2008 Cincinnati Reds

[ESPNdeportes]

Re: 2008 Cincinnati Reds

Also, what do you think is gonna happen to Keppinger this season? Dude can hit.

[SlimKibbles]

Re: 2008 Cincinnati Reds

I have no idea what they'll do with Keppinger. After the way he played last year, he deserves a decent amount of at-bats. Can he play CF? Maybe they let Freel go and it can be Keppinger and Hopper in CF.

By the way, a buddy of mine and I bought tickets to the Reds/Braves game in Sarasota on Sat., Mar. 8. Flying down that Friday afternoon and coming back to Cincy on Sunday morning. I've never been to spring training before. It's only one day but I'm pumped! Be nice to see some Florida sun too.

[ESPNdeportes]

Re: 2008 Cincinnati Reds

I have no idea what they'll do with Keppinger. After the way he played last year, he deserves a decent amount of at-bats. Can he play CF? Maybe they let Freel go and it can be Keppinger and Hopper in CF.

By the way, a buddy of mine and I bought tickets to the Reds/Braves game in Sarasota on Sat., Mar. 8. Flying down that Friday afternoon and coming back to Cincy on Sunday morning. I've never been to spring training before. It's only one day but I'm pumped! Be nice to see some Florida sun too.

Nice. And good to see them in Sarasota before they bolt to Goodyear.

As for Keppinger, I know he's not a great fielder, but I think he is serviceable enough. Dunno about CF though, seems like it may be a stretch for him to play there regularly.

[jake44np]

Re: 2008 Cincinnati Reds

I have no idea what they'll do with Keppinger. After the way he played last year, he deserves a decent amount of at-bats. Can he play CF? Maybe they let Freel go and it can be Keppinger and Hopper in CF.

By the way, a buddy of mine and I bought tickets to the Reds/Braves game in Sarasota on Sat., Mar. 8. Flying down that Friday afternoon and coming back to Cincy on Sunday morning. I've never been to spring training before. It's only one day but I'm pumped! Be nice to see some Florida sun too.

There is no room in CF, Jay Bruce will be our centerfielder and Freel will back him up.
There is a reason why they traded Hamilton, to have a spot for Bruce to play.

[joshuar9476]

Re: 2008 Cincinnati Reds

as much as i loved freel ... kepp and hopper made our season much more bearable than it was last year. they need to stay, and the need to play. norris should be our 4th outfielder w/ kepp as our backup infielder.

[sportsdude]

Re: 2008 Cincinnati Reds

a quick little article from MLB.com by Reds beat writer Mark Sheldon:

CINCINNATI -- Reds players, welcome to Camp Dusty.

In just over one week's time, new manager Dusty Baker will no longer be just a big name with a big reputation and lots of toothpicks. Baker was hired on Oct. 14, yet the tangible start of his new regime begins with the opening of Reds Spring Training.

"He's been there and done that," Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips said. "He knows everything about the game. I heard he's a good guy to play for. I'm looking forward to that."

Baker will indeed be bringing a lifetime of baseball experience with him to Sarasota, Fla. The 58-year-old played 19 seasons with four teams and managed 14 more with the Giants and Cubs. Jobless last season, it was the first time in years Baker didn't have a camp to attend or preside over.

"I've been doing Spring Training for a long time," said Baker, who was let go by Chicago after posting a 66-96 record in 2006. "This is my 38th Spring Training. As a coach or manager, this is like my 16th ..."

Baker's voice trailed momentarily as he started doing some quick arithmetic.

"Ten, 15, ooh-wee -- almost 20 years!" he said with a laugh.

Although regarded as a "players' manager" by many for having a warm rapport and a good ability to communicate, Baker wasn't brought in just to make friends and influence people.

It's all about winning. The Reds haven't been to the playoffs since 1995, or won a World Series since 1990. In the seven seasons since having its last winning record in 2000, Cincinnati has averaged nearly 89 losses per year under four different managers.

Baker has shared his philosophy as he's reached out to most of his players during the offseason. When pitchers and catchers arrive, he hopes to put it into action and alter the chemistry of losing of this decade.

"I've got an idea of what to do in Spring Training," Baker said. "The main thing we want to do is get everybody together on the same page, get our team together, get everybody together mentally and spiritually. And get them in shape physically for this long marathon that we're about to embark upon."

Baker will be spending much of his time learning about the hand he was dealt. He's obviously managed against some of the Reds' veterans, including Ken Griffey Jr. and Adam Dunn. But he's had no up-close experience with younger players like Joey Votto, Homer Bailey or top prospect Jay Bruce.

One of the bigger questions this spring for Baker and general manager Wayne Krivsky will involve Bruce, who is among four players that will battle for the starting center-field spot. If Baker and Krivsky don't believe Bruce is ready, the fight will likely center between Ryan Freel and Norris Hopper.

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"I'm just going to let the young man be himself, let him play," Baker said of Bruce. "I'll try not to put any pressure on him because there's already enough pressure on him. He's in headlines already. I've heard the reports on him are very good. I've never seen him play. I'm excited and anxious to see him play. We'll see when I get there."

During Baker's first season with the Giants in 1993, the team won 103 games after winning just 72 the previous season. His 2003 Cubs won 88 games and the National League Central race after they were 67-95 in 2002.

The Reds were 72-90 in 2007. What can the 2008 group expect when they get to camp?

"A lot of hands-on situations," Baker said. "A lot of conversations, a lot of mini-meetings to try and find out as much as I can in a short period of time about the personnel that I have. What they can expect from me, is me."

Baker's track record of bringing quick turnarounds will be tested with the Reds.

After the club was unable to swing a trade for a top-tier pitcher, the rotation still has just two established starters in Aaron Harang and Bronson Arroyo. There will be six less experienced pitchers, including recent free-agent acquisition Jeremy Affeldt, vying for the final three spots.

The bullpen had the highest ERA in the National League and a penchant for disintegrating eighth-inning leads last season. The addition of free-agent closer Francisco Cordero is a clear boost for the team in the late innings.

"When I signed on, that's one of the things they told me -- we're going to make this team better, improve, add to the depth of it," Baker said. "You're still at the mercy of what's out there and everybody is looking for the same thing. Everybody I've talked to is all looking for pitching. Hopefully, we have enough. If not, we'll go back to the drawing board. [Owner/CEO] Bob Castellini said, 'Hey, we'll get whatever is necessary.'"

[jake44np]

Re: 2008 Cincinnati Reds

Word here in Cincy today is the Reds are very close to signing Kenny Lofton to be there everyday CF. As a Reds fan what do you think?
I like it he had a .370 on base % last year and had a great post season for the Tribe last year.
Alot of people in Cincy believe they are making this move because they about to trade for Blanton and are going to have to give up a couple players to get him.

[sportsdude]

Re: 2008 Cincinnati Reds

Word here in Cincy today is the Reds are very close to signing Kenny Lofton to be there everyday CF. As a Reds fan what do you think?
I like it he had a .370 on base % last year and had a great post season for the Tribe last year.
Alot of people in Cincy believe they are making this move because they about to trade for Blanton and are going to have to give up a couple players to get him.

I don't mind Lofton though I don't particularly want him.

I'd have to see the players offered for Blanton before making a true judgment, my feeling right now is why can't we just let our young players develop? We have such good young talent that is either a year or two away but we're going to mess that to try and win now. Why?

[HustlinOwl]

Re: 2008 Cincinnati Reds

Why do this? This move smells of Dusty Baker "BS" we just signed OF Craig Wilson over the weekend no need for another old *** OF

[joshuar9476]

Re: 2008 Cincinnati Reds

i'd rather take my chances with hopper/freel.

[slickdtc]

Re: 2008 Cincinnati Reds

I hope we don't trade one of our prospects for Blanton. He's a good pitcher, but these prospects we have are projected to be special pitchers. I say we run the risk of developing them and being a contender for years instead of getting a guy for a few years. Blanton pitches a lot of innings, but I don't know if he's worth Votto/Cueto.

Who else likes the parts of this team though? We seem so solid throughout. I'm really intrigued to see the pitching this year. With our offense (as long as they are consistent), if our pitching is decent we could win some ballgames this year.

[ZM Punk]

Re: 2008 Cincinnati Reds

Why do this? This move smells of Dusty Baker "BS" we just signed OF Craig Wilson over the weekend no need for another old *** OF

This is the stuff that happens when you have Dusty running your Club. It becomes an old folks home pretty quick.

Nefi Perez should be checking in shortly.

[sportsdude]

Re: 2008 Cincinnati Reds

This is the stuff that happens when you have Dusty running your Club. It becomes an old folks home pretty quick.

Nefi Perez should be checking in shortly.

whenever his steroid ban is done, they'll have a press conference two hours later holding a Reds jersey. That's the first thing that came to my mind when they hired Baker.

[Motown]

Re: 2008 Cincinnati Reds

Wow...i hope the hell Votto or Bruce ain't in this deal...tha'd suck big time. i'm expecting future All-Star status w/ those 2

[ZM Punk]

Re: 2008 Cincinnati Reds

Wow...i hope the hell Votto or Bruce ain't in this deal...tha'd suck big time. i'm expecting future All-Star status w/ those 2

You better hope Nefi doesn't decide to make the switch to the outfield. Bruce may not see the field for the Reds for the next 4 or 5 years if Nefi decides to play out there.