Beck Bristow Posted December 19, 2017 Share Posted December 19, 2017 Hate to see Senzel at second when we already have so many options there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE DUKE Posted January 2, 2018 Author Share Posted January 2, 2018 There are options, but none of the minor league ones are proven, and the MLB ones have issues: Scooter Gennett is a bad defensive 2B. Not below average, bad. Benefitted greatly from the juiced balls too. Jose Peraza is moving to SS Dilson Herrera has had eleventy billion shoulder injuries Alex Blandino has some promise there, walks a ton, started to hit more in 2017, but has struggled adjusting in the upper levels Shed Long just got to AA and struggled there in 2017, will start there in 2018 Plus Suarez is a BAMF and played great defense at 3B in 2017. If we can work out an extension this offseason, I'd be happy. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I like the Jared Hughes signing. Reliable middle inning ground ball pitcher for GABP. Won't need to rely on rookies and 2nd year guys as much. The young guys have some talent, but you don't want too many at once. Iglesias, Lorenzen, Peralta, and Hughes have 4 of the 7 spots pretty much wrapped up. For the last 3, it'll be a spring training battle between Ariel Hernandez, Austin Brice, Kevin Shackleford, Jackson Stephens, Zack Weiss, Jimmy Herget, Barrett Astin, Kyle Crockett, Joe Mantiply, Rafael De Paula, and Kevin Quakenbush. I think Crockett has a good shot at making it as he'd be a 2nd lefty, and his only real competition is Mantiply (barring them putting Finnegan, Reed, or Garrett in the bullpen, which I don't think they will do as of yet). Opening day we will probably have an 8 man pen and only 4 SP on the roster until the 5th SP is needed, either Stephenson or Romano. My best guess at the opening day pitching staff is: Luis Castillo Homer Bailey Anthony Desclafani Brandon Finnegan Kevin Shackleford Kyle Crockett Zack Weiss Austin Brice Wandy Peralta Jared Hughes Michael Lorenzen Raisel Iglesias Then when a 5th starter is needed, one of Brice, Weiss, or Shackleford gets optioned for Robert Stephenson. If Ariel Hernandez can take another step with his control, he'll make it, but that's a dicey proposition. Stephens could make a good long man in the bullpen, and given the depth in AAA, I think his days as a starter are numbered. Odds are one of Bailey, Disco, or Finnegan re-injures themselves and Sal Romano is in the rotation as well, but it's impossible to tell which one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE DUKE Posted January 9, 2018 Author Share Posted January 9, 2018 Supposedly Bob Castelini is making it hard to trade Billy Hamilton, pretty much just because he likes him. Owners shouldn't interfere in baseball operations, but at the end of the day, it's their team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beck Bristow Posted January 12, 2018 Share Posted January 12, 2018 I like his sentiment. I want my guys to stay on the team til they retire too. But he needs to pay up for a backup outfielder, because that's all Billy has been. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE DUKE Posted January 12, 2018 Author Share Posted January 12, 2018 12 hours ago, Beck Bristow said: I like his sentiment. I want my guys to stay on the team til they retire too. But he needs to pay up for a backup outfielder, because that's all Billy has been. Billy's value is going to go down a cliff once his speed starts to slip, and really, speed is the first thing to go. He'll still be fast in his 30's, but he isn't a good enough hitter to be anything other than elite defensively and on the basepaths. I also guarantee that BHam isn't going to stay here as a backup if someone else gives him a chance to start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beck Bristow Posted January 21, 2018 Share Posted January 21, 2018 https://www.mlb.com/news/reds-bryan-price-encouraged-by-rotation-health/c-264934770 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE DUKE Posted January 26, 2018 Author Share Posted January 26, 2018 Given the cost, I'm ok with the Reds not trading for Yelich. It likely would have required Senzel as the headliner, and while Yelich is a dang good player, Senzel has a chance to mean more for the Reds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beck Bristow Posted January 29, 2018 Share Posted January 29, 2018 I agree. I wouldn't have moved Greene either. I would have been happy with something like: Mahle Trammel Blandino/Long Lower value prospect Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE DUKE Posted January 30, 2018 Author Share Posted January 30, 2018 Reds sign David Hernandez to a 2 year $5 mil deal. Building the bullpen up with cheap reliable vets. Could work, especially if we get more from the starting pitching this year. CL: Iglesias SU: Lorenzen MR: Peralta MR: Hughes MR: Hernandez That's 5 slots pretty much wrapped up with some good arms competing for 2-3 more spots depending on if they go with a short bench or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beck Bristow Posted February 3, 2018 Share Posted February 3, 2018 Bull pen has definitely improved I think. If the starters hold their own, they might actually hold up this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE DUKE Posted February 7, 2018 Author Share Posted February 7, 2018 Reds picked up another minor league free agent pitcher in Jeff Manship. He was a productive MLB reliever in 2015-2016 before deciding to try to be a SP in 2017 in Korea. He was effective there, but his K rate dropped in a starting role. He likely fills out the AAA bullpen with the chance of a shot if he produces there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE DUKE Posted February 8, 2018 Author Share Posted February 8, 2018 A good lengthy article by Dayton Dragons media director Tom Nichols, including a lot of good info on Hunter Greene. https://www.milb.com/dragons/news/10-dragons-baseball-thoughts-prior-to-spring-training/c-266021402 The Dragons (Low A) team should have a lot of good talent on it this year. Here's a stab at what I think the roster might be: 1. Andy Segulio, RF 2. Jeter Downs, SS 3. Stuart Fairchild, CF 4. Miles Gordon, LF 5. Montrelle Marshall, 1B 6. Jose Garcia, 2B 7. Leandro Santana, 3B 8. Hendrik Clementina, C 9. Satch McElroy, DH/OF BN: Mark Koloszvary, C BN: Alejo Lopez, MIF BN: JD Salmon-Williams, OF BN: Francis Azcona, IF 1. Hunter Greene 2. Packy Naughton 3. Matt Blandino 4. Tyler Mondile 5. Ryan Olson LR: Jhon De Jesus MR: Cory Thompson MR: Luis Alecis MR: Miguel Aguilar MR: Moises Nova MR: Connor Bennett CL: Dauri Moreta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE DUKE Posted February 20, 2018 Author Share Posted February 20, 2018 Brian Price came out and said that during spring training that Nick Senzel will be playing SS and 3B, which is a development from over the winter when the plan seemed to be that he'd be playing more 2B than anything. Senzel showed up to Goodyear a month early and has been working extensively at SS with Reds instructors. They must have liked what they have seen so far to pretty much scrap the idea of playing him at 2B. They can always go back to it later (he did play 2B 2 years at Tennessee), but if Peraza doesn't hit to start the year he'll be looking over his shoulder at one of the best hitters in the minors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beck Bristow Posted February 21, 2018 Share Posted February 21, 2018 I think it's pretty perfect. We don't have a true prospect at aaa right now for short and that might be the position of greatest need in the majors. And it definitely seems like there is potential there for him to play there, at least early in his career. I didn't see your previous post on the Dragon's lineup. Do you really think they move Garcia off short so soon? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE DUKE Posted February 21, 2018 Author Share Posted February 21, 2018 5 hours ago, Beck Bristow said: I think it's pretty perfect. We don't have a true prospect at aaa right now for short and that might be the position of greatest need in the majors. And it definitely seems like there is potential there for him to play there, at least early in his career. I didn't see your previous post on the Dragon's lineup. Do you really think they move Garcia off short so soon? If both Downs and Garcia end up in Dayton, then I think both will play some SS, some 2B, and some DH. From what I've read, Downs is the better bet to stick at SS, but there have been conflicting reports on both of them. That's why we play the game, see what's real and what's BS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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