se-alum;1048009 wrote:The bullpen could be flat out nasty if Masset gets his shit together.

Arredondo too. He's got the best stuff, year 2 after Tommy John is usually when everything starts to come together.

SportsAndLady;1048038 wrote:Cueto
Latos
Leake
Bailey
Arroyo

Lecure could be a spot starter here and there
Chapman possibly in the rotation at some point

Sure they could use another starter, but they'll be fine

They had more depth going into last year. They had Arroyo with far higher expectations going into last year. They ended up relying on Dontrelle Willis, who wasn't even on the 40-man and was out of baseball, as their 4th starter for the entire second half.

Injuries happen. You need depth. Sam LeCure is not depth. Aroldis Chapman is depth, but Chapman is either going to be not ready, starting in AAA, or he's going to be in the rotation from the get-go. He isn't a guy you keep down there as "depth", nor would you force a move with him starting full-time if he isn't ready. So I'd take him out of the equation unless he's 100% ready to start...and in that case, the depth certainly improves.

Bottom line, they need TWO more SP's. They don't have to be great. They might come from within the system. They might come from another team's system. They might come from free agency. But they need more. Aaron Cook, Cincy native, great sinkerball, signed MINOR LEAGUE DEAL with Boston? Unless they offered and he chose Boston, Walt was asleep.

It's going to be hard to get a vet to come in on a minor league deal this year now that most of the rotation is set though. Last year you still had huge question marks with Volquez, Leake, Wood, etc and even Cueto you weren't sure if he was a 5 inning guy or not. I'd like to see 1 more guy too though.

Azubuike24;1048203 wrote:They had more depth going into last year. They had Arroyo with far higher expectations going into last year. They ended up relying on Dontrelle Willis, who wasn't even on the 40-man and was out of baseball, as their 4th starter for the entire second half.

Injuries happen. You need depth. Sam LeCure is not depth. Aroldis Chapman is depth, but Chapman is either going to be not ready, starting in AAA, or he's going to be in the rotation from the get-go. He isn't a guy you keep down there as "depth", nor would you force a move with him starting full-time if he isn't ready. So I'd take him out of the equation unless he's 100% ready to start...and in that case, the depth certainly improves.

Bottom line, they need TWO more SP's. They don't have to be great. They might come from within the system. They might come from another team's system. They might come from free agency. But they need more. Aaron Cook, Cincy native, great sinkerball, signed MINOR LEAGUE DEAL with Boston? Unless they offered and he chose Boston, Walt was asleep.

You look at things wayyyyyy too negatively lol

Someone else will step up, rarely does a team go an entire season w/out one pleasant surprise in the rotation.

This is as serious in the off season as I can remember the Reds being in many years. I am fired up.

I think the rotation will be fine. I'm expecting a big year out of arroyo. He's not going to pitch like that again. Cueto will keep getting better. Bailey has all the tools and showed signs. Leake just needs to be consistent. I'm expecting big things from the pitching staff.

I'd like to see them take a chance on Fukodome. Offer him a small one year deal with incentives and see if he takes. I doubt people are knocking down the door to sign him and I'd like to see a high OBP option for LF.

justincredible;1048340 wrote:I'd like to see them take a chance on Fukodome. Offer him a small one year deal with incentives and see if he takes. I doubt people are knocking down the door to sign him and I'd like to see a high OBP option for LF.

100% agree!

I'm hoping for Ryan Ludwick and wouldn't be surprised to see Theriot brought in to back up Cozart.

TigerNation10;1048534 wrote:I'm hoping for Ryan Ludwick and wouldn't be surprised to see Theriot brought in to back up Cozart.

You like .230 outfielders with some power?

I'll take a career .260 guy who has shown he has power over an underachieving .260 hitter who has never had more than 13 homers.

Who are the next hitters to come up through the system? The future lead off hitter is at AA, correct?

Dusty still the manager?

Ironman92;1048858 wrote:Dusty still the manager?

Yes.

**Excitement level drops**

Ironman92;1048858 wrote:Dusty still the manager?

Thanks for the reminder....

rightfield;1048845 wrote:Who are the next hitters to come up through the system? The future lead off hitter is at AA, correct?

They really don't have anyone who will be expected to make it up within the next 2 years. Those guys all got traded.

I'm assuming you are referring to Billy Hamilton who played for Dayton last year? He will start in high A or AA but I wouldn't expect him to get to Louisville until very late next year if at all. If he really progresses I could see him being a 2013 September call up. He's very raw both in the field and at the plate.

^^^Thanks Dave. Yea, that's who I was referring to. Would you compare him to a Vince Coleman or Magee who played OF for the Cards back in the 80's and 90's. They were electric fast and were huge distractions to the pitcher when they were on base. They weren't .320 lead off hitters but they didn't strike out once or twice a game either.

He's not Willie McGee for sure....McGee could hit and had some years over .300 with a .353 in his batting champion season.

Vince Coleman might work....maybe Donell Nixon or Jeff Stone

Coleman is a pretty good comp. I only went to 6 Dragons games last year so I have a small sample size to go off of. Early in the year it was like watching Deion Sanders. Late in the year more like Juan Pierre or Kenny Lofton in their prime. I honestly can't think of an infielder that I can compare him too. He plays SS if you didn't know.

I assumed he was a CF. Well, it seems like we are set at SS for awhile so maybe the Reds will give him a look at CF. I may be just delusional about this but I'm a little desperate after watching Stubbs whiffing like A. Dunn this past season. I'm fishing for good news, help me.

Reds signed former Rays all-star catcher Dioner Navarro to a minor league deal.

Close to 2-year extension with Arredondo.

Navarro looked bad 2 seasons ago, but hey low risk move.

Navarro I could care less about.

Excited about signing Arredondo though!!

Good move to have another vet in Louisville to work with Chapman. With Grandal gone there really is no catching prospect in the system other than Tucker Barnhart who was in Dayton last year. He still has over a full year before he gets to Louisville. Navarro will probably get the majority of the starts over Corky who re-signed. The Bats are going to be a much different team than they have been the last 5 or so years.

Midstate01;1055155 wrote:Navarro I could care less about.

Excited about signing Arredondo though!!

This.

If nothing else, Navarro is just a vet to help the young guys in Louisville, like Dave said.