2014 Cincinnati Reds Thread

[SlimKibbles]

re: 2014 Cincinnati Reds Thread

Here are some thoughts I read on Lance McAlister's blog that are interesting and I think could potentially spark some debate as we pray for the team to come back hot.

Reds thoughts
From listener Jerry G.
"After considering John Erardi's column on trading Aroldis Chapman and seeing some former Reds in the All Star game, I started to think about the trades Walt has made since becoming GM and I had to ask myself a few questions?
1) How many players that Walt has traded are current All Stars and are considered potential All Stars versus the players we got in return?
2) Judging by the criteria of: current production since trade, long term outlook, health and longevity (number of potential years under Reds control); How many of these trades would you still make?
3) What could the Reds roster look like now if some of these trades would not have been made?
4) Has Walt built a team to contend consistently for a World Series title or a team that just has the potential to make the playoffs?
5) And finally, I realize that Walt has been a very good GM for the Reds and is well respected in the industry but which organization is the better off now? The Cardinals without Jocketty or the Reds with him? I believe they both are better but if we throw out ties, which team would you rather be now and in the near future?
It makes me wonder if he has lost his edge and if so at what point in his career? I'll reserve judgement for now but it would sure be nice to have Didi Gregorius playing SS and leading off, Edwin Encarnacion playing 3rd and batting cleanup and Travis Wood in the rotation.
And how about some of those free agent signings? Maybe the Cards were one step ahead of the Reds...again."

Certainly some interesting things to bring up. From what I understand, the Reds never projected Didi to hit the way he has hit so far this season with the D-Backs. His defense was always all-star caliber though. It'll be interesting to see whether he can sustain the hitting. I really believe E5 never would have reached his potential had he stayed here and not gone to the Jays. He seemed like a classic "needs a change of scenery" situation. Travis was a tough one to give up but the Reds were deep with pitching in the minors. I think he's pitching above his head right now, personally. He should regress in the 2nd half some but should still end up with a fantastic year with the Cubs. Whether he can consistently put up numbers like that year-after-year is the question. Epstein asked for Travis for a reason. Maybe they saw something the Reds didn't? As far as the trading Chapman debate, if they can get Stanton in a deal for him, hell yes. Some friends and I were having a healthy e-mail exchange about this. I settled on Stanton would cost the Reds Chapman, Frazier, and a top 3 pitching prospect.

And, yes, I've honestly questioned whether or not Jocketty has lost has edge too. The Cards are not hurting at all as far their depth in the farm system and on the current team. It's actually kind of scary.

[Son of Sam99]

re: 2014 Cincinnati Reds Thread

Certainly some interesting things to bring up. From what I understand, the Reds never projected Didi to hit the way he has hit so far this season with the D-Backs. His defense was always all-star caliber though. It'll be interesting to see whether he can sustain the hitting. I really believe E5 never would have reached his potential had he stayed here and not gone to the Jays. He seemed like a classic "needs a change of scenery" situation. Travis was a tough one to give up but the Reds were deep with pitching in the minors. I think he's pitching above his head right now, personally. He should regress in the 2nd half some but should still end up with a fantastic year with the Cubs. Whether he can consistently put up numbers like that year-after-year is the question. Epstein asked for Travis for a reason. Maybe they saw something the Reds didn't? As far as the trading Chapman debate, if they can get Stanton in a deal for him, hell yes. Some friends and I were having a healthy e-mail exchange about this. I settled on Stanton would cost the Reds Chapman, Frazier, and a top 3 pitching prospect.

And, yes, I've honestly questioned whether or not Jocketty has lost has edge too. The Cards are not hurting at all as far their depth in the farm system and on the current team. It's actually kind of scary.

I totally agree with all of your points on the trades plus another thing with Edwin is I don't think the Reds make the playoffs in 2010 w/out Scott Rolen.

I agree if Chapman can get us Stanton I'm fine with that since we've already thrown so much money at him (consider the $30m we gave him plus the closer level money we gave Broxton to just be a set up man) Let Hoover or Broxton close. Plus Miami may be really interested since he's Cuban but I dont think they have the money.

Finally I've read about how the Cardinals success is such because their philosophies run through the entire system top to bottom. I think the Reds need to try to adopt that kind of thing. Think about where the Reds would be if they had all of the injuries the Cardinals have had this season.

[slickdtc]

Man, I dislike the Cardinals first and foremost, but it would've been too sweet to sweep up those Pirates and begin their late summer swoon. August and September belongs to the Reds! That's what I say.

[lonewolf371]

re: 2014 Cincinnati Reds Thread

Certainly some interesting things to bring up. From what I understand, the Reds never projected Didi to hit the way he has hit so far this season with the D-Backs. His defense was always all-star caliber though. It'll be interesting to see whether he can sustain the hitting. I really believe E5 never would have reached his potential had he stayed here and not gone to the Jays. He seemed like a classic "needs a change of scenery" situation. Travis was a tough one to give up but the Reds were deep with pitching in the minors. I think he's pitching above his head right now, personally. He should regress in the 2nd half some but should still end up with a fantastic year with the Cubs. Whether he can consistently put up numbers like that year-after-year is the question. Epstein asked for Travis for a reason. Maybe they saw something the Reds didn't? As far as the trading Chapman debate, if they can get Stanton in a deal for him, hell yes. Some friends and I were having a healthy e-mail exchange about this. I settled on Stanton would cost the Reds Chapman, Frazier, and a top 3 pitching prospect.

And, yes, I've honestly questioned whether or not Jocketty has lost has edge too. The Cards are not hurting at all as far their depth in the farm system and on the current team. It's actually kind of scary.

You have to consider what the Reds got back. Choo has single-handedly outproduced Gregorius and Stubbs so far this year, although we may only get him for one year.

I was never a fan of Wood and I'm still not a fan. The guy gives up a billion fly balls and was a huge liability in Great American Ballpark. He's also a liability at Wrigley. Sooner or later he's going to start giving up oogles of home runs and he won't look so shiny any more. I think Sean Marshall was a good trade.

So far Grandal/Alonso/Volquez for Latos has been a killer trade.

Encarnacion was a terrible defensive 3rd baseman. Toronto has lessened his impact by moving him to 1st, but with Votto Cincinnati didn't have that luxury. If Encarnacion were playing 3rd base, his defense would be bad enough that there actually wouldn't be much of a difference between him and Frazier. That's how much of defensive difference there is.

[redsrule]

re: 2014 Cincinnati Reds Thread

If we can get a very good hitter for a package involving Chapman, I am all for it, assuming Chapman isn't moving into the starter role next year.

[HustlinOwl]

re: 2014 Cincinnati Reds Thread

Rumors of interest in Michael Young, not sure I want to give up on Frazier so soon and considering there isn't much behind him in the farm system.

[lonewolf371]

re: 2014 Cincinnati Reds Thread

Rumors of interest in Michael Young, not sure I want to give up on Frazier so soon and considering there isn't much behind him in the farm system.

Really? I couldn't find it on MLB Trade Rumors. It would be quite the bad idea to bench Frazier at the moment, especially for Young. Horrible idea, really.

[redsrule]

re: 2014 Cincinnati Reds Thread

I don't know about giving up on Frazier, but I gave up on Cozart about 2 months ago. Frazier definitely needs to improve his plate discipline though. He routinely has awful swings on balls that are a foot outside of the strike zone.

[HustlinOwl]

re: 2014 Cincinnati Reds Thread

Really? I couldn't find it on MLB Trade Rumors. It would be quite the bad idea to bench Frazier at the moment, especially for Young. Horrible idea, really.

MLB Trade Rumors: Cincinnati Reds interested in Michael Young of Philadelphia Phillies http://fansided.com/2013/07/21/mlb-t...phia-phillies/

[slickdtc]

Please no. Frazier is a ROY if last year didn't feature a slew of amazing rookies. I think Frazier is going to be a decent starter with continued growth. It's not so much that I don't want him traded, it's just not for Young. Definitely not for Young.

[lonewolf371]

re: 2014 Cincinnati Reds Thread

I don't know about giving up on Frazier, but I gave up on Cozart about 2 months ago. Frazier definitely needs to improve his plate discipline though. He routinely has awful swings on balls that are a foot outside of the strike zone.

He has improved his plate discipline this year. He's swinging at fewer pitches outside the zone, his walk rate is up, and his contact rate is up. The only main reason he doesn't look so great right now is his fly balls aren't going out of the park, but his average fly ball distance indicates he's going to be hitting more home runs soon. He pumps the ball pretty far.

[slickdtc]

And he was hitting to begin the season if I'm not mistaken. It would be foolish to trade for a replacement unless it was a significant upgrade (likely a rental, too). In which case, is that what we truly need most? I don't think so. Cosart needs to be replaced most of any position player.

You've also gotta remember that Ludwick will be back in a month or so, so it's almost like trading for an outfielder without even having to give up any players or prospects. Now I don't believe in Ludwick over a full season, but as basically what a rental would be, I will definitely take it. He's been successful with Cincinnati, so maybe this is where he belongs anyway.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2

[lonewolf371]

re: 2014 Cincinnati Reds Thread

And he was hitting to begin the season if I'm not mistaken. It would be foolish to trade for a replacement unless it was a significant upgrade (likely a rental, too). In which case, is that what we truly need most? I don't think so. Cosart needs to be replaced most of any position player.

You've also gotta remember that Ludwick will be back in a month or so, so it's almost like trading for an outfielder without even having to give up any players or prospects. Now I don't believe in Ludwick over a full season, but as basically what a rental would be, I will definitely take it. He's been successful with Cincinnati, so maybe this is where he belongs anyway.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2

The production out of catcher and left field have been pathetic as well. An upgrade at any one of those positions would be nice. One problem is that those fluky bench performances the Reds have had over the last few years from the likes of Heisey, Frazier, Paul, and Gomes have been absent this season.

[slickdtc]

I really thought Hanigan would continue to be productive at the plate as he was finally getting a bit of recognition for it, but that hasn't happened. At least he's well respected as a signal caller, and I believe a good chunk of our pitchers success has come due to Hanigan. Still, maybe Mesoraco needs more consistent playing time to progress.

I doubt we snag a catcher.

I'll take some outfield help for sure, though.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2

[SlimKibbles]

re: 2014 Cincinnati Reds Thread

I really thought Hanigan would continue to be productive at the plate as he was finally getting a bit of recognition for it, but that hasn't happened. At least he's well respected as a signal caller, and I believe a good chunk of our pitchers success has come due to Hanigan. Still, maybe Mesoraco needs more consistent playing time to progress.

I doubt we snag a catcher.

I'll take some outfield help for sure, though.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2

I love Hanigan. I think he's been playing hurt all season and it has affected his hitting. Statistically his production in 2013 is a total outlier if you look at what he's done with the Reds and in the minors. There's obviously something wrong with him. Regardless, he's such a great guy to have behind the plate, you have to suck up his hitting woes. I know Mesoraco is still a young pup but I want to see him do a better job out there behind the plate and offensively. His mistakes on the base-paths the other night were pathetic.