Reds Insider: Reds v. Phillies, one cut

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Reds v. Phillies, one cut

The Reds re-assigned Adam Rosales to the minor camp. That's the term used when players not on the 40-man are cut.

Reds v. Phillies, 1:05 p.m.

Norris Hopper CF
Juan Castro SS
Ken Griffey Jr. RF
Brandon Phillips 2B
Adam Dunn LF
Edwin Encarnacion 3B
Joey Votto 1B
Javier Valentin C
Edinson Volquez P

No DH today. Volquez will hit for the first time as a professional. He'll also face the Phillies A lineup.

Jimmy Rollins SS
Shane Victorino 2B
Chase Utley 2B
Ryan Howard 1B
Jayson Werth LF
Geoff Jenkins RF
Greg Dobbs 3B
Jason Jaramillo C
Brett Myers C

16 Comments:

at 9:34 AM

Y-City Jim said...

That's certainly a line-up that won't be setting the table.

at 10:38 AM

MONEY MIKE said...

Good article on Bruce.

I have continually said I think they will pick up Jr.'s option, but I didnt realize it was for 16.5 i thought it was 12. With that being said, Jr's statement 16M or 400K...400K looks pretty good.

at 11:39 AM

KevinFtMyers said...

Mentioned this on the other thread,

Reds dont have to pick up the 16m option, they could let him go and resign him later in the off season for a new #.

Jr's value at this point is about half that.

at 11:57 AM

firefly118 said...

Great article and good comments:

Griffey is not going anywhere and Jay Bruce isn't either. Both of them in the outfield is the best lineup we have.

Griffey will realize his value here and will resign a deal for 09' and 10' for about 6 mil per year (club option in 11')

Bruce is our opening day CF, has to be or this whole thing (Baker, offseason no bedard trade, etc.) is for not.

Bruce in CF and JR. in RF and when JR. doesn't play for about 40 games (resting), Bruce will move over and Patterson plays CF. Hopper sees time in LF giving Dunn a breather and fill in periodically everywhere else. Freel is dealt (maybe sooner than later) and Votto stays put and is our 1B for the future.

It is about winning, BUT.... it is also a business and about making money. People buy tickets for 3 reasons 1) To watch a real good playoff team 2) To watch exciting players of the future 3) To watch an all-star vet chase records. When you put that together, it spells out Bruce, Votto, Griffey, Dunn, Cueto, Volquez, Phillips. It doesn't spell out Hopper, Freel, Patterson, Hatteberg, Fogg.

Don't get me wrong, we need all those players and need them to know their roles. BUT... we all know that the last group aren't going to contend for a playoff spot, none are the future stars of this team, and none are chasing anything.

In the end, I pay to watch Bruce and Griffey even if we don't win, but I ain't paying to see Patterson and Freel.

at 12:14 PM

Ol' Timey Redsfan said...

I don't see Bruce making the opening roster now. I think the Reds might well be thinking of '09 and right field. Good article on the subject Mr. Fay.

I don't see the Reds resigning Griffey, not even sure if he would make a good first baseman if they did. They may sign Dunn, although he is a major defensive liability. I think both Griffey and Dunn, (esp.Dunn) would be better in the A.L. as DH's.

at 12:14 PM

Hiney said...

On the subject of Jay Bruce, I think Thom Brenneman's comments on air yesterday were right on. He called the Reds approach to Jay Bruce this spring 'perplexing', and Jay must have been talking to Brantley about it yesterday prior to the game. Brantley said he told Bruce he can't worry about forces he can't control, but Brantley also said on the air that the way you make this game ten times harder is by tensing up and worrying about that stuff. The Reds just couldn't let Bruce relax, display the skills that comes naturally, and if he couldn't cut it, install Hopper or Freel.

Instead, the Reds (ie, Jocketty and Baker) decided to bring in this re-tread Patterson, and clearly signal to Bruce that 'you aren't ready'. So this spring Bruce is swimming against the tide in trying to prove himself to his doubting manager. That's a recipe for tensing up, and the result is a young player concentrating on things other than performing on the field.

Also, I want to be on record as saying the Jocketty hiring as done more damage than good. Since his hire, the players imported have included Patterson, Hairston, Affelt, and Fogg. When 3 out of these 4 playpers (save Hairston) turn out to be a hindrance more than a help come the end of May, I hope Castellini wakes the heck up and clears the path for Bruce and Votto to contribute.

at 12:34 PM

Ol' Timey Redsfan said...

I remember what was said by Baker before spring training got started that made a lot of sense to me, if you can't handle the pressure in the spring competing for a job, how are you going to handle the pressure of being in the majors.

Sending Bruce back to AAA would not be the worst thing for him. He is just 20 and may not be ready to play in the majors quite yet.

at 12:37 PM

Hiney said...

As a follow-up, I believe the moment that Dusty Baker showed his true colors was the day (and I believe they were on the same day) that he dumped on both Votto and Bruce in an interview. Baker was whining about how Votto needs to be more aggressive and swing at crap, and talked about Bruce in terms of the future and not the present.

In both cases, arguments can be made - and they've been made FORCEFULLY by those in the writer community and the entire Chicago Cubs fan base - that Dusty does not comprehend how to bring along young players. AND...frankly, the game has passed him by. His whole rant about OBP and its lack of importance really does show he is out of touch with what it takes to win, especially with a lineup full of boppers who need people to drive in.

Every time Patterson whiffs in front of Dunn, or gets caught stealing with Griffey at the plate, we'll be looking at Louisville's stats with Bruce and Votto hitting .330 and wonder what might have been.

at 1:08 PM

Ol' Timey Redsfan said...

As I recall Baker also said that the future could be now. As far as not knowing how to handle players, the Cub fanbase as a referrance point? Even other writers, what other writers? How about the people who own the team and the front office, don't you think they might know a thing or two about workings of the game a little better? Oh that's right most of you think they are dumb.

at 1:12 PM

cmoredlegs said...

Lets hope Volquez can show us his best stuff today and nail a spot in the rotation!

at 1:31 PM

Matt McWax said...

Notice the Reds' lineup has all sub .300 spring hitters. Lots of regulars in there, needing to sharpen up.

Volquez is stating his case firmly.

at 1:41 PM

Matt McWax said...

Volquez is throwing strikes with great location. The second and third time through the lineup are key, especially against strong hitters. If he throws like he is now, it will be swell.

at 2:01 PM

Matt McWax said...

So I wonder if Voltron has a couple spare arms we can attach to Belisle and Affeldt?

at 2:24 PM

Gunner said...

As far as I am concerned, pencil in Volquez & Cueto NOW! These two guys have shown that they are ready ... if either of them start the year in AAA, I cant help but question the ability of Krivsky to judge his players readiness ... it's obvious to many other front office people from other organizations. Affelt & Belisle have pitched their way out of jobs and Bailey just isnt ready yet. I am not worried about him, he is 21 and was kind of rushed through the minors. Not all prospects advance at the same rate and Cueto is just one of those very rare individuals. Homer needs at least another half season at AAA to refine his mechanics.

at 3:11 PM

Y-City Jim said...

Bruce needs to go to Louisville and bat about .350 of a near 1.000 OPS. As soon as Patterson gets booed out of Cincinnati, Jay will get the call and the future begins.

at 3:50 PM

The US has a security interest in my soul. said...

I thought JR's option is a 4MM buy out? not 400 K

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Sunday, March 16, 2008

Reds v. Phillies, one cut

16 Comments: