Febuary 15th 10:15 PM
Spring Is Here!!!
Pitchers & Catchers Report
SARASOTA,FLA--- Well this is the day that myself, along with any true baseball fan, have been waiting for sense the last out of the season. Today was the first practice of spring for the 20 pitchers and 5 catchers reporting to camp. I asked Dusty Baker about how today went & if he is ready for the games to start?
“I am pleased with the attitude of all the young pitchers after the first workout. Everyone seems well conditioned & I can’t wait for the first pitch to be thrown.”
This maybe so but before that first pitch is thrown Dusty has a few difficult decisions ahead of him, starting with who finishes off the rotation. It is pretty much believed to be set 1-4 (Bronson Arroyo, Johnny Cueto, Aaron Harang, Edison Volquez) but the 5 spot is still open. Seven starters were brought to camp but it is believed to be narrowed down to 3 potentially 4 fighting for the spot; those 4 are Micah Owings (favorite to win), Homer Bailey, Nick Massett (also can work in pen), and the long shot Darryl Thompson.
“I am glad they kept me I like it here in Cincinnati. I can not wait to hit the field and all I can do is bring my best; if I make it then great but if not then well we will see” said Homer; responding to the question about him almost bein traded in the offseason.
The other decision is for the starting left field spot along with the out field spot off the bench. Potential candidates for are Chris Dickerson, Jerry Hairston Jr (going to make the team due to his ability of playing UT man), Laynce Nix, Jonny Gomes, & Darnell McDonald. None of the players have the power that is needed in this line up though which still leaves the possibility of signing or trading for a power hitter.”
“I was hoping to land a right hander somewhere but all the deals fell apart,” GM Josh Northcutt said. “I think we got a solid platoon though that our line up could hold up; but I wont lie we are lookin to possibly add a bat.”
The Reds will open Spring Training in 10 days vs Tampa Bay; Cueto will be starting.
· I WILL BE SPORTSCAST MANAGER SPRING TRAINING GAMES TO DECIDE WHO MAKES THE TEAM & PLAY ALL REGULAR SEASON GAMES.
o Will post stats at end of every game in regular season
· START OFF ON VETERN LVL & ADJUST TO HOW I PLAY
· I USED THE DEFAULT ROSTER EXCEPT ADDED DARNELL MCDONALD
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