Official Cincinnati Reds Thread

[PhantomPain]

Re: 2015 Cincinnati Reds

I particularly like the fact that Frazier is one of the hottest hitters in baseball right now. Bruce had 5 hits (not k's) last night which is amazing in and of itself. And Pena had another 4 hit game, 2nd time in a week.

yet...NONE of them are in the starting lineup tonight LMAO

I thought Dusty "I like to sit the hottest hitters we have" Baker wasn't managing the team anymore?

[jasontoddwhitt]

Re: 2015 Cincinnati Reds

Well they did play a marathon last night...but it's a moot point as everybody got the day off.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

[redsrule]

Re: 2015 Cincinnati Reds

Reds should trade Frazier after he wins the home run derby. Guy will net the Reds a ton. Get multiple top prospects and start building for 2017/2018 now.

Sent from my SPH-L720T using Tapatalk

[jasontoddwhitt]

Re: 2015 Cincinnati Reds

Frazier, Cueto, Chapman, and Bruce. They all need to be traded. Yeah, it'll suck. But if we get the expected prospect haul for these players, it'll set the Reds up nicely for 2017-2018.

Problem is getting the owner to sign off on that. Sources inside the organization have said that Bob C is still not ready to concede yet.

[PhantomPain]

Re: 2015 Cincinnati Reds

I understand the value of Frazier in a trade, but I really don't get wanting to go that route. Frazier and Mezz (if he gets healthy), along with Votto can carry a team with the right pieces around them. Frazier has another year on his contract and I think trying to sign him to a 5 year deal would be worth it. Not sure if he would go for it, but I think you have to try. Keep the overall amount lower (less years on contract) and do it now before he gets too consistent and costs even more money.

If you trade him for some prospects, A) you don't know if the prospects will turn out and B) it will take most prospects 2-4 years to hopefully/maybe get the kind of production that Frazier is producing. And if they do get to be good enough to be a cog in the lineup, if you follow the same philosophy, you will have to trade that guy as well. At some point you should be able to enjoy the fruits of your labor. He's also a great ambassador of the team and a well liked teammate.

If there is any player that should be kept in a fire-sale (if they get the balls to do it), it should be Frazier IMO. You have to keep Votto and you try like hell to get Phillips to approve a trade. Trade Bruce and Chapman and Cueto and see what you can make out of it with the young talent in pitching we have and the new guys plus the aforementioned veterans.

That's how I see it anyway.

[TheShizNo1]

Re: 2015 Cincinnati Reds

5 Players the Cincinnati Reds Should Consider Dealing at the Deadline | Bleacher Report (via http://ble.ac/teamstream-) http://teamstre.am/1GaqJwr

The current record of the Cincinnati Reds is less indicative of the team’s overall potential and more about the cavalcade of injuries sustained thus far. When writers and fans alike suggest the Reds may not have to “blow it up,” it’s hard not to agree. And anyone who’s followed the Reds on Bleacher Report may recall just how optimistic I was about a healthy Cincinnati team this season.

But akin to last year, the Reds have lost vital contributors and now sit five games beneath .500 and 12.5 back of first in the NL Central. You could say they’re just 5.5 back from the wild card, but only if you mention the seven teams sitting in front of them.

A late-season run is far from impossible, but fact of the matter is, it’s time to plan ahead instead of trying to make something out of, well, very little.

Unless offseason acquisitions like Jason Marquis and Kevin Gregg are to become the norm—staple moves of the cash-strapped—the Reds must make moves to not only restock the farm at the Triple-A level, but give themselves the financial flexibility they need to sculpt a new contender.

With that in mind, the following is a list of five players the Reds should consider moving at the deadline.



1. Johnny Cueto

The obvious and best trading chip the Reds have, scouts have been in attendance during Johnny Cueto's last few starts, according to Zack Pearson of Detroit.SunTimes.com.

The idea that the Reds would get very little for their ace is far-fetched. And even though he won’t command what David Price did (Price had a year-and-a-half of control left compared to just half a year), he could still fetch one, maybe two, highly regarded prospects—at least more than a compensatory pick.



2. Aroldis Chapman

There’s no need for an expensive, high-profile closer for a team entering rebuild. Aroldis Chapman’s exhausted the opportunity to start; he is what he is. And he’s not what the Reds need now. Some contender that’s actually entering ninth innings with leads can benefit from his services.

Chapman’s not bringing in what Craig Kimbrel did, because, again, Kimbrel was moved to the San Diego Padres, playing on a contract good for another three years. But Chapman can still command one or two of an organization’s top 10 prospects. Not to mention, the Reds won’t need to worry about paying a closer $8-10 million.



3. Jay Bruce

Jay Bruce has been on a tear. Now slashing .232/.339/.427 with 10 home runs, he’s looking more like the 30-home run, 100-RBI guy they extended years back. That means he’s likely to fetch a good return for the Reds.

Trading Bruce relieves the Reds of over $25 million still left on his contract, which goes until the end of 2017 unless the Reds buy it out for $1 million. Because of that, and because of the caliber of prospect he can bring in (at least a team’s top-10 prospect), he should be moved before the deadline.



4. Brandon Phillips

Easier said than done. With over 10 years in MLB and over five with the same team, Phillips has full 10-and-5 rights, meaning he would have to agree to any suitor the Reds find. But Phillips is a competitor, and it’s hard to imagine him not wanting to go where a team is focused on winning a World Series instead of competing for .500.

Moving Phillips frees the Reds of about $27 million. Like Bruce, he’s signed until the end of 2017, but he’s already 33 years old. And if you’re thinking that’s precisely why he’s not tradable, I’m thinking that .295/.333/.697 with Gold Glove-caliber defense is highly desirable in today's market.

With the exception of the Boston Red Sox, the entire AL East could benefit from bringing Phillips on, and each would have the cash to do it, too.



5. Todd Frazier

Todd Frazier's rapidly becoming the fan favorite and is consequently a lightning rod for trade talk. Even the Cincinnati Enquirer's Paul Daugherty is growing attached to the slugging third baseman, recently writing in his morning blog: "Those of youse who want to Blow It Up...can you at least give Todd Frazier five minutes notice, so he can leave the building before it implodes?"

Keeping Frazier is ideal for obvious reasons. He’s a vocal leader, he has moxie, he shows that fire that everyone loves to talk about now and then, and he’s really good at baseball.

But consider this: Will the Reds’ rebuild be finished by 2017?

If not, why would it make sense to keep him instead of moving him while his value may never be higher? At the end of his contract, Frazier will be 32 years old. Considering what he’s doing, at the very least, he’s looking at Jay Bruce money.

Rebuilding properly—like the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs, etc.—is more about shedding payroll, adding big-time prospects and creating a climate of financial flexibility. Unless you think the Reds will contend next year or in 2017—and without an ace, that’s highly unlikely—why keep him?

Right now, the Reds have two of MLB’s top 100 prospects. Both are in Double-A, and both are performing like guys who will be here soon—maybe in two seasons.

If the Reds were to trade the five aforementioned players, imagine the climate they’ll enter. The future of the rotation already looks bright, and with the right moves and healthy spending power, the Reds can build Cincinnati's next contender.

But you already saw it last offseason—without the payroll, Walt Jocketty is relegated to bargain-bin diving. If fans want better than journeyman vets on the clearance rack, the Reds must reposition themselves financially by parting ways with pricey talent.

Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk

[redsrule]

Re: 2015 Cincinnati Reds

@PP- Frazier is 28 already. He is under contract until he is 31. Giving him an extension for the downside of his career would be dumb and what the Reds need to avoid, see the Votto and BP contracts. His trade value will never be higher. Get multiple very good young prospects and build around the young guys (plus Votto) for 2018.

Sent from my SPH-L720T using Tapatalk

[PhantomPain]

Re: 2015 Cincinnati Reds

@PP- Frazier is 28 already. He is under contract until he is 31. Giving him an extension for the downside of his career would be dumb and what the Reds need to avoid, see the Votto and BP contracts. His trade value will never be higher. Get multiple very good young prospects and build around the young guys (plus Votto) for 2018.

Sent from my SPH-L720T using Tapatalk

That's why I suggested a 5 year extension. Maybe a 3 year extension would be even better if he would do it. But I still stand by what I wrote. I think they should keep him. He may be 31 when his contract is up, but I think his value will be there in multiple facets for at least a few more years beyond that. I personally do not think he will just fall off when he turns 32. But that's just my opinion. With that said, I doubt he would take a 3 year extension and if he would it would likely be higher than the Reds would be wanting, willing or able to pay.

I realize I may be wrong in this, but I really feel Frazier can provide a lot to this team for a while and would be worth keeping him.

[TheShizNo1]

Re: 2015 Cincinnati Reds

I don't think anyone will argue what he can provide, but that's not the argument. If the team is in rebuild mode, what purpose does it serve to have him.

Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk

[redsrule]

Re: 2015 Cincinnati Reds

Frazier could also be Chris Sabo 2.0 and flatline after this year. This team needs a rebuild. Trade guys that will get you prospects to help in the rebuild. Frazier would net you multiple big time prospects.

Sent from my SPH-L720T using Tapatalk

[PhantomPain]

Re: 2015 Cincinnati Reds

After a couple of days of thinking about it, I have finally come to the light. I like Frazier and he's my favorite player on the team. Yeah, he is having a great year but I like him mostly because he is one of only a few players I have seen over the past decade that actually looks like he is enjoying the game. Seems to be a lost art.

Anyway, if they blow up the team, he has to go. Sorry for debating this before. lol

[slickdtc]

Re: 2015 Cincinnati Reds

It hurts man. Frazier is a great player and fun to root for. Seems like a real ballplayer's ballplayer.

Unfortunately, baseball is a business and we'd like to be in the business of winning. Gotta put aside some of that personal love for players and do what's best for the team long term since the short term looks bleak.

I'll be rooting for the Reds long after Frazier is out of town and/or retired. I've always pledged my allegiance to the logo no matter what, and this is no different. Votto is probably one of my favorite players ever, but if we could move him for a king's ransom (no chance given the contract), I'd be on board with that too.

Everything about this year has been disastrous (as expected), it's amazing were as close to .500 as we are. And it sucks, because it creates the illusion we're within striking distance and shouldn't go full on sellers as we get closer to the trade deadline. Let's see how we botch this... team can't even use the DL right (Mesoraco fiasco... what a joke) so I'm not expecting much progressive thinking here.

[PhantomPain]

Re: 2015 Cincinnati Reds

It hurts man. Frazier is a great player and fun to root for. Seems like a real ballplayer's ballplayer.

Unfortunately, baseball is a business and we'd like to be in the business of winning. Gotta put aside some of that personal love for players and do what's best for the team long term since the short term looks bleak.

I'll be rooting for the Reds long after Frazier is out of town and/or retired. I've always pledged my allegiance to the logo no matter what, and this is no different. Votto is probably one of my favorite players ever, but if we could move him for a king's ransom (no chance given the contract), I'd be on board with that too.

Everything about this year has been disastrous (as expected), it's amazing were as close to .500 as we are. And it sucks, because it creates the illusion we're within striking distance and shouldn't go full on sellers as we get closer to the trade deadline. Let's see how we botch this... team can't even use the DL right (Mesoraco fiasco... what a joke) so I'm not expecting much progressive thinking here.

Agreed on emotions.

As for botching this up, you have to know there is a better than average chance it will be. Every year we hear "I like my team" even when we are clearly going no where.

This is from MLB Trade Rumors:

Unless someone blows the Reds away with an offer, John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer could see them rolling the dice, effectively staying pat, and hoping for a second-half turnaround. There are people in the organization willing to blow it all up, but Fay writes that owner Bob Castellini is an optimist. Johnny Cueto, Mike Leake, and Aroldis Chapman could yield great returns for the Reds, but their owner might not be ready to call it quits on 2015. The Reds are 32-36 following today’s 5-2 win over the Marlins.

[slickdtc]

Re: 2015 Cincinnati Reds

Well that seals it. We're ****ed.

[redsrule]

Re: 2015 Cincinnati Reds

Castellini being an idiot is making sure the Reds can't properly rebuild and will be mediocre for years to go. The only year we had a legit chance was 2012 but Votto's knee and Cueto made sure that was doomed.

Sent from my SPH-L720T using Tapatalk