[_Sir_Charles_]

Originally Posted by Edd Roush

I think it's safe to see Redmond as an emergency starter, certainly the Reds should not plan on a major impact from him this year. That being said, Redmond can fill a rotation spot for a few weeks and give a team with a better offense and still solid defense a chance to win. He shouldn't be written off completely as a useless asset.

I wasn't writing him off as a useless asset. Just a Justin Lehr guy who is a solid AAA starter. But he shouldn't be in the rotation unless some serious injuries plague the rotation (numerous injuries).

As for Corcino and Cingrani, I could see both making impacts next season. If both pitch well in Louisville and a starter goes down June or later, I could see the Reds calling up one or the other to fill in long-term. I would prefer that they get as much seasoning as possible in AAA, but I would have no problem with them getting a taste of the bigs if they are having considerable success in Louisville. I am certainly not prepared to say I would not like to see them start at all next year.

I'd have no problem with them getting some starts next year. Not at all. But I don't want to have to depend on them. They're rookies and not heavily tested in the upper minors either. If they spend all of 2013 in AAA it might just be best for their long term development. And I'd also have no problem trading one (or both if the return is VERY nice).

I believe some posters likely undervalue Leake, but some others like me do not undervalue Leake. I see him as a solid backend starter who has additional value because he can field his position and he is not an automatic out at the plate. Furthermore, Mike Leake is very cheap. Therefore, I agree Leake is very valuable, if the Royals or Marlins also think he is very valuable (both more cost conscious franchises than the Reds), then we may have a good trade partner.

You must trade value to get value.

I'm sure that some team(s) would like to have him. But so would we. I agree that moving him to the pen kills his value and makes it harder to use him as a starter if needed. But I really don't think demoting him to AAA to make room for Chapman will hurt his trade value. But to be honest, that only matters if you're planning on trading him. I see him as a long term solution in this rotation.

I will admit I disliked Arroyo in 2011 and last off-season wanted to do anything to get rid of him. Well, Arroyo turned in a very solid 2012, and now I would not mind him being a part of the rotation in 2014 and beyond. Just because his contract is up, I am not sure that means he will be gone. He likes Cincinnati and his celeb status here. I am sure he would be open to returning, especially if the Reds have success in 2013.

This is a VERY valid point. I'd like the Reds to find out where he stands on this sooner rather than later. I'd have no problem with Bronson hanging around a few more years. But it has some serious repercussions to the young pitchers we have and I'd think Bronson's aware of this. Get everyone talking and keep everyone informed and you'll eliminate alot of confusion and frustration.

Therefore, I hope you can see how the Reds could deal one or even two of Leake, Corcino and Cingrani and still have depth.

I agree and I have always agreed with this. But the only way I deal Leake is if I know Bronson's returning or the return on the trade is VERY nice. Corcino/Cingrani are trade bait in my opinion. If we can hang onto one of them, great...but not a necessity. We don't NEED to trade any of them. And that's what my problem has been with these posts (not yours, just the general "trade a pitcher" posts). If the return is right, sure...but we don't HAVE to trade any of them.

Leake rotting away in Louisville or the bullpen makes no sense to me. Leake has value right now as a starting pitcher. If you demote him to the bullpen or Louisville, you are killing his trade value.

Disagree, as I noted above. Keep him out of the pen, but I've got ZERO problem with him in AAA for half the season. He can be yo-yo'd up and down as much as needed next season.

What do all of you that want to hold onto all of our pitching plan on doing if everyone is healthy (like last year)? You don't want to keep both Redmond and Leake in Cincinnati as longmen, do you? If you do that, you lose at least one, if not two of Arredondo, LeCure, Simon or Hoover from the Cincinnati pen.

I don't want to see either Leake or Redmond as long men at all. Simon/LeCure can fill that void easily enough. Keep Leake and Redmond starting...that's where their value lies.

The Reds have too many good pitchers for too little open spots. The Reds should deal one (or two) now and fill our giant hole at clean-up and in left field.

No problem with trading to fill needed holes. But pushing to make one of the people traded a starter (or two even) is the part I have a problem with. We could conceivably get our left fielder without trading any starters but rather position players and relievers or even lower-level starters. Or even signing a FA. I see no need to basically tell a guy to pack his bags...we'll find someone to trade him for soon enough. Seems to be working the problem from the wrong angle. Just my opinion.