously. He's pitched really well this year though. Maybe not the ideal #1 but he's effective and gets the job done.

[jake44np]

Re: 2007 Cincinnati Reds

I will look at this off season the same way I looked at last off season, they must get a true # 1 at front of the rotation, and a legitimate closer at the end of the the bully.

Until those things happen we are not going to make a serious run at the playoffs.

Some of you guys are letting a little hope make its way into your hearts, don't do it. They're just teasing as usual.

Aaron Harrang is a #1 starter period!
He is 13-3 and should be 17-3, the bullpen has blown 4 of his wins.
He is tied for 2nd in the NL in strikeouts, is 3rd in IP's and is 5th in WHIP.
Those are #1 starter #'s!

[WTF]

Re: 2007 Cincinnati Reds

Aaron Harrang is a #1 starter period!
He is 13-3 and should be 17-3, the bullpen has blown 4 of his wins.
He is tied for 2nd in the NL in strikeouts, is 3rd in IP's and is 5th in WHIP.
Those are #1 starter #'s!

Indeed... Cosign 100%

[PhantomPain]

Re: 2007 Cincinnati Reds

Aaron Harrang is a #1 starter period!
He is 13-3 and should be 17-3, the bullpen has blown 4 of his wins.
He is tied for 2nd in the NL in strikeouts, is 3rd in IP's and is 5th in WHIP.
Those are #1 starter #'s!

I co-sign as well. Harang is the MOST UNDERRATED pitcher in MLB. Year in and year out he has amazing stats on teams that are horrible. But I agree, they do need MORE starting pitching that is consistent and a true closer. I do think that Burton MIGHT be the man for the job when all is said and done.

[jake44np]

Re: 2007 Cincinnati Reds

Harrang threw another 2 hit shutout last night, he is now 14-3! And should be 18-3!

[sportsdude]

Re: 2007 Cincinnati Reds

So, how long until Joey Votto gets called up?

481 at bats, 71 runs, 22 HR, 90 RBI at Louisville.

[SlimKibbles]

Re: 2007 Cincinnati Reds

So, how long until Joey Votto gets called up?

481 at bats, 71 runs, 22 HR, 90 RBI at Louisville.

I imagine he'll come up this weekend, or soon after, when rosters expand, unless Louisville is in the playoffs. I have no idea if they are or not.

[SlimKibbles]

Re: 2007 Cincinnati Reds

Adam Dunn either needs to grow some thick skin or listen to Willie Cunningham more to see how he acts on air. Good Lord...

Dunn: Cunningham out of line
BY JOHN FAY | [email protected]

Reds outfielder Adam Dunn said Tuesday that recent remarks by WLW’s Bill Cunningham suggesting Dunn played while drunk crossed the line.

Last Friday, following the Reds’ victory over Pittsburgh, Cunningham singled out Dunn and outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. for what he called a lack of hustle.

In the game, a base-running error by Dunn cost the Reds two runs in the fourth inning. And Griffey was criticized by Reds announcer Thom Brennaman for not making it to second base after a bloop single dropped between three Pirates.

The next day, Cunningham said Griffey should never wear a Reds uniform again, and said Dunn was drunk during the game.

“Adam Dunn looks like a monkey with a football in left field,” Cunningham said. “He has to have consequences for what he does. That is again a loafing ball player who … would have blew a .15 if someone gave (him) the intoxilizer last night. I say .15. The son of a gun is drunk. And he’s playing baseball in left field for the Redlegs.”

Before Tuesday’s game against the New York Mets, Dunn said Cunningham’s comments were out of bounds.

“Isn’t there a line?” Dunn said. “I think that goes over the line. We might want to do something about that.”

Rob Butcher, the Reds media relations director, said he’s trying to obtain a tape of the show.

Cunningham said Tuesday that his comments were in good fun.

“It was hyperbole,” he said. “I play a lot of softball. I play with guys who drink beer.

They treat a fly ball like a hand grenade and miss bases.”

Cunningham said he has no facts to support that Dunn was drunk during the game.
“It was simply a sarcastic comment made tongue-in-cheek,” Cunningham said.

Dunn found nothing amusing about Cunningham’s statement.

“That’s pretty bad,” he said.

[PhantomPain]

Re: 2007 Cincinnati Reds

I have always supported Griffey and have always thought that Dunn still has more upside, which is evident by his improvement in hitting this year. BUT I have to say that Dunn and Griffey need to take a look at each ball game they have played and with a straight face say that they are hustling every play. Lately I have seen Griffey making baserunning blunders and watch 395 foot singles bounce off the wall. I don't get what has happened. Griffey had always been a balls out player but I have not seen that in the past month or so and his blunders are costing the Reds. And this goes with Dunn too. I know he is a big guy and tall, big men don't look like they are running as fast as smaller men, but come on. He is just a huge defensive liability in left field. And this isn't just coming from disgruntled fans, it is coming from EVERYONE that has watched him play.

I don't know what the Reds should do with Dunn as I am torn between keeping him and trading him next year. He improved this year with his hitting and I think his strike outs might be down slightly (although still among leaders) and it will be hard to replace a 40+ HR and 100+ RBI player. But you have guys like Hopper and Keppinger who basically led the majors in hitting in August who need a place to play. Also you have Jay Bruce who tore up the minor leagues this year and could be named Minor League Player of the year. Not to mention you have a lefty rookie in Votto playing 1st base.

For once in a long time, it almost seems like the Reds have too much talent. I am surprised to even be saying something like that but it is true and unless the Reds completely blow it, their future looks bright. Between the young position players and some veyr promising pitchers, things could be very good in the coming years. To me it seems like Gonzalez needs to be traded and let Keppinger play SS everyday. He isn't a gold glover but his ability is more than acceptable and he can hit very good. Trade Encarnacion since he has improved his fielding but his hitting isn't impressive by any stretch and let Cantu play 3rd. Bring Votto up to play 1st and Phillips plays 2nd. Here is where it gets very very tricky. Trade Griffey and Dunn for quality pitching, let Bruce play left field (assuming he continues to progress in the minors), Hopper in center and Hamilton in right. If you don't trade Griffey or Dunn or both, then there are some serious issues with playing time.

Don't get me wrong, Griffey has been one of my favorite players of all time and I would love nothing more than for him to continue his career in Cincy and continue to be a legend. But I wonder if his superstar ego has gotten the best of him. I can't stand to see him watch his own pretty swing, only for the ball to bounce off the wall and he is still standing on 1st base. He should be representing what it is like to play hard nosed baseball. I don't expect him to chase down every fly ball or making leaping and diving catches every play. If anything this is what caused his injuries. But I do expect him to "hustle" and right now I don't see it. And that can't look good to the young players that are finding their way to the majors.

All in all I think if you look at the Reds they have the possibilty to be completely loaded with talent. Hamilton, Hopper, Keppinger, Cantu, Phillips, Votto, Bruce, Dunn (if they keep him and he doesn't act like a baboon in the outfield) and then you have the pitchers of Harang, Arroyo (pitching much better as of late), Belisle (also pitching better although not last night. I have high hopes for him though), Bailey, Cueto (another young pitcher that throws in the mid to high 90's), Jared Burton, Gosling, and coutlangus (jury is still out). Get a couple more pitchers and get Belisle and Bailey straight and that could be a heck of a rotation.

[nyisles16]

Re: 2007 Cincinnati Reds

problem is.. trying to get a pitcher to come there may be hard, just because of the size of the stadium (HR's go out very easy there).. I would like to see Cincy get back to the forefront, as they do have a lot of good hitters & some decent talent on that club (just as I type this, Votto crushed one off Maine )..

[Jackdog]

Re: 2007 Cincinnati Reds

Votto kicked *** today against the Mets. 3 for 3 with a homer.

[jake44np]

Re: 2007 Cincinnati Reds

Votto kicked *** today against the Mets. 3 for 3 with a homer.

Yeah I was at the game in my companies suite and his HR was a bomb!

[jake44np]

Re: 2007 Cincinnati Reds

I have always supported Griffey and have always thought that Dunn still has more upside, which is evident by his improvement in hitting this year. BUT I have to say that Dunn and Griffey need to take a look at each ball game they have played and with a straight face say that they are hustling every play. Lately I have seen Griffey making baserunning blunders and watch 395 foot singles bounce off the wall. I don't get what has happened. Griffey had always been a balls out player but I have not seen that in the past month or so and his blunders are costing the Reds. And this goes with Dunn too. I know he is a big guy and tall, big men don't look like they are running as fast as smaller men, but come on. He is just a huge defensive liability in left field. And this isn't just coming from disgruntled fans, it is coming from EVERYONE that has watched him play.

I don't know what the Reds should do with Dunn as I am torn between keeping him and trading him next year. He improved this year with his hitting and I think his strike outs might be down slightly (although still among leaders) and it will be hard to replace a 40+ HR and 100+ RBI player. But you have guys like Hopper and Keppinger who basically led the majors in hitting in August who need a place to play. Also you have Jay Bruce who tore up the minor leagues this year and could be named Minor League Player of the year. Not to mention you have a lefty rookie in Votto playing 1st base.

For once in a long time, it almost seems like the Reds have too much talent. I am surprised to even be saying something like that but it is true and unless the Reds completely blow it, their future looks bright. Between the young position players and some veyr promising pitchers, things could be very good in the coming years. To me it seems like Gonzalez needs to be traded and let Keppinger play SS everyday. He isn't a gold glover but his ability is more than acceptable and he can hit very good. Trade Encarnacion since he has improved his fielding but his hitting isn't impressive by any stretch and let Cantu play 3rd. Bring Votto up to play 1st and Phillips plays 2nd. Here is where it gets very very tricky. Trade Griffey and Dunn for quality pitching, let Bruce play left field (assuming he continues to progress in the minors), Hopper in center and Hamilton in right. If you don't trade Griffey or Dunn or both, then there are some serious issues with playing time.

Don't get me wrong, Griffey has been one of my favorite players of all time and I would love nothing more than for him to continue his career in Cincy and continue to be a legend. But I wonder if his superstar ego has gotten the best of him. I can't stand to see him watch his own pretty swing, only for the ball to bounce off the wall and he is still standing on 1st base. He should be representing what it is like to play hard nosed baseball. I don't expect him to chase down every fly ball or making leaping and diving catches every play. If anything this is what caused his injuries. But I do expect him to "hustle" and right now I don't see it. And that can't look good to the young players that are finding their way to the majors.

All in all I think if you look at the Reds they have the possibilty to be completely loaded with talent. Hamilton, Hopper, Keppinger, Cantu, Phillips, Votto, Bruce, Dunn (if they keep him and he doesn't act like a baboon in the outfield) and then you have the pitchers of Harang, Arroyo (pitching much better as of late), Belisle (also pitching better although not last night. I have high hopes for him though), Bailey, Cueto (another young pitcher that throws in the mid to high 90's), Jared Burton, Gosling, and coutlangus (jury is still out). Get a couple more pitchers and get Belisle and Bailey straight and that could be a heck of a rotation.

You have some good ideas but really who do you think the Reds would get for Dunn or Griffey? No one will give you good starting pitchers for either one of these two.
Also if you really think Kepp or Hopper are as good as they have played the last month you are crazy! There is a reason they have both spent many years in the minors. Kepp does not have the range to be an everyday SS, besides what is wrong with Gonzo being the SS next year? He is hitting .270 with 16 hrs and 55 RBI's in limited action this year and he is a great defensive SS!
For me you start Griff, Dunn, and Hamilton in the OF with Hopper backing them up. And you start Edwin, Gonzo, Brandon and Votto in the IF with Kepp backing them all up. That is one heck of a line up!
As for as pitching you have Harrang, Arroyo, Bailey, Dematrie and pick up a pitcher with the 9 million you will save by not paying Milton next year. I would also switch Weathers and Burton next year and make Burton the closer.