Sunday July 31, 2011 Minor League Updates

[batsfan]

Catcher Wagner Gomez singled in the game-winner for the AZL Reds in the bottom of the ninth, 3-2. Starter Justice French went seven innings, one earned run.

I saw Gomez take batting practice in MILB spring training camp this year, and I remember that he looked pretty good. Does anyone have any more info on him?

[mth123]

No big time bats, aside from Beltran, are available for outfield use. (Berkman is also available, but I'm guessing he's staying in St. Louis.) That could open up the idea of moving Stubbs for a good haul. More likely, it means a LF big bopper is out of the question. Therefore, Sappelt in LF, with Stubbs in CF.

IMO, Cincinnati has enough power in the lineup to not need a legitimate big bopper in LF or at cleanup. What the lineup needs is a good obp/ good power guy between Votto and Bruce and not a lineup drain like Rolen has been this season. If the Reds don't go shopping this offseason and essentially stay pat offensively, I'm hoping Mesoraco can be that guy next season, though it's doubtful he's put in that position.

IMO, a lineup of:
Cozart SS
Sappelt LF
Votto 1B
Mesoraco C
Bruce RF
Phillips 2B
Stubbs CF
Rolen/ Frazier 3B

is good enough to stay near the top of the league in runs scored. There are no holes, IMO, in that lineup, though it is primarily RH. With a bench of Frazier, Cairo, Hanigan, Heisey, and FA middle infielder (or Janish), this lineup would allow the Reds to go all in, so to speak, on a TOR starter via trade or free agent signing. (Or, preferrably, both.)

Who says none are available? Guys are traded all the time. I like the idea of Phillips/Stubbs in the 6 and 7 spots if they're still here, but Rolen and the catchers need a place to hit as well. I've been one of Cozart's biggest supporters (had him ranked 3 on my prospect list behind Chapman and Mes pre-season) but he needs to hit 8th IMO. Mesoraco might be the best choice to hit 4th, but there is no way possible that he'll hit there before mid-2013 unless Dusty goes away. The Reds need to break the logjam of Major League ready guys with no where to play and they need to diversify the line-up. IMO the lefty killing, bottom of the order CF needs to be moved to make way for a kid on the way who can play a different role than half the team already on board is also best suited to play.

As for the big bat in LF, I'd consider an high OBP/Good Power guy exactly that. Need a big arm too. Gotta trade something. IMO Stubbs is a guy that can be replaced and should have enough value to get something that is needed. Teams pay a premium for guys who can play CF and have tools.

[HokieRed]

Who says none are available? Guys are traded all the time. I like the idea of Phillips/Stubbs in the 6 and 7 spots if they're still here, but Rolen and the catchers need a place to hit as well. I've been one of Cozart's biggest supporters (had him ranked 3 on my prospect list behind Chapman and Mes pre-season) but he needs to hit 8th IMO. Mesoraco might be the best choice to hit 4th, but there is no way possible that he'll hit there before mid-2013 unless Dusty goes away. The Reds need to break the logjam of Major League ready guys with no where to play and they need to diversify the line-up. IMO the lefty killing, bottom of the order CF needs to be moved to make way for a kid on the way who can play a different role than half the team already on board is also best suited to play.

As for the big bat in LF, I'd consider an high OBP/Good Power guy exactly that. Need a big arm too. Gotta trade something. IMO Stubbs is a guy that can be replaced and should have enough value to get something that is needed. Teams pay a premium for guys who can play CF and have tools.

Actually I think we've got what we need. We need to get them in the right spots. Sappelt's becoming more obviously every day the leadoff CF solution and I doubt very much we will be able to trade for a better bat than Yonder Alonso. We've also got a potential middle of the order C. And, I think you could play these guys in Cinti right now and not be any worse than we are. It all involves a move of Joey Votto that it seems everybody's afraid even to consider.
2012 lineup: 1.Sappelt, 2. Phillips 3. Votto 4. Bruce 5. Mesoraco 6. Alonso 7. the 3d baseman 8. Cozart 9. P. That, I'd suggest, is the best collection of bats in the organization and one equally as good as any we're likely to assemble. But then I think Alonso is a lot better than most RZers give him credit for being.

[mth123]

Actually I think we've got what we need. We need to get them in the right spots. Sappelt's becoming more obviously every day the leadoff CF solution and I doubt very much we will be able to trade for a better bat than Yonder Alonso. We've also got a potential middle of the order C. And, I think you could play these guys in Cinti right now and not be any worse than we are. It all involves a move of Joey Votto that it seems everybody's afraid even to consider.
2012 lineup: 1.Sappelt, 2. Phillips 3. Votto 4. Bruce 5. Mesoraco 6. Alonso 7. the 3d baseman 8. Cozart 9. P. That, I'd suggest, is the best collection of bats in the organization and one equally as good as any we're likely to assemble. But then I think Alonso is a lot better than most RZers give him credit for being.

I think Alonso is good. Votto's not going to move to LF though and I'm a skeptic about playing Alonso there. May as well get guys who fit.