1. Who are the 4th and 5th starters?
2. Is Marshall now the closer?
3. Who plays LF?
4. Now that Yonder is gone can they lock up Votto?
5. How much can you expect from Rolen this year?
6. Considering what they have given up, do they have enough to compete with the Big Boys this year and/or next?

1. You have to think Leake would be the favorite for the #4 spot. He has been pretty consistent the past couple of years. The real question is #5. The Reds say they are committed to Chapman starting. Is he ready to start at the major league level? If he isn't does he go to AAA or stay in the bullpen? Or do you put him at 5 ready or not? If Chapman is the 5th starter what do you do with Homer? We have seen the past year or 2 you need more than 5 starters to get through a season. What was once fairly deep with young talent is now less so. Does he have options? Do you make him a middle man/insurance starter? Also, see 2.

2. Is it safe to assume Marshall is now the closer? He hasn't closed before. Does he have the mental makeup? Do you give the job to Chapman if he doesn't pitch well enough as a starter? Do you take a chance and give the job to Massett? Thinking outside the box a little, do you give it to Homer? He has a great arm, and has typically been better the first time through the lineup than the 3rd.

3. Right now the guess would be Heisey. But could you get a LF in trade for Chapman or Homer? Do you want to risk giving up pitching depth to bring in a LF?

4. This is a big one. The "First Baseman of the future" is now a Padre. Do they have anyone else in the pipeline? Can they afford to keep Votto?

5. He's certainly not going to start 150 games. Juan Francisco looked pretty good in his time late last season. But is he ready to play a lot more? Do you platoon him L/R with Rolen? Which player gets most of the time? Start with Rolen and anticipate that Juan will eventually have to fill in?

6. This team has a good chance to win a division. But for what we have given up, that's not enough for me. Have they done enough to compete with the Phillies, Angels, or Yankees? I'm not sure they are there yet unless Stubbs and Bruce both blossom this year.

What do you think?

I may be blanking, but who do you have as the #3 starter? Cueto, Latos, ?

[quote name='Bengals1181' timestamp='1324571291' post='1077988']
I may be blanking, but who do you have as the #3 starter? Cueto, Latos, ?
[/quote]

Bronson

[quote name='Jason' timestamp='1324575474' post='1078013']

Bronson
[/quote]


oh yea, him.

[b][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]1. Who are the 4th and 5th starters?[/font][/color][/b]
[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]My rotation: Cueto, Latos, Leake, Bailey, Bronson.[/font][/color]
[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Chapman starts in AAA and gets the call up when Bailey goes on the DL.[/font][/color]
[b][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]2. Is Marshall now the closer?[/font][/color][/b]
[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]No, I think they still pick up whichever closer is left over at a decent price.[/font][/color]
[b][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]3. Who plays LF?[/font][/color][/b]
Assuming no more moves, Heisey. However, since the team appears to be going all-in for the next two years they need to quit half-assing it and actually go all-in. Pick up a legit LF. I'd then platoon Heisey and Stubbs in CF
[b][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]4. Now that Yonder is gone can they lock up Votto?[/font][/color][/b]
[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]haha, no way.[/font][/color]
[b][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]5. How much can you expect from Rolen this year?[/font][/color][/b]
[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]half season at best. i don't think you can play him two days in a row.[/font][/color]
[b][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]6. Considering what they have given up, do they have enough to compete with the Big Boys this year and/or next?[/font][/color][/b]
[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]They've done enough to win the division, but need a legit LF to really be a factor[/font][/color]

[quote name='Bengals1181' timestamp='1324575791' post='1078017']


oh yea, him.
[/quote]

I'm really hoping last year was an aberration. He put too much pride into having never missed a start. I think had he sat for a few weeks after he got sick he could have finished the year stronger.

The cards replace Pujols with Carlos Beltran

[quote name='Bengals1181' timestamp='1324603452' post='1078124']
The cards replace Pujols with Carlos Beltran
[/quote]
Cards are still going to have a solid middle of the order. Beltran, Holiday, and Berkman. If Furcal can stay healthy at the top of their lineup, they should still score some runs.

I take back my comment about doing enough to win the division. The Cards just pulled ahead

With the addition of Madson, the Reds are loaded from start to finish on the pitching staff. Very solid staff. The fact that a discussion is whether Bailey is the fifth starter of Chapman, who throws 105mph should be an indication that this is a solid rotation. The biggest concern remains LF and 3B for the 2012 season. I'm a bit nervous about what the future holds, but clearly the executives are pulling the trigger to win this year. No more, in 4 years.....talk. I'd be ecstatic if they pulled the trigger to bring someone in at LF and 3B. I'm really excited to see Cozart for a full season too. It;s going to be a fun year.

I see Rolen and Fransisco doing a L/R rotation at 3rd base. This will keep Rolen fresh and get Fransisco ready to take over full time next season. The pitching staff is still strong despite giving away lots of talent, but there is always injuries so everyone will get thier chances. They have to extend Votto before the season starts. As for left field I personally am happy with Heisey. He is a solid guy defensively and he has some pop in his bat and speed on the bases. I look for a break out 30 HR 90 RBI 20 SB season out of him. He'll probably never be a guy that hits for average staying around .275-.280 range.

If Heisey and Stubbs can cut down on their strike out numbers this is shaping up to be a really good team.

Very happy about the signing, it takes us to the next level. I think they still pick up someone cheap for LF. I'd love for Heisey to be the guy, but I don't think Dusty is a fan.

[quote name='gatorclaws' timestamp='1326297339' post='1088537']Very happy about the signing, it takes us to the next level. I think they still pick up someone cheap for LF. I'd love for Heisey to be the guy, but I don't think Dusty is a fan.[/quote]
Word is they are talking to Cody Ross, Ryan Ludwig, and Rick Ankiel. I would expect they sign one of them and have them platoon with Heisey.

[quote name='BigDawgBengal' timestamp='1326297857' post='1088540']
Word is they are talking to Cody Ross, Ryan Ludwig, and Rick Ankiel. I would expect they sign one of them and have them platoon with Heisey.
[/quote]

Out of the three I prefer Ankiel because he obviously has a strong arm, he's a left handed hitter, and he has some speed. I used to get so tired of the Reds having a bulky left field liability. With Phillips at the top of the order, then Votto, Stubbs, Bruce, Rolen, Ankiel, Cozart, Hannigan, pitcher, you can have almost a R/L lineup all the way through. That's the ideal lineup to prevent relief pitchers pitching an entire inning.

I also read they might go with a Heisey and Todd Frazier combo in left.

[quote name='Lewdog' timestamp='1326304953' post='1088574']

Out of the three I prefer Ankiel because he obviously has a strong arm, he's a left handed hitter, and he has some speed. I used to get so tired of the Reds having a bulky left field liability. With Phillips at the top of the order, then Votto, Stubbs, Bruce, Rolen, Ankiel, Cozart, Hannigan, pitcher, you can have almost a R/L lineup all the way through. That's the ideal lineup to prevent relief pitchers pitching an entire inning.

I also read they might go with a Heisey and Todd Frazier combo in left.[/quote]

Don't be surprised if it is another right hander they bring in. Heisey's problem is he struggles against lefties.

[quote name='Jason' timestamp='1326312880' post='1088652']
Don't be surprised if it is another right hander they bring in. Heisey's problem is he struggles against lefties.
[/quote]


Well Cody Ross is too much of a journeyman and I don't like guys that hit .220 one year then .300 the next. That makes me think there is something going on in their head and its just not worth the struggles. Ludwig is too inconsistant and strikes out way too much. When he played for St. Louis I almost counted him as an out every time he came to bat. I had no confidence in him at all.

What about shortstop?

[quote name='Hooky' timestamp='1326813131' post='1090157']What about shortstop?[/quote]

I think that will be Cozart and Janish.

[quote name='Jason' timestamp='1326819916' post='1090166']
I think that will be Cozart and Janish.
[/quote]

That would be a big question mark if that's the case. I'm more concerned with a questionable left infield than left outfield.

My guess for the rosters...

Rotation
1. Cueto
2. Latos
3. Leake
4. Arroyo
5. Bailey
(Might not actually go in that order, but close enough..)

Bullpen
Lecure/Smith/Fisher/Brackman
Ondrusek
Arrendando
Masset
Marshall
Bray
Madson

1. Phillips 2B
2. Cozart SS
3. Votto 1B
4. Rolen 3B (I think he should be hitting 7ish or so though)
5. Bruce RF
6. Stubbs CF
7. Heisey/Ludwick LF
8. Mes/Hanigan C

Bench
Ludwick/Heisey
Frasier
Hanigan/Mes
Francisco
Cairo

Down the line I hope somehow Chapman can replace Arroyo in the rotation and I hope Mes moves up the order and Francisco shows enough to start taking a lot of PT from Rolen.

No way we cut Arroyo, I hope he'll bounce back and have a 2010 type year, and this is his last year with the reds.

[quote name='turningpoint' timestamp='1327079388' post='1090828']
No way we cut Arroyo, I hope he'll bounce back and have a 2010 type year, and this is his last year with the reds.
[/quote]
Yeah that'll never happen. We can pray for tommy john

[quote name='Who Dey Forever' timestamp='1327367508' post='1091633']
Yeah that'll never happen. We can pray for tommy john [/quote]

You don't think Bronson can bounce back? I think his biggest problem last year was the mono and his pride. Had he "missed a start" or2 after mono I think he would have had a different year.

Taht's the thing about Bronson, his success is mostly a mental thing and less physical than most pitchers. He relies on placement of his pitches and his off speed stuff more than anything else. As long as he can throw a 88+ mph fast ball he will still be a pitcher in the majof leagues. I hope he can keep things together this year and bring back that super curve ball of his.