Your Offseason Plan in 3 Moves or Less

[Benihana]

The rules: You cannot add more than $20MM to the 2013 or 2014 payroll. Three moves or less. Try to keep it as realistic as possible.

1. Trade Leake, Gregorius, Heisey and Corcino for Justin Upton
2. Sign Grady Sizemore to a 1 year, $3MM contract
3. Sign Ryan Madson (or Joakim Soria) to a 1 year, $6MM contract

Opening Day Roster

CF Sizemore/Stubbs platoon (keeps Sizemore healthy, keeps Stubbs vs LHP)
2B Phillips
1B Votto
LF J.Upton
RF Bruce
3B Frazier
C Mesoraco/Hanigan
SS Cozart (pop at the bottom of the order, and batting ahead of the pitcher could help boost his OBP)

SP Cueto
SP Latos
SP Bailey
SP Arroyo
SP Chapman/Cingrani (these two should be able to throw roughly 100-125 IP each, with the other one continuing to "stretch out" in the minors or in a long relief role)

BP LeCure
BP Hoover
BP Arredondo/Simon/Cingrani?
BP Masset
SU Marshall
CL Madson or Soria

*In 2014, Hamilton takes over in CF/leadoff (or sooner if Sizemore can't stay healthy), and Marshall or Hoover takes over closing duties.

[Vottomatic]

Chapman, Corcino, Neftali Soto, Lutz, Yorman Rodriguez to Marlins for Giancarlo Stanton. :thumbup: :beerme:
Heisey and Sharky Rogers to Indians for 1 year rental of Choo.
Re-sign Madson and Broxton for bullpen.

CF Choo
2B Phillips
1B Votto
LF Stanton
RF Bruce
3B Frazier
C Hanigan/Navarro
SS Cozart

SP Cueto
SP Latos
SP Arroyo
SP Bailey
SP Leake

CL Madson
RP Broxton
RP Marshall
RP Hoover
RP Arredondo
RP Ondrusek
RP Lecure

[Scrap Irony]

Deal Leake, Corcino, and Ondrusek to Rockies for Dexter Fowler.
Sign Lance Berkman to a one-year, $6 million contract.
Sign free agent RP Ryan Madson to a two-year, $15 million, backloaded contract.

Fowler CF
Phillips 2B
Votto 1B
Berkman LF
Bruce RF
Frazier 2B
Hanigan C
Cozart SS

Cueto
Latos
Chapman/ Corcino
Bailey
Arroyo

Madson
Hoover
Marshall
LeCure
Arredondo
Simon
Massett
Corcino

Mesoraco C
Heisey OF
Paul OF
H. Rodriguez PH/ 3B
Gregorius SS/ 2B

When Berkman's gimpy, some combination of Henry Rodriguez, Todd Frazier, Chris Heisey, and Xavier Paul take over in LF and 3B. Ride the hot hand.

Weak bench. Great starting pitching. Good health from the corners, continued progression of Bruce, Frazier, Cozart key to two pennants in a row.

[LoganBuck]

1. Steal Underpants
2.
3. Win

[corkedbat]

1. Steal Underpants
2.
3. Win

Win = Profit

:D

[CySeymour]

1. Steal Underpants
2.
3. Win

This idea is the most realistic, because I don't see any of the trades proposed as anywhere near realistic.

[Benihana]

This idea is the most realistic, because I don't see any of the trades proposed as anywhere near realistic.

Sorry, but I see Leake, Gregorius, Heisey and Corcino as pretty realistic for Upton.

I don't see the D'Backs getting much more than a young starting pitcher with a proven track record (who could be their #3), a young major league ready starting SS, a top 50 SP prospect and a major league OF.

[CySeymour]

Sorry, but I see Leake, Gregorius, Heisey and Corcino as pretty realistic for Upton.

I don't see the D'Backs getting much more than a young starting pitcher with a proven track record (who could be their #3), a young major league ready starting SS, a top 50 SP prospect and a major league OF.

I just don't see a team trading its franchise player to the Reds for any package that does not include Hamilton. None of the players I believe would be the center piece of such a trade.

[Kc61]

Sorry, but I see Leake, Gregorius, Heisey and Corcino as pretty realistic for Upton.

I don't see the D'Backs getting much more than a young starting pitcher with a proven track record (who could be their #3), a young major league ready starting SS, a top 50 SP prospect and a major league OF.

I agree that your Upton trade makes sense, although I'm guessing it would take Cozart rather than Gregorius. I suggested something similar in a different thread.

I like your proposed team up to about the seventh inning. I would hate to go into the season with your proposed bullpen, however. Too many guys coming off major injuries.

But the first six or seven innings would be fun.

[M2]

I haven't figured out three moves of doom yet. For instance, I'm not 100% sure what the proper deal for Fowler is. Probably still costs Homer Bailey, which I'd pay gladly if I knew that the plan was to put Chapman into the rotation (in which case the Reds need to do some bullpen shopping). And would Stubbs be in that deal? If a prospect like Corcino wre in there what could the Reds get in addition to Fowler? There's lots of dominoes involved with that particular move.

In the meantime, a simple CF solution might be Nyjer Morgan. His career slash line vs. RHPs is .297/.352/.385. The Reds could platoon him with Stubbs at the top of the lineup.

[Benihana]

np

[Benihana]

I agree that your Upton trade makes sense, although I'm guessing it would take Cozart rather than Gregorius. I suggested something similar in a different thread.

I like your proposed team up to about the seventh inning. I would hate to go into the season with your proposed bullpen, however. Too many guys coming off major injuries.

But the first six or seven innings would be fun.

While I'd rather deal Gregorius, I'd be OK subbing Cozart for him in that deal for Upton.

As far as the 7th-9th innings go, I'd be happy going in with this year's bullpen but subbing Madson or Soria in for Chapman- what's wrong with that?

[Kc61]

While I'd rather deal Gregorius, I'd be OK subbing Cozart for him in that deal for Upton.

As far as the 7th-9th innings go, I'd be happy going in with this year's bullpen but subbing Madson or Soria in for Chapman- what's wrong with that?

Madson and Soria both are coming off Tommy John surgery. Neither has pitched in a game since the surgery. Soria likely won't even be available until May at the earliest.

And your bullpen also has Masset who missed the entire 2012 season with injury, after a weak 2011.

I'm not entrusting a contending ballclub to such a bullpen. Maybe one injury rehab guy in middle relief. But not my closer and righty set up man.

[Benihana]

Madson and Soria both are coming off Tommy John surgery. Neither has pitched in a game since the surgery. Soria likely won't even be available until May at the earliest.

And your bullpen also has Masset who missed the entire 2012 season with injury, after a weak 2011.

I'm not entrusting a contending ballclub to such a bullpen. Maybe one injury rehab guy in middle relief. But not my closer and righty set up man.

I trust Hoover as more of the RH-setup guy than Masset.

Add in LeCure and Marshall (as well as one of the FA acquisitions), and you leave two spots to:

Arredondo/Simon/Masset/Ondrusek/some other cheap acquisition (and/or possibly Cingrani)

I think it's a fairly safe bet that two guys can emerge from that bunch to be dependable relievers. Arredondo and Simon were certainly dependable relievers this year, so just pencil in those two if you don't trust Masset.

As far as the closer goes, you could always try Hoover or Marshall if they can't return to form. I still think that leaves us with as good of a bullpen as any team out there, but of course you value bullpen higher than I do.

[PuffyPig]

Sign Lance Berkman to a one-year, $6 million contract.


Shudder........

I'm not sure he'll be fit enough to play DH.

And how would Cris Carpenter....never mind.

[Patrick Bateman]

In the meantime, a simple CF solution might be Nyjer Morgan. His career slash line vs. RHPs is .297/.352/.385. The Reds could platoon him with Stubbs at the top of the lineup.

I think that's a great idea. A platoon of Morgan and Stubbs (assuming they are platooned correctly) would actually be quite productive and inexpensive. Save the bullets to solve the other positions and acquire needed depth.

[Kc61]

I trust Hoover as more of the RH-setup guy than Masset.

Add in LeCure and Marshall (as well as one of the FA acquisitions), and you leave two spots to:

Arredondo/Simon/Masset/Ondrusek/some other cheap acquisition (and/or possibly Cingrani)

I think it's a fairly safe bet that two guys can emerge from that bunch to be dependable relievers. Arredondo and Simon were certainly dependable relievers this year, so just pencil in those two if you don't trust Masset.

As far as the closer goes, you could always try Hoover or Marshall if they can't return to form. I still think that leaves us with as good of a bullpen as any team out there, but of course you value bullpen higher than I do.

I'm willing to take some chances on the bullpen and give Chapman a chance to start.

But I don't think it's too much to ask for the Reds to add to the ballclub
one healthy, solid late inning reliever to fill his spot. I don't think you replace Chapman by shuffling your current pen around and adding rehabbing pitchers.

I almost gagged when you referred to Arredondo as a dependable reliever last year, but that's not the purpose of the thread so I'll defer further comment.

[Benihana]

I'm willing to take some chances on the bullpen and give Chapman a chance to start.

But I don't think it's too much to ask for the Reds to add to the ballclub
one healthy, solid late inning reliever to fill his spot. I don't think you replace Chapman by shuffling your current pen around and adding rehabbing pitchers.

I almost gagged when you referred to Arredondo as a dependable reliever last year, but that's not the purpose of the thread so I'll defer further comment.

I believe the Reds had the best bullpen in the league last year. Subbing Madson in for Chapman doesn't really take all that much away from that, particularly if you are boosting your rotation and your offense.

As for Arredondo, I'll take 6-2, 2.95 ERA 1.37 WHIP and 9.1 K/9 from the last guy in my bullpen every year.

And as for rehabbing pitchers vs. healthy pitchers, I'd rather have Madson or Soria next year than Broxton- especially if the former comes cheaper.

[M2]

If Chapman goes to the rotation, the Reds either need to find another LHP or go with Cingrani. The latter would be a tough move to make if they've become convinced he's got a future as a starter, mainly because it would cost him the chance to better hone his secondary pitches in the upper minors. And even if they go with Cingrani they still might want to add a LOOGY to use Cingrani and Marshall for more extended outings.

[Rojo]

I think that's a great idea. A platoon of Morgan and Stubbs (assuming they are platooned correctly) would actually be quite productive and inexpensive. Save the bullets to solve the other positions and acquire needed depth.

Just get a new manager first because I can't recall Baker ever platooning.

[jhu1321]

1. Sign Youklis to play 3B moving Frazier to LF.
2. Trade Leake, DiDi and another spare part to the Twins for Span.
3. Resign Madson to move Chapman to the rotation.

4. For the love of God, DO NOT SIGN Nyjer Morgan

[RedsManRick]

1. Leake, Cozart, Lotzkar, LaMarre to the D'Backs for Justin Upton
2. Koji Uehara, 1 yr/$4MM to be the "closer" so that Chapman can start
3. Make Dusty Baker write "I will not put guys with a sub .300 OBP at the top of my lineup" 10,000 times on the chalkboard (or add Nyjer Morgan as a platoon partner for Stubbs, assuming they deem he's not too insane)

[_Sir_Charles_]

In the meantime, a simple CF solution might be Nyjer Morgan. His career slash line vs. RHPs is .297/.352/.385. The Reds could platoon him with Stubbs at the top of the lineup.

I'd rather bring back Taveras, Patterson and Edmonds before I want the Reds to even THINK about Nyjer Morgan. He is the definition of a clubhouse cancer. :thumbdown:

[Rojo]

1. The Dbacks and Reds should be able to work out something for Upton. Cozart/Didi, Heisey/Stubbs, whatever, just get it done.

2. Victorino

3. I'd stay flexible about whether I'm adding a closer or starter. Assuming Leake's moved, you can A) move Chapman to the rotation, of course, and get a net improvement (not a given) and sign a closer. Or B) sign an inning-eater and not get a huge fall-off from Leake and keep Chapman in the closing role. It all depends on how the market develops. It's sounding like Broxton's getting bidded up a bit and there are lot of vet BOR starters on the board.

[corkedbat]

1. Re-sign Ryan Ludwick or acquire Josh Willingham or Shin-Soo Choo
2. Acquire Dexter Fowler or Denard Span or sign Angel Pagan or Shane Victorino
3. Sign Ryan Madson or Jokim Soria freeing Chapman for the rotation

[Wonderful Monds]

1. Trade whatever combination of minor leaguers that does not include Hamilton or Stephenson to Miami for Stanton.
2. Re-sign Broxton/Madson or sign Soria.
3. Trade Gregorious to Atlanta for Parra, trade Stubbs for whatever. Maybe some failed starter we can stick in the bullpen. I really don't care, just get him off the team to make room for Parra.

[_Sir_Charles_]

1. Trade whatever combination of minor leaguers that does not include Hamilton or Stephenson to Miami for Stanton.
2. Re-sign Broxton/Madson or sign Soria.
3. Trade Gregorious to Atlanta for Parra, trade Stubbs for whatever. Maybe some failed starter we can stick in the bullpen. I really don't care, just get him off the team to make room for Parra.

Seriously, if you do #1...you can skip 2 and 3 and head straight to the "print playoff tickets" step.

[nate]

1. Turn off "fair trades"
2. Trade all our less than awesome players for awesome players
3. Turn on "fair trades"

:cool:

[Wonderful Monds]

1. Turn off "fair trades"
2. Trade all our less than awesome players for awesome players
3. Turn on "fair trades"

:cool:

Better strike tonight before Selig turns it back on in the league settings.

[Kc61]

I believe the Reds had the best bullpen in the league last year. Subbing Madson in for Chapman doesn't really take all that much away from that, particularly if you are boosting your rotation and your offense.

As for Arredondo, I'll take 6-2, 2.95 ERA 1.37 WHIP and 9.1 K/9 from the last guy in my bullpen every year.

And as for rehabbing pitchers vs. healthy pitchers, I'd rather have Madson or Soria next year than Broxton- especially if the former comes cheaper.


1.37 WHIP for a reliever isn't very good and 2.95 ERA is just ok for a bullpenner. In the second half Arredondo had a 4.21 ERA and a 1.558 WHIP. He was pretty bad in the second half. Maybe he'll rebound, but I wouldn't bet the Reds' season on it.

As for the "best bullpen in the league" last year, it might have been when you include Chapman's 15.3 Ks per nine innings; his .809 WHIP; his 1.51 ERA in 71.2 innings. Take those stellar numbers out, I don't agree.

Frankly, other than Chapman and Marshall, I though the bullpen was just ok. I don't think Lecure, Simon, Ondrusek, an injured Bray, and Arredondo is a particularly good pen.

Hoover could be good, he was in AAA most of the year. Broxton helped, but he's a FA.

You think that's enough without Chapman? I don't.

Without Chapman, I think another healthy solid late inning guy is imperative.

[Wonderful Monds]

1.37 WHIP for a reliever isn't very good. In the second half Arredondo had a 4.21 ERA and a 1.558 WHIP. He was pretty bad in the second half. Maybe he'll rebound, but I wouldn't bet the Reds' season on it.

As for the "best bullpen in the league" last year, it might have been when you include Chapman's 15.3 Ks per nine innings; his .809 WHIP; his 1.51 ERA in 71.2 innings. Take those stellar numbers out, I don't agree.

Frankly, other than Chapman and Marshall, I though the bullpen was just ok. I don't think Lecure, Simon, Ondrusek, an injured Bray, and Arredondo is a particularly good pen.

Hoover could be good, he was in AAA most of the year. Broxton helped, but he's a FA.

You think that's enough without Chapman? I don't.

Without Chapman, I think another healthy solid late inning guy is imperative.

I imagine most teams' bullpens aren't very good if you disregard their two best pitchers.

[Kc61]

I imagine most teams' bullpens aren't very good if you disregard their two best pitchers.

Correct. I agree.

But in the Reds' case, posters are suggesting a bullpen without Chapman. So one of those two best relievers won't be there.

That's the situation we are discussing. Replacing Chapman with a guy coming off TJ surgery. That's the discussion.

[Wonderful Monds]

Correct. I agree.

But in the Reds' case, posters are suggesting a bullpen without Chapman. So one of those two best relievers won't be there.

That's the situation we are discussing. Replacing Chapman with a guy coming off TJ surgery. That's the discussion.

Oh right, lol. I agree with that then.

[Benihana]

1. Re-sign Ryan Ludwick or acquire Josh Willingham or Shin-Soo Choo
2. Acquire Dexter Fowler or Denard Span or sign Angel Pagan or Shane Victorino
3. Sign Ryan Madson or Jokim Soria freeing Chapman for the rotation

Congrats- you have given your offseason plan in 9 moves :)

[thatcoolguy_22]

1. Trade Hamilton+ for Stanton
2. Sign Bourn
3. Sign Madson

Marlins have no reason to trade Stanton but he will be expensive in a few years and Loria might want to just get a head start. Plus if they could see Hamilton as a SS.

[corkedbat]

Correct. I agree.

But in the Reds' case, posters are suggesting a bullpen without Chapman. So one of those two best relievers won't be there.

That's the situation we are discussing. Replacing Chapman with a guy coming off TJ surgery. That's the discussion.

If Chapman goes to the pen, then Cingrani should be the second lefty.

Add Broxton/Madson/Soria to:

Marshall
Hoover
Cingrani
Massett
Arredondo/Simon
Lecure

...and you still have one of the best bullpens in baseball.

[corkedbat]

Congrats- you have given your offseason plan in 9 moves :)

No, basically I said:

1. LF
2. CF
3. High-leverage reliever to facilitate Chapman to the rotation

[M2]

I'd rather bring back Taveras, Patterson and Edmonds before I want the Reds to even THINK about Nyjer Morgan. He is the definition of a clubhouse cancer. :thumbdown:

Yeah, remember how he sabotaged the Brewers in 2011? Oh wait ...

[mth123]

I think payroll limitations make most of the moves suggested here a little unrealistic. The Reds, as is, with all free agents off the books, but bonus money, raises and arb awards included, are probably a little over $90 Million and I'm not sure they'll go much above $95 Million (about a $10 Million or roughly 12% increase from 2012). I like the Morgan idea, but I'll hold that back for a fall back option. Improvement needs to come at the margins without a lot of subtractions from the major league team or dealing any of the top 5 prospects IMO.

1. Kyle Lotzkar and David Vidal to the Cubs for David Dejesus
2. Nick Masset, Henry Rodriguez, Neftali Soto and Ryan LaMarre to the Orioles for Wilson Betemit and Pedro Strop
3. Sign J.P Howell to a 2 year, $7 Million contract ($2.5 Million in 2013 and $3.5 Million in 2014, option for 2015 for $5 Million with a $1 Million buy-out)

2013 Payroll goes up around $6 Million as a result of the deals. (Add Dejesus $4.25, Howell $2.5, Betemit $1.75, Strop $.5 and subtract Masset $3.1 = $5.9 Million)


Vs. RHP/Vs LHP

Dejesus/Stubbs CF
Phillips 2B
Votto 1B
Frazier LF/Frazier 3B
Bruce RF
Betemit 3B/Heisey LF
Cozart SS
Hanigan/Mesoraco C (Not a lefty/righty Platoon)

Paul LHPH/OF
Gregorious IF (Plays SS against RHP a couple times per week)

Latos
Cueto
Bailey
Arroyo
Chapman

Leake (Swingman)
Arredondo RMR but used as a LOOGY much of the time
Lecure RMR
Howell LMR
Hoover RHSU
Marshall LHSU
Strop Closer

[Vottomatic]

Chapman, Corcino, Neftali Soto, Lutz, Yorman Rodriguez to Marlins for Giancarlo Stanton. :thumbup: :beerme:
Heisey and Sharky Rogers to Indians for 1 year rental of Choo.
Re-sign Madson and Broxton for bullpen.

CF Choo
2B Phillips
1B Votto
LF Stanton
RF Bruce
3B Frazier
C Hanigan/Navarro
SS Cozart

SP Cueto
SP Latos
SP Arroyo
SP Bailey
SP Leake

CL Madson
RP Broxton
RP Marshall
RP Hoover
RP Arredondo
RP Ondrusek
RP Lecure

Yeah. See. My idea of trading for Stanton isn't quite so ridiculous now, eh? :laugh: :D

Oh........those pitiful Marlins.

[_Sir_Charles_]

1. Turn off "fair trades"
2. Trade all our less than awesome players for awesome players
3. Turn on "fair trades"

:cool:

ROFL!!! :O) That was great Nate. Thanks, I needed that.

[Dan]

1. Hamilton/Cingrani for Giancarlo Stanton

Oh, I'm sorry, did you want more?

[bucksfan2]

Wait. Some guys are going to get paid contracts they shouldn't get. Guys like Tori Hunter and Swisher are going to get contracts they won't live up to.

1. Sign Ryan Madsen to a 1 year $6M deal.
2. Sign Youkilis to a 2 year $18M deal.
3. Sign Grady Sizemore to a 1 year $1.5M deal that is incentive laden.

I would also kick the tires on trading Stubbs + to the Cubs for Dejesus. Status quo in CF isn't the solution this year. If they can catch lightening in a bottle next year with Sizemore then its one heck of a deal. If not its a small investment. Youk sends Frazier out into LF, a spot I think he can become a good all around player. Having Frazier allows Youk to get needed days off at 3b and also helps Votto get time off at 1b. I don't think Madsen is going to get paid next year because I don't think he will be right until mid June.

[Cooper]

Make a big move -the worst thing winning teams do is assume they are better than they are -this team may be a 91 win team where things broke their way and they became a 97 win team. Make a big splash and change the energy of the team.

In 2011, i felt like Walt didn't do shake things up enough.

There are certain positions that Dusty has a hard time wiring around -he gets stuck -make sure those positions are filled with viable major league players or you might see Dusty run .463 OPS out there 4 times a week.

Lastly, support Devin Mesaroco's growth. I believe he has an OPS of .850 in him. How do we get that out while making sure the pitchers don't lose their minds? A catcher gets a rep and he can't break it until he's on the other side of 32, whereby he becomes an all knowing grizzled veteran. Something happened last year and he got pushed back -i'm not sure that helped the team on a long term basis. A catcher with his batting stats don't come along often - getting all you can out of him becomes this organizations number 1A developmental issue (behind the great BH).

[M2]

Cooper, great post.

[RANDY IN INDY]

Agree. Great post, Cooper!

[Kc61]

Upton, Ziegler and a medium prospect for Corcino, Stubbs, Cozart, and Leake.

Crisp and Sean Doolittle for Heisey, Arredondo, Lotzkar, another decent prospect if needed.

Righty hitting SS who can spell Gregorius is third important pickup.



Crisp, Phillips, Votto, Upton, Bruce, Frazier, Hanigan/Mes, Gregorius.
Bench: Mes, HRod, righty shortstop, XPaul, backup righty CF with plate discipline.
Rotation: Cueto, Bailey, Latos, Chapman, Arroyo.
Bullpen: Hoover, Marshall, Doolittle, Ziegler, Lecure, Simon, and either Masset or Ondrusek.


Doolittle and Ziegler beef up the pen. I'd let Hoover close to begin, but with Marshall, Ziegler, and Doolittle also late inning guys.

Crisp is a stopgap for Hamilton.

Letting Ludwick go and trading Stubbs saves some money. Arroyo will be off the books following year, will help offset Upton salary.

Crisp is a short term fix.

Yes, I'm trading both Stubbs and Heisey and seeking a new righty backup CF. Somebody with some contact skills.

[REDREAD]

1. Empty the farm system to acquire Choo from Indians. Extend him.
Failing that, acquire another solid LF or 3b.

2. Sign CF Shane Victorino to a perferably 1 year deal to play CF. (maybe 7 million/year)Go two years if necessary.
Hope for a bounceback.. surely, he won't be worse than Stubbs. I like the upside.Nice stopgap until Billy H is ready.

3. Sign FA LH Reliever Sean Burnett (Nats) for 2-4 million
Gives us a second lefty in the pen, and gives flexiblity to put Chapman in the rotation.

[Vottomatic]

1. Trade Bailey to KC for Wil Myers to play LF and bat cleanup. (I've come around on this one). Chapman to rotation.
2. Bolster the bullpen and closer through free agency or trade.
3. Sign Youkilis to play 3B. Relegate Frazier for pinch hit duty and backup because you know they'll be injuries.

CF B. Hamilton
2B Phillips
1B Votto
LF Myers
RF Bruce
3B Youkilis
SS Cozart
C Hanigan

[_Sir_Charles_]

1. Trade for and extend Shin Soo Choo. Stubbs, one of Corcino/Cingrani, and some lesser prospects. I'm certainly open to ideas concerning what would be required to trade for him. But no to any of the 5 current starters. Also no to Hamilton, Stephenson & Gregorius. Everybody else is fair game in the minors IMO.

2. Chapman to rotation. This will necessitate the following changes as well. Marshall becomes full-time closer. Leake heads to Louisville to maintain a regular schedule as a starter. All the other relievers move up a spot and if we need to backfill, do so from the Louisville bullpen not from their starting rotation. When Aroldis reaches his innings limit, replace him with Leake.

3. Leave Hamilton in AAA until we're sure he's ready. Do NOT rush him. Phillips can cover the leadoff slot. CF is manned by Heisey/Stubbs if they're both still here. If not, an extended audition for Heisey might be worth a look. While I like Stubbs as a person, I think we've all seen that he simply has too many flaws to be successful. I'd LOVE to be proven wrong about that though.


Hanigan/Mesoraco C
Votto 1B
Phillips 2B
Cozart SS (Didi makes the club as a UT)
Frazier 3B
Bruce RF
Heisey CF (if Stubbs is still here...defensive substitution for late innings)
Choo LF

Cuteo
Latos
Bailey
Arroyo
Chapman/Leake

Marshall
Massett
Arredondo
Hoover
LeCure
Ondrusek
Simon

Some of the minor leaguers could certainly fill in some holes (CF, Bullpen, Bench as needed). I'd rather not see us as players AT ALL in the free agent market.