Reds Offseason: Decision Time

[jpa2825]

Chapman won't be eligible for arbitration. He will be a FA in 2015 if he opts out of his contract.

 

13:$2M, 14:$3M, 15:$5M player option

 

Chapman's 2014 salary will not be $3MM because he should be arbitration eligible after 2013 season. That converts his bonus and puts him in arbitration (with likely a big award).

 

I corrected original post. Latos IS arbitration eligible for 2013 season. That will jack up his price (and I suspect force Jocketty to talk to them about a potential long-term deal). If he is not interested, keep him as long as the arbitration awards can be swallowed.

[HammerTime]

Chapman's 2014 salary will not be $3MM because he should be arbitration eligible after 2013 season. That converts his bonus and puts him in arbitration (with likely a big award).

 

I corrected original post. Latos IS arbitration eligible for 2013 season. That will jack up his price (and I suspect force Jocketty to talk to them about a potential long-term deal). If he is not interested, keep him as long as the arbitration awards can be swallowed.

 

You are right about Chapman and if he plays a full season he will be arbitration eligible in 2014.

 

 

1st time for Latos so it won't be that bad but they need to think about long term here. He's going to get expensive really quick. I think they will get something done at some point. Can't afford to let a guy like that walk when he is a FA when you gave up a lot to get him.

[dmderringer10]

Chapman's 2014 salary will not be $3MM because he should be arbitration eligible after 2013 season. That converts his bonus and puts him in arbitration (with likely a big award).

 

I corrected original post. Latos IS arbitration eligible for 2013 season. That will jack up his price (and I suspect force Jocketty to talk to them about a potential long-term deal). If he is not interested, keep him as long as the arbitration awards can be swallowed.

 

delete

[HammerTime]

You don't go to arbitration if you sign a contract that runs through those arbitration years...

 

I thought the same but looks like something in his contract.

 

If Chapman qualifies for arbitration after 2012, $5M is converted to a bonus and he becomes arbitration-eligible

 

If Chapman qualifies for arbitration after 2013, $3M is converted to a bonus and he becomes arbitration-eligible

[spindoc]

Reds finished 3rd in mlb ERA 3.34.

17th in batting avg.

21st in Runs scored.

Pitching is the priority? Really?

You make my point for me. We didn't scare 100 wins because of the offense. Surely that's not difficulty to see. Again, I refer back to the Grif/Donkey era when the REds were atop the league in runs scored, but couldn't dream of postseason baseball.

[HammerTime]

You make my point for me. We didn't scare 100 wins because of the offense. Surely that's not difficulty to see. Again, I refer back to the Grif/Donkey era when the REds were atop the league in runs scored, but couldn't dream of postseason baseball.

 

Big difference. Were not looking for a guy to bash home runs. We just need a serviceable lead off hitter.

[malachicrunch]

You make my point for me. We didn't scare 100 wins because of the offense. Surely that's not difficulty to see. Again, I refer back to the Grif/Donkey era when the REds were atop the league in runs scored, but couldn't dream of postseason baseball.

 

Really? So even though they have an awesome pitching staff, you say that improving the pitching is the high priority?

[Voice of Reason]

Offense needs to be fixed and the top priority is leadoff. A leadoff hitter you can start your lineup with every day sets the whole lineup. That is really the big hole in this Reds offense. I would have no problem with Phillips batting clean up between Votto and Bruce. I actually like that middle of the order. Get a leadoff hitter.

 

As to Stubbs and catching, those two are linked. I don't see how you can roll with both Stubbs and Hannigan because of the offensive impact. Is Navarro not an option? He has stunk it up offensively the past 2-3 years but catchers tend to develop offensively later than other hitters. Navarro is entering the prime of his career as a catcher. I am good with Hannigan if we are getting some offense out of the CF slot. If we stick with Stubbs and keep dreaming of an Encarnacion type development, then maybe you go with Navarro getting most of the action and Hannigan in the lesser role. Maybe you give Navarro three pitchers and Hannigan two. Mesoraco ... either you carry 3 catchers because you like Mesoraco/Navarro in a pinch hitting role or Mesoraco gets more time in AAA to get his act together.

 

Chapman ... I get him in the rotation. Great starters win championships. Great relievers come out of nowhere every year.

 

Dusty ... those of you who have followed the Reds' threads all year know how much I have despised the Dusty bashing and how I think it is uncalled for. I do think Dusty is a good manager and a better one than I ever thought when he was hired. But I see Dusty as a great manager for the 162 game grind and not a good manager in the pitch by pitch crunch of the playoffs. If the Reds are going to win the World Series in the next couple years, I think they need to look for a manager who can make those one game moves. That would have to be an experienced guy who has been there, done that. I don't know if that option is out there, but if it is I go for it. If not, I stick with Dusty. If that option is Tony LaRusa, I stop being a Reds fan as long as he is the manager.

[shamrock fan]

I'm not too worried about leadoff hitter. We've been complaining about that spot for years, yet they have been pretty successful recently without addressing to our desires.

 

Are you kidding? Before Phillips went to lead-off, Cincinnati's 9th spot had a higher average. I know that late in the game you have pinch hitters, but for the most part it is PITCHERS.

 

The lead-off batter is very important, and something worth worrying about for this club.

[shamrock fan]

You can never.......never.........ever........ever.......have enough pitching. EVER.

 

No you can't, but it doesn't matter if your bats can't support it.

[Flotsam]

Countdown to Feb 16, 2013 9:00 AM in Phoenix

 

Attn: PITCHERS and CATCHERS

[westsider]

C ... If the Reds are going to take a step forward, Mesoraco has to show he is the real thing. He didn't get a great chance to do it this year, but he didn't do all that much to merit more time, either. Mesoraco/Hanigan will work just fine.

 

1B ... Votto has the entire offseason to get healthy ... he won't be an issue.

 

3B ... I would try to find some insurance for Frazier. He can hold the spot for a year or two, and he'll provide some bang for the buck, even though a guy with his K-walk ratio probably isn't going to be a long-term success.

 

LF ... Ludwick had a revival year, but are you really going to count on it again?

 

SP ... Rotation is fine, and there is some depth in the system.

 

RP ... Chapman is so dominant in the role that it's hard to take him out of there. I would probably leave him as the closer.

[malachicrunch]

Are you kidding? Before Phillips went to lead-off, Cincinnati's 9th spot had a higher average. I know that late in the game you have pinch hitters, but for the most part it is PITCHERS.

 

The lead-off batter is very important, and something worth worrying about for this club.

 

Oh I know lead off is a weakness. I think I may have even suggested Leake lead off when he pitches (sort of kiddingly). Fact is that they have not had a decent lead off hitter in eons ( we are always talking about it) but yet they have reached the playoffs 2 out of the last 3 years. The reason the lost to SF is because they couldn't get the guys in that are on base.

[shamrock fan]

Oh I know lead off is a weakness. I think I may have even suggested Leake lead off when he pitches (sort of kiddingly). Fact is that they have not had a decent lead off hitter in eons ( we are always talking about it) but yet they have reached the playoffs 2 out of the last 3 years

 

I agree. I was sitting there yesterday, wondering why Leake wasn't one of the pinch hitters. I think he has the 5th highest average on the regular season. As a matter of fact, I questioned the decision to leave him off the post-season roster in the beginning. It wasn't that I wanted him as a pitcher, as I know he's the 5th starter and not great out of the bullpen. I thought he might have some value as a PH and runner.

[stickymitts]

I agree. I was sitting there yesterday, wondering why Leake wasn't one of the pinch hitters. I think he has the 5th highest average on the regular season. As a matter of fact, I questioned the decision to leave him off the post-season roster in the beginning. It wasn't that I wanted him as a pitcher, as I know he's the 5th starter and not great out of the bullpen. I thought he might have some value as a PH and runner.

 

Only thing I thought was he should've run for Ludwick in the bottom of 9. Obviously, it doesn't matter now but he would've had to play left field if they tied it.