2014 Cincinnati Reds Thread

[Spider Tre]

a new thread, WOOOOO (kinda wonder if the howl will return this season)

can't wait for Opening Day. Johnny Cueto, Joey Votto and Shin-Soo Choo vs. and old foe in Albert Pujols, and old teammate in Josh Hamilton and the young phenom in Mike Trout. i'm interested in seeing how Chapman will fair in the rotation and hopefully no bullpen injuries will have to force him back to bullpen, again. i think Votto and Bruce should see a good increase in RBIs if Choo continues his strong presence in lead off. i think this season will bring better things than last year

oh, and here's some big news fresh off the presses - http://news.cincinnati.com/article/2...PT04/301140041

about time, huh?

go Reds!

[Buckeyes_Doc]

re: 2014 Cincinnati Reds Thread

I'm counting down the days. I can't wait til Spring Training. I'm still not over the disappointment we witnessed in October. The only cure for that is the 2013 baseball season. Excited to see Choo in a Reds uniform and have a solid leadoff hitter. Nervous about Chapman as a start.

And I'm ecstatic to see the 2015 All-Star Game will be in Cincinnati. I'm going to be there.

[ELDoro]

re: 2014 Cincinnati Reds Thread

Pumped about Shin-soo Choo. Someone consistently getting on base for Votto could add to some crazy RBI totals for Joey.

Chapman to the rotation could be a big risk but the upside could be huge! Imagine if he turns into a Randy Johnson type starter. Chapman is a lot more developed than Johnson was at his age.

Nick Massett has some of the nastiest stuff in the league when hes health and on. I think he could be a huge part of our pen this season and if Broxton falters Massett could establish the closer role for awhile.

Todd Frazier - a lot of people seem to be sold on him but I am not. The last few weeks pitchers picked him apart. That error by Rolen in the playoffs seemed to make Reds fans forget how great Rolen is in the field. I want Rolen back. If Rolen doesn't return Reds fans will quickly see how much of a difference Rolen makes at the hot corner. He makes tough plays look easy without being flashy.

[redsrule]

re: 2014 Cincinnati Reds Thread

I'm pumped for this year. Is our lineup going to look like this?
Choo, Phillips, Votto, Ludwick, Bruce, Frazier, Cozart, Hanigan, Pitcher?
Having Votto healthy the whole year (hopefully) will be nice as well, and I expect him to be in the running for MVP. Chapman in the rotation is a risk, but it could be a great move as well.

[HustlinOwl]

re: 2014 Cincinnati Reds Thread

<s>#</s>Reds and Latos agree to a two-year deal, avoids arbitration. Down to Bailey only.

[TheShizNo1]

Am I in the minority of wanting Chapman to stay in the bullpen? I guess I'm of the "if ain't broke, don't fix it" mindset.

How do you all feel about Rolen as far as wanting him to stay or hang em up?

Definitely looking forward to baseball as both my football teams were disappointing this year.

[Son of Sam99]

re: 2014 Cincinnati Reds Thread

Am I in the minority of wanting Chapman to stay in the bullpen? I guess I'm of the "if ain't broke, don't fix it" mindset.

How do you all feel about Rolen as far as wanting him to stay or hang em up?

Definitely looking forward to baseball as both my football teams were disappointing this year.

I think everyone is kind of thinking 'Hell we won 97 games this way, why mess with it?' And I agree partially but I think when you've got a player with such a high ceiling you've got to give him the opportunity to reach that level. Also I think there is going to be a fairly tight leash on him; I don't really believe if he struggles with fatigue or his ERA is way up after 10 - 15 starts they may rest him and just put him back in the pen.

Its kind of a win win situation because you've got a capable Mike Leake ready to fill the spot if necessary.

[redsrule]

re: 2014 Cincinnati Reds Thread

I can't wait for the season to start! Even if the Dodgers have bought everyone this year I still like our chances barring health. The defense in the outfield worries me a bit, but having Choo is going to be such an improvement over Stubbs and will allow BP to hit in the 2 spot which is a lot better than cleanup or leadoff.

[redsrule]

re: 2014 Cincinnati Reds Thread

http://cincinnati.com/blogs/reds/2013/02/17/votto-calls-his-shot/

Not that it means anything, but if Votto is 100% again he is my pick for MVP. Especially if Ludwick can hit decent from the cleanup spot. With Choo & Phillips going 1-2, he should have a lot more opportunities with men on base.

[ParisB]

re: 2014 Cincinnati Reds Thread

Choo in CF could end up being disastrous. He was horrible in RF (-15 runs saved) and will be even worse and mitigate the offensive upgrade.

[Son of Sam99]

re: 2014 Cincinnati Reds Thread

http://cincinnati.com/blogs/reds/201...alls-his-shot/

Not that it means anything, but if Votto is 100% again he is my pick for MVP. Especially if Ludwick can hit decent from the cleanup spot. With Choo & Phillips going 1-2, he should have a lot more opportunities with men on base.

Just read that story this morning... Probably the best spring training report I've ever read.

Also "Tweet that, John" ought to become the tagline for the season.

[slickdtc]

Who doesn't love Joey Votto? We're lucky as fans to have him on our team.

He has put up great numbers his whole career, but I hope this is the year he raises the bar and has that gigantic season. He's capable.

[redsrule]

re: 2014 Cincinnati Reds Thread

If he's healthy, I think it's going to happen. I expect another MVP season from him, especially now that he has guys that should be on base in front of him.

[redsrule]

re: 2014 Cincinnati Reds Thread

We are 0-3 to start Spring Training, I wonder if people have already been getting the #FireDusty hashtag out yet...

[Son of Sam99]

re: 2014 Cincinnati Reds Thread

We are 0-3 to start Spring Training, I wonder if people have already been getting the #FireDusty hashtag out yet...

Lol, I was just about to send out a tweet to that effect.

Just to jump in on the previous conversation... Of course I agree that Votto is awesome, the man is a machine; he only smiles when the team wins divisions!

There have been questions about leadership in the clubhouse but I think a lot of the guys try to follow Joey's example of just coming to the ball park ready to work hard and taking the job very seriously, which is a great precedence for him to lead that way since he's the type of person that could probably get by pretty well just on his god given talent.

There are the cutups on the team in Frazier & Phillips but so many of the players, including those guys a lot of the time, go about the business in a serious manner and are so humble through success its truly morphed into a team the city (or any city) can be really proud of and relate to.