Off Season Thread

[Lewdog]

I can remember the last time the Reds had a guy like Hamilton. Deion Sanders could be one, but he only hit over .300 once in his career. The Reds had Vince Coleman towards the end of his career. Eric Davis and his clone Gary Redus were pretty good base stealers. David Collins might have had some of the Reds best base stealing years of all time.

[Jason]

Watching the game on my DVR now. Billy made a great catch in the 4th inning.

[Lewdog]

It took awhile but I remembered the name I couldn't figure out, Bip Roberts. Hamilton reminds me of a faster version of Bip Roberts.

[Jamie_B]

I loved Bip

[Lewdog]

So what's everyone's opinion on the catching position?

Hanigan is ok. Mesoraco needs more seasoning I think. He looks uncomfortable at the plate a lot and hit .212. Navarro is nothing more than a journeyman who is a career .245 hitter.

Navarro spent some time in AAA with really no stand out stats, Mesoraco hit under the Mendoza line in AAA, and some catcher named Peacock hit .203.

I looked at the double A Pensacola team. Neither guy had a batting average over .200.

Bakersfield has a guy named Vicioso who hit .290, but only had one home run split between 2 teams.

The Dragons had one guy that hit .230 with 5 home runs.

Billings has absolutely no one worth even mentioning.

The future looks awfully bare in the catching department. I could have sworn the Reds have used some high draft picks on catchers in recent years. It's been a long time since the Bengals had a catch who could hit. Who was the last one to hit 20 home runs or more? Eddie Taubensee? I know it's hard to pick a guy based on whether he can hit, handle the pitching staff, and throw out runners, but are some of the catchers on this team right now good enough defensively to make up for their weakness in hitting? With the Reds, it might help if the catcher can speak Spanish as well. So how do you guys feel about the catching situation with the Reds? Should they stick with what they have? Or should they try to get a guy in free agency? Or make a trade for someone out there?

[BigDawgBengal]

It's really hard to find a catcher that is a good hitter and good with the pitching staff. I really like the way Hanigan handles the pitching staff. I don't mind giving up a little bit of hitting with the way he handles the pitchers though Hanigan is not to bad as a hitter. Right now it looks like the Reds gave up the wrong catcher in the Latos trade. Grandal had a good year for the Padres. Hopefully Mes can turn it around next season.

I think you stick with Hanigan for another year or two and hope Mes will develop. There is no need to go out and try to sign any one. There is other needs that need to be addressed. The Reds do need to have a backup plan if Mes does not work out. Hanigan is 32 and probably only has a couple years left as a starter.

[Lewdog]

[quote name='BigDawgBengal' timestamp='1352099200' post='1177748']
It's really hard to find a catcher that is a good hitter and good with the pitching staff. I really like the way Hanigan handles the pitching staff. I don't mind giving up a little bit of hitting with the way he handles the pitchers though Hanigan is not to bad as a hitter. Right now it looks like the Reds gave up the wrong catcher in the Latos trade. Grandal had a good year for the Padres. Hopefully Mes can turn it around next season.

I think you stick with Hanigan for another year or two and hope Mes will develop. There is no need to go out and try to sign any one. There is other needs that need to be addressed. The Reds do need to have a backup plan if Mes does not work out. Hanigan is 32 and probably only has a couple years left as a starter.
[/quote]

I think you are right, that the Reds will have Hanigan and Mesoraco with the big team and continue to hope Mesoraco develops. I'm just not sure if he will or not. Even when he was triple A last year his hitting was just over .200. Wasn't Grandal listed as one of the top Reds farm prospects last year before he got traded? The Reds sure gave up a LOT of young talent in that trade.

[Bengals1181]

[color=#333333][font=Arial, sans-serif][background=rgb(245, 245, 245)]
[url="https://twitter.com/LanceMcAlister"][b]Lance McAlister[/b] ‏[size=3][s]@[/s][b]LanceMcAlister[/b][/size][/url][/background][/font][/color][color=#333333][font=Arial, sans-serif][background=rgb(245, 245, 245)]
[url="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Reds&src=hash"][s]#[/s][b]Reds[/b][/url] will non-tender Bill Bray. He was eligible for arbitration. He now becomes a free agent. I wish Bill the best and good health.[/background][/font][/color]

[|Bunghole|]

There was a rumor somewhere on Twitter yesterday that the Reds had a trade worked out to ship Homer Bailey and Drew Stubbs to the Mets for David Wright. Just throwing that out there. Haven't seen any confirmation of that anywhere and the trade doesn't make sense for the Reds anyway.

[gatorclaws]

[quote name='Bunghole' timestamp='1352222982' post='1178198']
There was a rumor somewhere on Twitter yesterday that the Reds had a trade worked out to ship Homer Bailey and Drew Stubbs to the Mets for David Wright. Just throwing that out there. Haven't seen any confirmation of that anywhere and the trade doesn't make sense for the Reds anyway.
[/quote]

I wouldn't understand giving up something of value for a 1 year rental that costs a boatload. Homer is worth way more than that.

[JC]

I think a lot of sites have been listing us as a destination for David Wright. I don't see it unless they could lock him up LT, and I don't think we have the money to do that.

[JBandJoeyV]

[quote name='Bunghole' timestamp='1352222982' post='1178198']
There was a rumor somewhere on Twitter yesterday that the Reds had a trade worked out to ship Homer Bailey and Drew Stubbs to the Mets for David Wright. Just throwing that out there. Haven't seen any confirmation of that anywhere and the trade doesn't make sense for the Reds anyway.
[/quote]

Yeah that's highly doubtful. I really like bailey and have defended him for years, but I wouldn't be against a package of homer and Stubbs for someone but that someone would have to be a young stud that isn't that expensive.

[Lewdog]

[quote name='Bunghole' timestamp='1352222982' post='1178198']
There was a rumor somewhere on Twitter yesterday that the Reds had a trade worked out to ship Homer Bailey and Drew Stubbs to the Mets for David Wright. Just throwing that out there. Haven't seen any confirmation of that anywhere and the trade doesn't make sense for the Reds anyway.
[/quote]

Does Rolen have any years left on his last contract? They could throw him in on the deal. Wright is going to want some crazy like $20 million a year or me. The Reds aren't going to touch that. Could you imagine a line up with Phillips, Votto, Bruce, and Wright? Murderer's Row 2.0.

[Jason]

IF we could come to terms with a long term deal for Wright that didn't destroy the budget I would be in favor, as much as I like Batman, er, Bailey.

[BigDawgBengal]

[quote name='Lewdog' timestamp='1352230178' post='1178232']
Does Rolen have any years left on his last contract? They could throw him in on the deal. Wright is going to want some crazy like $20 million a year or me. The Reds aren't going to touch that. Could you imagine a line up with Phillips, Votto, Bruce, and Wright? Murderer's Row 2.0.
[/quote]

Rolen's contract is up and there is a really good chance he will retire.

[Lewdog]

[quote name='BigDawgBengal' timestamp='1352236009' post='1178272']
Rolen's contract is up and there is a really good chance he will retire.
[/quote]
Well despite being hurt a lot this season, Rolen was a good stable veteran that provided this team with experience. With that said, [url="http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/5904/edwin-encarnacion"]Edwin Encarnacion[/url] hit 42 HRs and had 110 RBIs and 84 walks to only 94 strike outs (He was known as an impatient hitter with a hole in his swing with the Reds.) FUCK!!!!!

[BigDawgBengal]

[quote]INDIAN WELLS, Calif. -- The [url="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/teams/page/CIN/cincinnati-reds"]Reds[/url] hope to move mega-talent [url="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/1717646/aroldis-chapman"]Aroldis Chapman[/url] from the bullpen to the rotation. That much is becoming clear.

The one caveat is this: If they fail to come up with a replacement closer, Chapman might have to remain closer.

The three top names on the Reds' list to replace Chapman appear to be [url="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/558833/jonathan-broxton"]Jonathan Broxton[/url], [url="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/383447/ryan-madson"]Ryan Madson[/url] and [url="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/1182834/joakim-soria"]Joakim Soria[/url]. Madson and Broxton were Reds in 2012, though Madson missed the season after having Tommy John surgery last spring. Soria, the former Royals closer, also is returning from injury.

Chapman will receive some Cy Young support after posting a 1.51 ERA, saving 38 games and striking out 122 in 71 2/3 innings. But Reds people are imagining a front three of [url="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/288900/johnny-cueto"]Johnny Cueto[/url], [url="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/1630084/mat-latos"]Mat Latos[/url] and Chapman. Add [url="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/583492/homer-bailey"]Homer Bailey[/url] and they potentially have one of the best rotations in baseball.

It would be disappointing if for the Reds they can't come up with a replacement closer. They believe Chapman's changeup (as well as his dynamic slider), which he hardly uses now, should allow him to be a top starter.
[/quote]

[url="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/blog/jon-heyman/20865018/reds-seek-a-closer-so-they-can-move-aroldis-chapman-to-rotation"]Source[/url]

[Bengals1181]

[color=#333333][font=Arial, sans-serif][background=rgb(245, 245, 245)]
[url="https://twitter.com/TomGroeschen"][b]Tom Groeschen[/b] ‏[size=3][s]@[/s][b]TomGroeschen[/b][/size][/url][/background][/font][/color][color=#333333][font=Arial, sans-serif][background=rgb(245, 245, 245)]
RT [url="https://twitter.com/MLB"][s]@[/s][b]MLB[/b][/url]: Padres C Yasmani Grandal (ex [url="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Reds&src=hash"][s]#[/s][b]Reds[/b][/url] prospect) suspended 50 games for testing positive for testosterone.[/background][/font][/color]

[Jason]

[quote name='Bengals1181' timestamp='1352321004' post='1178523']

[color=#333333][font=Arial, sans-serif][background=rgb(245, 245, 245)][url="https://twitter.com/TomGroeschen"][b]Tom Groeschen[/b] ‏[size=3][s]@[/s][b]TomGroeschen[/b][/size][/url][/background][/font][/color]
[color=#333333][font=Arial, sans-serif][background=rgb(245, 245, 245)]RT [url="https://twitter.com/MLB"][s]@[/s][b]MLB[/b][/url]: Padres C Yasmani Grandal (ex [url="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Reds&src=hash"][s]#[/s][b]Reds[/b][/url] prospect) suspended 50 games for testing positive for testosterone.[/background][/font][/color]
[/quote]

Then they need to suspend all of MLB. Everyone has testosterone.

[Bengals1181]

[quote name='Jason' timestamp='1352323207' post='1178531']
Then they need to suspend all of MLB. Everyone has testosterone. Except Chris Carpenter.
[/quote]

[Jason]

^^^

[Lewdog]

I'm not so sure Chapman has the staying power to be a starter. It just seems when he has a bad inning, he loses composure and blows up. When he's good, he's great. If he starts having a bad inning early in a game, Dusty can't just pull him.

[Jason]

[quote name='Lewdog' timestamp='1352333928' post='1178564']
I'm not so sure Chapman has the staying power to be a starter. It just seems when he has a bad inning, he loses composure and blows up. When he's good, he's great. If he starts having a bad inning early in a game, Dusty can't just pull him.
[/quote]

A starter has time to adjust, a closer does not.

[Lewdog]

The "one bad inning" thing is almost across the board for Red's pitchers. I would say Arroyo is more than likely the only guy that isn't. Bronson seems to give up a lot of solo home runs, and he flirts with disaster a lot, but seems to keep away from those big innings by giving up only one or two runs. Don't get me wrong, I think I watched him give up 8 runs once, but that isn't the norm.

[BigDawgBengal]

[b] [url="http://mlbbuzz.yardbarker.com/blog/mlbbuzz/article/jocketty_reds_could_trade_shortstop_this_winter/12165043"]Jocketty: Reds could trade shortstop this winter[/url][/b]

[color=#888888][size=2]7 minutes ago by [url="http://mlbbuzz.yardbarker.com/users/jonpaulmorosi"]JonPaulMorosi[/url][/size][/color]

Cincinnati Reds general manager Walt Jocketty has been popular among his peers at this week’s GM meetings in Indian Wells, Calif.

He has what many of them need: shortstops.

The Reds have two talented shortstops on their 40-man roster: Zack Cozart, 27, and Didi Gregorius, 22. Both are far away from free agency, meaning one could be dealt to fill a more immediate need.

In fact, Jocketty told FOXSports.com Thursday that it’s possible he will trade one of them this winter.

“It depends if we get back what we need,” Jocketty said. “If we don’t, then I won’t mind holding onto them.”

Cozart was the Reds’ everyday shortstop this year, but Gregorius was impressive in a September cameo. “He’s going to be an everyday player,” Jocketty said of Gregorius. “It’s just a question of when and how we manage it.”

(Of note, the Reds moved dynamic prospect Billy Hamilton from shortstop to center field because Cozart and Gregorius were ahead of him on the organizational depth chart.)

What could the Reds obtain in a trade for Cozart or Gregorius? Jocketty suggested the Reds are looking for a closer (so Aroldis Chapman can move into the rotation) and leadoff hitter, most likely one who plays the outfield.

The Oakland A’s are a potential trade partner, because of their need at shortstop and deep stable of relievers. Oakland also has a surplus of outfielders, including veteran leadoff man Coco Crisp.

The Arizona Diamondbacks, Minnesota Twins and Tampa Bay Rays also are interested in acquiring a shortstop this winter. Arizona (Adam Eaton/Gerardo Parra) and Minnesota (Denard Span/Ben Revere) have leadoff hitters to spare.

[size=3][i]-- Jon Paul Morosi[/i][/size]