Here is the Reds Hot Stove League show report for 12-8-09. Marty and Thom began the show by gushing about RedsFest. They said that they had a record attendance on Friday night. Marty said that Adam Rosales was the highest finishing Reds player in the poker tournament. (I wonder if he sprinted around the table after he won a hand?) Marty lamented that Todd Frazier didn’t win. Marty said that he’s going to be rooting for him big time and the team will be very well served in the future by these young players.
The first caller congratulated the Reds Community Fund for their involvement in RedsFest and local charities. Marty said if he had to hire someone to start a fundraising deal it would be Charlie Frank of the Reds Community Fund. Thom gave kudos to the people who participated with the Reds Community Fund.
Marty mentioned a 3 way deal with the Yankees, Tigers and Diamondbacks. Thom couldn’t believe that Arizona would trade Max Scherzer. He said he’s as impressive a young pitcher as he’s seen in a long time. He heard that he might not be durable enough to start even though he’s a big guy.
The next caller asked how good Votto could be. Thom said he will put up numbers outside of Pujols and power numbers outside of Howard. (Not quite sure what he means there. Probably that he will put up numbers better than anyone except those two.) Thom thinks he can hit around .300 every year but has to get a little better against left handed pitchers. Thom said he could put up 30 Hrs and 115-120 RBIs playing at GAB as long as guys are getting on base in front of him. (It’d be nice if Dusty would bat guys ahead of him that get on base. Thom gets it why can’t Dusty?) Marty said that he couldn’t agree more.
The next caller said that he would like to see Harang be the Opening Day starter. Thom said Dusty was talking about that at RedsFest and said that it would mean more to Harang to start on Opening Day. He said if he starts on Opening Day in 2010 he’ll tie Soto for most consecutive Opening day starts. Thom said that based on last season, Bronson deserves the start. Marty agreed.
Marty said that Peter Gammons is leaving ESPN after the winter meetings but they are not sure what he is going to do next. (Looks like he’s going to the MLB Network.)
After commercial, the next caller also praised RedsFest and said they do enough to tweak it every year to make it better and better.
The next caller asked what Paul Keels’ role would be in the booth. Thom said he will do some play by play on TV when Thom isn’t. He congratulated Keels and Jim Kelch on becoming Reds announcers. Marty complimented Fox Sports Ohio and Phil Castellini for working hard to bring in those guys. He said it was important to him, Thom, Brantley and Chris Welch to have guys work with them that are compatible to their style.
The next caller asked about rumors regarding trading Brandon. Marty said that Dusty said that he will stay with the Reds at 2nd base.
The next caller praised RedsFest and especially George Foster. Thom said that RedsFest is such a family friendly place to be. Marty said they just add something every year to make it better. He said that nearly the whole team was there with the exception of Homer and Janish. Janish was getting married and Homer was in his wedding. Marty said he didn’t know why Willy Tavares wasn’t there but he wasn’t. (Probably because no one wanted to see him. Or he had about as much trouble finding the airport as he did 1st base.)
Marty said that Chone Figgins signed with Seattle for 4 years $36M.
After commercial, the next caller said that Brandon pitched whiffleball to kids for about an hour on Friday night after all his stuff was completed. Thom said he’s like that all the time and he’s gold with the kids. The caller said his girls were tickled to get his autograph and he’s a very personable guy. Marty said that he and Votto are the faces of the franchise.
The next caller asked if Gomes would platoon in LF next year. Thom said that Gomes isn’t under contract to the Reds. They have to decide whether to offer him arbitration or not or sign him to a contract. Thom added that Walt was saying at RedsFest that he hasn’t spoken much with his agent about trying to get something done. He said that if he is re-signed, he will probably split time in LF with Dickerson or perhaps Heisey. Marty said that Heisey was #1 on the depth chart in LF. Thom said that would be exciting.
The next caller wanted to know who they thought were the Reds top prospects. Marty said he thinks it’s Heisey but you can’t discount Frazier. He said long term you have to consider Yonder but you don’t know where to play him. He also mentioned Mike Leake. Thom likes Juan Francisco but he thinks they would like to see him play a year at AAA. He said he’s been playing LF in Winter Ball. Thom likes Stubbs but is hesitant about handing him the starting CF job over Dickerson. Marty said he is ready to give Stubbs the nod over Dickerson because Dickerson has problems staying healthy. He said that Stubbs is a better base stealer but Dickerson is a better defensive CFer.
After commercial, the next caller asked about how Thom transitions from baseball to football and how he knows everything about the players. Thom said he reads a lot in the media guides and for baseball, he can talk to the managers. Marty said the internet is a great tool for research.
The next caller got ran by Marty for being an even bigger idiot than most callers usually are.
The next caller complimented the Reds for continuing to get more announcing talent. (Announcing talent is cheaper than on the field talent) Both Brennamans said that they looked forward to working with Kelch and Keels.
After commercial, the next caller asked if the 4 OFers could carry the offensive load and make up for lack of offense by Janish. Thom said that those 4 - Gomes, Stubbs, Dickerson and Bruce - may or may not be enough. Marty said you know what you will get from Brandon and Votto and he thinks Hernandez is a great signing and he knows what he’s doing at the plate. He said that it comes down to the OF. If they hit, the club will win, if they don’t, it will be difficult.
The next caller asked about George Grande. Marty said George was fine and heavily involved in RedsFest. He said he’ll be missed and there isn’t a nicer guy out there.
The next caller wanted to congratulate the people in the Reds HOF and Museum for making that area at RedsFest something special (Especially the vintage base ball table)
The next caller asked if he has a reason to root for the Reds this year. Thom said there is no doubt about it and thinks things are going in the right direction. He said the pitching and young players are going to make the Reds exciting. Marty agreed and said they are so deep they could afford to lose Volquez. He said the bullpen is strong.
Thus endeth the Reds Hot Stove League show report for 12-8-09. So let it be written. So let it be done.
Originally Posted by Raisor
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: Just for that you have to buy me a beer at the next RedsZone outing. 
