Manager in my opinion needs to be someone that is good with young pitchers, negotiating with owners in who to trade for, and who to let go. On top of knowing baseball.. DUH

 

However I agree this team was handled terribly the last 2-3 months. We have some good offensive pieces but we have to trade some to get starting pitching. I think keeping Harvey as a 5 in your rotation might not be a bad thing. But the only 2 pitchers I think you have next year as starters for sure are Castillo, and Descalfani. Other than that they are very inconsistent. I pray we make the right moves because we are close and have young talent that is impressive. I love Trammell, Winker, India, and Senzel. Without starting pitching it won't matter. I see the Braves and think of the Reds in similarity, and I think we are closer than most people realize. I am not sold on Iglesias as a closer as he gives up a ton of HR and has looked bad at times.

 

Where to start?

 

"we are close" - close to what? .500 baseball? Wild Card? Looking respectable? Not sure on any of those fronts.

 

"closer than most people realize" - I think most people realize the Reds are "not close."

 

"I am not sold on Iglesias as a closer" - save % > 90%; also, the last concern for a team that has lost 98, 94, 94 and 93 (and counting) games over the past 4 seasons is the competence of their closer.

I believe a couple starting pitchers and this team can make playoffs. Are we really that different than the Brewers?

I believe a couple starting pitchers and this team can make playoffs. Are we really that different than the Brewers?

 

It's going to take more than 2 starting pitchers to make up 21 games in the standings. The offense is actually just below the league average in runs scored. It isn't a positive either. The Brewers have scored about 50 more runs than the Reds while allowing 155 less. So yes, the Reds are a lot different than the Brewers. This team is nowhere close to the playoffs.

It's going to take more than 2 starting pitchers to make up 21 games in the standings. The offense is actually just below the league average in runs scored. It isn't a positive either. The Brewers have scored about 50 more runs than the Reds while allowing 155 less. So yes, the Reds are a lot different than the Brewers. This team is nowhere close to the playoffs.

 

Meh. The Brewers are/were still playing for something in September, while the Reds were just running the schedule out. Fighting for a playoff berth is a lot more motivating than just pride. Plus, I'd guess the Reds played a lot more of their September call-ups than the Brewers did, too. If I did my math correctly, the Reds scored 22 fewer runs in September than they did in August, and I'd say those two things played a big part in it.

Meh. The Brewers are/were still playing for something in September, while the Reds were just running the schedule out. Fighting for a playoff berth is a lot more motivating than just pride. Plus, I'd guess the Reds played a lot more of their September call-ups than the Brewers did, too. If I did my math correctly, the Reds scored 22 fewer runs in September than they did in August, and I'd say those two things played a big part in it.

 

A 205 run differential isn't due to September call ups. They were eliminated in April. It's how you finish 24 games behind a playoff spot. This team is not close to contending.

Do the Redlegs talk to Scioscia?

A 205 run differential isn't due to September call ups. They were eliminated in April. It's how you finish 24 games behind a playoff spot. This team is not close to contending.

 

Sorry, I should have highlighted better. My response was specifically to your 50 run difference on offense. I don't think there's that much difference between the Brewers and the Reds with regards to that (runs scored).

 

In fact, the Reds have a higher team batting average than the Brewers (.254 to .252), and a higher OBP (.328 to .322) - which is also higher than Colorado and Atlanta's. They've basically hit the same amount of 2B's and 3B's. The one category that Milwaukee has clearly seperated from the Reds is home runs (216 to 172), but even the Reds' amount is higher than the Cubs', and about the same as Atlanta's...so, it's not like they're not hitting any.

 

Can the offense be improved? Sure. I think most people would agree that the outfield players is where it could/should happen. Having Duvall with a horrible start (and then traded), coupled with Winker and Schebler's injuries, really hurt this team offensively. Add in Hamilton's woes from the plate and it's not hard to see where improvements could happen with some tinkering.

 

Pitching...is a whole different story.

The Reds have the offense to contend, assuming they do something with CF.

 

This team needs a massive overhaul on the pitching. Can't throw Bailey out there. Can't throw Harvey out there. Have to make a splash in Free Agency, and we all know that's not going to happen. Castillo is a solid #3 IMO. Disco can be a #4 or #5. They need 2-3 top end arms and they simply aren't going to spend the money to get it.

Do the Redlegs talk to Scioscia?

 

Do they talk to Molitor?

Sounds like Farrell is the favorite.

 

REPORT: John Farrell the Favorite to Land Reds Managerial Job | 12up

Sounds like Farrell is the favorite.

 

REPORT: John Farrell the Favorite to Land Reds Managerial Job | 12up

 

I have absolutely zero reason for it, but I've never liked that guy.

I have absolutely zero reason for it, but I've never liked that guy.

 

I watched him for 5 years with the Red Sox. He did a great job handling their bullpen but I hated his other in-game tendencies. And he does not promote a great clubhouse environment. I was fine with him after the way he handed to Price/Eckersley situation last season.

Don’t know a ton about Farrell other than he was successful in Boston. Is he an analytics guy? Does he do well with youngsters?

Don’t know a ton about Farrell other than he was successful in Boston. Is he an analytics guy? Does he do well with youngsters?

 

I felt like he was okay with youngsters but I don't think he related to them on a personal level. He wouldn't sit them in favor of less talented veterans like Dusty but he didn't seem that personable either. Like I said I didn't like his handling of the Price/Eckersley situation last year. He seemed like he wanted to stay out of clubhouse matters. As far as analytics: the Red Sox have one of the most advanced analytics departments and he didn't fight against it but I don't think he completely embraced it like Cora has. He also wanted to always alternate L/R hitters even if it meant batting some of his better hitters further down in the order. He does handle a pitching staff well, particularly the bullpen. You could do worse, but I'd look younger if I were the Reds.

Would they consider Buck Showalter at all?