This may sound weird, But in a strange way I hope the rotation the team breaks camp with is Harang, Arroyo, Belisle, Volquez, Affeldt.
Just so I can watch a AAA rotation of Bailey, Cueto, Maloney, Fisher and Gardner. Then I want to see one of them kick the door down and into the Reds rotation.
Dubito Ergo Cogito Ergo Sum.
Last night while watching the 4th game of the 1990 WS, I was a solid 10.
Today, realizing there is no Jose Rijo, Tom Browning or any of the Nasty Boys on our staff, I'm more like a 6.
Exactly. That was what one of the things I highlighted (but not as well) and was getting at earlier in this thread. The Reds have NOT been in that position with regard to AAA starting pitching depth in, oh, since I've been alive? I am searching my memory back to 1970 (covering my alive years) and don't know of another time they had a collection of potential MLB quality starting pitching talent of that sort at AAA. I am sure WOY or one of the other historians on here will have an idea if that has been the case before, but, really, that is something to be extremely excited about.Originally Posted by TRF
And, paranthetically, it is why I am okay with Affeldt maybe winning the #5 in spring, and buying that whole crew time to season more, and, perhaps, push each other in a friendly competition in Louisville. There are worse things, anyway.
I'm always excited, but there's lots to root for this season. While I'm not convinced it's all going to go well, this shapes up as probably the most interesting Reds season since 2000.
I'm not a system player. I am a system.
on a scale of 1-10, 10 being the most excited before opening day and 1 knowing you are going to be a pirates/royals....
I'd say a 6. At best.
redsrule2500
Go Reds!
Im a normal guy blessed with the ability to hit a baseball. - Sean Casey
Excitement as it relates to the Reds winning this year? 2.
Excitement as it relates to baseball being back? 10.
Same set of problems that the team had last year: Harang, Arroyo and....? in the starting rotation. A lot of guys who you describe with the words "If" muddled around in 3-5 spots. Defense is bad to middling, bullpen is once again depending on David Weathers holding up and some kids breaking through.
This team is going nowhere fast. They haven't done nearly enough to address the massive run differential they'll need to overcome to play winning baseball. They're clinging to this notion that Bailey and Cueto are answers while ignoring 20+ years of pitching development futility. Oh yeah, and we're still going to have Mike Stanton throwing baseballs in relief.
But, despite all that...I'm a fan, and I'm damn sure looking forward to games starting again.
Cincinnati Reds: Farm System Champions 2022
I'm hesitant to say I'm optimistic (even cautiously) but I'm anxious to see what this team can do. It has been so long since we've had a group of young prospects coming in together. I'd like to see what they can do.
In the same way that a baseball season never really begins, it never really ends either. - Lonnie Wheeler, "Bleachers, A Summer in Wrigley Field"
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In my world, all is right if I'm watching a baseball game. It doesn't matter if it's pee wee, college, AA or the bigs. I'm very excited to watch some baseball again.
As for the Reds, I'm cautious. On a 1-10 scale, I'm at about a 3. It won't keep me away from the ballpark, but I'm not holding my breath on the prospects of this season either. At this time next year, I hope (and somewhat expect) to be above an 8. The Reds have an influx of young talent that surpasses any other MLB club. That's exciting.
All models are wrong. Some of them are useful.
To quote the bard of New Jersey
"For what are we without hope in our hearts
that someday we will drink from God's blessed waters
and eat the fruit from the vine
Love and fortune will be mine
Somewhere across the border."
PLAY BALL !
Last edited by klw; 01-29-2008 at 10:17 PM. Reason: missed a word
Alot will depend on how spring training goes.
If we leave spring training with a rotation of Harang, Arroyo, Belisle, Afeldt, and Volquez with Hatteberg starting at first and Freel/Hopper in CF, it'll be like a 2 and I'll be mad.
If it's a rotation of Harang, Arroyo, Belisle, and 2 of the Volquez, Homer, Cueto group with Bruce in CF and Votto at 1B it will be very high.
I'm ready for baseball.
There are some players that I just can't WAIT to see, and some questions with answers that will will make themselves clear over the months to come.
Can Volquez harness his volcanic stuff?
How will Bruce fare in his rookie season?
Will Bailey be a monumental failure? Or will he take a step toward living up to the accolades bestowed him?
Can Phillips do it again? Better yet....Will he learn to take a walk?
Where does Matt Maloney fit in all of this?
Where will Cueto pitch?
Will Double E build on his late season success?
Is Votto gonna rest the stating job from the grizzled veteran?
I'm off the charts excited to see how this will play out.
A young group of upstarts with heaps of potential, where success and failure both live on a fine line? I love that stuff....It's the primordial ooze of a ballclub.
They're chasing the demon that lives out in the thin air, and I am off the charts excited about every bit of it.
10!
"Baseball players are smarter than football players. How often do you see a baseball team penalized for too many men on the field?" ~ Jim Bouton
I'm really charged up waiting to watch Votto, Bailey and hopefully Bruce & Cueto make the team too. Now having a better bullpen may mean Aaron Harang gets 20 wins this season after watching the bullpen blow 4 of his potential wins last year (which would have given Aaron 20wins). Watching Jay Bruce excell in CF (and at the plate) at the start of the season for the Reds would be sweet!
Team-wise I'm anticipating 3rd place w/ a scenario of everything falling into place, just right, allowing for a division crown only to lose in the 1st round of the playoffs. All-in-all a primer season for a much greater 2009. A strong feeling I have has Krivsky/Jocketty/Castellini signing the premier starting pitcher available in next season's Free Agency period. Perhaps Derek Lowe?
Thanks for that!
Love the Boss, even in his more quiet and reflective moods
I'll be more excited if we get rid of Ryan Freel and Norris Hopper and get an OF or two that can actually help this team for the long-term.
I'll be more excited if we can get rid of David Weather for anything on the good side of 30 with some talent.
I'll be more excited if we don't have Stanton and Castro on the Opening Day roster. My excitement would continue to grow if they were never Reds again.
I'd be ridiculously excited if we traded Stubbs, Wood, and the majority of our huge question mark B and C prospects for actual talent that can help us for 2009 and beyond.
I'll be happy if we find a long-term solution to our Catcher and Shortstop problems.
I am oddly jacked up for this season. This is the most exited I have been since 2000.
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