Give me the guy who’s gonna hit .280 with 15 HRs and 70 RBI and get on base at a .350-.370 clip over Duvall every day of the week.

 

Who is that guy and how many games you going to win? The statement you made is the exact reason I move on from billy hamilton

Who is that guy and how many games you going to win? The statement you made is the exact reason I move on from billy hamilton

 

Jesse Winker is that guy.

 

Build a lineup with guys that have a high OBP and you’ll win a lot more games than you will with guys that hit a bunch of HRs but can’t get on base to save their lives.

 

I’m not opposed to moving on from Billy either. Problem is he’s one of the best defensive players I’ve ever seen. He saves a ton of runs and if you throw him at the bottom of your order you can live with his poor offensive numbers because of all the other things he brings to the table.

Give me the guy who’s gonna hit .280 with 15 HRs and 70 RBI and get on base at a .350-.370 clip over Duvall every day of the week.

 

3 months ago people would've said you're crazy for predicting Jesse Winker to hit 15 HR's...

Duvall's 2016 & 2017 numbers are remarkably similar:

 

2016: 150 games, .241 avg, .297 OBP, 33 HR, 103 RBI, 41 BB & 164 K

2017: 147 games, .246 avg, .291 OBP, 31 HR, 97 RBI, 34 BB & 162 K

Kind of my point as well. You get rid of a guy who has hit 30+ homers and driven in 100+ runs and replace him with a guy that might hit 15 and drive in 65 to 70 runs? As I said, Duvall stays on my team. Schebler and Hamilton likely both stay on the roster and one becomes a not everyday player IMO. IMO you cannot have Peraza and Hamilton in the same lineup because they just kill you with their lack of getting on base.

 

I think this teams biggest issues going forward are solidifying their starting staff and making some tweaks in their bullpen.

Fair point. We are arguing over the position guys when the pitching staff is still in shambles. :lol2:

I don't think the Reds should change a thing.

 

Seriously though, I remember watching Barnhart at AA Pensacola play two games while we were on vacation on the Emerald Coast four years ago and thought there was no way he would ever sniff the majors. Watched him play a three game series in July and was impressed at his development. I also liked what I saw in Suarez. They should have moved Feldman and Bailey at the trade deadline.

 

I think they are leaving Price in to manage while the building takes place and then like the Cubs and Indians, bring in a high profile manager to lead the young uns once they are in place. Ron Gardenhire and Freddi Gonzalez come to mind.

Duvall's 2016 & 2017 numbers are remarkably similar:

 

2016: 150 games, .241 avg, .297 OBP, 33 HR, 103 RBI, 41 BB & 164 K

2017: 147 games, .246 avg, .291 OBP, 31 HR, 97 RBI, 34 BB & 162 K

 

Remarkably similar and equally as bad.

Tucker is my full-time catcher next year. Should be a no-brainer. But you can't have a $13M backup sitting on the bench...so, for those of you wanting Duvall gone...do you restart the Meso-Left Field experiment if you can't trade him?

Tucker is my full-time catcher next year. Should be a no-brainer. But you can't have a $13M backup sitting on the bench...so, for those of you wanting Duvall gone...do you restart the Meso-Left Field experiment if you can't trade him?

 

You either trade him or you use him 2 days a week IMO.

 

I could see an AL team having some interest in him as a DH option if the Reds eat some of that ridiculous salary.

Reds have announced an extension for Tucker Barnhart through 2021 with an option for 2022.

 

If the option is not picked up, the deal is for $16M total over the 4 years. If the option is picked up, it's $23.5M over 5 years. I think they got pretty solid value.

Reds have announced an extension for Tucker Barnhart through 2021 with an option for 2022.

 

If the option is not picked up, the deal is for $16M total over the 4 years. If the option is picked up, it's $23.5M over 5 years. I think they got pretty solid value.

 

Love this deal. Even if he "goes Meso" it's chump change. If he continues to develop, $4M/yr. and $7.5M/yr. in YR5 are bargains.

 

If you can deal Meso w/o eating >50% of his salary, do it. If not, he's your backup if he's ever healthy.

I'd extend the qualifying offer of $18 million. If he accepts it, then you have your shortstop for 2018. This would allow Senzel another half season to develop in the minors (and perhaps more importantly, it delays starting his MLB service time). If he rejects the offer because he's looking for a big-time, multi-year deal, then the Reds get a compensation pick.

 

If the Reds think Senzel is ready to begin 2018 in the big leagues and Suarez (or Peraza) is capable of playing SS on a daily basis, then I'd be okay letting Cozart walk with nothing in exchange. But, as I mentioned above, I personally doubt whether Suarez or Peraza can handle shortstop defensively.

 

Agree. Worst case scenario here is he takes the deal and is back here for $18M and reverts to back of baseball card. If that happens, part with him for 2019. If he continues to perform, try to sign for value or trade before deadline.

Reds have announced an extension for Tucker Barnhart through 2021 with an option for 2022.

 

If the option is not picked up, the deal is for $16M total over the 4 years. If the option is picked up, it's $23.5M over 5 years. I think they got pretty solid value.

 

Love it. Admittedly, I am a Tucker Barnhart fan. I like the way he plays behind the plate.

Interesting thoughts here. First guy I move on from is Billy Hamilton unless he is used as a defensive replacement late in games or a part time player. He is like having another pitcher in your lineup. The little bit I have seen of Winker, he needs to stick next year and play most everyday. The guy exudes confidence in the batters box. Suarez is inked long term and stays at third base or you trade him now. If I do not have Hamilton in the lineup, I can live with Peraza and put him at shortstop. He needs to work with someone about understanding and commanding the strike zone. Ervin sticks as a 4th or 5th outfielder. Not sold on Schebler being an everyday player, but do feel that Duvall needs to be kept around because the Reds do not have many guys that are going to drive in 100 runs a year on average.

 

Starting pitching is Castillo, Disco, Bailey, Romano and Mahle from what I have seen. Finnegan goes to the bullpen along with Peralta giving me two solid lefties. Lorenzen and Iglesias have obviously earned their stripes.

 

I make Tucker Barnhart my number one catcher and Mesoraco is nothing but a backup if even on the team. If not, they need to find a backup catcher because Turner is in way over his head.

 

Hamilton - give him 1st half of 2018 batting bottom of order to see what he gives you. He is not suited to leadoff with his low OBP. If no progression there, try to deal him at deadline as the experiment is over here and someone else may believe that they can change him. Also, a pinch runner / defensive replacement at low cost and under team control could be a very valuable piece of the puzzle for a contender.

 

Winker - agree he looks "ready for prime time." That's why I leave him, Senzel and others at AAA until the pitching staff has congealed. Why start / keep their clocks running for a non-contending team. Mid-market teams like the Reds have to try to time everything for a 2-4 yr. window to succeed. Letting him develop up here when the pitching staff is still far away just prevents such synchronization.

 

Jury is still out on whether Schebler is "ready for prime time," so keep giving him MLB ABs until you know. That puts Duvall, Hamilton and Schebler in my OF until at least the deadline.

 

Looks like you got your wish on Barnhart. I agree with the signing.

^So the guy that you think is ready for the big leagues you want to keep in the minors, but the guy who you aren't sure is ready should be getting everyday ABs?

 

That doesn't make much sense to me. Why wouldn't you give ABs to the guy who is ready?