Turn Off Ads?
Results 1 to 7 of 7

Thread: 3 factors that will put us into contention

  1. #1
    Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    North Dakota
    Posts
    2,866

    3 factors that will put us into contention

    Mercker
    Belisle
    Claussen

    If those 3 can return to last year's performance levels we will contend in September.


  2. Turn Off Ads?
  3. #2
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Posts
    37

    Re: 3 factors that will put us into contention

    Claussen is the key. If he starts pitching well, then we will have one solid starting rotation!!

  4. #3
    Greatness In The Making RedLegSuperStar's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Cincinnati, Ohio
    Posts
    4,078

    Re: 3 factors that will put us into contention

    Quote Originally Posted by UPRedsFan
    Mercker
    Belisle
    Claussen

    If those 3 can return to last year's performance levels we will contend in September.
    I agree. Also if White can turn things around and be more productive on the mound we can be in the hunt. If not I think his days are numbered.

  5. #4
    Pflugerville, Tx. Barbarossa's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2001
    Location
    Pflugerville, Texas
    Posts
    655

    Re: 3 factors that will put us into contention

    I think Mercker will get it together. He should've re-habed in AAA instead of the parent club. You're right Clausen is the key. If he would just trust his stuff more. If he doesn't turn it around soon he may loose his spot to Mays.

  6. #5
    Ripsnort wheels's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2002
    Location
    Columbus, Ohio
    Posts
    8,684

    Re: 3 factors that will put us into contention

    I think another big factor is Wayne Krivsky.

    After the DanO years, I think I'll feel better with him at the helm come deadline time.
    "Baseball players are smarter than football players. How often do you see a baseball team penalized for too many men on the field?" ~ Jim Bouton

  7. #6
    Moderator RedlegJake's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Saint Joseph, Mo
    Posts
    9,731

    Re: 3 factors that will put us into contention

    Krivsky and Castellini are the big factor, imo. A GM who has an eye for talent and an owner who is willing to put production ahead of dollars. I hope that means he's willing to put more payroll into an acquisition at the deadline. I'm betting it does.

    Other factors: The bench. In 2002 and 2004 when the Reds started hot the bench sucked. Now there is depth. Freel, Aurilia, Valentin, Ross, Deno at AAA - that ain't bad.

    Starters - Harang and Arroyo give the Reds a 1-2 that's been as effective as anybody's while Claussen, Milton and Ramirez are decent as end of rotation starters. Good enough to be 2nd behind LA as a rotation in era. When was the last Reds' team 2nd in starter's era? There's even a little depth for the end of the rotation with Belisle and Mays although nobody can replace those big 2 in front. They must stay healthy.

    Bullpen - Here is where K needs to make a move as soon as he can. Mercker needs to get back healthy and at his age there's no guarantee. Hammonds and Weathers are okay but hardly lights out. Coffey is getting better overall but he's the only guy I have any faith in when the game is close and he can't pitch every day. Think of this - if the Reds bullpen was even close to the starter's in performance how many games would the Reds have won? I can think of about 10 right off the top of my head that the bullpen has blown. Given that even the best blow a lead sometimes, that should leave 5 or 6 additional wins. Give the Reds a really good arm in the pen Mr. K and they can win this.

  8. #7
    Goober GAC's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2001
    Location
    Bellefontaine, Ohio
    Posts
    30,034

    Re: 3 factors that will put us into contention

    Quote Originally Posted by UPRedsFan
    Mercker
    Belisle
    Claussen

    If those 3 can return to last year's performance levels we will contend in September.
    We're probably gonna get the same out of Claussen that we got last year - which is same-o same-o. I expected better then that though.

    Krivsky realizes our BP woes. That is why he is out there "fishing" right now, and why we have Yan. At this stage of the season, it's harder to find much BP help. It's pretty much gonna be situations, such as Yan and Mays, where guys are tendered/released by other teams, and you decide, because you need to do something, to take a chance on them.

    IMO - guys like White, Mercker, and maybe even Shackelford need to be gone.... or at least trying to find suitable replacements ASAP.

    But right now with our BP it's basically a "trial and error" approach of plugging someone in and keeping fingers crossed.

    It use to be we had a solid BP to cover the butts of a morbid SP. Now it seems to be the other way around.

    But it's easier to correct a BP then it is to find solid starters. And I'm impressed with the likes of Arroyo, Harang, and Milton.

    There is where the key lies IMO.

    And as long as the Lizard can keep us in games (and he has), then we'll be in the thick of it IMO.
    "In my day you had musicians who experimented with drugs. Now it's druggies experimenting with music" - Alfred G Clark (circa 1972)


Turn Off Ads?

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

Board Moderators may, at their discretion and judgment, delete and/or edit any messages that violate any of the following guidelines: 1. Explicit references to alleged illegal or unlawful acts. 2. Graphic sexual descriptions. 3. Racial or ethnic slurs. 4. Use of edgy language (including masked profanity). 5. Direct personal attacks, flames, fights, trolling, baiting, name-calling, general nuisance, excessive player criticism or anything along those lines. 6. Posting spam. 7. Each person may have only one user account. It is fine to be critical here - that's what this board is for. But let's not beat a subject or a player to death, please.

Thank you, and most importantly, enjoy yourselves!


RedsZone.com is a privately owned website and is not affiliated with the Cincinnati Reds or Major League Baseball


Contact us: Boss | Gallen5862 | Plus Plus | Powel Crosley | RedlegJake | The Operator