40 Man Roster - 2014

[Gallen5862]

It looks like the Reds have a spot open on the 40 man roster. This could allow the Reds to participate in the Rule V draft.

[mth123]

It looks like the Reds have a spot open on the 40 man roster. This could allow the Reds to participate in the Rule V draft.

Manny Parra will fill that spot.

[Plus Plus]

Manny Parra will fill that spot.

The rule 5 draft is on December 12th. I suppose that it is possible that they drag their feet knowing that Parra has agreed in principle to the deal so that they can participate, and then they would sign Parra and dump one of the "drek-sters" like Christiani or Henry Rodriguez.

Just a scenario!

[mth123]

The rule 5 draft is on December 12th. I suppose that it is possible that they drag their feet knowing that Parra has agreed in principle to the deal so that they can participate, and then they would sign Parra and dump one of the "drek-sters" like Christiani or Henry Rodriguez.

Just a scenario!

Possible. Why not just dump the "drek-sters" now? I guess they could try to toss one into a deal.

[REDREAD]

It looks like the Reds have a spot open on the 40 man roster. This could allow the Reds to participate in the Rule V draft.

If they could find a glove guy that could be the backup SS, it might be worth it.
With Hannahan and Schumaker being able to cover 2b in a pinch, the backup SS wouldn't need to fill in at 2b as much as Isturus and Cario used to.

Not sure there's room on the roster to Rule V a potential bullpen guy though.
Historically, bullpen guys seem to pan out the most often.

[corkedbat]

By essentially swapping out Paul for Schumaker, Reds added versatility (Skip plays infield and outfield) and winning experience, but IMO gave up offense. While Skip had some good years in the pre-2010 days, Paul was a better hitter last two seasons.

With Hannahan signed for next year, it could be that we'll see a bench of Pena, Schumaker, Hannahan, Heisey, and a middle infielder to be acquired.

While this may be a more fiery bench, it wouldn't be much of an offensive upgrade. Unless the middle infielder can hit, which would be unusual for a bench middle infielder.

Maybe the Reds have more changes than this planned for the bench. I'm assuming Hanigan is traded.

Could also be that Hamilton will share CF with some new player, which might mean Heisey gets traded.

I don't see Schumaker displacing Paul as much as I do Hannahan. I pray Hannahan's remaining year does not guarantee him a spot on the 25-man. (Bold added for emphasis)

If they keep 12 pitchers (likely), that means a five man bench.

CA Brayan (B) - Probably a lock, if healthy
*IF
UT Schumaker (L) - and 2B & emergency CFer
**OF
***OF

* If Phillips stays, I want to see them to add a young guy who can field SS (and also backup 2B &3B), but also swing the bat (a SH or lefty bat would be nice). If Phillips is dealt (still a real possibility no matter what Walt may have said) I want a second young IF who can swing a the bat as well as field. Between the both, I would like to have them each field two IF positions apiece and at least one that can bat lefty or both). NNO MORE weak bats (Iztirus, Hannahan, Valdez, Cairo, yada, yada, yada...)
**(Primary LH bench bat) One OF spot should be a switch-hitter or lefty that that can share some time with Ludwick in LF (if a better starter isn't added) and add LH pop off the bench (Matt Joyce is a good example)
***(Primary RH bench bat)The second OF spot should be a SH or RH bat with pop, It might be Ludwick if a better starting LF option is added (and Ryan isn't dealt). If Ryan starts in LF or is dealt, Heisey might be alright, but I'd prefer a stronger option.

I'd really like to see them beef up the bench and the two OF spots are the most likely places to add pop. I'm more interested in offense than defense (as well as L/R balance). It would nice if one could play CF, but not necessary - if the starting CF goes down for longer than a game or just a few innings there's Schumaker - if its for longer, then Billy and/or Lemarre (maybe Ervin or YRod later in the season as well) are an hour and a half down the road.

I will be VERY disappointed if they go to Spring Training without significant improvement to either CF or LF at the very least (preferably both).

[mdccclxix]

I don't see Schumaker displacing Paul as much as I do Hannahan. I pray Hannahan's remaining year does not guarantee him a spot on the 25-man. (Bold added for emphasis)

If they keep 12 pitchers (likely), that means a five man bench.

CA Brayan (B) - Probably a lock, if healthy
*IF
UT Schumaker (L) - and 2B & emergency CFer
**OF
***OF

* If Phillips stays, I want to see them to add a young guy who can field SS (and also backup 2B &3B), but also swing the bat (a SH or lefty bat would be nice). If Phillips is dealt (still a real possibility no matter what Walt may have said) I want a second young IF who can swing a the bat as well as field. Between the both, I would like to have them each field two IF positions apiece and at least one that can bat lefty or both). NNO MORE weak bats (Iztirus, Hannahan, Valdez, Cairo, yada, yada, yada...)
**(Primary LH bench bat) One OF spot should be a switch-hitter or lefty that that can share some time with Ludwick in LF (if a better starter isn't added) and add LH pop off the bench (Matt Joyce is a good example)
***(Primary RH bench bat)The second OF spot should be a SH or RH bat with pop, It might be Ludwick if a better starting LF option is added (and Ryan isn't dealt). If Ryan starts in LF or is dealt, Heisey might be alright, but I'd prefer a stronger option.

I'd really like to see them beef up the bench and the two OF spots are the most likely places to add pop. I'm more interested in offense than defense (as well as L/R balance). It would nice if one could play CF, but not necessary - if the starting CF goes down for longer than a game or just a few innings there's Schumaker - if its for longer, then Billy and/or Lemarre (maybe Ervin or YRod later in the season as well) are an hour and a half down the road.

I will be VERY disappointed if they go to Spring Training without significant improvement to either CF or LF at the very least (preferably both).

I'd like Granderson and Hamilton and Ludwick and Schumaker to occupy the 2b, LF, CF spots. Get the best prospect you can for Phillips. Maybe throw Lutz into the mix if he shows improvement and trade Heisey as well.

[dfs]

I'd like Granderson and Hamilton and Ludwick and Schumaker to occupy the 2b, LF, CF spots. Get the best prospect you can for Phillips. Maybe throw Lutz into the mix if he shows improvement and trade Heisey as well.

I can squint and rationalize that Billy Hamilton should get the center field job. I think it's the right thing to do for him and for the team.

I can't imagine how anybody can look at what Donald Lutz has done in the last two years and suggest that the best thing for him and the franchise would be to have him sit on the major league bench.

Lutz isn't ready for the majors and there is no way he can improve while sitting on the bench. He needs everyday at bats in order to get better.

The message of Xavier Paul is that you can find guys like this all over the place. Don't give up talent for them. Don't sign them to long term contracts.

I didn't like D. Robinson's game and I would give him a call long before I would put Lutz on the end of the bench.

[SweetLou1990]

I don't need to even squint to rationalize anything about b-ham. Speed kills. He needs to play a lot of of platoon innings. In all of my limited time here, I have never seen the likes of him.

[UPRedsFan]

No doubt he is a weapon as a pinchrunner. But do you slow or prevent his development at the plate by putting him on the bench for late inning defense and pinchrunning?

He needs to learn how to get on base.

[corkedbat]

If they could find a glove guy that could be the backup SS, it might be worth it.
With Hannahan and Schumaker being able to cover 2b in a pinch, the backup SS wouldn't need to fill in at 2b as much as Isturus and Cario used to.

Not sure there's room on the roster to Rule V a potential bullpen guy though.
Historically, bullpen guys seem to pan out the most often.

If this team uses three of its five bench spots on Schumaker, Hannahan and random generic no-hit SS guy. I'm fine with Schumaker, but only one of the other two (and Hannahan doesn't [or shouldn't] play SS). Bring Hannahan to camp as injury insurance, but by the time they head north the new Hanny needs to be declared a sunken cost and sent packing. Two IF's a back-up catcher and a two OF bats (a primary left and right bench bats) needs to be the bat unless they only carry 11 pitchers North.

[SweetLou1990]

No doubt he is a weapon as a pinchrunner. But do you slow or prevent his development at the plate by putting him on the bench for late inning defense and pinchrunning?

He needs to learn how to get on base.

I'm wondering if there's any chance that they'll keep him off the OD roster to get him some at bats until June- if this would potentially add another year of club control (assuming that the reds are treading water that whole time), don't think it's likely

[HokieRed]

If this team uses three of its five bench spots on Schumaker, Hannahan and random generic no-hit SS guy. I'm fine with Schumaker, but only one of the other two (and Hannahan doesn't [or shouldn't] play SS). Bring Hannahan to camp as injury insurance, but by the time they head north the new Hanny needs to be declared a sunken cost and sent packing. Two IF's a back-up catcher and a two OF bats (a primary left and right bench bats) needs to be the bat unless they only carry 11 pitchers North.

I think you park a Janish in Louisville in case Cozart gets hurt, tell Zach he's going to play 160 games, and, if you have to, live with 5 starts at SS from Hannahan or Frazier. This last player has got to be a bat.

[Will M]

I think you park a Janish in Louisville in case Cozart gets hurt, tell Zach he's going to play 160 games, and, if you have to, live with 5 starts at SS from Hannahan or Frazier. This last player has got to be a bat.

I like this plan but suspect that the Reds do not. They were interested in Herrera & I suspect it was for the 25th spot on the roster.

[corkedbat]

I think you park a Janish in Louisville in case Cozart gets hurt, tell Zach he's going to play 160 games, and, if you have to, live with 5 starts at SS from Hannahan or Frazier. This last player has got to be a bat.

Got a better idea. Get a backup SS that can give you professional AB and a right and left-handed OF with some pop add them to Schumaker & Pena and let Hannahan get on with his life's work. Hannahan is the poster child for what I hate about Walt's benches