it is TIME to RELAX

[Redsfan1507]

I see improvement in Bruce, too. He's at least drawing some walks and getting a few hits to the opposite field in between clueless strikeouts. Phillips has come through better too.

But If I hear one more time how "well" Cozart hit as a 2 hitter last year, I'm going to wretch. He hit .240 last year, and if the guy can't hit a fastball in 3 tries in front of Votto, he's an 8 hitter, IMO.

 

[JohnU]

So, if Cozart went to the 8 spot and we slid everyone up one notch, Votto would be hitting behind Choo ... hmmmmmmmmmm ... seems like rather than pretending it can't work, why not try it?

 

[Redsfan1507]

Ok your hired. Well clean Dustaroos locker out can you be there by tomorrow?

 

[JohnU]

It's just like dinner. You get the food, you cook it and you eat it.

 

[Redsfan1507]

Back in the day, Sparky always lead off with Rose, and usually hit Concepcion and Geronimo 7th and 8th, but everyone else changed spots in the lineup, dependent on the matchup and how guys were hitting. Is Cozart or Heisey going to whine if they hit 8th ? How could they ? They're lucky to be in the lineup.

 

[JohnU]

I'm not sure Heisey has won the LF job. It's his to hold but X-P is hitting. He's not as good a defender as Heisey. Derrick Robinson would have a chance with about another 500 AB, I think. Failing all that, moving BP back to the 2 spot and moving Frazier in the cleanup ... nah ... well ... maybe Cozart will just start getting lucky.

 

[Redsfan1507]

Vs. lefties I'd play Robinson and hit him #2. I'd also give the switch hitter a few AB's against righties. If he hit, he'd play. If he struggled, I'd pull JohnU's lineup flip and platoon the kid with Paul. Heisey's failed to hit at all in 2 tries at giving him the LF job. Need to find out what the kids got in case Ludwick comes back like the .240 hitter he was most of the last 3 seasons.

 

[JohnU]

Heisey and Paul have proven to be exceptional pinch hitters, though Heisey is a straight fastball hitter. Robinson has been able to get on base and I am waiting for him to get enough reps to become a steal threat.

 

[Hit-n-Run]

It's going to be interesting to see how the trio of Heisey, Paul, and Robinson perform leading up to Ludwick's return. Robinson would appear to be the odd man out, but he has a few months to make a case. Robinson would have to be considered the best defensive OF on the team as well as the biggest threat to steal a base. A lack of power and high k rate has always been the knock against him and it won't help his chances of staying with the big club if the trend continues.

Of the three, Robinson may be the best option versus LHP as noted by 1507.

 

[redsfan03]

Honestly, Robinson and Paul have done more to keep their spots in the big leagues than Heisey. However, Heisey's being paid over $1 mil, so I'd guess that Robinson will be demoted. Too bad, because he's more valuable than Heisey at this point.

 

[Redsfan1507]

The way I see it, salary is the GM's responsibility, and the manager's is to put the team that gives them the best chance to win, on the field. It's hard for me to understand how, for example the GM and Manager would be on the same page to give a $1mil player PT over a $500K player, yet disagree on an impact player in Chapman's role after another closer had already been signed to a long term contract. Broxton got a $21 Mil closer money contract, some $7-11 Mil more than the typical setup reliever would have been offered. Either the communication sucks between Walt and Dusty, or Walt has been wasting a lot of resources. All is well that ends well I suppose, but this isn't all being played to a game plan everyone bought into, IMO.

 

[JohnU]

I firmly believe Derrick Robinson WILL be a big-league outfielder soon and he may end up being the guy we put in center field IF we don't re-sign Choo. The world is clamoring for Bill the Thrill Hamilton but the guy isn't showing much this year at Lousyville. It would be sad if we went from Stubbs to Choo and back to somebody who is Stubbs Part II.

 

[MHubbuch]

John, he is a career minor leaguer. 7 years in the Royals organization. I see him as a fill in player. nothing more

 

[JohnU]

Could be, Hub. He isn't a deal-maker but neither is Heisey or Paul. Is he better than Hamilton? That's the next question. If not, and Hamilton doesn't cut it, then it's back to square one ... I think signing Choo is pretty important.

 

[redsfan03]

With the way Choo's playing, I don't think the Reds will be able to sign him. Considering the money the Reds have already thrown around and the fact that Choo's agent is the worst name a GM wants to hear, I'm guessing Choo will sign elsewhere.

 

[Redsfan1507]

Anyone seen Hamilton play at Louisville ? I saw him in low minors and he bunted, slapped and beat out infield hits a lot. Rod Carew and Jose Reyes come to mind... just wondering if they are trying to Stubbs him- in prep for Dustyball... forbidding the Judy hacks and making him into a swingaholic puller. If so, could be reasons for struggling.

 

[Redsfan1507]

Boras is Choo's agent ? He's come down a peg or two lately. Turned Madson's 3 year Phillies offer into a 1+1 Reds offer at a fraction of bucks, then a LAA deal for another cut. He's been let go by a few others. Choo might extend but only at expected free agent numbers- maybe 3 years / $40 mil MINIMUM ? Can the Reds swim in that pool ? Maybe without Arroyo's $ 11 M ? No ones taking Ludwick off our hands at $12 M. I like Broxton, but he got closer contract and Dusty is using him to set up. Gotta watch the money better if you want to keep Choo.