Will Cueto get a shot at the big roster next season? Could we have a 5 of Harang, Arroyo, Homer, Cueto, and Livingston? No extra dollars required.

 

 

Sure, if you want another 15 games below .500 season....

And I answered....

Not really. Free up that money and start with a guy like Lohse either way. Minimal effect for maximum loss...

Keppinger gets 3 more hits today. How many games or AB's does he have to have before we can just expect him to play 150 games and hit .330 or higher next year?

 

I think he is for real. He has been hitting well for quite awhile now, and against some good teams: Padres, Cubs, Dodgers, Brewers, etc...

Not really. Free up that money and start with a guy like Lohse either way. Minimal effect for maximum loss...

Sounds like we're stuck with a bad club then. I guess the answer is to keep everyone and suffer through another losing season. Thats the norm in Redsland. Please remind us ; when was the Reds last winning season and the last time they were in the playoffs? I can't seem to remember

Sounds like we're stuck with a bad club then. I guess the answer is to keep everyone and suffer through another losing season. Thats the norm in Redsland. Please remind us ; when was the Reds last winning season and the last time they were in the playoffs? I can't seem to remember

 

Right, wrong, or indifferent, their play since June 1 (2 games under .500) would lead you / one to believe that Castellini may not be crazy thinking they aren't as far away as their overall standings would indicate. Do they need some tweaking, yes, do they need some more solid contributors in the Bully, heck yes. If you go into next season with a similar offense (keep in mind, Ross can't be this bad again and Edwin [hopefully] will gain consistency with age) and Harang, Arroyo, Bailey, Livingston (or Dumatrait or Cueto) in the rotation, you need only to add a solid veteran starter and a couple of good veterans in the bully to improve off of the team that are playing at just under .500 for the last 3 months.

 

If your expectations are this team, in this market, are ever going to be a 105 win team than you just aren't paying attention. Freeing up money is super, but you have to have something to do with it. There isn't a top notch "#1" starter out there (that will come here, or Citizens Bank, or Miller Park.....) that you can go get. Adding 2 or 3 mid-level veteran starters doesn't seem to be an upgrade over Livingston or Bailey, so what is the point? This team should be able to make enough little tweaks to get near 90 wins next year -- and in the NL Central that should be enough.

 

I think based on sample sizes it is fair to assume that this is about a .500 team right now and the first two months were aberrations. If you make that assumption, and again the last 3 months would indicate that, than you're only talking about finding 10 more wins next year. It isn't necessarily the over-haul needed that many "Chicken Little's" would lead you to believe.

 

However, if you just dislike folks for non-baseball reasons and want to upset the apple cart for the sake of making changes -- have at it. If you're itching to make trades than let's start (logically) with the guys closer to the end of the careers than the beginning.

Right, wrong, or indifferent, their play since June 1 (2 games under .500) would lead you / one to believe that Castellini may not be crazy thinking they aren't as far away as their overall standings would indicate. Do they need some tweaking, yes, do they need some more solid contributors in the Bully, heck yes. If you go into next season with a similar offense (keep in mind, Ross can't be this bad again and Edwin [hopefully] will gain consistency with age) and Harang, Arroyo, Bailey, Livingston (or Dumatrait or Cueto) in the rotation, you need only to add a solid veteran starter and a couple of good veterans in the bully to improve off of the team that are playing at just under .500 for the last 3 months.

 

If your expectations are this team, in this market, are ever going to be a 105 win team than you just aren't paying attention. Freeing up money is super, but you have to have something to do with it. There isn't a top notch "#1" starter out there (that will come here, or Citizens Bank, or Miller Park.....) that you can go get. Adding 2 or 3 mid-level veteran starters doesn't seem to be an upgrade over Livingston or Bailey, so what is the point? This team should be able to make enough little tweaks to get near 90 wins next year -- and in the NL Central that should be enough.

 

I think based on sample sizes it is fair to assume that this is about a .500 team right now and the first two months were aberrations. If you make that assumption, and again the last 3 months would indicate that, than you're only talking about finding 10 more wins next year. It isn't necessarily the over-haul needed that many "Chicken Little's" would lead you to believe.

 

However, if you just dislike folks for non-baseball reasons and want to upset the apple cart for the sake of making changes -- have at it. If you're itching to make trades than let's start (logically) with the guys closer to the end of the careers than the beginning.

I have to disagree with the all we need is some tweaking mentality. I was concerned that if the Reds played .500 ball in the 2nd half ( which they are) that management would also have the thought this club was only a pitcher or 2 away. IMO if the Reds stay pretty much pat with this club they will continue to be .450-.500 team, I just don't see any reason why we think they will be a 90 win club next year. Hopefully I'm wrong. I'd love it if they were in contention no matter who is on the field.

I don't care one bit how they've played since June 1st. The only thing that matters is how they've played since April 1st, and the Reds have flat out sucked. If no changes are made what leads anyone to believe it won't be more of the same next year?

I don't care one bit how they've played since June 1st. The only thing that matters is how they've played since April 1st, and the Reds have flat out sucked. If no changes are made what leads anyone to believe it won't be more of the same next year?

:thumb: Ditto

I don't care one bit how they've played since June 1st. The only thing that matters is how they've played since April 1st, and the Reds have flat out sucked. If no changes are made what leads anyone to believe it won't be more of the same next year?

Well they did make a change that has made a big difference I think and that was getting rid of Narron.The players are acting a lot different now seems to me.If he had not been here from the start this year things might be a little better as far as the standings go than they are nowl.:thumb:

If no changes are made what leads anyone to believe it won't be more of the same next year?

 

Give us your realistic changes. Lets assume one of the big bats is one of the changes. Then what?

Will Cueto get a shot at the big roster next season? Could we have a 5 of Harang, Arroyo, Homer, Cueto, and Livingston? No extra dollars required.

Two proven pitchers. One with a winning record? WS here we come:rolleyes:

Give us your realistic changes. Lets assume one of the big bats is one of the changes. Then what?

Why don't we let the people who get paid to do this figure it out. I have no idea what they could get for one of the "big bats" If they can't get much then that should tell you something right there. Lets turn the tables here: why don't you give us some reasons why you think this club as is will do any better than what they have done so far??

why don't you give us some reasons why you think this club as is will do any better than what they have done so far??

 

Didn't I essentially do that in Post #1685? If you aren't going to pitch the Bailey / Livingston / Dumatrait / Cueto's why develop them? Either you roll the dice and put them in the rotation or you don't.

Two proven pitchers. One with a winning record? WS here we come:rolleyes:

 

 

Not many more meaningless individual stats than the W-L stat.

 

Secondly, your comments could lead one who is not familiar with the Reds to conclude that they can compete on the open market for top-notch pitchers.

Why don't we let the people who get paid to do this figure it out. I have no idea what they could get for one of the "big bats" If they can't get much then that should tell you something right there. Lets turn the tables here: why don't you give us some reasons why you think this club as is will do any better than what they have done so far??

 

My bad. Your suggestions led me to believe that you had your own idea of how to proceed.

 

I'm of the belief that in the NL Central, the Reds can compete next year. I'm fine with the rotation I mentioned previously - Harang, Bronson, Homer (he will be on the roster next year), Livingston, and Cueto.

 

I'm fine with the core of the offense. In my world, I'd move BP to SS and put Kepp at F4. I'd keep Hatteburg unless I know for sure Votto can play at the MLB level. I'd move Gonzalez if at all possble. I'd cut Castro. I'd think about trading Freel to free up money. I'd cut Stanton to free up $3M.

 

Shoring up the bullpen is the challenge. I'd move Belisle to the bullpen. Good stuff for an inning or two. I still like the Lizard as middle reliever. He pitched well against the Brew Crew on Saturday. Dumatrait - maybe the lefty out of the pen.

 

Without knowing what relievers will be available, I'm going to assume that some will be that could fill in a niche.

 

Closing the gap on the run differential is the key. You can't give up lots of offense if you don't have the funds to step up big time for 2 starting pitchers or a stud reliever. With the limited budget the Reds are working with, reconfiguring the bullpen is the key.