Projecting the Opening Day Roster

[Benihana]

We now have a much clearer picture as to what the OD roster will look like than we did a month ago. There still remains some clutter, particularly now in the bullpen. Here's my best guess at the OD 25:

2B B.Phillips
CF D.Stubbs
1B J.Votto
RF J.Bruce
LF ?????
3B S.Rolen
C D.Mesoraco
SS Z.Cozart

SP1 M.Latos
SP2 J.Cueto (even though he'll likely start OD)
SP3 M.Leake
SP4 H.Bailey
SP5 B.Arroyo

BP B.Bray
BP J.Arredondo
BP S.LeCure
BP N.Masset
BP A.Brackman (although if it were me, I'd let Brackman work as a starter in AAA and let Ondrusek and Judy battle it out for this last bullpen spot)
SU S.Marshall
CL R.Madson

BN R.Hanigan C
BN C.Heisey OF
BN D.Phipps OF
BN J.Francisco IF
BN R.Theriot IF (if they don't sign Theriot, this spot could go to Frazier, Valaika or Janish)

As I noted above, with the new bullpen depth, I might consider trying to stretch Brackman into a starter along with Chapman in Louisville. If his deal keeps him in Cincinnati (as a reliever), then I'd look to trade a reliever (perhaps Masset?) and something else for Seth Smith. The Rockies are without Huston Street, so perhaps they could use the bullpen help.

As for the bench, I could see a battle developing between Phipps and Frazier in ST, especially if they bring in an LF from outside the organization- otherwise there may be room for both. If they don't sign Theriot, they will likely need someone like Janish or maybe even Valaika who can backup Cozart at SS.

Is Miguel Cairo still with the team? If so, he may take a roster spot away from the bullpen, creating even more of a logjam...

[corkedbat]

Originally Posted by Benihana

We now have a much clearer picture as to what the OD roster will look like than we did a month ago. There still remains some clutter, particularly now in the bullpen. Here's my best guess at the OD 25:

2B B.Phillips
CF D.Stubbs
1B J.Votto
RF J.Bruce
LF ?????
3B S.Rolen
C D.Mesoraco
SS Z.Cozart

SP1 M.Latos
SP2 J.Cueto (even though he'll likely start OD)
SP3 M.Leake
SP4 H.Bailey
SP5 B.Arroyo

BP B.Bray
BP J.Arredondo
BP S.LeCure
BP N.Masset
BP A.Brackman (although if it were me, I'd let Brackman work as a starter in AAA and let Ondrusek and Judy battle it out for this last bullpen spot)
SU S.Marshall
CL R.Madson

BN R.Hanigan C
BN C.Heisey OF
BN D.Phipps OF
BN J.Francisco IF
BN R.Theriot IF (if they don't sign Theriot, this spot could go to Frazier, Valaika or Janish)

As I noted above, with the new bullpen depth, I might consider trying to stretch Brackman into a starter along with Chapman in Louisville. If his deal keeps him in Cincinnati (as a reliever), then I'd look to trade a reliever (perhaps Masset?) and something else for Seth Smith. The Rockies are without Huston Street, so perhaps they could use the bullpen help.

As for the bench, I could see a battle developing between Phipps and Frazier in ST, especially if they bring in an LF from outside the organization- otherwise there may be room for both. If they don't sign Theriot, they will likely need someone like Janish or maybe even Valaika who can backup Cozart at SS.

Is Miguel Cairo still with the team? If so, he may take a roster spot away from the bullpen, creating even more of a logjam...

Only quibble? I don't see Phipps on the bench to start the season. If it comes down to that, I'd say Frazier will be the "5th OF."

[Kc61]

Opinions -

Hanigan will be the starting catcher most games. Mes will back him up until Mes shows he is ready.

Ondrusek will be in the bullpen. Brackman will be at AAA. Chapman could be stretched out in the bullpen (rather than AAA), but that would require somebody else being dropped from the pen.

As you note, you left Cairo off the bench. He will be there. The bench will have three infielders, one outfielder, one catcher. I expect it to be Heisey, Mesoraco, Francisco, Cairo, and a SS (Theriot, Frazier, Janish, or someone else, as you indicate). This structure allows the Reds to keep all three of Francisco, Cairo and a backup middle infielder.

I see absolutely no room for Phipps. Frazier could possibly make it if Francisco is hurt, Cairo is moved, or a backup SS is not acquired. Frazier can be a backup SS/OF possibly. I think the backup SS, though, will be a new guy when all the moves are in and Frazier will be at AAA barring injury. Frazier makes team only if injury requires an additional bench guy.

The Reds will not go with 6 relievers to accomodate Cairo or anyone else. The place they will go short is in the outfield. Four outfielders with Francisco, or Cairo, or somebody else as an emergency fifth.

[RANDY IN INDY]

I'm not getting the Phipps thing.

[PuffyPig]

Originally Posted by RANDY IN INDY

I'm not getting the Phipps thing.

There is nothing to get, he won't make the team.

[RANDY IN INDY]

Originally Posted by PuffyPig

There is nothing to get, he won't make the team.

I think that's what I was saying. I'm not understanding that some are projecting him on the team. Get that?

[PuffyPig]

Originally Posted by RANDY IN INDY

I think that's what I was saying. I'm not understanding that some are projecting him on the team. Get that?

I was agreeing with you.

[RANDY IN INDY]

Originally Posted by PuffyPig

I was agreeing with you.

Got you. I was confused.

[Benihana]

You guys are probably right about Phipps. I guess Frazier and/or Francisco can serve as the 5th OF, so long as Heisey is a backup (otherwise we'd likely need a backup who could play CF).

[reds44]

Ondrusek will be on the team.

[Mario-Rijo]

What I think the team will look like.

2B B. Phillips
SS Z. Cozart
1B J. Votto
3B S. Rolen
RF J. Bruce
CF D. Stubbs
LF C. Heisey
C R. Hanigan


SP1 J. Cueto
SP2 M. Latos
SP3 B. Arroyo
SP4 M. Leake
SP5 H. Bailey

LR S. LeCure
MR J. Arredondo
MR L. Ondrusek
MR B. Bray
SU N. Masset
SU S. Marshall
CL R. Madson

BN D. Mesoraco C
BN R. Ankiel OF
BN M. Cairo IF
BN J. Francisco UT
BN R. Theriot MIF

[Kc61]

Originally Posted by Mario-Rijo

What I think the team will look like.

2B B. Phillips
SS Z. Cozart
1B J. Votto
3B S. Rolen
RF J. Bruce
CF D. Stubbs
LF C. Heisey
C R. Hanigan


SP1 J. Cueto
SP2 M. Latos
SP3 B. Arroyo
SP4 M. Leake
SP5 H. Bailey

LR S. LeCure
MR J. Arredondo
MR L. Ondrusek
MR B. Bray
SU N. Masset
SU S. Marshall
CL R. Madson

BN D. Mesoraco C
BN R. Ankiel OF
BN M. Cairo IF
BN J. Francisco UT
BN R. Theriot MIF

This seems right, except that Ankiel and Theriot are not locks to be signed, others may be signed instead. And, of course, the Reds could decide to keep Chapman in the bigs and move a pitcher to make room.

Otherwise, I think this is it barring injury.

And Todd Frazier is waiting in the wings in case an infielder or outfielder gets injured.

[Vottomatic]

What I think the team will look like.

2B B. Phillips
SS Z. Cozart
1B J. Votto
3B S. Rolen
RF J. Bruce
CF D. Stubbs
LF C. Heisey
C R. Hanigan


SP1 J. Cueto
SP2 M. Latos
SP3 B. Arroyo
SP4 M. Leake
SP5 H. Bailey

LR S. LeCure
MR J. Arredondo
MR L. Ondrusek
MR B. Bray
SU N. Masset
SU S. Marshall
CL R. Madson

BN D. Mesoraco C
BN R. Ludwick or Fukudome OF
BN M. Cairo IF
BN J. Francisco 3B/LF
BN R. Theriot MIF

Janish, Frazier, and Phipps waiting their turn in Louisville to fill in for injuries.

[Kc61]

Originally Posted by Vottomatic

What I think the team will look like.

2B B. Phillips
SS Z. Cozart
1B J. Votto
3B S. Rolen
RF J. Bruce
CF D. Stubbs
LF C. Heisey
C R. Hanigan


SP1 J. Cueto
SP2 M. Latos
SP3 B. Arroyo
SP4 M. Leake
SP5 H. Bailey

LR S. LeCure
MR J. Arredondo
MR L. Ondrusek
MR B. Bray
SU N. Masset
SU S. Marshall
CL R. Madson

BN D. Mesoraco C
BN R. Ludwick or Fukudome OF
BN M. Cairo IF
BN J. Francisco 3B/LF
BN R. Theriot MIF

Janish, Frazier, and Phipps waiting their turn in Louisville to fill in for injuries.

On paper, pretty good ballclub IMO. Starting pitchers have to hold up. Nice prediction.

[Vottomatic]

Originally Posted by Kc61

On paper, pretty good ballclub IMO. Starting pitchers have to hold up. Nice prediction.

LeCure and Chapman are the 6th and 7th starters in case of injuries.