Aramis Ramirez? :idunno:

 

That would work for me. That gives you a cleanup hitter and lets you keep Sappelt in LF and leadoff if he works out. You can move Stubbs down to 7 or 8. He is getting old though.

He is way more than one year behind Cueto developmentally wise. His ERA is almost the exact same as last season and about 1 full run higher than Cueto's at the same point.

Bailey has a 4.30 ERA this year. At around 350 innings (where Bailey is now), Cueto's ERA was over 4.40. Look at the innings pitched to compare.

 

How do you get that he is getting better and better?

Bailey's ERA's the last 3 seasons - 4.53, 4.46, 4.30. WHIP the last 3 season - 1.47, 1.37, 1.30. Looks like he is getting better to me. Plus, I trust my eyes. When I watch him pitch now he is leaps and bounds ahead of where he was last year or the year before.

 

 

He has never been either healthy and/or effective enough to pitch even 115 innings in the big leagues in a single season. Cueto has thrown at least 170 in each of his 4 seasons.

 

Over his career Bailey has his best ERA in the first inning. The Reds have other options for their rotation. Why not see if Bailey can be an effective closer--especially if they move Chapman to the rotation? Bailey has a very straight fastball, that leads to trouble once hitters get adjusted to it, especially the 2nd time through when he loses a little bit of velocity. He throws fastballs 70% of the time while throwing a curve or slider about 12% each--which means he doesn't completely trust either of them. He would be much more effective throwing that fastball in a 1 inning situation, especially given his durability issues.

 

See answers above in blue. Also, as you described ... Bailey's "very straight fastball" ... doesn't seem like a good idea in closing situations.

Homer's ERA is best in the first inning both this season and over his career. He gets into trouble when hitters see him a 2nd or 3rd time. As a closer he'd be able to come in and thrown hard for one inning. I think that suits him better than starting. To me he's a #4 or #5 starter, but he has the stuff to be a very good closer.

 

I wasn't talking about his stuff. I was talking about the mental aspect of his game. The last thing you want from a closer is have him give up a walk or hit right away and then implode on you.

I think you try to bring Coco back at a reduced price to close.

That would work for me. That gives you a cleanup hitter and lets you keep Sappelt in LF and leadoff if he works out. You can move Stubbs down to 7 or 8. He is getting old though.

 

Only if they don't have to sell the farm to get him and can sign him at a reduced rate. The Cubs and Ramirez have a mutual option and at 33 I have to believe he will be looking for a contract to take him into his late 30s. He hasn't exactly been healthy the last 3 years either and has missed a lot of games.

See answers above in blue. Also, as you described ... Bailey's "very straight fastball" ... doesn't seem like a good idea in closing situations.

 

And he had reached those 350 innings in 2 years, not 5 as it has taken Bailey. Age is just as much, if not more of a factor than innings. His "improvement" from last season to this one has been minimal if at all. How about the durability issues? And the straight fastball isn't as much of a factor when he can throw all out for 1 inning rather than trying to go 6 or 7. He strikes me as someone like Isringhausen or Kerry Wood that was okay as a starter but had durability issues and excelled as a closer.

The only problem I see with Bailey becoming a closer is whether he can warm up fast enough or not.

 

I know last year in the playoffs he was warming up for 1 1/2 - 2 innings before he came in as a reliever.

I HATE Brandon Phillips in the 4 hole. If I were the manager I'd never put him there. He gets away from what he does best when he gets moved to the 4 hole, IMO.

 

One thing we can agree on. I also do not like Brandon in the 4 hole.

I have not commented much in this thread all year, but will give things a shot.

 

- If Sappelt proves himself worthy then I plug him into Left and let him leadoff.Agree that if he shows promise plug him into the leadoff spot

 

- Stubbs is their best centerfielder and he hits either 6 or 7 in the lineup.Disagree that he is your best CF if Sappelt is in the lineup. At best he is an above average CF. He doesn't go back well on balls over his head and he certainly doesn't get to balls in front of him. His first step is back much the way Junior did late in his career and he won't lay out to make catches in front of him.

 

- Bruce stays in right and bats 5,6 or 7. Works for me.

 

- Rolen stays at third and plays on a limited basis to allow you to determine if there is anyone in your system that can play their everyday. Francisco would only add to the strikeout whoas that this team already has and is not much better than EE down there.Isn't that what we have now? It's not working very well is it? I think Rolen will make that decision easy for the "toothpick".

 

- Cozart is my man at short for now, but sample size is way to small. Would like to see them pick up a veteran for this spot. Agree with Cozart but I don't see them able to find a "good" veteran for what they would be willing to pay.

 

- Phillips is resigned and plugged into the 2 hole of the batting order and does not move from there.Would like to see him resigned but not a price greater than what he is making today

 

- Votto stays through next year and then look to shop him if he does not sign long term.Agreed

 

For starters I like Cueto as my number 1, Leake as number 2, Chapman as number 3, Bailey as number 4 and Wood as number 5. I ship Volquez and Arroyo to the first teams that make me a good offer. Willis is not resigned and hope I can get something for him. Bullpen is okay, but needs to learn to not hit so many bats on the first pitch to each batter. I have no problems with trades but make them meaningful ones

 

This team is not real far away, but they need to make better contact from inning 1 to 9 and pitching location needs to be better. I am not sold on Jacoby or Pryce for that matter. I like Pryce but have problems with Jacoby's hitting approach with these young guys Maybe a coaching change would do some of these guys good as well.

 

See above in bold

See answers above in blue. Also, as you described ... Bailey's "very straight fastball" ... doesn't seem like a good idea in closing situations.

 

Bailey has been throwing the splitter and that is a good closer pitch.

And he had reached those 350 innings in 2 years, not 5 as it has taken Bailey. Age is just as much, if not more of a factor than innings. His "improvement" from last season to this one has been minimal if at all. How about the durability issues? And the straight fastball isn't as much of a factor when he can throw all out for 1 inning rather than trying to go 6 or 7. He strikes me as someone like Isringhausen or Kerry Wood that was okay as a starter but had durability issues and excelled as a closer.

 

Durability is a concern for Bailey. But a # 2 or 3 starter is much more difficult to find than a closer. Closers are a dime a dozen. I would hate to give up on Bailey at this point when he is only 25. It is a proven fact that most players finally are fully developed and begin peaking at age 27. It is way too early to pull the plug on Bailey as a starter. When he gets to 700 big league innings like Cueto is now, I think you will see a very good starting pitcher.