Who Do You Want to See Cut?

[camisadelgolf]

It's that time of year when teams are deciding which players to keep around and let go. Who would you like to see the Reds release so they can give more opportunity to other players in the organization? Here's my list:

UT Ryan Doran
IF Kevyn Feiner
C Korey Feiner
RP Jerry Gil
RP Junior Martinez
IF Luis Bolivar
OF Stephen Chapman
OF Lew Ford
3B Bill Stramp
UT Wes Bankston
SS Shane Carlson
SP Luis Montano
RP Zach Ward
RP Federico Baez
RP Greg Atencio
RP Mark James
RP Samuel Vasquez
RP Waldy Sierra

[GOYA]

Wilken Castillo - maybe give him one more quick look. Maybe not.

Michael Griffin - good glove man but that's it. I like him but business is business.

Eric Eymann - he's had his chance and hasn't made anything of it.

[mth123]

Tom Cochran
Rafael Gonzalez (not Rodriguez)
Ben Davis
Jeff Kenard
Lee Tabor
Derrick Lutz

[camisadelgolf]

I agree that Wilkin Castillo needs to be dropped from the 40-man roster, but if he can be outrighted to AAA, I think it would be a good move.
Having both Eric Eymann and Mike Griffin is kind of redundant, but I wouldn't mind keeping the better one, whoever that is.
I'm surprised that Lee Tabor was mentioned. He doesn't blow anyone away, but he does pretty well against left-handed hitters.
Jeff Kennard might have had a fluke year, but I'm not sure I'd write him off just yet.
Ben Davis' career is probably ending anyway, but I don't think it'd hurt to keep him around on a A+ or AA team.
I'm not too optimistic about Tom Cochran, but I'd like to see a little more of him before letting him go.

Who is Rafael Rodriguez? Did you mean Ramon Rodriguez, the pitcher from Panama?

[mth123]

I agree that Wilkin Castillo needs to be dropped from the 40-man roster, but if he can be outrighted to AAA, I think it would be a good move.
Having both Eric Eymann and Mike Griffin is kind of redundant, but I wouldn't mind keeping the better one, whoever that is.
I'm surprised that Lee Tabor was mentioned. He doesn't blow anyone away, but he does pretty well against left-handed hitters.
Jeff Kennard might have had a fluke year, but I'm not sure I'd write him off just yet.
Ben Davis' career is probably ending anyway, but I don't think it'd hurt to keep him around on a A+ or AA team.
I'm not too optimistic about Tom Cochran, but I'd like to see a little more of him before letting him go.

Who is Rafael Rodriguez? Did you mean Ramon Rodriguez, the pitcher from Panama?

No, I meant Rafael Gonzalez and had a brain cramp.

[Mario-Rijo]

Tom Cochran
Rafael Gonzalez (not Rodriguez)
Ben Davis
Jeff Kenard
Lee Tabor
Derrick Lutz

Why?

[GOYA]

Jeff Kennard might have had a fluke year, but I'm not sure I'd write him off just yet.

If it was a fluke, it was fluke half-year. The first part of the season, all he had was a good fastball. We know what happens to pitchers that only have a fastball. But his other pitches started working mid-season. And although I have nothing to base it on, it wouldn't surprise me if Lehr had something to do with his turnaround. But, Power does a very good job himself.

I was ready to write Tabor off last season but he seemed to find his stride. And I almost mentioned Tom Cochran.

[mth123]

Why?

Lutz was bad in 2008 and injured for most of 09. I guess he could try to come back he's still onky 25, but I'm not optimistic and the Reds have a logjam in the high minors. I'd prefer to sign a reclamation starter or two for AAA and move guys like Lecure, Ramirez and Smit into the pen where they may have a chance. I just don't see room for Lutz.

[RED VAN HOT]

Shane Carlson?... a 2009 draftee with only 151 AB's.... mighty quick trigger on that one.

[Az. Reds Fan]

Bill Stramp?...another 2009 draftee with only 50 AB's due to injury, struggled in those 50 AB's, but it's 50 AB's nonetheless. I'd give the kid a little more time

[REDblooded]

Kevin Barker at 34 years old...

[mace]

Tom Cochran
Rafael Gonzalez (not Rodriguez)
Ben Davis
Jeff Kenard
Lee Tabor
Derrick Lutz

Tabor had a little run last year in Carolina when they put him in the rotation and he was lights-out. Then he was promoted to Louisville and acquitted himself pretty well in relief. All told, he had a 3.60 ERA with a 1.31 WHIP. I don't see that as a season that gets you released. Especially a lefty.

[GIDP]

is Darnell McDonald still on a roster?

[Mario-Rijo]

Lutz was bad in 2008 and injured for most of 09. I guess he could try to come back he's still onky 25, but I'm not optimistic and the Reds have a logjam in the high minors. I'd prefer to sign a reclamation starter or two for AAA and move guys like Lecure, Ramirez and Smit into the pen where they may have a chance. I just don't see room for Lutz.

He will be 25 in april so I get that but he's been in the program only 4 seasons (and as you say was hurt most of this season) and has had good numbers. Has had those good numbers mostly due to his strength which is a high GB% arm. Why toss that away when you don't have too? It's not as if like alot of these other mentioned guys he lacks Major League level talent.

[mth123]

Depending on the health of some guys, its going to be pretty crowded in the high minors.

In AAA the rotation will probably include Wood, Jukich, Lecure, Klinker and a reclamation project/vet for insurance. The pen looks to include one of Fisher or Ramirez, with Viola, Ondrusek, Del Rosario, Thompson, Watson and Bray. At AA, the rotation might include Horst, Buck, Smith, Smit and Avery or Carroll. The pen probably has Valiquette, Krebs, Thurman, Geronimo, Medina, Carroll or one of the other starters, maybe Pawelek. Guys like Castro, Infante, Joseph, Leake, Boxberger and Fairel will all hit those levels at some point. Terrell Young probably fits in somewhere. Below AA the team needs room for some younger guys like Serrano, Pearl, Sulbarren, Tuttle, Lotzkar, etc.

I just like all those guys better than Tabor and Lutz, but they could be kept around until spring for sure. Some of these are bound to come up lame and others could be dealt off or promoted to backfill for some one else who is dealt which might leave room for a guy like Tabor. Some may be lost in the minor league portion of rule 5. I'd just like to see the Reds bring a starter or two in for AAA as insurance for the big league team and as a lottery ticket for finding a guy (I'm talking about major leaguers who will probably be available on the cheap and need a restart like Noah Lowry, Boof Bonser, etc). That may push guys like Smit, Avery and Lecure to the pen. Lutz and Tabor just don't fit in the numbers game IMO if all those guys are back and pitching.