Official Cincinnati Reds Thread

[CaseIH]

Re: Official Cincinnati Reds Thread

I understand about the young players getting to free agency sooner, but if I am honest, it seems that the Reds always wait too long to a fault. This is the first time I can remember them foregoing the "wait a few weeks/months" philosophy and just dealing with it. I like that and it is a breath of fresh air.

Finnegan was stellar tonight after the first inning. I think he threw like 25 pitches in the first inning and in the 6th he had just over 70. Talk about a turn around. Iglesias shut it down and the first win is in the books.

Doubt this team will make any noise this year but there is something in the back of my mind about this team that says they will be better than I anticipated. Probably wishful thinking on my part as I am usually pretty down on this team. Man how I wish I could remember what it's like to be in the post season most years instead of once or twice every other decade. As a UK fan I take for granted postseason play. As a Reds fan, who's nearly 44 years old, I've kind of forgotten what it was like. Even when we had a couple year run a few years ago, it was weird to me. Hopefully in the next couple of years this team will be a perennial playoff team. Not holding my breath though.

I agree, that the Reds over the years, have had a tendency to sit on prospects, rather than bring them. I wasnt against it neccessarily, just wasnt sure what to think, since it seemed this was another year of losing alot.

Im glad to see that they said , heck with it, we are going to put the best players available on the OD roster, and go with it. I got a feeling that Williams along with Price, felt this team could play competitive ball this season, even if the rebuild isnt technically considered over, just nearing the end. Where as the majority of us Reds fans, felt it would be another long season.

I thought we would be better, but my thinking was we would go from 68 wins, to low 70's this yr,lol.

Its early, and we have seen this from teams before that arent predicted to do much, we seen it from our team in the last few yrs, get off to solid starts, only to falter once everyone gets a good few weeks under their belts.

Also it seems every year a team comes out of no where, and shocks everyone, so why cant it be us?

After AS break we played 1 game under .500, once we got some guys back from the DL, and this team is better than last yr team was at any time last season. The bench while short, is probably the bes we have had in years. Also its been a real long time, since we have 2 dynamic hitters at the top of the order, that can wreck havoc when they get on base, with their speed, especially Billy. Its also the 1st time in Votto's career that he has had protection in front and behind him.

Price has improved as manager, you could see it last yr, and really noticed it this yr. This is really the 1st time Price has actually had any resemblance of a competitive team, too , with all the injuries over his 1st 3 yrs as manager. The old saying goes good players make good managers and bad players makes bad managers,lol. Plus fans want to blame Price for eveyrhting, like some did with Dusty, but aint no manager that could have won with what Price has had to work with in his 1st 3 seasons.

We probably arent going to be competing for a Post season spot when its all said and done, but atleast it looks like this season, we have a team capable of being competitive.

[CaseIH]

Re: Official Cincinnati Reds Thread

7-2, bet no one thought that going into the season, not even the most optimistic fan

Dont know how long we can keep it up, but might as well enjoy it while it last. I think the real test will be when we play the Cubs, if we can be competitive against them, then who knows, stranger things have happened before in baseball. The Orioles will be a good test as well, as we play them before the Cubs.

I actually think both the Cards, and the Pirates arent all that good, especially the Cards, they where we were in 2013 needing to rebuild, but dont are trying to put it off. Pirates will probably come around, but they have some weaknesses, and obviously I dont ever count the Cards out of anything, but I do think the Cards luck might be running out finally, to where they will have no choice but to rebuild.

[slickdtc]

Re: Official Cincinnati Reds Thread

Already been a roller coaster year. Fun start that I think we all knew wasn't gonna keep up, then a pretty dreadful string before finally righting the ship lately. That 17 inning L from last night/this morning stings though.

I finally get to see my Reds play later this month when they come to Philly. I'm one of those weirdos who latched on to a team they had no connection with as far as being native to the area or even a transplant, so it's a big deal for me. I was able to check out GABP in Cincy a couple years ago but it was the offseason. Was still a thrill to be amongst "my people." So getting to see Votto, Hamilton, Cozart in person will be a ton of fun.

Hopefully we're still playing good ball!

[CaseIH]

Re: Official Cincinnati Reds Thread

Just thought I would bump this up, I know its been a rough few seasons, so its easy to get down on your team, but we should start to see some progress starting next season. Or I hope,lol.

Offensively were there, and we do have some good young arms. Some havent shown that just yet, but they will come around in time. Stephenson has started to look like he might be turning a corner. Mahle is the real deal, Ive seen a lot of him in the minors, I dont think he will have as many bumps in the road as some of the other kids have. Looks like we got a steal from the Marlins with Castillo, with just having to give up Strailey, they are probably kicking themselves for that deal, although Strailey has been descent for them, he has no upside, where as castillo has the stuff to be a 1 or 2 in the rotation.

Hopefully next season were able to put it altogether with both hitting and pitching. I dont think were to far away from being able to compete for a Postseason spot in a yr or 2.

[HustlinOwl]

Re: Official Cincinnati Reds Thread

Price to return for 2018, so expecting this thread to remain dead behind this lame duck manager


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[slickdtc]

Re: Official Cincinnati Reds Thread

For those keeping score, yes, Dusty Baker just got let go from another team he can’t seem to get over the hump.

It’s crazy how good his teams are in the regular season and how they lose, usually in gut wrenching fashion, in the postseason. Part of that is random but it keeps happening in different places, there’s got to be something that just doesn’t fit when the lights are the brightest.

Now that we’ve been bad for a few years now, would you guys take Baker’s good regular season teams and one and done playoffs over what we’re experiencing now? A piece of me yearns to be a part of the dance again, but getting there and doing nothing so many times takes a toll on you.

I might change my tune after a few more years of Reds ball like we’ve seen. For now, I’m okay with letting other organizations get burned by Dusty’s curse.

[CaseIH]

Re: Official Cincinnati Reds Thread

For those keeping score, yes, Dusty Baker just got let go from another team he can’t seem to get over the hump.

It’s crazy how good his teams are in the regular season and how they lose, usually in gut wrenching fashion, in the postseason. Part of that is random but it keeps happening in different places, there’s got to be something that just doesn’t fit when the lights are the brightest.

Now that we’ve been bad for a few years now, would you guys take Baker’s good regular season teams and one and done playoffs over what we’re experiencing now? A piece of me yearns to be a part of the dance again, but getting there and doing nothing so many times takes a toll on you.

I might change my tune after a few more years of Reds ball like we’ve seen. For now, I’m okay with letting other organizations get burned by Dusty’s curse.

I believe were on our way back, to being competitive, its not far off, before we are competing for the Postseason once again. At the end of the 2013 season, is when we should have started the rebuild process, but hindsight is always 20/20, and I get why ownership was reluctant, so I dont blame them, its hard to admit when that window has closed.

Our farm system was depleted, and while a few of our deals, namely giving Chapman away made no sense, we do have some very promising prospects, who should get us back in the Postseason conversation in the near future.

I feel bad for Dusty, I had really hoped this was the yr he got over that hump and get another shot at the World Series. I do think it was crappy of the Nats to let Dusty go, you got 1yr left of Harper more than likely, before he leaves, so I guess they felt Dusty had gotten them as far as he was capable of.
In a way, its hard to argue on Dusty behalf, although I dont think Dusty was to blame for not getting them deep into October. Ive always said Dusty is a good manager, not a great manager. But Ive always liked Dusty as a person, they dont get much better than him in that regard. I also was a fan of his as a player, even though he was a Dodger,lol.

Congrats to Tucker Barnhart for winning the GG for NL catcher, very deserving of it, plus he is a Indiana kid, so that makes it even better

How the heck Billy doesnt win GG in CF, baffles me, he got screwed. Same goes for Votto not winning the silver slugger, imo Votto whould have won the SS award, and Goldy the MVP award in the NL. Only way Im going to be OK with that, is if Votto wins NL MVP.
When you take out team record, then Votto hands down is the NL MVP, you take Votto out of our lineup, we would be lucky to win 50 games. He impacts his team more so than the other 2, D-Backs, likely dont make the PS, without Goldy, but they wouldnt be as bad as we are, and take Stanton off the Marlins, they obviously would be worse, but not as bad as the Reds would be without Votto.
Ive went back and forth on if team record should impact MVP votes over the years, but if its a award for the best player, who impacts his team more so than other, which is how they describe it, then you got to throw team records out the window, and Votto should be the NL MVP. But if they want to say team record has to play a part in the award, then obviously Goldy should win.

[slickdtc]

Re: Official Cincinnati Reds Thread

I just think what we’re seeing from Votto is historic and a lot of people don’t realize it. I’m loving every second of having this guy on the Reds and it sounds like he wants to play out his career here too. He’s not slowing down...

[CaseIH]

Re: Official Cincinnati Reds Thread

I just think what we’re seeing from Votto is historic and a lot of people don’t realize it. I’m loving every second of having this guy on the Reds and it sounds like he wants to play out his career here too. He’s not slowing down...

Yes, what Votto has been doing is amazing, and as long as he stays healthy, I can see Votto staying at a MVP caliber level for a few more years. Key will be staying healthy, obviously the last couple yrs of his contract, isnt going to be at a MVP level, but Votto I think is 1 of those guys, if he stays healthy, and doesnt have any major injuries, likely will still be productive in those last couple seasons. Power numbers probably wont be there, but OBP and batting average likely will still be solid.

Ive wondered myself if some fans dont realize just how great Votto is, and that were seeing a all time great hitter, due to some of the critics be critical of Votto patience at the plate, as they got this idea, that someone with that big of contract, needs to widen his hitting zone, and swing at balls just outside the K zone. Why on earth, anyone would think a player of his caliber needs to swing at non-strikes is beyond me,lol. Thats what make him so great, is he knows the strike zone, better than a lot of umps do I'll take a high OBP and batting average, with 25-35 Hr's every time over a guy who bats .240 with a decent OBP who hits 40+ HR's, while striking out 180+ times a season

[CaseIH]

Re: Official Cincinnati Reds Thread

So is anyone excited and optimistic about our team in 18? I normally pay more attention to whats going on in Spring Training, than I have this yr, but with basketball, as well as some other things going on in my life, I havent spent as much time, watching ST'ing ball, this yr.
So other than reading boxscores and articles on Reds.com, I cant say I know much about who is impressing this spring and who isnt. I know Billy has struggled, which is a little concerning, and Votto has not did much, but Im not worried about Votto, he typically dont hit all that well during the ST anyway, and you know if he is healthy, he will hit when it counts.
I dont have to really look at spring stats, to know Mahle, better be in the rotation, kids been impressing me every since he was drafted, and could have been called up much earlier than they did last yr, instead of calling him up, and starting his clock when they did. I know Senzel is going to be the real deal, and they either need to continue him playing at ss in the minors to start the season, or consider Suarez going back to ss, which I dont like the idea of. Peraza while I do think will be a good pretty good hitter, his defense at ss, is laughable, and he has too weak a arm for my liking to play ss. Peraza is a solid defensive 2nd basemen, but Im not too optimistic he will ever be a great defensive ss. I heard Senzel is going to play 2nd base in the minors, which dont make much sense, we need a ss, give him reps there, to see how he improves there. I got more faith in Senzel at ss defensively than I do Peraza, I just dont trust Peraza's arm strength one bit.

Anyway, cant say Im overly optmistic about the season. I like Price, as a person, and he was a good pitching coach, and while he has improved as manager from the 1st 1yr or 2, and players do seem to play hard for him, I think the best manager in our system, and I have been saying it for a couple yrs now, is Pat Kelley. Im not a fan of firing managers during the season, but if we get off to a poor start, say 6-8 weeks into the season, and its not do to being decimated by injuries, then I would make the move to fire him. Will see, how it goes, and I have typically been supportive of Price, due to all the injuries we have had, and lack of talent the last few seasons.

[Mav3rek7]

Re: Official Cincinnati Reds Thread

For whatever reason I'm optimistic for this years team. I think they will play .500 ball and end up around the 81 win mark. I think the offense will be fine, and that the young pitchers will take a step forward. Not thrilled with Cody Reed starting in the rotation and Amir Garrett in the 'pen. I think Garrett is the better pitcher there. I think Bailey bounces back a little bit, Finnegan gets going and stays healthy, Castillo continues to improve, and Mahle has a good first full season.

I also think Mesoraco will take back the starting spot from Barnhart by mid year. I like Tucker, but I hope Mes will rebound.

Also, I don't expect Billy to be anything other than Billy, and I could see him getting squeezed out of the crowded outfield if he doesn't step it up.

Wish they would just move on from Disco. He hasn't been healthy and probably won't be (see Sean Marshall). He's been good when he's been healthy but I'm tired of seeing him in just a warmup hanging in the dugout.

I think the back end of the 'pen will be good and the bullpen overall should be decent. I don't expect them to do anything crazy, but I wouldn't be surprised if they ended up right around .500 at the end of the year.

[jasontoddwhitt]

Re: Official Cincinnati Reds Thread

Homer looked good yesterday. I'm hopeful he can stay healthy this season.

Outside of Scooter, the offense looked weak, but then Scherzer tends to have that effect.

I'm just glad baseball is back.

[CaseIH]

Re: Official Cincinnati Reds Thread

Homer looked good yesterday. I'm hopeful he can stay healthy this season.

Outside of Scooter, the offense looked weak, but then Scherzer tends to have that effect.

I'm just glad baseball is back.

Yeah, Homer was impressive, if it wasnt for the off throw by Scooter, and Votto not being able to snag it like he seemingly always does, Homer wouldnt have given up any runs on the day.

Out of all the NL teams, we had to get to open the season against, and we get the Nats, who is possibly the best team in the NL, with 2 of the best starters in all of baseball with Scherzer and Strasburg.

I had hoped we would atleast take 1 of the 3 games to start the season, but we werent able. Hopefully we can get on track against the Cubs. I have no idea why Cody Reed is getting the start on Tuesday, and not Amir Garrett. Atleast Amir has had a few good games as a starter, Reed has been a embarrassment in all of his starts at the big league level.
Im not one who typically bashes managers decisions, because none of us know what all goes on in the clubhouse. And I have been one who has given Price the benefit of doubt, other than his 1st couple seasons, I thought he made some boneheaded mistakes, but the last couple yrs I felt he did a solid job as manager, considering the talent he was given to work with. However this decision to start Reed, over Amir, IMO, is a very poor decision. I hope Reed proves me wrong, but I figure he will get lit up, and likely hurt himself with walks, like he always has when he has started. Amir deserved to get the starting nod over Reed. I dont put much into spring training stats, but Amir was also better than Reed during spring training. I liked Cody, when we got him as part of the Cueto trade, as I had seen him pitch in the minors some, and thought he would be a solid major league SP. Now I think Cody, could still find a place in a bullpen, but I no longer have a while lot of faith in him as a starter. I would love for him to prove me wrong.

[CaseIH]

Re: Official Cincinnati Reds Thread

Im glad the game got rained out, that way we dont have to watch Cody Reed get lit up against the Cubs. Reed is the type of pitcher that the Cubs need to face, to get them going offensively,lol. Hopefully Finnegan is ready to come back, and Reed is sent back down to AAA

[CaseIH]

Re: Official Cincinnati Reds Thread

I know its early, but wow we suck bad so far I told my wife, the last couple yrs or so, we have gotten off to descent early starts, only to suck, so maybe if we suck early on, we will get it going, and be competitive most of the season But right now, we definitely do not look good.