Season Ticket Luncheon: Q+A with Walt

[I(heart)Freel]

Any else attend the season ticket holder luncheon yesterday?

My first time there. Had a friend invite me. Pretty cool.

Had two q+a sessions... first with Walt and then with Brantley, Hanigan, Dickerson and Arroyo.

Both sessions were good. Dickerson and Hanigan impress me with their makeup and attitude. Bronson is Bronson, and always a pleasure to hear speak. Dude doesn't mince words.

But I was most excited to ask Walt a few questions. First was about the off season and the playroll flex we have. What's the priority?

He spoke in the usual vague terms, but he said at least 3 times in the answer... "a power right handed bat."

Didn't say anythign about another starter or the need for a catcher. Which are all the things we've seen printed and know to be true.

So the fact that he said "right handed power bat" I thought was pretty revealing. It must truly be his priority.

Setting us up for Pat Burrel, or a splashy trade (Holliday, etc.)?

I also had the friend who invited me ask about whether BPhil moving to short has ever been seriously talked about. He said it has, but that Brandon has told them he prefers second at this point. But Walt said they know they have that flexibility so they can plan the roster around that idea.

Thought that was nice. My pipedream for a Brian Roberts trade this offseason remains intact!

Curious if anyone else was there.

[redsbuckeye]

Grab Nick Markakis while you're getting Roberts!

[HeatherC1212]

Originally Posted by redsbuckeye

Grab Nick Markakis while you're getting Roberts!

While I would LOVE to see both those guys in Reds uniforms (especially since we actually drafted Nick first even though he didn't sign here, LOL), I don't think it's going to happen. Nick's their future (and current?) star and they don't really have anyone to replace Brian at second base, so they'd want a king's ransom for either player and I don't want to see us give away the farm when half our farm is all ready playing with the big club and gaining valuable experience for the future. I don't know if the O's would want some of our guys who are still in the minors but I'm hesitant to part with our own 'future stars' right now. (BTW-Brian is a FA at the end of next season so why get him in a trade when you might be able to get him through FA?!)

Thanks for the info about the Q&A. I think one of those things would be really fun to attend sometime!

[redsbuckeye]

Originally Posted by HeatherC1212

While I would LOVE to see both those guys in Reds uniforms (especially since we actually drafted Nick first even though he didn't sign here, LOL), I don't think it's going to happen. Nick's their future (and current?) star and they don't really have anyone to replace Brian at second base, so they'd want a king's ransom for either player and I don't want to see us give away the farm when half our farm is all ready playing with the big club and gaining valuable experience for the future. I don't know if the O's would want some of our guys who are still in the minors but I'm hesitant to part with our own 'future stars' right now. (BTW-Brian is a FA at the end of next season so why get him in a trade when you might be able to get him through FA?!)

Thanks for the info about the Q&A. I think one of those things would be really fun to attend sometime!

Reports were he was unhappy with the Orioles because of a very small raise he got from last year to this. Next year he enters arb and if someone plays their cards right, they may be able to nab him if the O's suddenly start becoming cost conscientious (something they've needed to do for a while).

Although, to borrow what you already said, probably a pipe-dream.

[redhawk61]

What would you guys give up for Holliday?

Bailey
Fraizer
Lecure
Tuner

?

[HeatherC1212]

Originally Posted by redsbuckeye

Reports were he was unhappy with the Orioles because of a very small raise he got from last year to this. Next year he enters arb and if someone plays their cards right, they may be able to nab him if the O's suddenly start becoming cost conscientious (something they've needed to do for a while).

Although, to borrow what you already said, probably a pipe-dream.

I believe the O's have some salary coming off their books this year and IMO, the last thing Angelos is going to do is become cost conscious (word is the O's are going hard after Teixiera this year). I bet they sign Nick to a long term deal this offseason and if they are stupid and don't do that, I think the O's fans will revolt and run Angelos and MacPhail out of town, LOL

Don't get me wrong...I'd love to have him here but I also love the O's and want to see them do well so I like Nick being over there too. He is an awesome player and IIRC, he's leading the AL in outfield assists right now which I think is awesome.

[NorrisHopper30]

I'd pass on Roberts. Go for a big OF RH bat before you go for him.

[namichael]

Originally Posted by I(heart)Freel

Setting us up for Pat Burrel, or a splashy trade (Holliday, etc.)?

I could definitely dig Pat Burrell in left.

[nemesis]

I say its Uggla... Just fits his pattern. Has made some huge trades for infielders in his past... McGwire, Eckstein, Rolen, Rentieria, Will Clark. The only "big name" outfielder I can remeber was Edmonds

[David Cubbedge]

Originally Posted by nemesis

I say its Uggla... Just fits his pattern. Has made some huge trades for infielders in his past... McGwire, Eckstein, Rolen, Rentieria, Will Clark. The only "big name" outfielder I can remeber was Edmonds

Larry Walker

[NarrowStairs]

I bet none of you sissies asked him why Patterson was still around.

[I(heart)Freel]

Originally Posted by NarrowStairs

I bet none of you sissies asked him why Patterson was still around.

Actually, a "sissy" did exactly that.

And he said the same thing we've heard before... that with Dunn and Junior's departures and Hairston's and Freel's injuries, there just isnt OF depth in the organization. So cutting one made no sense. Plus, Walt said, Patterson showed he can still help the club with his glove, as he did the night before with a homer-robbing catch.

How's that for a "sissy" answer?

[Ghosts of 1990]

You guys clamoring for Pat Burrell make me laugh. He's not as good of a player as Adam Dunn..... that is if you were one of the ones happy to see Dunn go. Now Holliday, thats more like it.

[HeatherC1212]

Originally Posted by JayBruce32

You guys clamoring for Pat Burrell make me laugh. He's not as good of a player as Adam Dunn..... that is if you were one of the ones happy to see Dunn go. Now Holliday, thats more like it.

Holliday is a great player and a really good guy. I'd love to see him here.

[redhawk61]

the one thing that getting Holliday would do would create a very intresting situation with Votto and Alonso. First, I agree that the only way a deal gets done is if the Reds know that they will pay w/e it takes to sign him longterm.

So the deal is made of something like Bailey, Fraizer, Turner, Lecure or something similar.
...but come 2010 Alonso should be ready to step in....so where does he go? Votto can't go to LF with Holliday there. Do we try Alonso next year at 3rd alot more (despite scouting reports) Or is he traded in the offseason '09? Offensively if you move him to 3rd the lineup would be torturous on opponents, defensively, we better have a very strong defensive SS (please Cozart be ready in a year, and have found your offensive game this year, all he would need is .725 ish OPS with his D and the rest of the offense would carry plenty of the load...but thats a long shot)

What say you?