Cincinnati Reds Off-Season Thread

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thavoice

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Jan 22, 2013 10:37 AM
WOuldnt want Chapman playing for Cuba..they may kidnap him and make him stay!
I dont mind position players on the team, but CUeto/staring pitchers concern me a bit with the extra innings. I was just talking recently that I hope they limit his innings at times this season. There were a number of times they ran him out for another inning or two when they easily could have given it to the BP to close it out.
Jan 22, 2013 10:37am
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wildcats20

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Jan 22, 2013 10:38 AM
thavoice;1371902 wrote:WOuldnt want Chapman playing for Cuba..they may kidnap him and make him stay!
I dont mind position players on the team, but CUeto/staring pitchers concern me a bit with the extra innings. I was just talking recently that I hope they limit his innings at times this season. There were a number of times they ran him out for another inning or two when they easily could have given it to the BP to close it out.

I agree
Jan 22, 2013 10:38am
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se-alum

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Feb 1, 2013 8:13 AM
Registration for Opening Day ticket drawing is now open.
Feb 1, 2013 8:13am
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thavoice

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14,376 posts
Feb 4, 2013 2:21 PM
Anyone attend any of the Reds caravan stops? I usually stop by the private, local stop they had but didnt make it this year. Was told Homer Bailey was extremely cordial to anyone and if he wasnt with the entourage of people they never woulda thought he was a ballplayer.

Getting close. The reds SHOULD be in for a great season. Anything less than the WS is a disappointment this year.
Feb 4, 2013 2:21pm
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rightfield

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Feb 7, 2013 9:35 PM
It has been a long time since I could say anything less than the WS would be dissapointing but that is exactley where we are. It is a good place to be. High expectations among all my friends who follow the Reds.
Feb 7, 2013 9:35pm
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Rotinaj

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Feb 7, 2013 10:08 PM
WS appearance or bust. If they choke away another playoff series Dustys ass better be gone.
Feb 7, 2013 10:08pm
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Azubuike24

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15,933 posts
Feb 7, 2013 11:37 PM
It's gonna be a tough NL.

You have the Nationals and Braves, both improving playoff squads. The Giants defending champs, the Dodgers really making a huge push. In fact, much of the strength is in the West and East. The Reds, if they play their cards right and stay healthy, are the clear NL Central favorites.

What happens after that is a big mystery. We saw that this year with the Cueto injuries and Votto being a shell of himself. Otherwise, this year's team arguably could've won it all.
Feb 7, 2013 11:37pm
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karen lotz

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Feb 19, 2013 5:07 PM
Is Chapman really getting a serious look in the rotation this spring? What is everyone's thoughts on that? He is untouchable out of the pen and I wouldn't think he'd be able to throw 100 if he's a starter going 7 innings. I think for someone that dominant, I'd leave him where he is. The rotation still has pretty good depth doesn't it?
Feb 19, 2013 5:07pm
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Azubuike24

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Feb 19, 2013 5:36 PM
A serious look? He's in the rotation.

He won't hit 100 consistently, but quite honestly, he doesn't have to. He's just as dominant at 98 as long as he has control and can locate his slider. I think eventually he will have to develop some sort of change up as well, but that's probably a work in progress.

IMO, the key for him is going to be able to stay fresh and adjust to the different role. When he can dial it up once or twice in a key situation, it's virtually impossible to hit 102+.

Last year he had a stretch where he had a "dead arm" and was down around 92-94. It wasn't pretty, especially because I'm not sure he had idea where it was going.

The rotation is pretty stable with Latos, Cueto, Bailey, Arroyo and Leake, but the latter 2 are question marks, especially Leake, who proved he couldn't be relied on.
Feb 19, 2013 5:36pm
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karen lotz

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Feb 19, 2013 5:45 PM
Ah didn't know it had been decided. Baseball Tonight was at Reds camp and everyone expected him to be the closer once camp broke. My bad.

I wouldn't think he can throw 98 for 7 innings either. I know he has a freakish arm but that is asking a lot.
Feb 19, 2013 5:45pm
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Azubuike24

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Feb 19, 2013 5:52 PM
For sure. He's gonna have to learn to pace himself and the arm should get used to the longer duration, less-frequent usage.

I guess he could go back to the pen, but the organization has already said he's a starter, so it would have to be a major fail for him this spring and after that, I'd question whether he'd immediately be a shutdown closer right away. The Reds would be in trouble.
Feb 19, 2013 5:52pm
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Ironman92

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Feb 19, 2013 8:59 PM
Hoping for David Price...expecting Zane Smith.
Feb 19, 2013 8:59pm
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TedSheckler

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Feb 20, 2013 5:51 AM
Jim Day was tweeting yesterday about Chapman pitching in batting practice.
Chapman is throwing live BP. He’s using all his pitches which he didn’t do as closer. Just buckled knees with a dynamic change up #Reds
Chapman just threw a split finger that he used to throw in Cuba, hasn’t used it yet here. It moved like a screwball #AWESOME #reds
Feb 20, 2013 5:51am
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thavoice

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14,376 posts
Feb 20, 2013 10:10 AM
karen lotz;1392496 wrote:Ah didn't know it had been decided. Baseball Tonight was at Reds camp and everyone expected him to be the closer once camp broke. My bad.

I wouldn't think he can throw 98 for 7 innings either. I know he has a freakish arm but that is asking a lot.
Why not...Verlander and other power pitchers can. It isnt like starting and throwing alot of innings is foreign to him...
Feb 20, 2013 10:10am
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thavoice

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14,376 posts
Feb 20, 2013 10:12 AM
TedSheckler;1392789 wrote:Jim Day was tweeting yesterday about Chapman pitching in batting practice.
Just like in ST last year he opened up his pitch selection as you can do as a starter. You set up hitters more as a starter than you do as a closer. A closer you are facing 2-5 guys and that is it. As a starter you will face the same guy 2-4 times in one game. He will throw more variety of pitches and that will make him a better pitcher. Even if he "only" throws 97-98 throughout the game if he mixes in the othe rpitches JUST enough he will be lethal. You dont have enough time as a closer to really throw all your pitches.
Feb 20, 2013 10:12am
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karen lotz

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Feb 20, 2013 1:30 PM
thavoice;1392868 wrote:Why not...Verlander and other power pitchers can. It isnt like starting and throwing alot of innings is foreign to him...

Verlander will throw in low 90s in the early part of the game then ramp it up in the 8th and 9th. He knows how to pace himself. Chapman very well could do that, but he's going to have to learn how to, like Az said.
Feb 20, 2013 1:30pm
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Azubuike24

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Feb 20, 2013 7:07 PM
Joey Votto likely to be named starter for Team Canada. Official announcement coming tomorrow.

This is good news I'm starting to think. I'm not nearly as concerned for a position player in the WBC. I'm obviously concerned about his knee, but I think we will get to see him going 100% in these WBC games, so we'll know early on what type of shape he's in.

Knowing Votto's personality, if he could've physically gotten to 100%, he would've. The guy is one dedicated mofo.
Feb 20, 2013 7:07pm
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Midstate01

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Feb 20, 2013 7:09 PM
Azubuike24;1393218 wrote:Joey Votto likely to be named starter for Team Canada. Official announcement coming tomorrow.

This is good news I'm starting to think. I'm not nearly as concerned for a position player in the WBC. I'm obviously concerned about his knee, but I think we will get to see him going 100% in these WBC games, so we'll know early on what type of shape he's in.

Knowing Votto's personality, if he could've physically gotten to 100%, he would've. The guy is one dedicated mofo.

I think it's a good thing. It means he's fully healthy and confident. He wouldn't play otherwise.
Feb 20, 2013 7:09pm
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Rotinaj

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Feb 20, 2013 7:37 PM
Barring injury Votto will win MVP. 100 doubles. Book it!!!
Feb 20, 2013 7:37pm
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Midstate01

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Feb 20, 2013 7:40 PM
Rotinaj;1393231 wrote:Barring injury Votto will win MVP. 100 doubles. Book it!!!

I think about the same as last year. Because I think hes going to hit for more power this year.
Feb 20, 2013 7:40pm
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Azubuike24

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Feb 20, 2013 8:26 PM
It's funny to say 100 doubles, but damn, he was on a pace for nearly 80 last year...crazy.

If Choo has a great year in-front of him, Votto will be seeing a ton of chances because Phillips and Choo are damn tough 1-2 guys to start with...

It's going to be vital for Ludwick and Frazier to really produce in the 4 spot, because they are going to get massive RISP chances.
Feb 20, 2013 8:26pm
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Midstate01

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Feb 20, 2013 8:35 PM
Azubuike24;1393262 wrote:It's funny to say 100 doubles, but damn, he was on a pace for nearly 80 last year...crazy.

If Choo has a great year in-front of him, Votto will be seeing a ton of chances because Phillips and Choo are damn tough 1-2 guys to start with...

It's going to be vital for Ludwick and Frazier to really produce in the 4 spot, because they are going to get massive RISP chances.

Just hope Phillips doesnt kill them with douole plays. But if choo gets on it'll open up the oppo hit for Phillips even more.
Feb 20, 2013 8:35pm
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Classyposter58

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Feb 20, 2013 8:44 PM
thavoice;1392868 wrote:Why not...Verlander and other power pitchers can. It isnt like starting and throwing alot of innings is foreign to him...
Yeah JV hit 100 at 140 pitches in a game so it's not impossible
Feb 20, 2013 8:44pm
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se-alum

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Feb 21, 2013 6:07 PM
Reds have blocked Cueto from WBC. Good move.
Feb 21, 2013 6:07pm
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Midstate01

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Feb 22, 2013 3:27 PM
Reds up 5-0 after half inning on Indians.
Choo walk
Phillips hit
Votto RBI hit
Ludwick walk
Bruce RBI go
Frazier RBI go
Cozart double
Hanigan RBI double Stubbs and Bourn didn't communicate and it dropped
Feb 22, 2013 3:27pm