2009 Cincinnati Reds

[PhantomPain]

Re: 2009 Cincinnati Reds

why? adding Nady or Abreu to this team does not make it playoff bound so to me that's wasted money and a roster spot that could've gone to a younger player. I too wish the Reds had been a bit more active in the offseason but it's not like we can throw around money like the Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs or Dodgers.

I know it's flown under the radar but I'm pretty excited about the pick up of Ramon Hernandez at catcher. Finally some consistent offensive production from the catcher, who's also pretty good defensively.

I think that if the pitching staff holds up, one of those two could make us playoff bound. If I thought it would be meaningless then I agree, it would be a waste of money. Plus there aren't any young prospects that are ready to make a difference this year. I thought maybe a one year contract for Abreu or Nady could help the team this year then a prospect might be ready next year.

It ain't gonna happen anyway. And I like the Hernandez signing as well.

[ChubbyBanana]

Re: 2009 Cincinnati Reds

I've always been a fan of his, mostly from fantasy league experience. I agree that the signing has kind of flown under the radar. It was a good move by the Reds.

I'd rather have Hernandez than Ross or Valentin. I think it's a good signing.

I'd like for us to grab a big bat, but I don't think it's going to happen.

[jake44np]

Re: 2009 Cincinnati Reds

why? adding Nady or Abreu to this team does not make it playoff bound so to me that's wasted money and a roster spot that could've gone to a younger player. I too wish the Reds had been a bit more active in the offseason but it's not like we can throw around money like the Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs or Dodgers.

I know it's flown under the radar but I'm pretty excited about the pick up of Ramon Hernandez at catcher. Finally some consistent offensive production from the catcher, who's also pretty good defensively.

While I do like the signing of Hernandez, I like it for his bat.
I am not for sure where or why you think he is good defensively???!!!
He is a horrible defensive catcher, he led the league in pass balls last year and doesnt throw out runners at all. He is a definite down grade from Ross defensively.

[jake44np]

Re: 2009 Cincinnati Reds

I think that if the pitching staff holds up, one of those two could make us playoff bound. If I thought it would be meaningless then I agree, it would be a waste of money. Plus there aren't any young prospects that are ready to make a difference this year. I thought maybe a one year contract for Abreu or Nady could help the team this year then a prospect might be ready next year.

It ain't gonna happen anyway. And I like the Hernandez signing as well.

Man you have been drinking the Kool Aid havent you??
Do you really think that adding Nady or Abreu to this team makes them better then the Cubs???
And you cant sign Nady to a one year contract as he is already under contract with the Yanks. The only way to get him is via a trade with the Yanks and reports keep coming in that they would want Cueto or Volquez for him. There is no way we are going to trade any of our 2 young guns for Nady!

[PhantomPain]

Re: 2009 Cincinnati Reds

Man you have been drinking the Kool Aid havent you??
Do you really think that adding Nady or Abreu to this team makes them better then the Cubs???
And you cant sign Nady to a one year contract as he is already under contract with the Yanks. The only way to get him is via a trade with the Yanks and reports keep coming in that they would want Cueto or Volquez for him. There is no way we are going to trade any of our 2 young guns for Nady!

I definitely would not want them to trade Cueto or Volquez either. And maybe I have been drinking the kool-aid. I am sure that the Reds will make me see the light within the first week or two, but I generally get pretty positive about the Reds this time of year. Plus I do think we have a pretty darn good core of players that are young and if they all played to their potential, could make the playoffs. Whether that be by beating the Cubs or Wildcard or whatever.

Just trying to bring some positive thoughts about:wink:

[jake44np]

Re: 2009 Cincinnati Reds

I just think there is way, way too many question marks for this really young team!
Besides Phillips and Votto who can you really count on?
The 2 young pitchers are just that, young. Volques dropped off at the end of last year and Cueto was inconsistant all year. No one can predict how good these two will be this year. Which Harrang is going to show up this year? Was last year what we are going to get from him again this year?? Arroyo was horrible the first half last year and great the second half, again which Arroyo is going to show up this year??
Also who is going to be the 5th starter???

As for the position players, what is EE going to do at 3rd?? Will he hit, will he be able to throw the ball to first?? Who plays short?? Is Gonzo back and if so for how long?? Does Kepp play and if so where?
Will Jay Bruce become more consistant? He was red hot when they called him up and then really cooled down the rest of the year.
Who plays CF? Hairston, Hopper?? Can Hairston stay healthy and be as good as he was last year when he did play? Or will he return to the Hairston of the previous 4 or 5 years?
Again who plays LF? A young Dickerson who has only a handful of MLB at bats? I really cant believe they didnt sign a LF this offseason!
And catcher, like I said I love Hernandez's bat but I dont think Reds fans realize how bad he is defensively. Baltimore was really glad to get rid of him, they said he was really lazy and didnt care about defensive at all. A good defensive catcher is a must for our young pitchers.
As you can see way too many questions.

[sportsdude]

Re: 2009 Cincinnati Reds

While I do like the signing of Hernandez, I like it for his bat.
I am not for sure where or why you think he is good defensively???!!!
He is a horrible defensive catcher, he led the league in pass balls last year and doesnt throw out runners at all. He is a definite down grade from Ross defensively.

perhaps I should clarified. I shouldn't have said defensive, that was a mistake. What I meant was veteran. He's worked with a lot of different pitchers before and has that experience behind the plate we need, something Bako brought last year but unfortunately Bako just didn't hit enough. The biggest thing Hernandez will provide though is offense and I'm alright with that. If he goes .275 with 15-20 HR and 70-80 RBI I'll be happy.

[duke776]

Re: 2009 Cincinnati Reds

Who plays short??

I'm going to guess Hariston mostly(as long as he's healthy), or if Gonzo is healthy Baker will give him the job.

Who plays CF?

Willy Taveras

[jake44np]

Re: 2009 Cincinnati Reds

Team signed both J. Jones and Daryl Ward yesterday.
One of these two will make the team as a LH pinch hitter.
Jones has a chance to start in LF against righties if he plays well in spring training and Dickerson struggles. Both of these guys really struggled at the plate last year.
Most people dont realize but the Reds really need another LH bat to balance out their line up.

[slickdtc]

Re: 2009 Cincinnati Reds

The more I think about it, the more excited I should be for this season. My expectations are pretty low, which is a shake up from the past few years where everyone thought this could be a darkhorse team capable of competing for a wild card spot. Now all expectations are low and the team is young and full of potential. No longer do we have disinterested veterans.

What I'm trying to say is if we lose a lot this year, it'll be bearable. We're young and gaining experience unlike in past years where we lost and didn't have anything to show for it.

[PhantomPain]

Re: 2009 Cincinnati Reds

Team signed both J. Jones and Daryl Ward yesterday.
One of these two will make the team as a LH pinch hitter.
Jones has a chance to start in LF against righties if he plays well in spring training and Dickerson struggles. Both of these guys really struggled at the plate last year.
Most people dont realize but the Reds really need another LH bat to balance out their line up.

I guess Jones could be this year's Corey Patterson. The moves this team makes really has me scratching my head. 2 more LH bats? Uggh.

[jake44np]

Re: 2009 Cincinnati Reds

Except Jones isnt going to make 3 million per year.
Its really not a big deal they where signed to minor league deals.
If they dont make the team you just cut them and pay them nothing.
If they somehow catch fire you are paying they the min, so its a win win if you ask me.
And again I dont see why everyone thinks they Reds are all Lefties, they only have 3 starters that are LH.

[Jackdog]

Re: 2009 Cincinnati Reds

Except Jones isnt going to make 3 million per year.
Its really not a big deal they where signed to minor league deals.
If they dont make the team you just cut them and pay them nothing.
If they somehow catch fire you are paying they the min, so its a win win if you ask me.
And again I dont see why everyone thinks they Reds are all Lefties, they only have 3 starters that are LH.

I agree man. Good points. I like the idea of Gomes and Jones being around for Dickerson. The chemistry of this club is shaping up IMO.

[SlimKibbles]

Re: 2009 Cincinnati Reds

Per John Fay's blog. I'm rooting for him. If he has his head screwed on straight and can contribute this season, that would be huge.

Even more impressive than Homer Bailey’s three innings of shutout ball (one hit, one walk, four strikeouts) today was what he said afterward. Last year – the first time Bailey really struggled in his baseball life – had a profound effect on Bailey. It started with the offseason.

“I was more dedicated. Before I might have taken a half of a Friday off and go down south. This year, I said: 'No matter what happens, I’m not missing a workout. I’m going to do the things that when you’re in the middle of the season every player says, ‘Damn, this offseason I’m really going to bust my (butt).' " Every year, players come and they’re a little out of shape and it catches up to them. I remember when that happened to me.”

More from Bailey:

“When you go through a year like I had last year, you get a few things knocked into your head. I went back and thought about it a lot more, realized the mistakes I made. I understand it a lot more. One more year of seeing the game, watching the game.”

How does it work on the mound? “Instead of being a little bit timid of throwing a pitch, (I think) it’s probably going to go where I want it to be. A lot of work in the offseason has made that possible.”

You seem different this year? “It has to do a lot with the offseason I had. Maybe the offseason before I didn’t prepare as much as I think I should have, looking back on it. This year, I know the work I put in. I think it’s going to be beneficial. That gives me more confidence.”

The proof is always in the result. But, as I've wirtten many times, Bailey has the stuff. It's matter of putting together. He seems to have taken a big step as far as that.

[sportsdude]

Re: 2009 Cincinnati Reds

Per John Fay's blog. I'm rooting for him. If he has his head screwed on straight and can contribute this season, that would be huge.

We'll see if this lasts after the first couple times he gets shelled. Just working harder in the offseason isn't going to be the difference in him pitching like he has or living up to his potential. He'll need to demonstrate strength and resolve when things don't go right. But it's nice to see he's somewhat of an attitude adjustment.

I'll root for him too as long as he's putting effort like this into it.