Proposed Reds Changes to Help the Offense

[Kc61]

1. Send down Lutz. Bring up Soto. Use as RH pinch hitter agsint LHP from the bench. Will have limited defensive time, but can fill in at first base or third perhaps in blow out games. Reds have no righty punch on the bench right now.

2. Dangle Heisey and a second tier minor leaguer for a stop gap LF veteran hitter. Doesn't have to play great defense. Just somebody who knows what he is doing there. Presumably a guy well on the downside.

3. Until the above trade can be made (if ever) strict platoon of Paul and Robinson in LF. That means Paul only hits v. righties.

4. Until the above trade is made (if ever), hit Paul/Robinson platoon in the second spot. I'm confident Paul can be a reasonable two hitter. In Robinson's case, he seems to be able to slap a hit here and there, won't be a DP risk, may leg some out and steal some bases.

5. Until Hanigan is ready play Mesoraco almost every single day. Also, assess Hanigan's injury. If he will be out much longer, consider bringing up or acquiring a minor league catcher to replace Miller, somebody who hits better.

6. Use Hannahan at third base a bit more against tough righties. Frazier looks overmatched right now. Let Frazier work out some in LF since Reds will be short in the OF if they follow this plan.

7. Hit Cozart in the 8 hole, with Mes seventh. Just think Mes is a more selective hitter and will do better in clutch situations if batters 4, 5, 6 get on base.

[Vottomatic]

My suggestion is to reevaluate after May.

[RichRed]

My suggestion is to reevaluate after May.

The one thing I don't think we need any more time to reevaluate is Cozart in the 2-hole. Over 700 MLB plate appearances at a .282 OBP is enough for me. He's a worse rally killer in front of Votto than a home run.

[*BaseClogger*]

6. Use Hannahan at third base a bit more against tough righties. Frazier looks overmatched right now. Let Frazier work out some in LF since Reds will be short in the OF if they follow this plan.

This is the one I'm surprised we haven't seen more of. We're playing extremely shorthanded in the OF all the while we have Frazier and a very capable backup at his position...

[Vottomatic]

The one thing I don't think we need any more time to reevaluate is Cozart in the 2-hole. Over 700 MLB plate appearances at a .282 OBP is enough for me. He's a worse rally killer in front of Votto than a home run.

........and go read my comments on the thread about the 2-hole.

I'm agreement with ya.

[malcontent]

7. Hit Cozart in the 8 hole, with Mes seventh.

Alas, if it were only that simple.

"What are you gonna do, change the batting order? If he ain't swinging good in the first (second) spot, he's not gonna swing good in the eighth spot."

[_Sir_Charles_]

My proposed changes to fix the offense....

Get healthy and quit facing great pitchers in pitchers parks. :O)

Seriously though, I'd move Cozart down in the order...I'd play Paul & Robinson a bit more and see what they can really do...I'd move Mesoraco up in the order and play him a bit more too.

Lastly, some rest will go a long way to fixing some things. Mentally as well as physically.

[Vottomatic]

Just had dinner with a good friend and his good friend who works for the Reds.

I got the impression that the Castellini's patience is about to the point where they'll give it another month and see how the team is doing around June 1st. If it's still ugly.........look out!

Castellini's are serious competitors. Good businessmen, but also serious competitors. Some owners tolerate losing as long as they're turning a profit. The Castellini's hate to lose.

[Kc61]

I hope Vottomatic's friend is right.

A passive approach would be fine if the objective was to be a decent team that will win a fair number of games, perhaps with an excellent season once in awhile.

But if the objective is really to compete for a championship the current passive approach has to change. If I can come up with some steps which are worth discussing, presumably the Reds - professional baseball people - can too.

I thought the lineup today with a AA left fielder and a minor league veteran catcher smacked of a different, earlier, less successful period in Reds history. Hopefully they can see this.

[kbrake]

Go with

Choo
Mes
Votto
BP
Bruce
Frazier
Paul
Cozart

See how things look on June 1.

[klw]

Try:
Paul/ Robinson
Choo
Votto
BP
Bruce
Mes
Frazier
Cozart
Pitcher

I realize this does not split up the lefties as well as the current system but it gets someone on sometimes in front of Choo. Drops Frazier and Cozart down to help them get going. Otherwise they are all cold right now so it can't make things worse.

[Kc61]

Try:
Paul/ Robinson
Choo
Votto
BP
Bruce
Mes
Frazier
Cozart
Pitcher

I realize this does not split up the lefties as well as the current system but it gets someone on sometimes in front of Choo. Drops Frazier and Cozart down to help them get going. Otherwise they are all cold right now so it can't make things worse.

Paul/Robinson doesn't count as a lefty if they strictly platoon. Pinch hit when a same handed pitcher comes in. And Robinson is a switch hitter anyway.

I'll take may chances with Choo and Votto. Wouldn't worry about splitting lefties with those two guys.

Not a bad approach.

I think people may be getting carried away with Mesoraco. I'd hit him seventh in my lineup. Someday, higher.

[kbrake]

Paul/Robinson doesn't count as a lefty if they strictly platoon. Pinch hit when a same handed pitcher comes in. And Robinson is a switch hitter anyway.

I'll take may chances with Choo and Votto. Wouldn't worry about splitting lefties with those two guys.

Not a bad approach.

I think people may be getting carried away with Mesoraco. I'd hit him seventh in my lineup. Someday, higher.

I just think Mesoraco is more likely to pick up some of the Ludwick slack than other possible candidates like Paul, Heisey, Cozart, Robinson, or Lutz.

[jredmo2]

Man I'd love to see the Reds nab Dejesus. Could also come in handy next year if things don't shake out right vis a vis Choo not resigning, Ludwick not returning to form, or Billy Hamilton stalling out a bit.

[toledodan]

1. Send down Lutz. Bring up Soto. Use as RH pinch hitter agsint LHP from the bench. Will have limited defensive time, but can fill in at first base or third perhaps in blow out games. Reds have no righty punch on the bench right now.

2. Dangle Heisey and a second tier minor leaguer for a stop gap LF veteran hitter. Doesn't have to play great defense. Just somebody who knows what he is doing there. Presumably a guy well on the downside.

3. Until the above trade can be made (if ever) strict platoon of Paul and Robinson in LF. That means Paul only hits v. righties.

4. Until the above trade is made (if ever), hit Paul/Robinson platoon in the second spot. I'm confident Paul can be a reasonable two hitter. In Robinson's case, he seems to be able to slap a hit here and there, won't be a DP risk, may leg some out and steal some bases.

5. Until Hanigan is ready play Mesoraco almost every single day. Also, assess Hanigan's injury. If he will be out much longer, consider bringing up or acquiring a minor league catcher to replace Miller, somebody who hits better.

6. Use Hannahan at third base a bit more against tough righties. Frazier looks overmatched right now. Let Frazier work out some in LF since Reds will be short in the OF if they follow this plan.

7. Hit Cozart in the 8 hole, with Mes seventh. Just think Mes is a more selective hitter and will do better in clutch situations if batters 4, 5, 6 get on base.

i agree with all. it's a shame management is too stupid and won't make a change. ss bats second and catcher bats eight is a running joke that's playing true in cincinnati. the fact mez didn't play today is a joke. corky has had way to many starts in his short stint. mez wouldn't see this many starts as backup to hanigan. the one saving grace is we are a game over. i know we played the marlins and cubs but we have also played 7 vs washington and 6 at the cardinals. win 2 of 3 at chicago then head home. lots of baseball left but their needs to be some changes now!