After Aaron Harang gave up 5 runs (with 2 home runs) in the first inning last night, his trade value probably fell to about a few bats, a doughnut, a coffee maker, and some cash, like about $5.00. Harang is now 5-12 and has not won since May. The Reds are fooling themselves if they think they are going to get top prospects for a pitcher that was 6-17 last year, 5-12 this year and shows no signs of getting any better.
About the only trade bait the Reds have left is the rubber armed Bronson Arroyo, but Arroyo is 10-10 and can at times look awful. He is certainly not a dominant pitcher, and really needs a pitcher friendly ball park to shine.
Bob Castellini has not made up his mind that the Reds are going to be sellers. Maybe Walt Jocketty has clued him into the fact, Mr. Castellini we have very, very little to sell.
Dusty Baker is loath to give up Francisco Cordero, and I agree with him, but David Weathers has shown signs of age and maybe beginning the end of his distinguished career. I personally take bids on Arthur Rhodes but I can understand the argument against trading him. There isn’t really anyone else in the bullpen worth mentioning in this context.
Of the starters, only Johnny Cueto holds any allure. Edinson Volquez is coming back from arm trouble; Micah Owings is a pitcher without an out pitch and is 6-11 with arm trouble. Homer Bailey looks like his is coming into his own, but that is not what clubs looking to make a playoff run are looking for right now. They need proven talent now!
Of the position players, only the basically untouchable Votto and Phillips have much real value. Johnny Gomes is really making his bid to become a bonfire major league slugger, and that is why the Reds should keep him.
A quick perusal of the rest of the Reds batting averages quickly dismisses any of the other players as having any trade value.
Once again the question must be asked: How are Brook Jacoby and Dick Pole keeping their jobs? Their charges are playing abysmal baseball. The answer is they shouldn’t keep their jobs, they should be canned now!
This leads us to Dusty Baker. I am not ready to part with Dusty yet. Dusty has been ham-strung by injuries all year long. Dusty’s performance must improve, however; and it needs to improve next year.
Big D
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Say good night Dusty (and the 2009 Reds)
Well as this Reds team slowly slips into oblivion by losing to the only team nearly as inept as they are the San Diego Padres, one wonders who is to blame. Last night the blame can be firmly placed on the manager Dusty Baker.
Baker did not give his team a chance to win by setting the lineup the way he did. He started out with the weak hitting Willy Taveras batting .243, and then followed him with the more inept Alex Gonzalez batting a mighty .205. This top of the order ineptitude is just killing the Reds.
Votto batted in the three spot (as well he should) and Brandon Phillips batted clean up, another mistake. Then Dusty’s mind left his body by batting Edwin Encarnacion ahead of the red hot Johnny Gomes, in fact 2 spots ahead of Gomes because he batted the struggling Lance Nix ahead of Gomes as well. Where is the freaking logic here? Dusty had no choice except to bat Tatum in the 8th spot; he has no other catcher available except for emergency catcher Jerry Hairston Jr.
Overall, the line up Dusty trotted out there was batting .253 (pitcher not counted), which by any major league standard is poor. Dusty had few options, but here are a few that he should have made.
On a team that is this anemic offensively, you can not bat (2nd!), (really can not play, but Dusty has no players left if you put Hairston Jr. in the outfield), Alex Gonzalez. This is compounded by the fact that the catcher is almost an automatic out like any pitcher not named Micah Owings. This team is carrying too many infielders and pitchers. Given the cards he was dealt last night, Dusty should have placed Hairston Jr. in the outfield and tried to play small ball at the top of the lineup with Taveras and Hairston Jr., Gonzalez should have batted 7th. Gomes should have batted 5th instead of Encarnacion and Nix. Drew Stubbs should be brought up from Triple A NOW!!!
By carrying 12 pitchers it seems a move via a trade is imminent. Big league baseball clubs do not carry 12 pitchers. I would imagine that David Weathers would be departing soon. This deal needs to get done because Dusty is ham-strung by this roster.
And now a few words for hitting instructor Brook Jacoby, how the hell are you keeping your job? Jacoby’s batsmen must all meet at Bass Pro Shops, because they all love, dearly love, fishing for breaking balls. It is so obvious that as a major league pitcher why would you even consider throwing the Cincinnati Reds a fastball? The only 2 Reds that even look like they have seen breaking balls before are guys you might want to pitch around anyway (Votto and Phillips). Admittedly Gomes is coming around, but as a big league pitcher you would want to feed breaking balls to Taveras, Gonzalez, Nix (he should never ever see a fastball) Encarnacion (another guy susceptible to even the worst slider or curveball), Tatum (who cant seem to hit anything), and it goes for the injured Jay Bruce, Chris Dickerson, Janish, Rosales, and even Hairston Jr., too. If I am Bob Castellini, Jacoby is in my office, not Dusty’s or even Walt Jocketty's explaining his extremely poor performance to me, and it had better be good!
This Reds team can not score runs on a consistent basis. I know this team and organization does not consider itself out of the race, and good for them and their professionalism, but they can not score runs, they are so hurt, they are done for this year.
Big D
Baker did not give his team a chance to win by setting the lineup the way he did. He started out with the weak hitting Willy Taveras batting .243, and then followed him with the more inept Alex Gonzalez batting a mighty .205. This top of the order ineptitude is just killing the Reds.
Votto batted in the three spot (as well he should) and Brandon Phillips batted clean up, another mistake. Then Dusty’s mind left his body by batting Edwin Encarnacion ahead of the red hot Johnny Gomes, in fact 2 spots ahead of Gomes because he batted the struggling Lance Nix ahead of Gomes as well. Where is the freaking logic here? Dusty had no choice except to bat Tatum in the 8th spot; he has no other catcher available except for emergency catcher Jerry Hairston Jr.
Overall, the line up Dusty trotted out there was batting .253 (pitcher not counted), which by any major league standard is poor. Dusty had few options, but here are a few that he should have made.
On a team that is this anemic offensively, you can not bat (2nd!), (really can not play, but Dusty has no players left if you put Hairston Jr. in the outfield), Alex Gonzalez. This is compounded by the fact that the catcher is almost an automatic out like any pitcher not named Micah Owings. This team is carrying too many infielders and pitchers. Given the cards he was dealt last night, Dusty should have placed Hairston Jr. in the outfield and tried to play small ball at the top of the lineup with Taveras and Hairston Jr., Gonzalez should have batted 7th. Gomes should have batted 5th instead of Encarnacion and Nix. Drew Stubbs should be brought up from Triple A NOW!!!
By carrying 12 pitchers it seems a move via a trade is imminent. Big league baseball clubs do not carry 12 pitchers. I would imagine that David Weathers would be departing soon. This deal needs to get done because Dusty is ham-strung by this roster.
And now a few words for hitting instructor Brook Jacoby, how the hell are you keeping your job? Jacoby’s batsmen must all meet at Bass Pro Shops, because they all love, dearly love, fishing for breaking balls. It is so obvious that as a major league pitcher why would you even consider throwing the Cincinnati Reds a fastball? The only 2 Reds that even look like they have seen breaking balls before are guys you might want to pitch around anyway (Votto and Phillips). Admittedly Gomes is coming around, but as a big league pitcher you would want to feed breaking balls to Taveras, Gonzalez, Nix (he should never ever see a fastball) Encarnacion (another guy susceptible to even the worst slider or curveball), Tatum (who cant seem to hit anything), and it goes for the injured Jay Bruce, Chris Dickerson, Janish, Rosales, and even Hairston Jr., too. If I am Bob Castellini, Jacoby is in my office, not Dusty’s or even Walt Jocketty's explaining his extremely poor performance to me, and it had better be good!
This Reds team can not score runs on a consistent basis. I know this team and organization does not consider itself out of the race, and good for them and their professionalism, but they can not score runs, they are so hurt, they are done for this year.
Big D
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
The key to homer Bailey is the further development of his Splitter
The key to Homer Bailey is the further development of his Splitter.
Yes Redleg fans mark it down. The key to Homers baseball career is not his high 90's fastball or his big overhand curve (or development of his slider or a change up). It’s his splitter that will take him where he wants to go. (I suggested this last year on talk radio and was immediately shouted down).
The Pitching Anatomy of Homer Bailey.
Homer Bailey is an extreme example of a drop and drive pitcher. Homer's knee bends and he drives his whole body toward home plate. He must be only about 55 feet away when he delivers the ball. Homer, very much, pitches under the ball which should make his fastball very potent as all his force is going toward home plate. His fastball from his arm slot (waaaay up on top) straight overhand will make his ball "rise" or sail. Even thrown with 2 seams his fastball will not sink much. This makes for a potent high velocity fastball that does not have slot of movement, but when it exploding at you at 97 mph it does not matter. However, when it’s traveling at 89 it’s a sitting duck.
Homers main secondary pitch is a big overhand drop curve. It is useful against both Right and left-hand because his curve drops and has very little lateral movement. (It probably does almost spin at 12-6). This means when Homer really snaps one off, it is going to dive under a lot of bats. However Homers extreme drop and drive does not give him a lot of leverage for a good old fashioned curveball. This translates into: If his mechanics are slightly off, he hangs the pitch (this also happens with his slider as well). Major league batters recognize the spin on a curveball and know that they might be fooled not only by the break but also the change in speed. This leads to many batters deciding to take their chances with the umpire rather than try to hit Homer's hammer.
This is why Homers splitter is so very important. His fastball will not yield ground ball outs nor will his curve. His splitter, delivered at an astonishing 89 mph at times is just what Dick Pole ordered. The splitter dives down and in to a righty and down and away to a lefty almost like a sinking fastball (although it spins differently). Homer's looks like it tumbles at about 11-5 some times 10-6 (which in itself makes batters (and catchers) crazy). It can’t be picked up out of his hand and does not "humpback" like the curve. When thrown right it comes into the plate and dies or dives. This produces some ground ball outs.
A power pitcher "earns" about every out. He throws hard and misses a lot of bats, but power pitchers do not get many 6 pitch innings. Those are the guys who "pitch to contact." Unless Homer hangs his splitter, he will get some cheap ground outs with it. If it dives ala Bruce Sutter all the better, but all it really has to do make the batter top it to the shortstop and the pitch has done it job.
This makes some easy innings for Bailey who seems to be learning how to pitch.
This pitch gives Homer Bailey the chance to produce some ground ball outs. If he can master this pitch, the future is bright indeed!
Yes Redleg fans mark it down. The key to Homers baseball career is not his high 90's fastball or his big overhand curve (or development of his slider or a change up). It’s his splitter that will take him where he wants to go. (I suggested this last year on talk radio and was immediately shouted down).
The Pitching Anatomy of Homer Bailey.
Homer Bailey is an extreme example of a drop and drive pitcher. Homer's knee bends and he drives his whole body toward home plate. He must be only about 55 feet away when he delivers the ball. Homer, very much, pitches under the ball which should make his fastball very potent as all his force is going toward home plate. His fastball from his arm slot (waaaay up on top) straight overhand will make his ball "rise" or sail. Even thrown with 2 seams his fastball will not sink much. This makes for a potent high velocity fastball that does not have slot of movement, but when it exploding at you at 97 mph it does not matter. However, when it’s traveling at 89 it’s a sitting duck.
Homers main secondary pitch is a big overhand drop curve. It is useful against both Right and left-hand because his curve drops and has very little lateral movement. (It probably does almost spin at 12-6). This means when Homer really snaps one off, it is going to dive under a lot of bats. However Homers extreme drop and drive does not give him a lot of leverage for a good old fashioned curveball. This translates into: If his mechanics are slightly off, he hangs the pitch (this also happens with his slider as well). Major league batters recognize the spin on a curveball and know that they might be fooled not only by the break but also the change in speed. This leads to many batters deciding to take their chances with the umpire rather than try to hit Homer's hammer.
This is why Homers splitter is so very important. His fastball will not yield ground ball outs nor will his curve. His splitter, delivered at an astonishing 89 mph at times is just what Dick Pole ordered. The splitter dives down and in to a righty and down and away to a lefty almost like a sinking fastball (although it spins differently). Homer's looks like it tumbles at about 11-5 some times 10-6 (which in itself makes batters (and catchers) crazy). It can’t be picked up out of his hand and does not "humpback" like the curve. When thrown right it comes into the plate and dies or dives. This produces some ground ball outs.
A power pitcher "earns" about every out. He throws hard and misses a lot of bats, but power pitchers do not get many 6 pitch innings. Those are the guys who "pitch to contact." Unless Homer hangs his splitter, he will get some cheap ground outs with it. If it dives ala Bruce Sutter all the better, but all it really has to do make the batter top it to the shortstop and the pitch has done it job.
This makes some easy innings for Bailey who seems to be learning how to pitch.
This pitch gives Homer Bailey the chance to produce some ground ball outs. If he can master this pitch, the future is bright indeed!
Thursday, July 23, 2009
What is my Bid?
We’ve been through the pitching situation for the Reds and found that much of the staff is trade-able. Harang, Arroyo, Cordero, Weathers, and Rhodes are certainly trade material. What about position plays?
There is certainly some work to be done here. Are there any untouchable players on the Reds?
The short answer to that question is no. There are no Price Albert Pujols’ on the Reds, but there are some guys who are very, very close.
The closest thing that the Reds have to an untouchable player has got to be my favorite Canadian Joey Votto. Votto hits for power, hits for average, fields his position as well as his ability allows, and works very hard to improve his game in every facet of baseball. He is also a good club house guy. This is as close a the Reds get, and Walt Jocketty and Bob Castellini need to sign him up long term before offers might become out of hand and out of the Reds reach.
The next person down a rung is Jay Bruce. Bruce’s upside potential is unbelievable. He hits for power, and has a cannon arm in right field. Jay went through some growing pain average wise, but is frankly so talented it is only a mater of time until he terrorizes Big League pitching staffs. He is a definite keeper.
For position players, that is it, Votto and Bruce. Anyone and everyone else can be had for a price. Edwin Encarnacion is an adventure at third and is only signed for 2 years. He does have a power bat but seems like he will give up as many games with his glove as he will win with his bat! Edwin is currently being victimized by every pitcher in the league with a good breaking ball. Why would you ever throw this guy a fastball is beyond me! He is certainly tradable for the right price!
Alex Gonzalez has been injured or away more that many Reds players in recent history, and frankly is a liability with his bat for all his fielding prowess. Frankly if the Reds could move him, do it but I doubt that there will be many takers. Give the job to Paul Janish until a better replacement can be found.
Brandon Phillips would like to be team captain, but team captains do not get bench TWICE for lack of hustle. He is a gold glove talent with a very good bat that hits for power and average. He is also a potent base stealer, but I am done with guys that don’t hustle. If we can get a good trade for him, move him. If no imminent second baseman prospects are available Jerry Hairston will be an adequate fill in.
Right field is platooned now by Johnny Gomes and Lance Nix. Frankly, Dusty Baker should just give the job to Gomes. Gomes is a more talented player, a better fielder, and shows potential to be the right handed thumper the Reds need. Nix is very susceptible to breaking balls thrown from either side pitcher. He waves at them worse than Edwin does.
Willy Taveras was brought in to be a lead off hitter and table setter, and he has frankly stunk up the place. He is under a short term contract that should not be renewed. I would give the job to Chris Dickerson who covers almost as much ground and has a much better arm.
That leaves two other players as Semi–Untouchables: Edinson Volquez and Johnny Cueto. Both guys are young and talented and pretty similar. Both have fastballs that can survive in GABP, an important plus. Volquez has a nasty change up and a dent slider to complete his package, while Cueto has a nasty slider and a decent change up.
This brings me to the most controversial Reds player in a while, totally having to do with his on field performance: Homer Bailey. He of the upper 90’s speed fastball, Homer has done a lot of work to complement this with his slow drop curve, new split-finger fastball, and a decent slider.
Right now Homer is hanging them, every pitch, but he is very, very close to being a huge success. Right now he is losing his skirmishes with big league batters by only a pitch or two. He will get better, he’s 23.
Not much is it? I guess as Reds fans we can take come comfort in that many teams are in the same boat. Cold comfort isn’t it?
Big Dale
There is certainly some work to be done here. Are there any untouchable players on the Reds?
The short answer to that question is no. There are no Price Albert Pujols’ on the Reds, but there are some guys who are very, very close.
The closest thing that the Reds have to an untouchable player has got to be my favorite Canadian Joey Votto. Votto hits for power, hits for average, fields his position as well as his ability allows, and works very hard to improve his game in every facet of baseball. He is also a good club house guy. This is as close a the Reds get, and Walt Jocketty and Bob Castellini need to sign him up long term before offers might become out of hand and out of the Reds reach.
The next person down a rung is Jay Bruce. Bruce’s upside potential is unbelievable. He hits for power, and has a cannon arm in right field. Jay went through some growing pain average wise, but is frankly so talented it is only a mater of time until he terrorizes Big League pitching staffs. He is a definite keeper.
For position players, that is it, Votto and Bruce. Anyone and everyone else can be had for a price. Edwin Encarnacion is an adventure at third and is only signed for 2 years. He does have a power bat but seems like he will give up as many games with his glove as he will win with his bat! Edwin is currently being victimized by every pitcher in the league with a good breaking ball. Why would you ever throw this guy a fastball is beyond me! He is certainly tradable for the right price!
Alex Gonzalez has been injured or away more that many Reds players in recent history, and frankly is a liability with his bat for all his fielding prowess. Frankly if the Reds could move him, do it but I doubt that there will be many takers. Give the job to Paul Janish until a better replacement can be found.
Brandon Phillips would like to be team captain, but team captains do not get bench TWICE for lack of hustle. He is a gold glove talent with a very good bat that hits for power and average. He is also a potent base stealer, but I am done with guys that don’t hustle. If we can get a good trade for him, move him. If no imminent second baseman prospects are available Jerry Hairston will be an adequate fill in.
Right field is platooned now by Johnny Gomes and Lance Nix. Frankly, Dusty Baker should just give the job to Gomes. Gomes is a more talented player, a better fielder, and shows potential to be the right handed thumper the Reds need. Nix is very susceptible to breaking balls thrown from either side pitcher. He waves at them worse than Edwin does.
Willy Taveras was brought in to be a lead off hitter and table setter, and he has frankly stunk up the place. He is under a short term contract that should not be renewed. I would give the job to Chris Dickerson who covers almost as much ground and has a much better arm.
That leaves two other players as Semi–Untouchables: Edinson Volquez and Johnny Cueto. Both guys are young and talented and pretty similar. Both have fastballs that can survive in GABP, an important plus. Volquez has a nasty change up and a dent slider to complete his package, while Cueto has a nasty slider and a decent change up.
This brings me to the most controversial Reds player in a while, totally having to do with his on field performance: Homer Bailey. He of the upper 90’s speed fastball, Homer has done a lot of work to complement this with his slow drop curve, new split-finger fastball, and a decent slider.
Right now Homer is hanging them, every pitch, but he is very, very close to being a huge success. Right now he is losing his skirmishes with big league batters by only a pitch or two. He will get better, he’s 23.
Not much is it? I guess as Reds fans we can take come comfort in that many teams are in the same boat. Cold comfort isn’t it?
Big Dale
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
And now the Bullpen-Pitching Part 2
Why would you turn strength into a weakness by trading away most of the bullpen? There are two simple words desirability and contract status; I guess that’s three words.
No one is going to want to take on another team’s injured, ill, or underperforming players. You have to offer value to be able to get value in return. The Reds bullpen has been almost as good as promised, and a lot was promised so kudos’ to the front office that brought them here, the pitching coaches, especially Dick Pole, and most of all the player’s themselves. That being said, “Via con Dios.”
This bullpen has value and they are successful which means that they have good trade value. The main 3, Cordero, Weathers, and Rhodes are in the middle of their deals or have short term deals. Since none of those three is a young player, it is time to get some trade value for them.
Francisco “Coco” Cordero has been a great role model for the young Latin players. He has also been a closer well worthy of his All-Star selection; He’s been stellar! Cordero is in the middle of a 4 year 42 million dollars deal and is pitching in his 10 year. At the end of his contract, he will be beginning his 15th year of baseball. The Reds will just be starting to be able to contend if all goes well, but this team has needs that need to be addressed now. Trades for more starting pitching prospects seem to be needed as well as a right handed power bat in the outfield. At this point Cordero’s value is extremely high to a large market contender that needs a closer or premier set-up man. Imagine Cordero setting up someone like the Dodgers Broxton or the Yankees Rivera!
David Weathers has been a great Red. His is definitely showing some signs of age. His deal is up soon. There is some definite interest and the Reds should take advantage.
Arthur Rhodes has been a welcome addition as the left handed specialist who has done much more, sometimes stepping into the setup role and pitching to right handers and succeeding in the endeavor. He has also been a good clubhouse influence which is another reason why its hard to say good bye, but at his age and short term contract status, he is worth the most right now.
All three of these Reds should be traded by the deadline, so too should any deal for Danny Herrera be entertained. The effective specialist has been a good story but his size and mid 80’s fastball do not bode well for a long career.
Make no mistake, who ever the Reds bring in will not seamlessly step into these guys spikes. There will be growing pains.
So who to keep? Well Burton just got back from triple A so he probably has very little value. Josh Roenicke was just sent down to triple A, and Carlos Fisher really just got to the big league club. Nick Masset has carved out a pretty good season for himself, but might be needed as a starter (and he wants to start). Bill Bray is still toiling with Triple A Louisville, and Travis Wood might be worth a look.
Frankly, this team is not ready for a stellar bullpen. At the start of the season I thought it was, but after playing half the season this team has shown itself to be a pretender. I went through the list of untouchable players on this current Reds team and I could only count 4, but that's the next article.
Big Dale
No one is going to want to take on another team’s injured, ill, or underperforming players. You have to offer value to be able to get value in return. The Reds bullpen has been almost as good as promised, and a lot was promised so kudos’ to the front office that brought them here, the pitching coaches, especially Dick Pole, and most of all the player’s themselves. That being said, “Via con Dios.”
This bullpen has value and they are successful which means that they have good trade value. The main 3, Cordero, Weathers, and Rhodes are in the middle of their deals or have short term deals. Since none of those three is a young player, it is time to get some trade value for them.
Francisco “Coco” Cordero has been a great role model for the young Latin players. He has also been a closer well worthy of his All-Star selection; He’s been stellar! Cordero is in the middle of a 4 year 42 million dollars deal and is pitching in his 10 year. At the end of his contract, he will be beginning his 15th year of baseball. The Reds will just be starting to be able to contend if all goes well, but this team has needs that need to be addressed now. Trades for more starting pitching prospects seem to be needed as well as a right handed power bat in the outfield. At this point Cordero’s value is extremely high to a large market contender that needs a closer or premier set-up man. Imagine Cordero setting up someone like the Dodgers Broxton or the Yankees Rivera!
David Weathers has been a great Red. His is definitely showing some signs of age. His deal is up soon. There is some definite interest and the Reds should take advantage.
Arthur Rhodes has been a welcome addition as the left handed specialist who has done much more, sometimes stepping into the setup role and pitching to right handers and succeeding in the endeavor. He has also been a good clubhouse influence which is another reason why its hard to say good bye, but at his age and short term contract status, he is worth the most right now.
All three of these Reds should be traded by the deadline, so too should any deal for Danny Herrera be entertained. The effective specialist has been a good story but his size and mid 80’s fastball do not bode well for a long career.
Make no mistake, who ever the Reds bring in will not seamlessly step into these guys spikes. There will be growing pains.
So who to keep? Well Burton just got back from triple A so he probably has very little value. Josh Roenicke was just sent down to triple A, and Carlos Fisher really just got to the big league club. Nick Masset has carved out a pretty good season for himself, but might be needed as a starter (and he wants to start). Bill Bray is still toiling with Triple A Louisville, and Travis Wood might be worth a look.
Frankly, this team is not ready for a stellar bullpen. At the start of the season I thought it was, but after playing half the season this team has shown itself to be a pretender. I went through the list of untouchable players on this current Reds team and I could only count 4, but that's the next article.
Big Dale
Monday, July 20, 2009
What should the Reds brass do? Part 1 Pitching
With yet another Reds starter going down to injury (Ramon Hernandez, joins Jay Bruce and Edinson Volquez, and Alex Gonzalez), it is time to consider the future of our beloved Cincinnati Reds. There are technically 6 starting pitchers, Aaron Harang, Bronson Arroyo, Edinson Volquez, Johnny Cueto, Homer Bailey, and Micah Owings.
Frankly, Aaron Harang should be lionized by this tow; he is in a league with Anthony Munoz as far as character and charitable work. Baseball, however, is not football and the prospect of any player playing out his entire career with a small market team like the Reds is remote.
As a pitcher, Aaron Harang seems to need a bigger ballpark as he ages. Once dominating Harang has been prone to giving up one big inning and at least one (and very possiblely more) homerun in that bad inning. The Reds are not a team that can afford this type of performance. Pitching in Great American Ball Park must be lights out, and Harang has not been that way since 2007. Harang seems to have lost 3-5 mph on his fastball and some sharpness and depth on his down breaking slider; this is a poor combination. Harang needs to spend some quality time developing a change -up in the next off-season if he is to remain a top of the staff pitcher.
There are managers who would give up a lot to secure Aaron Harang and frankly, the Reds should comply. Harang is a very valuable commodity for some like the Philly’s or Dodgers. The Reds should ask for a power hitting right handed bat or top of the organization power pitching prospects.
I think that all knowledgeable baseball people will agree that Bronson Arroyo does not have top of the rotation type stuff; however, the guy just keeps winning his fair share of games. Frankly, Arroyo is another pitcher that would be better outside GABP than at home. There are games that Bronson will drive team crazy giving up double digit runs and maybe 5 bombs. Other times he looks like the second coming of Bob Lemon mixing his pitches and befuddling hitters. Which pitcher is he? Frankly, he is both. He is also a very valuable commodity, he rarely misses starts, and pitches over 200 innings per year and over the long haul will break even on wins and losses. In a more forgiving park like Dodger stadium he might significantly improve, but GABP is a poor place for Bronson’s home park. Bronson is also very popular, like Harang, but he is also aging. There are always teams looking for a pitcher to get them over the hump and Bronson is the guy who can do it. Once again the Reds should ask for top pitching prospects from any interested teams.
All-Star Edinson Volquez had a poor start to the year and then things got worse with his elbow tendonitis. Frankly, If the Reds are sellers then he should not throw another inning this year. Edinson is a very valuable pitcher who can succeed in GABP do to his overpowering stuff. In the vernacular of our day, he's a keeper.
Johnny Cueto has all-star level stuff. He is young, has brain cramps, (throwing an inside fastball to Prince Fielder with 2 strikes), and top of the rotation stuff! He is a definite keeper. I would personally shut him down at 200 innings not matter what.
Homer Bailey also looks great one night and scary the next. Some of this may have to do with who is umpiring the game. Umpires with small strike zones are not "Homer friendly." Still he has come up with a new very effective split finger pitch and revived his big down breaking curveball, even his slider has improved and he seems to be able to throw them all for strikes on some evenings. Did I mention the upper 90's speed fastball? A nice little option to have in your back pocket, that. After being beaten unmercifully the first few times in the big leagues, Bailey shows a real aversion to losing. In fact, it is safe to say that Bailey get's really ticked off about losing, as a fan I really like that, another definite keeper.
Micah Owings is a pitcher without an out pitch. His fastball tops out around 90 and really does not have much of what pitching pros call Live Ball Factor (LBF). His breaking stuff is worse than ordinary, so much so that throwing it to an opposite side hitter is a sure fire recipe for long ball fun by the Reds opponents. Yet Owings wins games. Owings needs to spend some time with Change-up master Mario Soto, and frankly should talk to Homer about teaching him that split finger pitch he developed (His curve and slider are THAT bad).Still he’s a winner and a keeper.
Uncle D, if you deal Harang and Arroyo that only leaves 4 starting pitchers. (I agree and can add) so for the 5th guy or 4th since I regard Micah as the #5, I would like to see Nick Masset get a shot at starting. His mid 90's heat, and knee buckling curve make him an excellent choice for GABP.
So what is the pitching profile for GABP I keep harping on? Starting pitchers must either be overpowering or ground ball specialists. This in my opinion is all that will work over the course of the year for the Cincinnati Reds. Looking at the 40 man roster, pitcher Matt Maloney shows promise of being a ground ball pitcher ala Tommy John. Robert Manuel also looked good in his stint here.
Frankly there are a number of guys to try and this year should be scraped, but with an eye for the future, the near future, rather than other years pipe dreams. Make no mistake; our Reds are close, very close indeed.
Big D
Frankly, Aaron Harang should be lionized by this tow; he is in a league with Anthony Munoz as far as character and charitable work. Baseball, however, is not football and the prospect of any player playing out his entire career with a small market team like the Reds is remote.
As a pitcher, Aaron Harang seems to need a bigger ballpark as he ages. Once dominating Harang has been prone to giving up one big inning and at least one (and very possiblely more) homerun in that bad inning. The Reds are not a team that can afford this type of performance. Pitching in Great American Ball Park must be lights out, and Harang has not been that way since 2007. Harang seems to have lost 3-5 mph on his fastball and some sharpness and depth on his down breaking slider; this is a poor combination. Harang needs to spend some quality time developing a change -up in the next off-season if he is to remain a top of the staff pitcher.
There are managers who would give up a lot to secure Aaron Harang and frankly, the Reds should comply. Harang is a very valuable commodity for some like the Philly’s or Dodgers. The Reds should ask for a power hitting right handed bat or top of the organization power pitching prospects.
I think that all knowledgeable baseball people will agree that Bronson Arroyo does not have top of the rotation type stuff; however, the guy just keeps winning his fair share of games. Frankly, Arroyo is another pitcher that would be better outside GABP than at home. There are games that Bronson will drive team crazy giving up double digit runs and maybe 5 bombs. Other times he looks like the second coming of Bob Lemon mixing his pitches and befuddling hitters. Which pitcher is he? Frankly, he is both. He is also a very valuable commodity, he rarely misses starts, and pitches over 200 innings per year and over the long haul will break even on wins and losses. In a more forgiving park like Dodger stadium he might significantly improve, but GABP is a poor place for Bronson’s home park. Bronson is also very popular, like Harang, but he is also aging. There are always teams looking for a pitcher to get them over the hump and Bronson is the guy who can do it. Once again the Reds should ask for top pitching prospects from any interested teams.
All-Star Edinson Volquez had a poor start to the year and then things got worse with his elbow tendonitis. Frankly, If the Reds are sellers then he should not throw another inning this year. Edinson is a very valuable pitcher who can succeed in GABP do to his overpowering stuff. In the vernacular of our day, he's a keeper.
Johnny Cueto has all-star level stuff. He is young, has brain cramps, (throwing an inside fastball to Prince Fielder with 2 strikes), and top of the rotation stuff! He is a definite keeper. I would personally shut him down at 200 innings not matter what.
Homer Bailey also looks great one night and scary the next. Some of this may have to do with who is umpiring the game. Umpires with small strike zones are not "Homer friendly." Still he has come up with a new very effective split finger pitch and revived his big down breaking curveball, even his slider has improved and he seems to be able to throw them all for strikes on some evenings. Did I mention the upper 90's speed fastball? A nice little option to have in your back pocket, that. After being beaten unmercifully the first few times in the big leagues, Bailey shows a real aversion to losing. In fact, it is safe to say that Bailey get's really ticked off about losing, as a fan I really like that, another definite keeper.
Micah Owings is a pitcher without an out pitch. His fastball tops out around 90 and really does not have much of what pitching pros call Live Ball Factor (LBF). His breaking stuff is worse than ordinary, so much so that throwing it to an opposite side hitter is a sure fire recipe for long ball fun by the Reds opponents. Yet Owings wins games. Owings needs to spend some time with Change-up master Mario Soto, and frankly should talk to Homer about teaching him that split finger pitch he developed (His curve and slider are THAT bad).Still he’s a winner and a keeper.
Uncle D, if you deal Harang and Arroyo that only leaves 4 starting pitchers. (I agree and can add) so for the 5th guy or 4th since I regard Micah as the #5, I would like to see Nick Masset get a shot at starting. His mid 90's heat, and knee buckling curve make him an excellent choice for GABP.
So what is the pitching profile for GABP I keep harping on? Starting pitchers must either be overpowering or ground ball specialists. This in my opinion is all that will work over the course of the year for the Cincinnati Reds. Looking at the 40 man roster, pitcher Matt Maloney shows promise of being a ground ball pitcher ala Tommy John. Robert Manuel also looked good in his stint here.
Frankly there are a number of guys to try and this year should be scraped, but with an eye for the future, the near future, rather than other years pipe dreams. Make no mistake; our Reds are close, very close indeed.
Big D
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