What is your biggest concern for this season?
I think we're all expecting/hoping for a big post-season run this year...
What pitfalls do our Reds have to avoid?
What is your biggest concern for this season?
I think we're all expecting/hoping for a big post-season run this year...
What pitfalls do our Reds have to avoid?
Injury.Originally Posted by WMR
"This isn’t stats vs scouts - this is stats and scouts working together, building an organization that blends the best of both worlds. This is the blueprint for how a baseball organization should be run. And, whether the baseball men of the 20th century like it or not, this is where baseball is going."---Dave Cameron, U.S.S. Mariner
Agreed. There isn't a lot of depth behind the starting position players. Especially in the outfield and at 1b. If Votto or Bruce go down for extended periods, this team is in real trouble.
The other concern is youth at C and SS. What happens if Cozart tanks at the plate? Or Mez shows he isn't quite ready? Those are two pretty big cogs that the Reds are counting on this year.
Our planet is a lonely speck in the great enveloping cosmic dark. In our obscurity, in all this vastness, there is no hint that help will come from elsewhere to save us from ourselves. -- Carl Sagan (Pale Blue Dot)
Agree with injury. It would also be nice to see one of the perennial breakout candidates to make the leap.
Our competition has the same problem.
The Cards starting rotation has all battled injurires of some sort over the last few years, some serious. Their current #6 starter is McClennan who was a negative WAR last year as a starter. Throw in perennial injury concerns Berkman, Beltran, Freese and Furcal and they have the same potential concerns as we do.
Nailed it.
Actually injury to Latos, Cueto, Votto, Madsen, or Marshall.
I think these guys are they guys who you are relying on this season. I also think they are the most unreplaceable guys on the roster. You can add Phillips to the list but I think if he goes down they can get somewhat similar overall contribution from a number of guys. I think a guy like Francis won't kill you in the 5th spot and the wildcard Chapman could give you production above any pitcher not named Latos.
If Brett Tomko is in the rotation at any point during the season.
Last edited by RollyInRaleigh; 02-17-2012 at 09:35 AM.
Cozart at SS. I know he's looked good but he's still a rookie and coming off surgery and there isn't anyone decent backing him up.
Stubbs batting high in the lineup.
She used to wake me up with coffee ever morning
Besides injury...I'd say 3rd base. Rolen's skills are declining RAPIDLY (offensively and defensively) and while I like Francisco I don't see him as a starter at this point.
Starting pitching, Arroyo - He needs to bounce back. Bailey - He needs to stay healthy all year. Not too worried about Leake, Latos or Cueto.
Two players will have a huge impact.
Bronson Arroyo and Drew Stubbs.
They had poor seasons last year. They get a ton of innings (Arroyo) and at bats (Stubbs).
It's hard to succeed when you have 200 innings of bad pitching by one pitcher. It's hard to succeed when you have 600 plate appearances of bad hitting by one hitter.
Two other guys who hurt last year were Volquez and Janish (offensively). Volquez is traded. Janish shouldn't get many at bats this year.
But Arroyo and Stubbs are still slated to be in the lineup. These two guys need to get back on track. Or they need to play much less.
Last edited by Kc61; 02-17-2012 at 09:52 AM.
My thoughts to a T.
"Boys, I'm one of those umpires that misses 'em every once in a while so if it's close, you'd better hit it." Cal Hubbard
Yeah I'd agree with injury. That's not to say I don't have other obvious concerns (Stubbs, Rolen mainly) but I think we can overcome those issues easier than the overall lack of solid depth.
"You can't let praise or criticism get to you. It's a weakness to get caught up in either one."
--Woody Hayes
Preseason "experts" are projecting this lineup to produce runs with the best of them. I still see timely hitting as a big problem for this team. Someone other than Votto is going to have to drive in 80-100 runs. Who do you think it can be? I can't trust Bruce enough to put him in that slot, and Rolen won't play enough to do it. Cozart? Heisey/Ludwick?
WE DON'T, WE DON'T, WE DON'T MESS AROUND HEY!
I think Cozart and Rolen. If they team can't get decent production from either, the team really doesn't have a good fall back plan.
...the 2-2 to Woodsen and here it comes...and it is swung on and missed! And Tom Browning has pitched a perfect game! Twenty-seven outs in a row, and he is being mobbed by his teammates, just to the thirdbase side of the mound.
Posting Permissions
|
Board Moderators may, at their discretion and judgment, delete and/or edit any messages that violate any of the following guidelines: 1. Explicit references to alleged illegal or unlawful acts. 2. Graphic sexual descriptions. 3. Racial or ethnic slurs. 4. Use of edgy language (including masked profanity). 5. Direct personal attacks, flames, fights, trolling, baiting, name-calling, general nuisance, excessive player criticism or anything along those lines. 6. Posting spam. 7. Each person may have only one user account. It is fine to be critical here - that's what this board is for. But let's not beat a subject or a player to death, please. |
Reply With Quote