The whole season has been a disaster. So far looks like next year will be the same. Lets face it the Reds are one of the worst organizations in baseball.

Bananna Bob won't get the message until the seats are empty.

Tonight's Line-Up:

 

Hatteberg 1b

Hopper cf

Griffey rf

Dunn lf

Keppinger 2b

Valentin c

Encarnacion 3b

Gonzalez ss

Belisle p

Why have Hatteberg lead off, he hasn't stolen a base since Nixon was in office. If you need to put them that high, bat him second. If Hopper gets on, Hatteberg is a solid contact hitter and you can use the hit and run.

 

I'm not even a "baseball" person and I know that. Nice to see BP get some rest.

Why have Hatteberg lead off, he hasn't stolen a base since Nixon was in office. If you need to put them that high, bat him second. If Hopper gets on, Hatteberg is a solid contact hitter and you can use the hit and run.

 

I'm not even a "baseball" person and I know that. Nice to see BP get some rest.

Hes the only one that can get on base. Also a RH going tonight. One of the plethora of issues the Reds have is no one to leadoff. That is someone with speed and a consistent bat. Everyone can point their fingers at pitching, but the bats are way to inconsistent on this team. 9 runs in the last 5 games. You can put Cy Young himself on the mound and lose 5 straight. The middle of the lineup has been abysmal during the recent losing streak.

Hes the only one that can get on base. Also a RH going tonight. One of the plethora of issues the Reds have is no one to leadoff. That is someone with speed and a consistent bat. Everyone can point their fingers at pitching, but the bats are way to inconsistent on this team. 9 runs in the last 5 games. You can put Cy Young himself on the mound and lose 5 straight. The middle of the lineup has been abysmal during the recent losing streak.

 

I agree that Hopper has a lot of work to do to become more of an ideal lead off hitter, BUT he can beat out a ground ball, bunt hit, etc. Not to mention great speed when he can get on.

 

There is a reason why I'm here and Pete is in the dugout, I just thought I would express my opinion. :lol:

I agree that Hopper has a lot of work to do to become more of an ideal lead off hitter, BUT he can beat out a ground ball, bunt hit, etc. Not to mention great speed when he can get on.

 

There is a reason why I'm here and Pete is in the dugout, I just thought I would express my opinion. :lol:

Hopper is better than nothing which is what the Reds have in the leadoff spot. My point is to try to enlighten the masses to the reality of this clubs situation. There are many more issues than the bullpen plaguing the Reds. To think this team will be a contender in the near future is a falacy that will keep them exactly where they are now, the cellar. This club needs a major overhaul with a GM that knows talent and an owner that will let it happen. Castallini will only get this when he start feeling it at the gate. Of course if more opposing fans continue the trek to GAPB he may never feel the pain. The inactivity at the trade deadline just reeks of incompetence in the front office.

You only leadoff once...

You only leadoff once...

There are many scenarios in which a player can leadoff numerous times in a game

There are many scenarios in which a player can leadoff numerous times in a game

 

You are guaranteed to lead off an inning as a leadoff hitter only once...

 

Better?

You are guaranteed to lead off an inning as a leadoff hitter only once...

 

Better?

Yeah and thats one more time than anyone else in the lineup:D

Yeah and thats one more time than anyone else in the lineup:D

 

So you would want a guy that gets on base, not necessarily steals bases...correct?

For the last time now Votto can't play LF.

Well, neither can Dunn.:sssh:

So you would want a guy that gets on base, not necessarily steals bases...correct?

Nah, I love watching speed on the basepaths. Doubt if Hattey scores many times from 1st on a double.

Okay, the nuts and bolts of the issue. For people that are either in the "Dunn is un-neccessary" camp or "the offense is as big a problem as the pitching" camp, read closely.

 

Runs Scored (and their spot in their division):

Philly 592 (2nd)

Atlanta 541 (3rd)

Florida 527 (4th)

Milwaukee 524 (T1st)

Colorado 522 (4th)

New York 503 (1st)

Chicago 501 (T1st)

Los Angeles 499 (2nd)

Cincinnati 497 (6th) [9th in the league, but 6 and 4 rund behind 1st place teams)

 

Runs Allowed (spot in their division):

San Diego 409 (3rd)

Chicago 442 (T1st)

New York 457 (1st)

San Francisco 465 (5th)

Los Angeles 468 (2nd)

Arizona 489 (1st)

Atlanta 497 (3rd)

Milwaukee 497 (T1st)

Colorado 510 (4th)

Washington 514 (5th)

Pittsburgh 525 (5th)

Philadelphia 547 (2nd)

St. Louis 553 (3rd)

Florida 561 (4th)

Houston 563 (4th)

Cincinnati 567 (6th) Last in the NL in Runs Allowed

 

Variance (great predictor of final standings):

Chicago +59 (T1st)

San Diego +51 (3rd)

New York +46 (1st)

Philly +45 (2nd)

Atlanta +44 (3rd)

Los Angeles +31 (2nd)

Milwaukee +27 (T1st)

Colorado +12 (4th)

San Francisco -8 (5th)

Arizona -34 (1st) **Why they absolutely won't win the West!

Florida -34 (4th)

Cincinnati -70 (6th)

Houston -78 (4th)

Pittsburgh -85 (5th)

St. Louis -90 (3rd)

Washington -96 (5th)

 

 

 

So if you move Dunn (for example) and his 150 runs a year created (R + RBI - HR) and replace him with, say, Freel / Hopper / Votto and they create 100 runs (while playing LF), than you are now -120 to runs allowed. Therefore, for "pitching and defense" with Dunn's money to vault them into a Contender, they have to give up at least 120 fewer runs than they have to date this year (which means get into the Top 3 in the NL in Runs Allowed). You really think that is realistic?

 

The answer isn't to move Dunn, the answer is to tweak the offense but maintain the run creation / production and give up about 80 - 100 fewer runs (better pitching is the key, both starting and bully) and then you are right in the mix.

Well, neither can Dunn.:sssh:

:laugh: YES! that 'll get it cookin on here:thumb: