Post Rolen trade reactions

[dougdirt]

Here's Daugherty's take.
A scout I spoke to yesterday re the Rolen deal said, "They'd (Reds) have had to fire me before I made that deal.''

Sounds like a few of the other scouts I talked to as well.

As to the idea that Jocketty didn't see Stewart as a starter, I have to ask then what kind of guy DOES he see as a starter? Stewart had the plus fastball that he carried with him into the 7th inning. Stewart had the plus offspeed pitch. Stewart had the control. The only thing he didn't have yet was the innings. Unless he was concerned his arm was about to fall off, which I doubt since he was still pitching, then I just don't get how you don't see him as a starter.

[Chip R]

Sounds like a few of the other scouts I talked to as well.

As to the idea that Jocketty didn't see Stewart as a starter, I have to ask then what kind of guy DOES he see as a starter? Stewart had the plus fastball that he carried with him into the 7th inning. Stewart had the plus offspeed pitch. Stewart had the control. The only thing he didn't have yet was the innings. Unless he was concerned his arm was about to fall off, which I doubt since he was still pitching, then I just don't get how you don't see him as a starter.

If you are going to be a starter, you need a 3rd pitch.

[BRM]

Sounds like a few of the other scouts I talked to as well.

I bet none of the scouts who commented had insight into the financials at the time either.

[dougdirt]

If you are going to be a starter, you need a 3rd pitch.

He has a change up, that is average.

[Patrick Bateman]

If you are going to be a starter, you need a 3rd pitch.

Well he's supposed to have a great sinker and developing slider.... I guess that makes 3 quality pitches.

[dougdirt]

I bet none of the scouts who commented had insight into the financials at the time either.

I bet they all knew what the Reds had on their team both now, in 2010 and down on the farm and thats all that really matters. Unless the Blue Jays sent us 25 million bucks, its a bad deal because we aren't going to be competing without career years from multiple players and no fall off from several other guys.

[dougdirt]

Well he's supposed to have a great sinker and developing slider.... I guess that makes 3 quality pitches.

Developing slider? Stewart has a plus slider right now.

[Homer Bailey]

Well he's supposed to have a great sinker and developing slider.... I guess that makes 3 quality pitches.

His slider is considered a plus pitch.

[BRM]

I bet they all knew what the Reds had on their team both now, in 2010 and down on the farm and thats all that really matters. Unless the Blue Jays sent us 25 million bucks, its a bad deal because we aren't going to be competing without career years from multiple players and no fall off from several other guys.

They know what the Reds will have on the team in 2010? Who does their crystal ball say Walt is going to acquire?

It now looks like the Reds are on the hook for about $2M more than they would have been with EE. The dollars aren't a big deal. Stewart was definitely a high price to pay to get that upgrade at 3B though. I will definitely agree with that.

[Kc61]

He has a change up, that is average.

I'm not a particular fan of this trade, I have a "wait and see" view of it. I see the Reds' purpose but am concerned they may have given up a bit too much.

I would point out, though, that at AA Stewart was highly successful as a starter but largely because of ground ball tendencies. His K/BB per nine innings was 7.54/2.43. From a strikeout point of view, those aren't dominant numbers.

It doesn't mean he couldn't be a good starter. It does mean that pitching longer stints he didn't have a particularly great strikeout record.

Stewart then went to AAA and relieved. Then his K rate increased to 11.68 but his walk rate ballooned up to 5.84. Probably threw harder in shorter outings, and that may have affected his control.

I'm interested to see how Stewart works out. I don't think his stats indicate a sure fire star. Some obviously disagree and may be right.

[pedro]

If you are going to be a starter, you need a 3rd pitch.

Didn't you hear? He's going to win a Cy Young!

[Patrick Bateman]

Developing slider? Stewart has a plus slider right now.

Sorry I must have gotten it confused. I thought I heard it was supposed to develop into a plus pitch, but was just average right now.

[Chip R]

Well he's supposed to have a great sinker and developing slider.... I guess that makes 3 quality pitches.

What's his offspeed pitch, the slider, the sinker or the change?

[BRM]

What's his offspeed pitch, the slider, the sinker or the change?

Apparently he has four pitches now.

[bucksfan2]

Apparently he has four pitches now.

And he will win the CY Young Award next year.