2013 Cincinnati Reds Thread

[Rudi]

I'm still a believer in Stubbs getting 1 more chance at leadoff. I know he won't, because he strikes out 300 times a year...but I agree with what Warner said. If he could bunt AT ALL, he would improve his average by .20-.30 points simply due to his speed. Plus if we could get Phillips out of the leadoff spot I think that would make our lineup a little better. I know he bats well there, but I still think he can do serious damage as a middle of the order guy.

[Warner2BruceTD]

I agree with all of that, except for the fact that Stubbs has said that he doesn't like leading off and batting first makes him uncomfortable.

Dusty is strongly hinting that he will bat him 8th.

[Warner2BruceTD]

The Reds announced a three-year contract extension with left-hander Sean Marshall. It takes him through 2015 with the Reds. I don’t have the money figure yet.

Walt Jocketty said that Marshall could slide into the closer’s role eventually.

Will update, when we have more info.

UPDATE: Ken Rosenthal is saying on Twitter that the deal is for $16.5 and includes incentives for both starting or relieving.

So there you go, this is what I speculated in the chatbox.

Madson is likely one & done here, so the Reds think they have a closer in waiting all locked up until 2015.

Jocketty really is on fire this offseason, I can't say I disagree with a single move he's made.

[Warner2BruceTD]

Good grief, I’m already tired of this subject and we are only a week into spring training. Here’s a link to what is likely to become a weekly article about Drew Stubbs and his shortcomings. Didn’t Joel put this one to rest a while ago?

At any rate, at least Dusty Baker is exactly correct in this instance:

“It’s easy to say get him out and get somebody else in. You’re inviting a similar problem that’s further down the learning scale. You don’t give up on players with ability. Where you going to find players with Stubbs’ ability? They weren’t No. 1 draft choices for nothing.

“You hope he gets it tomorrow. It’s hard to sell patience to people and to the person who’s learning.”

Baker says Stubbs isn’t playing just for offense.

“Stubbs is a different animal. Stubbs is probably as big a part of our defense as anybody in the league. When the Big Red Machine went and got Cesar Geronimo, they didn’t get him to hit. They got him to play center field. To win, you’ve got to prevent runs. People just see offense. But to win, you better catch that ball. . . Look how many runs Stubbs saves.”

Stubbs stands on the precipice of becoming the next Adam Dunn to Cincinnati’s sports talk radio call-in aficionados. I’m not sure I can stomach this. No, he isn’t perfect. Yes, he took a step back last season. Be patient.

Boy, people really hate strikeouts, don’t they? I’ll never understand it….

[Rudi]

Reds have 8-1 odds to win the World Series...same as the Angels.

That brings a smile to my face considering I got the odds at 20-1 the day after we traded for Latos.

[Rudi]

Some notes from the first ST game [6-6 tie with Cleveland]

Lineup- Phillips Cozart Votto Ludwick Bruce Rolen Stubbs Meso

This was the lineup that started the game, and I have to think we will see something very similar to this on Opening Day +/Heisey

Notes- Stubbs went 2/2, 0 Ks. BP and Janish(lol)had an error. Bruce and Heisey with an assist each in the OF.

[Rudi]

Was nice to be able to actually watch the game today. It's just nice seeing Reds baseball again. Loved seeing Stubbs get a bunt single. Francis looked great in 2 innings of work.

[Warner2BruceTD]

Keep in mind, Francis can opt out by March 28 if another team offers him a major league deal.

[Warner2BruceTD]

Travis Wood has been getting bombed in Cubs camp.

[Primetime]

Good luck this season Reds fans. Sorry for Braun getting away with being a cheat.

[Rudi]

Mat Latos pitched four scoreless innings and Drew Stubbs hit a three-run home run, as the Reds took a 4-0 win from the Rockies on Friday night at Goodyear Ballpark.

...Brett Tomko followed Latos with an impressive performance. Tomko retired all nine batters he faced over three innings, and struck out the side in the top of the sixth.

[Rudi]

Cozart hit 2 triples today continuing his torrid hitting so far this Spring.

Oh, and Ubaldo sucks. We rocked him again

[Warner2BruceTD]

So Chapman has been throwing a third pitch this spring, but it's not the changup. It's a splitter.

He's been going fastball-fastball-splitter on lefties, and fastball-fastball-slider on righties. The mysterious changeup is still being hidden.

Also, he's been throwing in the 95 mph range, which has helped his control. He's had no control issues all spring.

[Rudi]

Bailey finally had a good outting today. 4 shutout innings today only 3 hits and no walks. Cozart is hitting .414 this spring after going 2-2 today

[Warner2BruceTD]

Cozart is picking up a lot of buzz from baseball people this spring. He climbed through the system pretty quietly, and might turn out to be better than a lot of the guys the Reds purged this offseason that were in his generation of prospects.

As the Votto, Bruce, Stubbs, Heisey, Hanigan, Bailey, Cueto group enters their primes, it will be interesting to see if the Reds made the right choices on the Cozart, Mesoraco, Leake group, and if these guys ultimately end up better than Grandal, Alonso, Wood, Sappelt, etc. Reds have a lot of home grown talent.