Mario Soto in Atlanta Working With Cueto

[reds44]

From Fay

Mario Soto is here in Atlanta to work with Johnny Cueto. At least, I saw him in the hotel lobby. If he's not here to work with Cueto, that would be a bizarre coincidence, eh? Good move by the Reds.

I hear a lot of talk that the Reds need to youth movement.

Other than inserting Jay Bruce in center field, there's not a lot they can do. Is Bruce ready? Maybe. But 25 strikeouts in 101 at-bats and .324 on-base percentage tell me another month in Triple-A won't hurt.

I'd have Homer Bailey up here -- maybe in relief -- some time soon. But other than those two I don't see anyone who can make any kind of impact.

Other than Junior Griffey the Reds don't play anyone very old. Average age of the infield is 26.

Jay Bruce has a .324 OBP? Maybe the time isn't now. Good news with Soto though.

[cumberlandreds]

I wonder how much it would take to hire Soto as pitching coach? He seems to be a natural at it.
Like Fay said it probably won't hurt Bruce to play another month or so in AAA. Doesn't look like this season in going anywhere so you might as well.

[Chip R]

I wonder how much it would take to hire Soto as pitching coach? He seems to be a natural at it.

There are some things money can't buy.

If the Reds really want Soto's input, instead of bringing him to the players, why not use advanced technology to bring the players to him? Have live, streaming video of Cueto's et. al. bullpen sessions. If he doesn't have one, buy him a satellite dish so those games can be beamed down to Casa de Soto.

[Spring~Fields]

There are some things money can't buy.

If the Reds really want Soto's input, instead of bringing him to the players, why not use advanced technology to bring the players to him? Have live, streaming video of Cueto's et. al. bullpen sessions. If he doesn't have one, buy him a satellite dish so those games can be beamed down to Casa de Soto.

Excellent suggestion and they have the big bucks to make it happen.

Good idea

[BCubb2003]

Soto's role with the Reds is becoming like that former player's minor-league contract of which we aren't to speak.

[bucksfan2]

There are some things money can't buy.

If the Reds really want Soto's input, instead of bringing him to the players, why not use advanced technology to bring the players to him? Have live, streaming video of Cueto's et. al. bullpen sessions. If he doesn't have one, buy him a satellite dish so those games can be beamed down to Casa de Soto.

I don't think that would work. The technology is there for something similar to work but I don't think a pitching coach would be all that effective without using a hands on approach. IMO Soto's value is very much in demand by the reds right now because of the Latin influence that the rotation has. I would also assume that Cordero would have a calming influence on both Cueto and Volquez both on and off the field.

Soto doesn't need baseball. I am assuming but I would assume that he is pretty much set for the rest of his life financially. I would also assume that what the Reds pay him to do whatever he does is enough to sustain his lifestyle. If you living high on the hog why would you want to put yourself through the rigors of a major leagues season?

[RFS62]

I wonder how the logistics of this worked. Did Cueto ask for him? Did Dusty or Jockallini recommend it? How does Dick Pole feel about it?

[OnBaseMachine]

Paging Mario Soto, Mr. Mario Soto, please. That call has gone out from Cincinnati Reds general manager Walt Jocketty to roving pitching instructor Mario Soto, at the prodding of manager Dusty Baker.

Johnny Cueto needs help, and his mentor, Soto, is the man to provide.

"I said during spring training that I would like Soto to pop in about once a month to be there for Cueto and Edinson Volquez," Baker said. "We need Mario on the job big-time. Mario practically raised Cueto as a pitcher, taught him the change-up."

http://www.daytondailynews.com/s/con...snotesweb.html

[Chip R]

I don't think that would work. The technology is there for something similar to work but I don't think a pitching coach would be all that effective without using a hands on approach.

Soto has to lay hands on them in order for him to teach them?

[BCubb2003]

I wonder how the logistics of this worked. Did Cueto ask for him? Did Dusty or Jockallini recommend it? How does Dick Pole feel about it?

Yes, I hope it's something healthy like Dick Pole saying, "Remember when Mario was telling you about this little thing? Let's get him back up here and take some time with it."

[princeton]

How does Dick Pole feel?

impotent?

[Spring~Fields]

There are some things money can't buy.

If the Reds really want Soto's input, instead of bringing him to the players, why not use advanced technology to bring the players to him? Have live, streaming video of Cueto's et. al. bullpen sessions. If he doesn't have one, buy him a satellite dish so those games can be beamed down to Casa de Soto.

I just thought of something else. What does it say when they have to bring in a specialist from out of country to work with a young pitcher about the current pitching coach and bullpen coach? It would seem that Soto will have to coach the coach, would he not?

[reds44]

I wonder how the logistics of this worked. Did Cueto ask for him? Did Dusty or Jockallini recommend it? How does Dick Pole feel about it?

Like Krivsky felt about Walt?

[bucksfan2]

Soto has to lay hands on them in order for him to teach them?

Pitching problems can arise from the most minute details. Your arm slot can be just off and if your are trying to go through your motion a pitching coach can/will set your arm in the proper position. I think this similar to a golf lesson. It is very difficult to do anything when you are dealing with very small discrepancies over a telecast connection.

[BCubb2003]

Maybe Soto is to the Reds what Koufax is to the Dodgers.