How did Walt do?

[edabbs44]

No, I said skills. Big difference.

Actually you said "declining player", which I guess could mean either.

[nate]

The question says next year.

Interesting if the $$$ estimate is incorrect.

I wonder why the $$$ are such a mystery? It would be a nice thing to know.

[edabbs44]

But those are big maybes, and it's not out of bounds to suggest they exist.

They definitely exist. But Rolen isn't at the age where we can really flag that as a huge concern.

Now, if he gives him 3 more years...

[BRM]

I think everyone is entitled to a screwup every so often. Especially one that is fairly cheap.

And honestly, the screwup wouldn't be such a big deal if Dusty would just relegate him to a bench role.

[Ltlabner]

Actually you said "declining player", which I guess could mean either.

In my first response I said "declining player" which I then further clarified in subsequent posts...

Walt was fooled by a hot 1/2 season. Maybe Rolen even carries it the rest of the year. But betting on him to continue at that level of production considering his skills are declining is a suckers bet.

You can get hinkie about not understanding my concept if you must, but you've yet to offer a reasonable defense to the idea that people slow as they age or that it's perfectly reasonable to wonder if/how much of that decline takes place while in a Reds uni.

[BRM]

I wonder why the $$$ are such a mystery? It would be a nice thing to know.

Agreed. It may slow down some of the criticism if the financials are released. Of course, it could also cause the criticism to increase even more. It all depends on how much the Reds actually owe next year.

[edabbs44]

And honestly, the screwup wouldn't be such a big deal if Dusty would just relegate him to a bench role.

That I agree with.

I can't understand why both Wayne and Walt have had such an issue with walking into his office and telling him that Patterson and Taveras need to take a seat and he is getting fired if it doesn't happen.

[Ltlabner]

And honestly, the screwup wouldn't be such a big deal if Dusty would just relegate him to a bench role.

Don't worry BRM, I was assured that if Willy flopped he wouldn't receive undue playing time because Teh Dusty would surely sit him down.

[princeton]

I can't understand why both Wayne and Walt have had such an issue with walking into his office and telling him that Patterson and Taveras need to take a seat and he is getting fired if it doesn't happen.

same owner

[edabbs44]

You can get hinkie about not understanding my concept if you must, but you've yet to offer a reasonable defense to the idea that people slow as they age or that it's perfectly reasonable to wonder if/how much of that decline takes place while in a Reds uni.

I'm not defending anything. I only took issue with the "declining player" quote since he has actually been the opposite over the past few years.

Obviously players slow as they age. No disagreement there. But he is currently playing well both at the plate and with the glove, so I think it is safe to assume that we will not see a complete collapse in the near future.

We can wonder all we want, but I'm not sure that the concerns of an age related decline of a material manner are warranted based upon what we are seeing. At least for 2010.

[edabbs44]

same owner

It's weird.

[princeton]

Obviously players slow as they age. No disagreement there. But he is currently playing well both at the plate and with the glove, so I think it is safe to assume that we will not see a complete collapse in the near future.

old guys collapse

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200....33/index.html

[edabbs44]

old guys collapse

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200....33/index.html

Rolen bucked the trend, since he improved from 32 to 33 and again from 33 to 34.

He is a freak of nature.

[BRM]

From Fox Sports Deadline Winners and Losers.

Winner: Reds

Just getting rid of Edwin Encarnacion makes the Reds a winner, but getting Scott Rolen in return amounts to a low-profile coup. Encarnacion's lackluster play and demeanor had become a disaster for the organization. He was horrible in the field and almost annually needed trips to the minors to wake up his bat. Adding Rolen puts a veteran presence on a team whose best players are still quite young.

[jojo]

Miller: "I know that it seems like a totally idiotic trade but trust me, it's not. I just can't tell you why though."

I don't know if Miller is privy to important information that those outside of the Reds FO aren't privy to, but here is Zach Stewart's bio pic from his minor league baseball stats page: