I think Votto will be pretty fair with any extension. He seems like the type of guy that will be happy to take a decent raise. He said himself he believes in earning your way through the system.Originally Posted by RedsManRick
As far as Bruce, I agree wholeheartedly. I think a backloaded, 4-year, $20 million deal that escalates each year is a terrific gamble.
"No matter how good you are, you're going to lose one-third of your games. No matter how bad you are you're going to win one-third of your games. It's the other third that makes the difference." ~Tommy Lasorda
What is the main difference between AAAA mashers and true big league talent? I say pitch recognition is the only difference. Does Jay have the natural ability to adjust and not have to decide too early if he needs to swing at pitches? The good to great players have a quick enough bat and good enough pitch recognition to wait that extra millisecond.
This is the time. The real Reds organization is back.
What's that?
2009 Attendance Record: 3-5 2010 Attendance Record: 2-9 2015 Attendance Record: 2-0
2011 Attendance Record: 3-4 2012 Attendance Record: 3-4
2013 Attendance Record: 5-2 2014 Attendance Record: 3-1
Edwin is proof that guys don't always pan out. But we can't lump those two together because Bruce has some things going for him that EE never did.
1. (less important) Bruce was the #1 prospect in baseball. EE was highly regarded, but never close to that level. Bruce smashed the minors to a greater degree and at a younger age.
2. (more important) EE was a defensive atrocity. I made the argument that he was the worst starting 3B in the major leagues many times. Bruce is an excellent defender. The comparison of the bats holds water, the comparison of the two as complete players does not.
EE got shipped out when he leveled off around a .800 OPS - that offense couldn't carry his defense. If Bruce follows that same trajectory and levels out around a .800 OPS, he'll be a pretty darn productive player. Not the star we hoped, but still pretty good. That's the difference. I would absolutely look to lock up Bruce through his arb years now.
I would like to believe it's wise to lock up bruce for 7 years, but I'm not sure. His arb cases shouldn't get too out of control at first.
2015 Rotation: Under Construction
I'm as big a fan of Jay Bruce as anyone, but I think talk of locking him up longer term is very premature. I'd hope we see a wide open competition for outfield jobs next spring. I'd expect Jay to win the RF job that way but I don't see how it could be considered a certainty at this point. Can we be sure, for instance, that Bruce would outperform Heisey in RF in 2011 or a Heisey/Edmonds platoon? I hope he would and think he probably would, but it hardly seems certain enough to offer him a long term deal.
It's about protecting for the possibility that one great year could lose all your negotiating power. If they lock him up now, before he's had the breakout season, you guard against the possibility of going into Arbitration knowing he may ask for $8-10 mil and get it.
By locking him up, you get a discounted rate... a rate that you are comfortable in knowing he should at least justify with his defense, and then possibly far exceed if/when he does breakout.
"No matter how good you are, you're going to lose one-third of your games. No matter how bad you are you're going to win one-third of your games. It's the other third that makes the difference." ~Tommy Lasorda
Bruce went 4-for-5 tonight with his 12th HR, a triple, and two singles. I hope this is the start of a long hot streak from Bruce. When he's on top of his game, he's capable of carrying an offense on his back. I would love to see him go on a power surge and reach 20+ homers for the third straight season.
Score an assist, apparently, for Jimmy Ballgame jumpstarting him!
Way to go, Jimm-may!
"No matter how good you are, you're going to lose one-third of your games. No matter how bad you are you're going to win one-third of your games. It's the other third that makes the difference." ~Tommy Lasorda
Somewhere....George Grande is smiling ear to ear......
Baseball is like church. Many attend, few understand
His slash stats jumped from .258/.326/.411 to .265/.331/.428, a 22 point jump in OPS. Not bad for a night in August.
Games are won on run differential -- scoring more than your opponent. Runs are runs, scored or prevented they all count the same. Worry about scoring more and allowing fewer, not which positions contribute to which side of the equation or how "consistent" you are at your current level of performance.
Jay Bruce is a Ballplayer. It would be foolish to give up on any kid with his talent. He would be my everyday RFer for the next 15 years if he remains healthy.
If he really is beginning to heat up for the stretch run, watch out... It would be just what this club needs to put a little room between itself and The Cards.
Phil Castellini puts the FUN in Trust Fund.
I give a lot more credence to a return of pop from his injury. I don't know if what you say is genuine or in jest but I don't buy how Edmonds has helped him, especially if Vottos presence couldn't. Though he has been staying back better lately.
"You can't let praise or criticism get to you. It's a weakness to get caught up in either one."
--Woody Hayes
23 years old.
Think about that before you criticize this kid.
We'll go down in history as the first society that wouldn't save itself because it wasn't cost effective ~ Kurt Vonnegut
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