This offense is pathetic!

[armybrat45103]

Time to call the kettle black. How can anyone expect to visit the playoffs when you have 4 players batting over .240? C'mon. Toss in a lefty and we have 3! And you think we will be ok with that? Wake up call. It is not going to happen. Everyone thinks that Lud will be the 2nd coming in August but news! He is one man with a mountain of expectations on him coming off a serious injury. Mes, Hannigan, Hannahan, Cozart, Frazier, Izturis, Robinson, and Heisey CANNOT hit major league pitching. Choo can't hit left handed pitching. How are we to get anywhere with 3 guys, 2 if Bruce is in one of his famous slumps, capable of hitting on a daily basis? This is not a playoff team. Bring up Hamilton, Lutz, Winker, Soto, and H-Rod for experience. Send the rest packing because they are not going to take us to the WS! This mess is not on Baker. This team is like someone giving Tony Stewart a Ford pickup truck and tell him to go win Daytona with it. No people. This is on Jockerty alone!

[xsteve1]

Agree this is on Walt. He should've done something when Ludwick went down. Still don't know why they shipped Didi.

[UPRedsFan]

Agree this is on Walt. He should've done something when Ludwick went down. Still don't know why they shipped Didi.

Remember? It was to get Choo? Would you rather have Stubbs and Didi or Choo? Without Choo this team wouldn't even be in the wildcard spot

[xsteve1]

Remember? It was to get Choo? Would you rather have Stubbs and Didi or Choo? Without Choo this team wouldn't even be in the wildcard spot

I'm sure they could've packaged Cozart instead of Didi.

[gfas]

I'm sure they could've packaged Cozart instead of Didi.

Why in the world would you be so sure of that???

that is a ridiculous assumption even if the only thing you compare between cozart and didi are their ages

[dwyerbrg]

It amazes me how people think it's a simple as being able to ship our "garbage" to other teams to get these deals done.

There's a reason Didi was shipped out instead of Cozart, because that's who the D'Backs wanted.

[coachpipe]

In my opinion cozart is a product of his environment . If he was batting lower in the order and not in between Choo and Votto(easily our best two hitters) he wouldnt be getting talked down about as much and he wouldnt be putting up as bad of numbers.

I hate to say it because I dont want the dusty haters or the dusty lovers to start debating over it. But dusty is really hurting cozart by batting him 2nd

[Johnny Fan]

I look at it this way...You can take a great chef and me, give us average stuff to make a great dinner, guess who is going to produce a great dinner. The Reds have the parts to be in the lead in the division, problem is the ingrediants are not being used to their best ability. Until that happens you are going to get what we have which is blah results overall...

[OneManBand]

Xsteve1 has a point.. We probably could of made the deal for Cozart instead of Didi.. Thing he fails to mention is that it would of had to include a solid prospect like hmm.. Tony Cingrani. Most likely the Reds felt it would be better suited to trade a player blocked at the AAA level versus our starting SS.

Zack Cozart is not the problem.. Zack doesn't walk in and screams to bat 2nd or else. The lineup needs to play to this teams strengths... Batting Cozart in the #2 spot is the issue. Personally I'd bat the LF.. Whether it is Heisey Or Paul in that spot.

I agree also that something should of been done when Ludwick went down.. But honestly.. What options are out there after game one of the season? Something should of been done though when they finally realize he wouldn't be back by June... Yet.. Nothing has. Nor when Heisey went down. This team is either hoping to ride the ship with what they have or don't have the funds to improve this team.. Maybe both.

I feel Walt was able to go out and pick key talent out in his days with St. Louis when he needed to.. Getting Rolen, Finley, McGwire, & Larry Walker just to name a few.. It's been different here in Cincinnati. Wish he was allowed to build this team the way this ownership continues to preach.. But winning baseball only goes as far as the talent of opening day takes you as far as the Reds go. A Jonathan Broxton at the deadline doesn't advance you in the playoffs.. Not even when you are spotted a 2-0 series lead.

[gfas]

the batting order is really not the issue

for every analogy about a chef using the ingredients the right way, there's another one about rearranging the deck chairs on the titanic

batting order is fun to complain about as fans, but it just doesn't have as much impact as so many people make it out to

[Johnny Fan]

the batting order is really not the issue

for every analogy about a chef using the ingredients the right way, there's another one about rearranging the deck chairs on the titanic

batting order is fun to complain about as fans, but it just doesn't have as much impact as so many people make it out to

I couldn't disagree more, placement of hitters in an order is key, you want to see your best hitters get more AB's then those not as good. Also, why with Hesiey back are we not platooning him with Choo, who while good can't hit lefties...making that change could help HUGE...

[gfas]

I couldn't disagree more, placement of hitters in an order is key

listen, I haven't done the math for myself but from everything I ever read, the math just doesn't support that. Of course you want votto hitting towards the top of the order, but the difference of hitting cozart or paul in the 2 spot? nah

[Wedge]

listen, I haven't done the math for myself but from everything I ever read, the math just doesn't support that. Of course you want votto hitting towards the top of the order, but the difference of hitting cozart or paul in the 2 spot? nah

I don't know who should necessarily bat second. The main job for the #2 hitter needs to be getting Votto to the plate. Cozart can't do that. Paul is better suited to be a 4 hole hitter with his power, but how can you move Phillips out of that spot with the success that he has had? If it is me doing the lineup, Robinson starts in lf and leads off with Choo batting second. That lineup was beautiful when Dusty used it for a few games and I feel should be further utilized.

[Old school 1983]

Some of the things I see here I agree with and others kinda strike me as wrong. First off the team definitely has issues, but they are a playoff contending team, and by know means is it time to blow it up and play the kids in the minors. The reds have the 4th best record in the NL and a decent wildcard cushion. Yes that could go away, but by no means blow it up. Changes are needed. Cozart needs out if the two hole. Heisey is hot go with him there. Cozart second isn't doing anyone any favors. Beyond that outside help is desperately needed. A broxton type move will not be enough to help this team over the hump this year barring some sort of take off or stepping up by the current team. This team is thin in the pen, lacks plate discipline overall, lacks consistent right handed power, and lacks a true center fielder. So it looks like Walt has his hands full at the deadline. It's not time to blow it up. The reds as still in the thick of the playoff hunt to say the least. This team just needs some outside help and injuries to heal.

[CySeymour]

the batting order is really not the issue

for every analogy about a chef using the ingredients the right way, there's another one about rearranging the deck chairs on the titanic

batting order is fun to complain about as fans, but it just doesn't have as much impact as so many people make it out to

In a lot of ways, I think you are right. The single most important thing is having the best players on the field.

But having Cozie hitting second all the time is really far from optimal.