thavoice;1574209 wrote:Votto was on with McCallister the other night. He mentioned how at times an organization must rely on its players to simply get better and progress when asked about the lack of offseason acquisitions.

Cozart and Frazier need to make more progression. Ludwick needs to stay healthy and put up numbers, or Heisey must do it. Votto needs to put up some better numbers. I believe the catching position as a whole will put up better numbers with DM playing 5-6 days a week. BP is the type of guy I think plays better when he has an attitude so I expect a good year out of him. Question as we all know is how BH will play in CF. I dont thin we can expect Bruce to put up better numbers, maybe just be more consistant.

He also commented about the new hitting coach. He basically talked how a hitter, especially vets, are pretty much set in what and how they do things and the new hitting coach/philosophy will change the overall hitting just a bit.

It will be interesting. I dont see the Pirates doing what they did last year and I thin the Cards take a step back. The division will go from 3 postseason teams down to one. Reds win 90 and they win the division

Classyposter58;1577696 wrote:Good hitting coaches can lessen slumps though. As for your predictions on the Cardinals, there's almost no way barring injuries they win less than 90 games, I mean their rotation is stacked and they may have one of the best 8/9 inning shutdown combos in all of baseball. Add to that a tremendous defensive team with incredibly balanced hitting and that is another 95 win team.

The Reds problem is the offense, losing Choo what does this team have outside Votto and Bruce? Phillips needs to hit the ball better and more guys will have to get on base, plus Cueto has to stay healthy. I like the staff a lot, especially Cingrani, and think with that bullpen the Reds may be one of the best in baseball when it comes to not allowing runs. Problem is the Nationals should be improved but yes Pittsburgh should take a step back as they lost some key players and overachieved with their record last season. I think Pittsburgh is a few years away from being very good with their batch of upcoming prospects

Heretic;1577698 wrote:Only key players the Pirates lost were Byrd the rental and possibly Burnett, depending on what he does. The main worry about them is that some guys in key positions overachieved last year compared to previously (particularly Melancon and Grilli, who while out there together were easily the best 8-9 combo in the division).

se-alum;1579926 wrote:Rodriguez was the only infielder in AAA last year, that was capable of being called up and playing. He's probably an AAAA player, but this farm system is so weak with position players, that this doesn't make much sense. I guess they could hope he clears waivers, but I doubt a career .300 hitter and .350 OBP guy in the minors will, and he's only 24.

wildcats20;1578598 wrote:Ladies and gents, Sam LeCure.

wildcats20;1581446 wrote:According to this, the Reds are nearing an extension with Homer.

http://www.rotoworld.com/headlines/mlb/418719/baseball-headlines?r=1

wildcats20;1581464 wrote:6 year, $100 mil.

se-alum;1581477 wrote:I'd be very happy with that.

wildcats20;1581464 wrote:6 year, $100 mil.

thavoice;1582397 wrote:http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on-baseball/24448523/report-reds-homer-bailey-agree-to-6-year-105-million-extension


and apparently BP still isnt talking to the media. I am ok with that.....he seems like a guy who plays better when he has an ax to grind.


Fair deal for both sides I believe. I look for HB to get even more consistant and would commant much more after this upcoming season.
In the coming years Cueto, Latos and LEake will be due up. Leake probably wont seek alot even though he is solid, and fully expect the reds to lose Cueto or Latos.