All Aboard the E-Train, 5/29 Reds @ Cubs Game Thread (Cubs Win)

[M2]

cincyinco, good points. I certainly thinks it's possible Austin Kearns has figured things out well enough to be the Tim Salmon-level player I once envisioned him as.

My clear preference would be that the Reds trade Jr. He's the guy who fits least well into the equation. If Kearns could be locked into relatively cheap three-year extension (under $12M says I), then I'd consider keeping him around.

Yet if he can't be locked into such a deal, keeping him has its consequences. IMO the Reds had better go out and find two starters for 2007 (and perish the notion that anyone from the farm or this draft will play an important role in a contender's rotation next year). Relievers need to be found from outside as well (though perhaps someone from the farm could help on that front, Guevara striking me as the most likely candidate). And then the offense and defense need to click. Is Felipe Lopez a SS for a contending ballclub? You don't have to answer that question prior to next year if you aren't counting on 2007. But holding Austin Kearns makes 2007 imperative. Not only does he have to produce, the team has to be ready too. Because if he walks after that season then you're left without the benefit of the talent he could have fetched you this summer or this coming winter. The Reds have precious little talent where they can afford to lose a guy like Kearns with no return on him. That's no a small market problem. It's a small talent problem.

[cincyinco]

Thanks m2 -

My clear preference would be that the Reds trade Jr. He's the guy who fits least well into the equation. If Kearns could be locked into relatively cheap three-year extension (under $12M says I), then I'd consider keeping him around.

Mine too... but a man with 10/5 rights.. I just dont really see him going anywhere unless he knows he has a real real good chance to win a ring - which he deserves.

I have to say that I think its imperitive that if you sign up Kearns for a long term deal you gotta lock up the likes of Harang and Lopez to a few deals as well. I think, say for example, that if you lock up Kearns for 3 more, and let a guy like Lopez go, that it could have just as drastic of consequences as keeping Kearns and not extending him/trading him/etc.

If you can sign Kearns to a reasonable deal, like the one you proposed - or a contract with an escalating salary, you have to sign guys like Lopez and Harang. You need to keep "the core" in tact and keep them cheap if you are going to go for 2007(and possibly beyond IMO). Cost certainty would be key, as well as player certainty(i.e. who is going to be on the roster or who we're building around). But if you don't do that, and you still go for 2007 and fail - well, I think we'd be in big big trouble then. A big hole.

The Reds have precious little talent where they can afford to lose a guy like Kearns with no return on him. That's no a small market problem. It's a small talent problem.

Couldn't agree more. Getting value out of your assets is essential. I think thats the case for any good ballclub. You need to get value out of everything - Free agents, scouting, drafting... Good GMs know this and succeed at doing this. I'm feeling good about Krivs and company. I think he is a good judge of talent and value for the most part. He'll make some mistakes, but what GM doesn't? Krivs may ultimately fail, who knows. But I feel good about this ballclub for a change. And that has nothing to do about the way our Reds have been playing. Its just nice to know we have someone with a vision and plan running things now - and an owner who cares about winning. Finally, we're not swimming in circles. At least thats how it feels to me.

[Falls City Beer]

I think that unless the Reds payroll gets a pretty huge bump next year, then paying Kearns 4 or 5 million a season is bordering on foolhardy. The guy's averaging like 115-120 games a season for his career. That's just a terrible risk for a guy with a Bichette-ish body type. If the Reds payroll goes all Cards next season, then it's a risk I have less of a problem taking, but I still think the Reds could get at or near Kearns' production for half that price-tag if they're smart.

[Topcat]

I think that unless the Reds payroll gets a pretty huge bump next year, then paying Kearns 4 or 5 million a season is bordering on foolhardy. The guy's averaging like 115-120 games a season for his career. That's just a terrible risk for a guy with a Bichette-ish body type. If the Reds payroll goes all Cards next season, then it's a risk I have less of a problem taking, but I still think the Reds could get at or near Kearns' production for half that price-tag if they're smart.

If Kearns reaches a high level of Value he needs to be traded for the obvious lack of pitching. Call me crazy but I gamble on Deno and less productivity and more improved pitching.

[NJReds]

I think that unless the Reds payroll gets a pretty huge bump next year, then paying Kearns 4 or 5 million a season is bordering on foolhardy. The guy's averaging like 115-120 games a season for his career. That's just a terrible risk for a guy with a Bichette-ish body type. If the Reds payroll goes all Cards next season, then it's a risk I have less of a problem taking, but I still think the Reds could get at or near Kearns' production for half that price-tag if they're smart.

Trade Kearns for Kerry Wood, and convert Wood to closer...

[smith288]

This June could see the worst Reds' single-month record in years...decades. This team is deadset on hypercorrection. And it ain't just the pitching. I guess that's what's so surprising. This team needs a complete overhaul.

Or we could play to the level of our competition... The Reds were good at that last year and its very annoying.

[CTA513]

Trade Kearns for Kerry Wood, and convert Wood to closer...

Wood will probably be hurt or on the DL again before the seasons over.

[TeamBoone]

Trade Kearns for Kerry Wood, and convert Wood to closer...

Wood's name shouldn't even be mentioned in a sentence with the word "trade"... at least not until he proves he's still just as good as he ever was... or at least closer than he appears to be right now.

Or we could play to the level of our competition... The Reds were good at that last year and its very annoying.

That's a really good point. They do seem to play better against the better teams and then fall off when the opposition is perceived to be lower level.

[Big Klu]

Updated Reds HR list (players in italics are active):

Reds All-Time Home Run Leaders
1. Johnny Bench - 389
2. Frank Robinson - 324
3. Tony Perez - 287
4. Ted Kluszewski - 251
5. George Foster - 244
6. Eric Davis - 203
7. Barry Larkin - 198
8. Vada Pinson - 186
9. Adam Dunn - 175
10. Wally Post - 172
11. Gus Bell - 160
12. Joe Morgan - 152
12. Pete Rose - 152
14. Lee May - 147
15. Ken Griffey, Jr. - 144
16. Dan Driessen - 133
17. Reggie Sanders - 125
18. Ernie Lombardi - 120
19. Sean Casey - 118
20. Frank McCormick - 110
21. Dave Parker - 107
22. Chris Sabo - 104
23. Dave Concepcion - 101
24. Gordy Coleman - 98
25. Paul O'Neill - 96