Gotta like how the "Reds fire Dusty Baker" thread became the "BP Dat dude" thread.

I've stayed out of this while I've pondered the best way to respond. I know this will get ridiculed, and cut up into tiny pieces with a bunch of "yeah, but...". But, here it goes.

 

Quite simply, I like Brandon Phillips. I like the "swag". In fact, I wish we had more players with it. It's the reason I want Chapman to to show some emotion when he fans the side throwing 103 mph. (Okay, maybe just not a somersault...) Its the same reason I wish we had "The Kid", instead of the more mature Ken Griffey Jr. that I saw play here.

 

As to the errors...please. He had 9. Let's not make him out to be another Edwin Encarncion. I will take him all day long over the likes of a Darwin Barney or a Neil Walker. I want a guy who can get to the ball in the hole. Take away a sure base hit. Turn two when it looked like one may not be possible. Phillips brings that to the table.

 

And I think the thing that often gets overlooked with BP and his offensive stats, is that fact the Reds have never really put him in a spot, and said "this is yours". He's batted leadoff...he's batted third...he's batted cleanup (how many 2nd basemen have been asked to do that?)...and this year, they asked him to bat second. And when Ludwick went down, who did they move into that spot? And yes, he had people on board (Choo and Votto) a lot. And for the most part, he produced...even when a lot of others didn't. Yes, his September stunk. But, it wasn't like everyone else was hitting it a ton either at that time.

 

Now...all of that being said...is he a saint? Heck, no. Do I wish he would've handled the CTR situation differently? Sure. But, on the other hand, do a lot of sports writers/bloggers feel they know more about the game than the players/managers when they haven't a freakin' clue? Absolutely. Heck, there's a lot of us on here that think we know more, when we really don't!

 

Could he have handled the interview differently involving his feelings about his/Votto's contracts? Again, sure. But, on the other hand, I welcome the honesty. I'm tired of the cliches that are nothing but empty words. Say what you mean, and mean what you say.

 

And finally, to the hustle. Does it look bad? Absolutely. Does it really make a difference? In the grand scheme of things...probably not. Unless you can really fly (Billy Hamilton), most major league infielders are not going to be affected in their handling of a routine ground ball to them, if the guy is hustling down the line or not. In fact, I would dare say the opposite is usually true. I think there's probably more errors committed when a guy tries to take something off the throw (thinking he'll be more accurate). Ultimately, you've got to remember there's no bonus points by only getting thrown out by 2 steps versus 8 steps. An out is an out.

 

I really can't believe there's a discussion about getting rid of him. As someone else stated, next to Joe Morgan, we're talking about the Reds' best 2nd baseman. (And Morgan had a lot more weapons around him when he was here). Maybe he is a cancer in the clubhouse. I don't know. I'm not there. But, then again, I don't suppose many of you are either.

Statistical analysis says he's not.

 

No one ever said he wasn't great defensively, however I'd venture his glove won them maybe 3 games this season. His base-running cost them between 2-3, so that's a wash.

 

Great call. As good as he is on defense he's a terrible base runner which cancels it out.

I've stayed out of this while I've pondered the best way to respond. I know this will get ridiculed, and cut up into tiny pieces with a bunch of "yeah, but...". But, here it goes.

 

Quite simply, I like Brandon Phillips. I like the "swag". In fact, I wish we had more players with it. It's the reason I want Chapman to to show some emotion when he fans the side throwing 103 mph. (Okay, maybe just not a somersault...) Its the same reason I wish we had "The Kid", instead of the more mature Ken Griffey Jr. that I saw play here.

 

As to the errors...please. He had 9. Let's not make him out to be another Edwin Encarncion. I will take him all day long over the likes of a Darwin Barney or a Neil Walker. I want a guy who can get to the ball in the hole. Take away a sure base hit. Turn two when it looked like one may not be possible. Phillips brings that to the table.

 

And I think the thing that often gets overlooked with BP and his offensive stats, is that fact the Reds have never really put him in a spot, and said "this is yours". He's batted leadoff...he's batted third...he's batted cleanup (how many 2nd basemen have been asked to do that?)...and this year, they asked him to bat second. And when Ludwick went down, who did they move into that spot? And yes, he had people on board (Choo and Votto) a lot. And for the most part, he produced...even when a lot of others didn't. Yes, his September stunk. But, it wasn't like everyone else was hitting it a ton either at that time.

 

Now...all of that being said...is he a saint? Heck, no. Do I wish he would've handled the CTR situation differently? Sure. But, on the other hand, do a lot of sports writers/bloggers feel they know more about the game than the players/managers when they haven't a freakin' clue? Absolutely. Heck, there's a lot of us on here that think we know more, when we really don't!

 

Could he have handled the interview differently involving his feelings about his/Votto's contracts? Again, sure. But, on the other hand, I welcome the honesty. I'm tired of the cliches that are nothing but empty words. Say what you mean, and mean what you say.

 

And finally, to the hustle. Does it look bad? Absolutely. Does it really make a difference? In the grand scheme of things...probably not. Unless you can really fly (Billy Hamilton), most major league infielders are not going to be affected in their handling of a routine ground ball to them, if the guy is hustling down the line or not. In fact, I would dare say the opposite is usually true. I think there's probably more errors committed when a guy tries to take something off the throw (thinking he'll be more accurate). Ultimately, you've got to remember there's no bonus points by only getting thrown out by 2 steps versus 8 steps. An out is an out.

 

I really can't believe there's a discussion about getting rid of him. As someone else stated, next to Joe Morgan, we're talking about the Reds' best 2nd baseman. (And Morgan had a lot more weapons around him when he was here). Maybe he is a cancer in the clubhouse. I don't know. I'm not there. But, then again, I don't suppose many of you are either.

If BP would remain a Red, he is the Reds best 2nd baseman in history. I'm with you. I don't understand the get rid of BP chatter.

If BP would remain a Red, he is the Reds best 2nd baseman in history. I'm with you. I don't understand the get rid of BP chatter.

 

Good player bad contract. Questionable teammate.

Good player bad contract. Questionable teammate.

 

I do think he's questionable in the clubhouse. As of now who do they have that is a positive in there?

Are you saying you think he's too old to manage?

 

No.

I do think he's questionable in the clubhouse. As of now who do they have that is a positive in there?

 

Bruce. Latos. Frazier. BP most flashy most noticeable probably not most respected. What he said about Votto was bull and they all know it.

Latos I can see. The others not so much.

Latos I can see. The others not so much.

 

Not Phillips

Go check out the range factor/9 innings leaders for 2013. Phillips was not in the top 10 second basemen.

 

Year-by-Year Top-Tens Leaders & Records for Range Factor/9Inn as 2B - Baseball-Reference.com

 

Now someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but here's where the stats vs. eyeball test comes into play. Because the way I see it, there are a lot of outside determining factors that can affect a players "range factor". It's putouts + assists divided by innings played, right? Well guess what, if you have a pitching staff that gets more ground ball outs than fly ball outs, that means your infielders end up with more chances to have an assist.

 

For example, this year:

 

Reds pitchers:

1473.2 IP - 1538 GO - 1448 FO - 1296 K's

 

Pirates pitchers:

1470.2 IP - 1806 GO - 1196 FO - 1261 K's

 

Not to mention that the Pirates had 134 double plays to the Reds 120...or the fact that the Pirates threw out 43 base stealers, to the Reds 35. Nor do the stats reveal how the pitchers attacked the hitters...ie. did they pitch right handed batters inside (where they're more likely to pull the ball...and hit it away from the 2nd baseman)?

 

All of which can boil down to where Neil Walker had more opportunities, without really having to do a whole lot out of the normal. It DOESN'T, however, mean he has more range than Brandon Phillips.

 

To me, the way this statistic is calculated, it just says you could put the same player, performing at the same level, on both teams, and they'll end up having a higher "range factor" when they're playing for the Pirates than for the Reds.

Haven't read much of this thread. Too lazy to review every post.

 

Read today that Dusty claims Walt came to him a week ago and told him to fire Jacoby. Dusty refused.

 

Big Man says he had no clue of Walt going to Dusty about that.

 

Speculation is that Chapman will be a starter if Price gets the job.

Haven't read much of this thread. Too lazy to review every post.

 

Read today that Dusty claims Walt came to him a week ago and told him to fire Jacoby. Dusty refused.

 

Big Man says he had no clue of Walt going to Dusty about that.

 

Speculation is that Chapman will be a starter if Price gets the job.

 

Not going to argue the fact on whether Jacoby deserved to be fired or not. The question I would have is...you wait until the last week of the season to do it? In all honesty...what exactly is that going to do?

 

Speculation is that Chapman will be a starter if Price gets the job.[/quote

 

How do Red fans feel about that?

Not going to argue the fact on whether Jacoby deserved to be fired or not. The question I would have is...you wait until the last week of the season to do it? In all honesty...what exactly is that going to do?

 

I assume he meant after the season.