Pros & Cons from Game 1

[BluegrassRedleg]

I always want to win on Opening Day in a big way, but I didn't feel so bad after that game. The pros seemed to outweigh the cons.

PRO:

* Choo, for one game, looked like exactly what the doctor ordered in the leadoff spot. So refreshing to see a professional hitter in that spot. I know they only had one run and were frustrating at the plate in this one, but it's going to pay off big-time over the course of the season.

* Cueto was dealing. He had his one typical letdown pitch to Ianetta, but to do what he did to that lineup was impressive. The pitches he made in the bases-loaded jam were just filthy.

* Bullpen was fantastic. I'd even put Hoover in that mix. He looked good until he had to go longer than he probably should have.

CONS:

* Losing Ludwick on freak injury. Going to be a tough blow for first half of season.

* Situational hitting. Ugh. Continues to be their Achilles heel, especially with Bruce. I've kinda gotten numb to it with him, though, and accepted that's just what he's going to be.

* Taking the bat out of Votto's hands late with the sacrifice bunt by Phillips (given the above "con" I just listed). Didn't think that was a winning move.

[Vottomatic]

I feel bad for Ludwick. Seems like a good guy.

But if I were honest, I wasn't that crazy about his signing. I've been happy with about everything with this team but LF/Cleanup hitter for a long time.

I don't see how you spend a ton of money on Votto and not protect him in the lineup.

Seems like the Reds blew their stash on everyone but cleanup.

And I know they spent $7M on Ludwick. Seemed like an overpayment. I'd rather have spent double that for quality and true protection of Joey. But the Reds are small market and it will never happen. Which makes me feel they will continue to contend but be a runner-up for most of the time.

[Roy Tucker]

Pros:

It was game 1.
There are 161 more.
It's April.
It wasn't a playoff game.

Slow and steady wins the race.

[757690]

Pros:

It was a Reds baseball game that counted

Enough for me.

[BluegrassRedleg]

I feel bad for Ludwick. Seems like a good guy.

But if I were honest, I wasn't that crazy about his signing. I've been happy with about everything with this team but LF/Cleanup hitter for a long time.

I don't see how you spend a ton of money on Votto and not protect him in the lineup.

Seems like the Reds blew their stash on everyone but cleanup.

And I know they spent $7M on Ludwick. Seemed like an overpayment. I'd rather have spent double that for quality and true protection of Joey. But the Reds are small market and it will never happen. Which makes me feel they will continue to contend but be a runner-up for most of the time.

I like Ludwick. Never going to be a star, but I thought it was a fair price for a good, solid stick in the middle of the order. Not sure there were other realistic options for same kind of money.

[bigredmechanism]

I like Ludwick. Never going to be a star, but I thought it was a fair price for a good, solid stick in the middle of the order. Not sure there were other realistic options for same kind of money.

Exactly. It's easy to like the idea of a generic $15M/yr cleanup bat. Whether that bat was ever available to the Reds is a different story.

[OldRightHander]

Pros:

1. Cueto
2. Choo
3. The bratwurst I had before the game started.

Cons:

1. Nobody but Choo could seem to figure out Weaver. He was tossing up soft stuff and everyone was way out in front and off balance all game.

2. "Fans" who only went to be seen at the opener and sat in the stands talking about stuff other than baseball.

[Brisco]

Pros:

1. Cueto
2. Choo
3. The bratwurst I had before the game started.

Cons:

1. Nobody but Choo could seem to figure out Weaver. He was tossing up soft stuff and everyone was way out in front and off balance all game.

2. "Fans" who only went to be seen at the opener and sat in the stands talking about stuff other than baseball.

I disagree with your first Con. Ludwick figured out Weaver.

I think it is easy to overlook because of the injury, but Ludwick has two walks in his only two plate appearances against a very good pitcher that only had 45 walks all of last year. Last year Ludwick had a very respectable .346 OBP... this year its 1.000 (and apparently he is going to be able to maintain that percentage for quite some time).

Having a batter with a good eye/high OBP + good power behind Votto will be very helpful if/when he returns.

[texasdave]

Pros:

1. Cueto
2. Choo
3. The bratwurst I had before the game started.

Cons:

1. Nobody but Choo could seem to figure out Weaver. He was tossing up soft stuff and everyone was way out in front and off balance all game.

2. "Fans" who only went to be seen at the opener and sat in the stands talking about stuff other than baseball.

I would just add that losing Ludwick for an extended period of time has to be considered a con.

[cincrazy]

Most of the pros and cons have been mentioned. The one thing I hated even more than us losing the game, was the stadium being less than half full as the game wore on. Embarrassing. "Ohhhh, it's cold! It's extra innings!" blah blah blah. Cincinnati sports fans always have a convenient excuse for their pitifullness.

[OnBaseMachine]

Cueto was dominant, he made some very good hitters look foolish. He struck out Trout on a nasty changeup, and Hamilton and Pujols failed to make solid contact all day. He also had Trumbo flailing a few times.

Broxton and Chapman looked dominant. Hoover also had filthy stuff, just lost command on the final two batters he faced. I really wish he had stuck with the fastball to Conger.

Choo is a joy to watch. His plate approach is special, I really hope the Reds can lock him up long term.

[malcontent]

Choo is a joy to watch. His plate approach is special, I really hope the Reds can lock him up long term.

I know Boras is his agent, but every article I read about the guy is glowing and suggests that he forms real bonds with his team, front office and city.

I think it could happen.

[REDREAD]

And I know they spent $7M on Ludwick. Seemed like an overpayment. I'd rather have spent double that for quality and true protection of Joey. But the Reds are small market and it will never happen. Which makes me feel they will continue to contend but be a runner-up for most of the time.

I liked the Ludwick signing. Honestly, I am not sure there was a better fit (both short term and long term) without selling the farm.
Look at the huge contract Swisher got, coming off an 832 OPS year.
Ludwick OPSed 877 last year.
Granted, no guarantee that Ludwick was going to OPS 877 this year, but it's reasonable to assume Ludwick was going to be solid protection for Votto.

This is in no way bashing Jay Bruce, but his best year was 846 OPS (2010, although last year was darn close at 841).. I'm just illustrating what a great year Ludwick had last year.. Even at his age, bringing him back on that contract was a great gamble and a reasonable plan.

I know some people were saying they wish the Reds had a plan B in case something happened to Ludwick, but that's not really feasible.. I mean, if Phillips or Cozart were lost for the season, we'd have no plan B for them either.. It's impossible to plan for every possible injury.

[Steve4192]

I know some people were saying they wish the Reds had a plan B in case something happened to Ludwick, but that's not really feasible.. I mean, if Phillips or Cozart were lost for the season, we'd have no plan B for them either.. It's impossible to plan for every possible injury.

The Reds do have a plan B (illy Hamilton). They just figured they'd have more time with plan A so that Billy could gain some experience before being thrown into the deep end. If Ludwick got injured in July they would have been in fine shape. Unfortunately, he got injured on opening day and now the Reds need to decide whether to ride it out with bench players in the starting lineup or rush the kid to the majors.

[R_Webb18]

If plan B is Billy H I hope there's a plan C/D because I'm not 100% convinced of his hitting here.