6/25 Minor League Updates

[BearcatShane]

Originally Posted by reds44

Or you could go....

1. Hamilton
2. Phillips
3. Griffey
4. Bruce
5. Encarnacion
6. Votto
7. Gonzalez
8. Ross

That way you minimize the it to 3/4 lefties instead of 4/5. I'm not sure the Phillips/Bruce walks enough to bat 1st/2nd either. This team really needs to go out in the offseason and find itself a legit leadoff hitter. That is the one thing that lineup would lack. Preferably a right handed one.

So who do you take out of that lineup to insert a leadoff hitter?

[reds44]

Originally Posted by BearcatShane

So who do you take out of that lineup to insert a leadoff hitter?

Trade Griffey, put Hamilton in right, go get a leadoff hitting CFer, or do something with Gonzalez and go get a leadoff hitting SS. The 2nd option would be the best, but also less likely.

[reds44]

I have no idea why Rick Sweet pitches Saarloos and Manon over Medlock. He's like a mini Narron down there.

[BearcatShane]

Originally Posted by AvesIce51

Sorry. I have to disagree. If Bruce is gonna be a stud, then rushing him will cost them millions, or a year of having him on the Reds, neither of which I want to happen.

If Bruce starts the 08 season as a Red, he will most likely qualify as a Super-2 and be eligible for arbitration after the 09 season, which would be dreadful. Keep him down til about June 1 of 08, and he won't be eligible til after 2010.

Plus we won't be wasting time of him being a crappy hitter, ala Alex Gordon. I think the Royals rushed Gordo way to much this year, even my good friend that is a die hard Royals fan (yes they are still out there) wishes he would have started in AAA (he skipped AAA altogether).

I do the Homer Bailey plan. AA for the rest of the year, then AAA til June/July. Trade a player or make room for him if we sign a mediocre filler for the beginning of next year.

The only way I consider him for the Reds next year is if he dominates AA, then plays very well at AAA this year.

When he's eligable for super 2's we'll have Griffey's salary off the table so we'll have money to take care of Bruce and to take care of other things. If we pick up Dunn's contract were not going to have alot of money to play with this offseason and if we sign someone like Eric Byrnes that will be around 7-10million a year and we won't have as much money as I'd like to spend on pitching.

[TOBTTReds]

Originally Posted by BearcatShane

When he's eligable for super 2's we'll have Griffey's salary off the table so we'll have money to take care of Bruce and to take care of other things. If we pick up Dunn's contract were not going to have alot of money to play with this offseason and if we sign someone like Eric Byrnes that will be around 7-10million a year and we won't have as much money as I'd like to spend on pitching.

I guess what I am saying is: Don't sign someone like an Eric Byrnes. Go for a cheap stop-gap til Bruce gets here. Although I like the trade, someone like Denorfia would be good for that role.

I understand your approach, but for me, I don't want Bruce becoming a free agent anytime sooner than he needs to be.

[BearcatShane]

Originally Posted by AvesIce51

I guess what I am saying is: Don't sign someone like an Eric Byrnes. Go for a cheap stop-gap til Bruce gets here. Although I like the trade, someone like Denorfia would be good for that role.

I understand your approach, but for me, I don't want Bruce becoming a free agent anytime sooner than he needs to be.

If they sign a cheap stop gap and the offence struggles next year and the Reds continue to lose the fans will be all over Krivsky and ownership. I think the Reds need to either make a big signing like Byrnes or take a big chance on starting Bruce from day 1 in 2008. They can't go cheap or everyone's going to be claiming they don't care. I KNOW Bob Castellini does not like that talk. Even the common Reds fan knows who Bruce is and would probably be in favor of starting him next year.

[reds44]

Originally Posted by BearcatShane

If they sign a cheap stop gap and the offence struggles next year and the Reds continue to lose the fans will be all over Krivsky and ownership. I think the Reds need to either make a big signing like Byrnes or take a big chance on starting Bruce from day 1 in 2008. They can't go cheap or everyone's going to be claiming they don't care. I KNOW Bob Castellini does not like that talk. Even the common Reds fan knows who Buce is and would probably be in favor of starting him next year.

Those who listen to fans end up sitting next to them.

[BearcatShane]

Originally Posted by reds44

Those who listen to fans end up sitting next to them.

That is true, but Krivsky is going to have to do something big because if the Reds play like this next year he will be sitting next to the fans anyway.

[indy_dave00]

Jay Bruce hits a line single to right center. Ends up 4 for 6 , single , double , 2 homers and 5 rbi's

So far 8 of 18 .444 1 -2b, 3 Home Runs and 8 RBI's. Slugging pct . of 1.000 , on base pct of .473 , ops of 1.473 , thats counting an 0-5 1st game.

[reds44]

Adam Rosales also went 2-5 with a 3B and a pair of RBIs. He's hitting .292 in AA.

[Aronchis]

Wow, Ravin was effectively wild tonight. I can see why they held him down in Billings, 10 walks in 2 games(with 12 k's in 7 innings). Even Homer Bailey gasped

[Blue]

Is Bruce the best prospect in baseball?

[BearcatShane]

Originally Posted by indy_dave00

Jay Bruce hits a line single to right center. Ends up 4 for 6 , single , double , 2 homers and 5 rbi's

So far 8 of 18 .444 1 -2b, 3 Home Runs and 8 RBI's. Slugging pct . of 1.000 , on base pct of .473 , ops of 1.473 , thats counting an 0-5 1st game.

I don't wanna get too excited but my god the man is a beast. If he is hitting over .330 after 150 AA at bats I'd move him to AAA for the rest of 07 and start him in LF for the Reds from day 1 in 2008.

[Blue]

Originally Posted by BearcatShane

I don't wanna get too excited but my god the man is a beast. If he is hitting over .330 after 150 AA at bats I'd move him to AAA for the rest of 07 and start him in LF for the Reds from day 1 in 2008.

Thanks. Now I won't be able to sleep tonight. If he could do that and do it well, and the Reds invested the savings in next year's team... man...

[Aronchis]

Originally Posted by Blue

Is Bruce the best prospect in baseball?

Justin Upton most likely at this time though Bruce has closed the gap a bit over the week. But Upton has been in AA longer. We shall see where Bruce is after 150ab's.

I wish the Tigers would promote Maybin.