2013 Cincinnati Reds Thread

[Rudi]

This is the last year we will see Phillips in Cincinnati probably. He is going to want a massive contract, and will be 31 next year. Just not reasonable for the Reds to tie up that much money with him. Maybe Billy Hamilton will develop into a potential replacement at 2nd.

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

Reds are going with 6 bench players and only 6 RP's (one of whom, Bray, is not ready for high leverage situations and would probably be on the DL if the bullpen was not already in shambles), so Chapman to the bullpen (for now) is a no brainer. The bullpen is a mess and has no lefty.

Reds wont need the 5th starter for 10 days, so Chapman AND Bailey can work relief for a few days. We still dont know who will start April 11.

I would be willing to bet that Chapman starts 20+ games and ends the season in the rotation.

 

[Rudi]

The Futures are playing the major league squad right now at GABP. Top of the 7th and the minor league guys are up 2-1 lol. That JJ hoover guy pitched an inning and struck out the side. Cozart has a home run. Leake, Bailey, Chapman have all pitched.

 

[EmpireWF]

What do you guys expect from Cozart this year?

 

[Rudi]

Realistically I'd say around .280 with 15 or so home runs and 15+ SB.

I could see him hitting well over .300 though [/homer]

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

What do you guys expect from Cozart this year?

All of the writers who visited absolutely love him.

I think .280, 12-18 HR's, .340 OBA is not unrealistic. He's a rookie though, so who knows.

 

[NAHSTE]

All of the writers who visited absolutely love him.

That doesn't mean anything though, writers love every player in March.

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

That doesn't mean anything though, writers love every player in March.

Do not shit on my anecdotal theory as to why this player will succeed.

JOHN HEYMAN SAYS SO

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

Alfredo Simon added to the 25-man roster, The Toddfather optioned to AAA.

I wanted Frazier on the team, but it was risky going into the season with 6 pitchers, so i;m not surprised.

 

[nwfisch]

I think getting and keeping Marshall was good for the Reds. It should be a good three team race in the Central this year.

 

[Rudi]

It's always nice to start 1-0. Chapman and Marshall looked GREAT. Good day for Reds fans.

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

You have to wonder who would have pitched that 8th today, with Bray not 100% and Masset on the DL, if Chapman was in the rotation.

Chapman looked absolutely filthy. Now that he has a second and third pitch, he doesnt have to throw 103, and has much better control at 98.

I can see the method to the madness of having him in the bullpen at this point. Innings 8-9 are lights out. He'll start, but the immediate need is inning #8.

 

[Rudi]

Paul Yanish hit 2 HRs for Louisville tonight. :lol:

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

SOFT J!

 

[Primetime]

You have to wonder who would have pitched that 8th today, with Bray not 100% and Masset on the DL, if Chapman was in the rotation.

Chapman looked absolutely filthy. Now that he has a second and third pitch, he doesnt have to throw 103, and has much better control at 98.

I can see the method to the madness of having him in the bullpen at this point. Innings 8-9 are lights out. He'll start, but the immediate need is inning #8.

That statement just isn't even fair. Imagine "taking it easy" and still nearing the century mark. That would just be an amazing feeling.

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

Anatomy of an AB...

- Jay Bruce: Learning from Votto?

Sure, driving in 50% of the Reds runs while hitting a monster homerun always qualifies for a good game. But what impressed me the most was the approach Bruce showed at the plate on Opening Day. In his first plate appearance, Jay fell behind 1 ball, 2 strikes (after two questionable called strikes). Mark Buehrle then followed the scouting report and threw Bruce two off-speed pitches down and away. In years past, Bruce would more often than not chase those pitches, resulting in a strikeout or weak groundball. Yesterday, Bruce laid off those pitches, running the count full. After fouling off the next two, Bruce finally got a pitch he could handle, up-and-away in the zone. Instead of trying to pull the ball over the right-field fence, Bruce stayed with the pitch and drove a deep fly ball to centerfield, good enough to plate the Reds first run via a sac-fly. Fouling off good pitches, avoiding off-speed pitches out of the zone, driving the ball to left-center field… Sounds a lot like another left-handed hitting Reds player.

Then in the 8th, Bruce hit a ball about 600 feet to DEAD CF, eerily similar to the playoff clincher against the 'Stros in 2010.

He lost 15 lbs, is learning how to be patient, and hopefully the days of pulling everything appear to be over. Maybe he'll start slapping at the outside strike and pop off a few line drive oppo HR's like Votto likes to do now & then.

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

JJ Hoover is the closer for AAA Louisville. He notched a save in his first try last night.

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

Louisville rotation:

J. Francis
B. Tomko
S. Gallagher
C. Reineke
A. Brackman

This has to be the oldest AAA rotation on history, or close to it. All five have MLB experience. Two are nearly 40.

 

[Rudi]

Cozart is quickly becoming my favorite player

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

Ludwick LF & Cairo 3B in the Sunday lineup. Hanigan back at C.

Ludwick hits well vs. Zambrabo. Rolen gets his day off after night game. Alternating catcher continues. Ludwick bats cleanup.