Mike Leake - What to do with him?

[mth123]

I think the need is for at least one more good hitter that could hit 4-6, and a high OBP guy. Getting one of those would spark the offense, getting both of them probably puts the offense back to one of the best in the league. Of course, the in house options could become those people as time goes on during the season through normalization. I think getting at least one more above average hitter would do wonders for the offense. Where he hits in the order is trivial.

Agreed. They especially need to be guys who can hit against RHP. It's why the easiest upgrade may be to deal some of the midding propsects (who are top 10 guys in this organization as it stands now) for some platoon types who upgrade on the days the big split guys (Stubbs, Frazier, Cozart, etc) would be facing their bad side. For example, a lefty who could OPS .775 or so against RHP while sharing time with Frazier would make that spot a very solid spot in the line-up while Frazier by himself is a near auto out against RHP. They shoud be able to get those types without dealing Leake or Bailey.

[Kc61]

Chapman's spot in the rotation for next year, IMO, is the Arroyo spot. Bronson will have one year left on his deal after 2012, should be tradeable if he accepts the deal. No need to trade a Leake or a Bailey to open a spot.

The Reds right now really have one MUST upgrade situation and that is LF. Stubbs has value in CF. They will cobble together 3B for this year, not the easiest position to fill.

But LF is a nightmare for this team. There should be some left fielder who can hit righty handed pitching for a decent OBP (even without a lot of power) who can be obtained for an outfielder, either Heisey, Ludwick, Frazier, and a good but not great prospect.

I don't see the Reds re-making the team in season. Just let's get LF improved and go to war with a solid rotation, which the team has, and its very fine bullpen.

[bucksfan2]

Agreed. They especially need to be guys who can hit against RHP. It's why the easiest upgrade may be to deal some of the midding propsects (who are top 10 guys in this organization as it stands now) for some platoon types who upgrade on the days the big split guys (Stubbs, Frazier, Cozart, etc) would be facing their bad side. For example, a lefty who could OPS .775 or so against RHP while sharing time with Frazier would make that spot a very solid spot in the line-up while Frazier by himself is a near auto out against RHP. They shoud be able to get those types without dealing Leake or Bailey.

I don't think this team needs OPS as much as it needs OBP. Kinda sounds odd but with the likes Bruce, Votto, Stubbs, Cozart, and Phillips they all can have above average power for their position. I think the more important thing would be to get someone in front of Votto who has a high OBP that really will punish pitchers for pitching around Votto. That player may be Phillips if you get him out of the cleanup spot. I really think he is the type of player who tries to mold himself for the spot he is hitting in.

The issue is with the exception of Youk, you don't really know who is available or will be available up until the trade deadline.

[REDREAD]

Well, I don't know what the heck happened but Leake went from having absolutely nothing to now having the best stuff I've seen him have since he entered the majors in 2010. Has anyone else noticed his increase in velocity in his last two starts?.

They mentioned about a week ago that Leake was working in the bullpen with Price on some adjustments. Apparently, something has clicked.

I'm glad the Reds showed patience with Leake.
We all want a young pitching staff.. we have to remember that they will have some rough spots.

[WildcatFan]

Chapman's spot in the rotation for next year, IMO, is the Arroyo spot. Bronson will have one year left on his deal after 2012, should be tradeable if he accepts the deal. No need to trade a Leake or a Bailey to open a spot.

Not happening. He gets the full $18 million right away if traded. He's in the rotation next year.

[mth123]

Not happening. He gets the full $18 million right away if traded. He's in the rotation next year.

I get that and think its an issue as well, but I wonder how much of Arroyo's deferred money is being funded now. If the Reds have say, $10 Million set aside in an annuity at the end of 2012, they may be open to dealing him, handing him his parting gift and using the savings on his 2013 salary to make-up most the difference. If that would open a spot for Chapman and fill another hole with whatever they get back from dealing Arroyo, it may be worth doing. If a team is getting Arroyo for merely his $7 Million Salary in 2013, I'd think the Reds could get a pretty good and reasonably priced player back.

It all depends how much they already will have set aside by then.

[Caveat Emperor]

Last night, Leake stopped trying to fool hitters and started attacking them. His pitches were sharp -- 92 MPH fastballs with movement, a good changeup, and a curveball that he threw infrequently but with great command. He throw the ball inside, changed levels, and kept the ball down in the zone.

I'm intrigued to see this Mike Leake way more often.

[WVRedsFan]

Last night, Leake stopped trying to fool hitters and started attacking them. His pitches were sharp -- 92 MPH fastballs with movement, a good changeup, and a curveball that he threw infrequently but with great command. He throw the ball inside, changed levels, and kept the ball down in the zone.

I'm intrigued to see this Mike Leake way more often.

This.

Simply great pitching. If not for one pitch, he would have had a gem, as if what he did wasn't. I can still see him winning 20 someday. Remember, "he's young."

[traderumor]

Last night, Leake stopped trying to fool hitters and started attacking them. His pitches were sharp -- 92 MPH fastballs with movement, a good changeup, and a curveball that he threw infrequently but with great command. He throw the ball inside, changed levels, and kept the ball down in the zone.

I'm intrigued to see this Mike Leake way more often.

Not to temper enthusiasm, but Leake had his stuff last night. Like Andy Pettite had his stuff Friday. I'm waiting for consistency from Mr. Leake, which will involve getting hitters out when he has less "stuff" than he did last night.

[Tom Servo]

Good thing he turned it around when he did or Walt may have considered picking up another former Cardinal in the newly DFA'ed Jason Marquis.

[_Sir_Charles_]

This.

Simply great pitching. If not for one pitch, he would have had a gem, as if what he did wasn't. I can still see him winning 20 someday. Remember, "he's young."

And that "one pitch"...that was a good pitch too. Down and in with a ton of movement. Just gotta tip your hat to Juan for pulling out his pitching wedge on that one.

[Vottomatic]

9 hits in 3 IP?

Yikes.

[CySeymour]

9 hits in 3 IP?

Yikes.

I didn't see the game. Were they hits that were shots or several seeing eye hits.

[KittyDuran]

I didn't see the game. Were they hits that were shots or several seeing eye hits.

A little of both...

[PuffyPig]

The Rockies BABIP .600 vs. Leake last night (9/15).

His K/W was 4-1, with zero HR's allowed. He clearly controlled the things he could control.

It's hard to say exactly how bad he was, but he wasn't clearly as bad as the raw stats suggest.