Reds Insider: Homer's debut

Monday, April 9, 2007

Homer's debut

If the Eric Milton bashers among you weren't already fired up enough, here's what Homer Bailey did in his Louisville debut: 5 1/3 innings, 1 hit, 1 run, 3 walks, 4 strikeouts. The run came on a solo home run. The Bats beat Toledo 13-3. Joey Votto hit a grand slam.

I don't think the Reds will make a move with Milton anytime soon, but if Bailey continues to pitch like he did in his first start and Milton continues to pitch like he did in his first start, the Reds are going to have a PR disaster on their hands.

22 Comments:

at 9:40 AM

Anonymous said...

I usually pretty much agree with most of your posts/comments. However, I have always thought Milton has been bashed more for his contract, which certainly is not his fault, than his performance(after his first year, which WAS a disaster).

Last year, he had quality starts, or very near, in about 70% of his games. In at least a couple, where he did not, we later find out he was trying to pitch hurt(without excuses).

He certainly is no $9 million pitcher, but as a 4th, or fifth starter, I'll take those stats everytime. If a fifth starter allows you a chance to win 70% of the time, while you can season a youngster at AAA, who I believe needs it, let it go.

Just my 2 cents.

at 9:52 AM

Gene in WV said...

Way too early to be calling for Homer. Milton gave us quality starts, or very near, about 70% of the time last year. Is that worth $9 million? Absolutely not. However, we have to pay the $9 million anyway. Also, its not Milton's fault we overpaid him.

If a 5th starter can give you a chance to win 70% of the time, leave the young kid at AAA and give him a chance to develop.

Milton's first year was a total disaster. Last year, he was much better. A couple of his really poor performances were when he tried to pitch hurt-without any complaints, or excuses.

I normally really like a lot of what you write. Here, I truly believe you are way too early.

at 9:59 AM

BD said...

Only downside to Bailey's debut was his 42 strikes in 83 pitches,but it was cold in Louisville, as it has been everywhere in the Midwest.

at 10:11 AM

SolarAl said...

Milton is great the first time a team sees him, but the second time through the batting order is hell...therefore he (currently) is best suited for long relief (8 MM or no). Homer needs seasoning, at least for a couple of months. Livingston, Bray & magic man should present all the necessary arms. The question is how soon? But you can't argue with 4-2. It will be real difficult to contend with Milton as a starter if the Reds go on a losing streak - and Milton contributes.

at 10:13 AM

docproc said...

Couldn't agree with you more--and if pitchers like Livingston and Dumatrait also do well down in AAA, it will bring even more heat on the management up here.

Enough already with Eric Milton!

at 10:19 AM

docproc said...

And of course, here's the predictable party line from Narron:

"He got us into the sixth inning," said Reds manager Jerry Narron. "We're pleased by the way he pitched. He came out and pitched well early."

No he didn't. Many of the outs in the first few innings were line shots that just happened to find their way into a glove. It was only a matter of time before Milton's luck ran out. This is a lousy, light-hitting Pittsburgh team that should have been swept.

at 10:21 AM

Anonymous said...

Excelsior for Homer and Votto! Question, why would the Reds decide to go with a 5th starter who, before yesterday, has given up 70 home runs in 60 starts!?!? I don't care if he is making $9M this year, if you are not going to make the Reds better, you don't belong with the Reds! Eric Milton does NOT belong with the Reds! Homer may have been a little shaky in the Spring, but I do know he was light years better than Milton. Heck, even Saarloos would be a great #5, or Livingston for that matter! I guess my point is that with all of our (better) pitching options, why is Eric Milton leading the contenders?? There's my two cents. GO REDS!

at 11:01 AM

Matt McWax said...

I'm ready to dump Milton, but I'd give Bailey 6 to 8 starts at AAA to make sure he's sharp and dominating. I think there are other options for the fifth starter right now. As for a PR disaster, that would be nice for you, other beat writers, and pundits but how about the Reds just make a smart baseball move without worrying about public opinion. While Bailey may be the best 5th starter, it's probably a little too agressive given his spring troubles and age. At the end of May would be a good time to make that move if he earns it. As for now, I say they aggressively deal with Milton and go conservative on his replacement.

at 11:23 AM

Anonymous said...

Milton needs to be sent down...he is horrible!!

at 12:21 PM

Anonymous said...

OK John, Eric Milton "bashers"? How is it bashing Milton to point out, accurately, that he has yet to produce in a Reds uniform? You're right about the Reds PR disaster, though it won't be Homer Bailey fans will be screaming about - Homer's still not ready (3 walks??). It'll be Livingston we want to see up here.

at 12:50 PM

Heartbun said...

They have to pay Milton no matter what this year. If he starts hurting the team then you have to just eat the money. The Central Division could be decided by a few games again. Do the players feel comfortable, we're going to win, playing behind Milton? 10 hits in 5.2 innings? Another 5 or 6+ ERA?

at 2:55 PM

Unknown said...

Livingston's line in his first start in Lousiville: 5.1 IP, 9 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 1 HR, 6.75 ERA. Sounds like about the same as Milton. Everybody's always waiting for the next big thing. Milton, hasn't done anything for the Reds, well neither has Livingston or Bailey. At least Milton has had some success in the major leagues. If he can give a chance to win 1/2 his starts, that's all you can ask from a 5th starter. Harang did as well as Milton last outing. However, he had some hitters to back him up and was lucky enough to get the win.

at 3:06 PM

idaho reds fan said...

I think you have to give Milton at least a couple more starts. How many runs did Harang give up in similar weather the day before? I believe it was 5 earned runs in 5.2 innings -- Milton gave up 4 in the same number of innings ... which means technically speaking, Milton outpitched Harang. Think about that.

at 4:41 PM

Anonymous said...

I wonder if Mike Burns or Joe Mays are available? Jeff Austin, anyone?

at 4:57 PM

Anonymous said...

Unfortunately, the Red's are stuck with paying Milton a lot of money this year. He will not be released, and has no trade value. I say, why not try him as a lefty closer? Anyone remember Dennis Eckersly as a starter? Milton may be a star reliever waiting to happen. He gives up a lot of home runs, but so did Danny Graves - and everyone thought he was great!

at 5:04 PM

Anonymous said...

As a former professional pitcher I have to agree that Milton's last two years have been terrible. I also know how tough it is to pitch hurt and in the cold. Let's get over his salary and give him a few starts before we panic. I remind everyone that a pitcher is considered good these days when he has an era between 4 and 5.

at 5:22 PM

Anonymous said...

Milton a PR nightmare? probably true. i was gonna go to the game on sunday, even with the cold weather, but the conditions combined with Milton starting made me stay home to watch on TV. Milton showed nothing good on sunday, IMHO, as usual had multiple runners on in the 1st inning already, and gave up a no doubt homer. unfortunately (for us fans), he'll come out of this start looking ok, because he didn't completely blow the game, and he'll get the benefit of the doubt (since the excuse of the cold temperatures affecting performance will have plenty of legs there in baseball-land). funny how Pitts' starter Duke had no trouble making batters look silly even in the cold. this is shaping up as a situation where Milton will be allowed to pitch himself out of the job, meaning the Reds will have to drop a couple of games and look badly doing it with him in there until something changes. and in a sense i understand giving him the chance, and not wanting to destroy his confidence a week into an already injury-plagued season. but come on, we all know that this can only end with milton getting yanked from a game in the 3rd with the reds already down 7 runs and the fans screaming "we knew it all along".

at 6:29 PM

Anonymous said...

Milton pitched just fine, and what the guy said about the relievers in AAA... How can you say that, the pen has only given up 2 earned runs this year, and both were in 1 game, The Reds don't need to make any moves any time soon.

at 6:35 PM

Anonymous said...

Homer threw 83 pitches, 42 for strikes. That's not a real good ratio.

at 8:49 PM

Anonymous said...

I don't think any of us know the answer here, we've seen Milton in one outing this season. It's baseball. Don't get me wrong, I detest him as much as the next guy, but I think we need about two more weeks of this before anyone's going to know what kind of move the management needs to make. For all we know he could have a career season (of course he's not going to)...I look forward to watching Milton start two or three more times...although I think trying him out of the bullpen is a really interesting idea and maybe giving Santos or Saarloos a look or two.

at 10:54 PM

Anonymous said...

And here we have to propose "Pack the House to send Milton Packing Night" at GABP. If both of Milton's next 2 starts are sell-outs of the protest kind, and the fans put a little money in ownerships pockets by selling the place out, if he stinks, management would almost be forced to cut this loser.

at 1:30 AM

Anonymous said...

Milton has had some limited success in previous years. There is no reason why he can't show the same stuff again. He seems to tire in the later innnings - or the other team is just figuring him out. It might be worth trying him in the bullpen. If it works out, he might even be a solution for closer.

Previous Posts

Monday, April 9, 2007

Homer's debut

22 Comments: