2013 Cincinnati Reds Thread

[Rudi]

What ever happened to Mesoraco? They just didn't bring him back up after his concussion?

Pretty much. He was barely hitting .200 though. He was lost at the plate. After he recovered from his concussion he played in Louisville then was added to the September roster.

[Woy]

How long does Hanigan have left on his contract? Is Meso still looked at as the future guy back there?

I'm only really interested cause Meso's kind of a local boy, so I'd like to see him to do well.

[Warner2BruceTD]

How long does Hanigan have left on his contract? Is Meso still looked at as the future guy back there?

I'm only really interested cause Meso's kind of a local boy, so I'd like to see him to do well.

2 more years for Hanigan.

Mesoraco had a lot of bad luck. His BABIP was .234 and his strikeout rate was among the lowest of his career, yet he only hit .212. Navarro hit so well that once Meso came back from the concussion & suspension, he never got his AB's back.

[Warner2BruceTD]

Bill James projections see Hanigan playing 69 games with 235 AB's, to Mesoraco's 123/471. Thinks Meso will hit 16 HR's.

Barring injury, there is no chance Hanigan plays only 69 games.

[Rudi]

Yeah thats crazy. Hanigan is this team's starting catcher. I believe his comfort level with our pitching staff plays a huge part. He will start 3/5 days IMO.

[Rudi]

Reds signed Emmanuel Burris from the Giants. He's terrible. Poor man's Wilson Valdez.

In 60 games with the Giants this past season, Burriss appeared at second base, third base, shortstop and right field. The 27-year-old posted a .213/.270/.221 batting line in 150 plate appearances.

Singles hitter, oh yes. Literally. Burriss had the least power of any major league position player, with only one extra base hit (a double) out of 150 PA

Probably won't even make the 25 man roster, but who knows.

In other news, this is really disturbing.

Scott Rolen has told the Reds he may play next season, but he isn't ready to make a final decision tweets Stark. The team wants him back in some role.

[Warner2BruceTD]

I'd take Rolen back without hesitation in the Cairo role as the backup corner infielder. That's a massive upgrade.

[Rudi]

We all know it wouldn't be that simple. Dusty would end up starting Rolen 3/4 times a week and we'd have to endure another year of the Frazier dilemma. Fuck all that.

[Rudi]

Reds are going to sign Broxton for 3 years according to sources.

This move means Chapman will be heading into the rotation. Neat.

[Warner2BruceTD]

Chapman to rotation = good

Broxton to the 9th inning = bad

I will be more comfortable with this if they bring Madson back or sign Soria or both. I know i've beaten this to death, but I don't trust Broxton.

Also, bye bye Mike Leake. He's a trade chip now. The way Bailey finished, with a no hitter, dominant postseason start, and increased velocity, make me think he's finally put it all together.

[Warner2BruceTD]

Red Reporter @redreporter
The plan is to sign Jonathan Broxton, have Broxton get injured, keep Chapman as closer, win 97 games. #Reds

[Guest]

Reds are going to sign Broxton for 3 years according to sources.

This move means Chapman will be heading into the rotation. Neat.

Better sign someone else as insurance, can't really trust Broxton to stay healthy and/or hold it all together.

[Warner2BruceTD]

Reds re-sign Todd Redmond to a one year minimum contract.

Meaningless throw away move, right? I don't think so.

Cueto
Latos
Arroyo
Bailey
Chapman
---------
Leake
Cingrani
Redmond
(Corcino)

Last year, the Reds literally did not have a 6th starter once Jeff Francis opted out. Which is why they traded for Todd Redmond.

This time around, with Chapman moving to the rotation, Cingrani ready for prime time, and Redmond back on board, the Reds have plenty of depth beyond the first five. Even Corcino will be ripe for a call up, which was not the case last season.

I think the chain of moves today, the signing of Redmond and the presumed signing of Broxton which pushes Chapman to the rotation, signals to me that Leake is involved in a potential trade.

Leake has good trade value - 25 year old first round pick, three years of cheap team control, arm stretched and ready for 200 innings, 28-22 with a league average ERA+, and has pitched in two playoff races and has made a postseason start. Also a good enough hitter to be used as a pinch hitter/pinch runner (18 career non pitching games played), which is more valuable than it sounds like for an NL team, effectively giving a manager six bench players.

Trading Leake would leave the Reds with three insurance starters, which is three more than they had at points last season. Plus whatever scrap heap camp invitees they sign to minor league deals.

I think Leake will be moved.

[Warner2BruceTD]

C Hanigan
1B Votto
2B Phillips
3B Frazier/empty
SS Cozart
RF Bruce
CF Stubbs*
LF empty/Frazier

C Mesoraco
OF Paul
OF Heisey
UTIL
UTIL

Reds need a 3B or LF, but looking more & more like they will leave Frazier at 3B and seek a LF.

Emmanuel Burris, Didi Gregorius, Henry Rodriguez, Scott Rolen (FA) are in house options for the Cairo/Valdez UTIL spots.

*If Reds find a new CF, Stubbs could be history, because I don't think they'll carry three backup OF's and only one IF/UTIL.

Cueto
Latos
Arroyo
Bailey
Chapman
----------
Leake
LeCure
Arredondo
Ondrusek
Marshall
Masset
Broxton
Hoover
Simon
Redmond
Cingrani

That's four extra pitchers. Cingrani will probably start in AAA. So really three. Redmond has two options. I believe Ondrusek does as well. So one more would have to go, and it's not an easy call.

[Rudi]

Are we keeping this thread for next season or should we make a 2013 thread?

I'm very interested to see what's going to happen with Leake/Stubbs/LF.