Reds By The Numbers -JOHN ERARDI

[PuffyPig]

They have avoided arbitration already, they are trying to avoid him becoming a Super 2.

A super 2 means early arbitration.

By having him in the minors for even 1 day, they have added an extra year to his FA.

Unless they want him available for arbitration a year early, he needs to be in the minors a little longer.

[Spring~Fields]

Dunn in left, Patterson in CF and Bruce in right, Votto at first, Freel at 2nd, Phillips at SS, EE at third and Bako catching. Hairston IF/OF sub and Janish IF sub, Andy Phillips 1B sub, Hopper OF sub, Ross C sub. Junior, Valentin and Hatteberg gone.

Dunn in left, Bruce in CF, Junior in RF, Votto at first, Freel at 2nd, Phillips at SS, EE at third and Bako catching. Hairston IF/OF sub and Janish IF sub, Andy Phillips 1B sub, Patterson OF sub, Ross C sub. Hopper, Valentin and Hatteberg gone.

Either way OBP improves, Power improves, defense improves, speed improves, bench improves. In the second case Junior can sit more often and Bruce can take RF with CP in CF. Either way Hairston can sub out Freel at 2B every few games, Janish can slide into SS late and Phillips move back to 2nd and Phillips gives you a RH bat to sub w/Votto against tough lefties or to PH.

The one thing that is certain is that this team can be improved immediately if the FO wants to make some tough decisions. They can get Bruce up with plenty of playing time. They can get a RH bat for the bench from Louisville in Phillips. Even if they can't move Junior they can still make moves that get better fitting players on the team.

If ruthlessness is what you want to call it then it's ruthless but if Cast sincerely wants to win Valentin and Hatteberg go away - PTBNL or DFA. Jay Bruce in the OF and Andy Phillips on the bench improve this team -and I think by a fairly large measure.

Then carry the same thinking to pitching and move Fogg, slot Belisle to the pen as long reliever and spot starter, and bring up Bailey for the 5 spot. Or Lehr if you really want Bailey at AAA for awhile longer.

DFA Mike Lincoln and see if Maj has turned it around. I'm tempted to say Roenicke but I don't think he's really ready yet. Ruthless? Heck yes, I'd go through Fogg, Belisle, Adkins, Lincoln, Majewski, Coffey, and others and trade or cut the ones that don't fit/aren't improving/aren't part of tomorrow's team and find an appropriate role for the ones remaining.

I'm not talking trades or deals here, at least any that bring substantial return, just things that can be done now, right now, that would improve this team from the players it has right now. THEN, with the deadwood cleared away they begin looking outside the organization for trades and moves to really improve.

Nice work.

Let's do it and make the rest of the season actually entertaining.

[Raisor]

One way to find out is to see if he floats.

You could build a bridge out of him

[Chip R]

You could build a bridge out of him

But can you not also build bridges out of stone?

[Raisor]

But can you not also build bridges out of stone?

oh

[Chip R]

oh

Does wood sink in water?

[Raisor]

Does wood sink in water?

No! We'll throw Dunn into the pond!

[MWM]

But can you not also build bridges out of stone?

or peaches....

[Chip R]

No! We'll throw Dunn into the pond!

No, what else floats in water?

[Raisor]

No, what else floats in water?

apples! little small rocks! cider! Cider!



A DUCK!

[Chip R]

A DUCK!

Exactly! So logically...

[Raisor]

Exactly! So logically...

So...if Dunn weighs the same as a duck...he's made of wood.

[Chip R]

So...if Dunn weighs the same as a duck...he's made of wood.

And therefore...

[Raisor]

And therefore...

You know, you aren't setting a good example for a moderator.

And therefore....A WITCH!!!!

[Chip R]

You know, you aren't setting a good example for a moderator.

And therefore....A WITCH!!!!

We're just scientifically proving that Dunn is a witch. You know, he turned me into a newt.