Has anyone considered Melky Cabrera an option? He does carry the scarlet "S", but if he can come cheap on a short contract to prove himself and the team scouts don't think his production will drop off after stopping PED use, he could be an answer.
The Giants are pretty down on Panda. I have a feeling they'll move him and sign Scutaro. He seems like a guy who could use a little Dusty-love.
While I like - love - the idea of acquiring Fowler, Stanton and Shields, there's no way the Reds have the money for that.
And unfortunately, one of the impacts of not making the NLCS will probably be a few fewer season tickets sold for next year. That'll probably keep the payroll in check.
Please explain how OBP can be important and BA unimportant. It's illogical.
BA reflects hits per official at bats. Hit percentage is a big part of OBP, it directly feeds into OBP. Anyone who disregards BA, but says OBP is very important, IMO is, well, incorrect.
The Reds have a relatively low BA team. They also have a relatively low OBP team. The two are strongly related.
The Reds need to emphasize OBP and BA more, and can afford a modest reduction in power. This doesn't require trashing the whole lineup, but it does mean adding one significant starting player who gets on base and hits well, even if not for power. Or two.
And, IMO, it means a different mix on the bench.
In the regular season, the Reds BA was .251, league average was .254, Reds OBP was .315, league average was .318. Reds hit total was 1377, league average was 1393. Reds had 879 singles, league average was 927. Reds walked 481 times. League average was 488.
IMO these stats need to improve, particularly when you consider Votto's singular role and how poor these numbers are for the rest of the ballclub.
Last edited by Kc61; 10-15-2012 at 06:44 PM.
My 4 offseason priorities in no particular order:
1. Resign Luddy
2. Hire a different hitting coach(Im not saying I hate Jacoby but these guys need a different voice)
3. Find a CF that can bat leadoff for a year or 2
4. Sign a utility IF like Keppinger as some have already mentioned. Personally Id like Eric Chavez. Hime and Frazier can split starts at 3rd and Frazier can be our super utility guy. Im just not sold on him playing everyday at 3rd.
Id love to sign either Madson back or Broxton but I dont see it happening. Chappy will stay in the pen and Walt will hope Masset comes back strong and JJ Hoover gets a little bit better in 2013. Just my thoughts
"Losing feels worse than winning feels good." -Vin Scully
Maicer Izturus is a FA. He's not a world beater, but can hit .270, swipe a few bags and, importantly, is a true backup infielder who can play 2nd, 3rd and short. That frees up a spot for a bat.
The Red Sox are desperate for pitching and are rumored to be looking at a Derek Holland for Jacoby Ellsbury trade. I think the Reds might be able to match that offer with one of Bailey or Leake, although Leake might be a stretch. (Here's a comparison of the three starters).
Would it be worth dealing Bailey or Leake, given that 1) Ellsbury is only under team control for one more year and 2) Ellsbury has a considerable injury history? Seems like a high-risk, high-reward move.
If the Sox are willing to bite on a Leake (and Stubbs?) for Ellsbury deal, I'd do it in a minute.
He'd be a great stop-gap to Hamilon and a more than solid leadoff or number two hitter behind/ ahead of Phillips. If he gets hurt, Heisey could play C adequately enough in his stead. Good defensive player as well.
Sure, it's a gamble, but, hey, it's a gamble worth taking.
I would probably go Leake & Cingrani for Ellsbury if I had to and it would probably be worth it.
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