IF you get the same pitching next season as you have this season (taking into account the injury to Latos and the stellar start by Simon), and IF you get career average years from Phillips, Votto and Ludwick along with a duplicate of 2014 from Meso, Hamilton and Frazier, your big hole is at SS.

 

That team would compete.

 

Ludwick? Seriously?

Rotation is legit. The everday 8 is weak, yes, when healthy. They were better last year and didn't hang a banner. No reason to think they would have this year. Vottos a headcase and BP doesn't want to be here. It will all be very apparent next year if no changes are made.

 

The everyday 8 is good enough to compete for titles. Sure an upgrade or two would be great, but it isn't needed to compete for the division.

Ludwick better be gone after this year. I would rather play Lutz in LF than another season of Ludwick. Ludwick is starting to make a contract run at the plate. I hope the Reds don't buy in.

Will be interesting to see what happens with LF for next season.

 

Shame Winker is done for the year. Could've had him develop at AA or AAA the remainder of this season, and given him a shot to win the job in ST next year.

Ludwick better be gone after this year. I would rather play Lutz in LF than another season of Ludwick. Ludwick is starting to make a contract run at the plate. I hope the Reds don't buy in.

 

I wish they would give Lutz a shot the remainder of this season. See if he's capable of being on a ML roster going forward.

Ludwick better be gone after this year. I would rather play Lutz in LF than another season of Ludwick. Ludwick is starting to make a contract run at the plate. I hope the Reds don't buy in.

 

$4.5 million buyout...

^That contract is a perfect example of why Jocketty has been horrible.

 

He gave a guy like Ludwick the contract he did, and included a $4.5M option to make him go away? Wonder if he was high when he offered him that?

Red Sox won the WS last year using a variation of Sabermetrics.

 

Theo really brought that in and ingrained it in the system. They hired the Godfather for awhile in Bill James. 2004 and 2007 were big Sabermetric teams surrounded by high priced bats in Manny, Papi, and JD Drew.

Theo really brought that in and ingrained it in the system. They hired the Godfather for awhile in Bill James. 2004 and 2007 were big Sabermetric teams surrounded by high priced bats in Manny, Papi, and JD Drew.

 

Yep. The Red Sox, the Rays, the A's, and the Cardinals all use it, and have all been much more successful than the Reds. The game is changing and teams that aren't willing to adapt (i.e. the Yankees) are seeing it become increasingly more difficult to "buy championships".

Ludwick, Heisey or Lutz? Not a fan of any of them but they are the choices at hand.

^For this year, I agree. Lutz should play near everyday.

The everyday 8 is good enough to compete for titles. Sure an upgrade or two would be great, but it isn't needed to compete for the division.

 

I disagree.

I disagree.

 

I'd say they're good enough in 7 of the 8 spots. LF absolutely must be upgraded to have a shot IMO.

I'd say they're good enough in 7 of the 8 spots. LF absolutely must be upgraded to have a shot IMO.

 

I know he plays good defense but that .560 OPS in the SS spot is pretty bad.

I know he plays good defense but that .560 OPS in the SS spot is pretty bad.

 

I don't disagree, however I think if you stick him in the 8 spot in the order, you can live with him being weak offensively. When he has to bat anywhere else in the lineup is when you have issues IMO.