Jay Bruce called up!!!!!

[Falls City Beer]

Originally Posted by fearofpopvol1

IIRC, you also thought Volquez would end up in the pen and would take some serious lumps.

I said he "could" end up in the pen. Not that he "would."

And yeah, he's going to take his lumps. Several folks agree with me in that prediction.

[*BaseClogger*]

FCB: you are completely ignoring the fact that the Reds have the worst defense in MLB when you attempt to analyze the pitching. Perhaps, check the team FIP...

[jojo]

Originally Posted by Falls City Beer

But that's where your predictions and projections become unmoored from reality--believing that every pitching prospect is likely to meet his ceiling.

You couldn't mischaracterize my beliefs more grossly in order to construct the vapid straw man.

[Falls City Beer]

Originally Posted by *BaseClogger*

FCB: you are completely ignoring the fact that the Reds have the worst defense in MLB when you attempt to analyze the pitching. Perhaps, check the team FIP...

I know the defense needs work too. I'm aware of that. But even with that, there is no way this pitching is any good.

[*BaseClogger*]

Originally Posted by Falls City Beer

I know the defense needs work too. I'm aware of that. But even with that, there is no way this pitching is any good.

Look at your Cardinals for inspiration. Do you really believe they have better pitchers than the Reds?

[Falls City Beer]

Originally Posted by jojo

You couldn't mischaracterize my beliefs more grossly in order to construct the vapid straw man.

Then what are you doing? And why do I have no credibility by believing that a pitcher of Cueto's size and stature will likely take till his 25 year season to perform with some consistency?

You said I have no credibility based on that. But yeah, the strawman cometh round that goes around, eh?

[Falls City Beer]

Originally Posted by *BaseClogger*

Look at your Cardinals for inspiration. Do you really believe they have better pitchers than the Reds?

Yes. Not by much--and the long-term doesn't look good for their arms, but right now, they're outperforming the Reds' pitchers.

[dougdirt]

Originally Posted by Falls City Beer

I know the defense needs work too. I'm aware of that. But even with that, there is no way this pitching is any good.

Actually there is. The Reds team FIP is actually better than the league average. They are far and away leading the NL in strikeouts while being better than average in walks.

[fearofpopvol1]

Originally Posted by Falls City Beer

I said he "could" end up in the pen. Not that he "would."

And yeah, he's going to take his lumps. Several folks agree with me in that prediction.

Could/Would...whatever. You were definitely more pessimistic than optimistic about Volquez's chances this year and I think it's pretty safe to say that things are going to work out just fine with him this season.

[Falls City Beer]

Originally Posted by fearofpopvol1

Could/Would...whatever. You were definitely more pessimistic than optimistic about Volquez's chances this year and I think it's pretty safe to say that things are going to work out just fine with him this season.

That is patently untrue. Go back to the "Volquez acquired" thread; I was ecstatic about his acquisition. I even softened on Wayne a little bit.

[Falls City Beer]

Originally Posted by dougdirt

Actually there is. The Reds team FIP is actually better than the league average. They are far and away leading the NL in strikeouts while being better than average in walks.

So we should see results then soon, right?

Then we shall see.

[fearofpopvol1]

Originally Posted by Falls City Beer

That is patently untrue. Go back to the Volquez acquired thread; I was ecstatic about his acquisition. I even softened on Wayne a little bit.

Oh I'm not saying you didn't like the trade...but you seemed pessimistic about him positively contributing in the rotation this season.

[*BaseClogger*]

Originally Posted by Falls City Beer

Yes. Not by much--and the long-term doesn't look good for their arms, but right now, they're outperforming the Reds' pitchers.

They are not outperforming the Reds pitchers--they just have a better defense behind them...

[Falls City Beer]

Originally Posted by fearofpopvol1

Oh I'm not saying you didn't like the trade...but you seemed pessimistic about him positively contributing in the rotation this season.

Not really. It was pretty obvious that he was much further along than Cueto in his preparedness.

I was merely expressing some doubt about Volquez's control problems; a worst case scenario, I guess. So far he's kept his head out of trouble.

[Caveat Emperor]

Originally Posted by Falls City Beer

I know the defense needs work too. I'm aware of that. But even with that, there is no way this pitching is any good.

The bullpen is bad news -- and that's really been the case since Bowden got canned.

Harang, Arroyo and Volquez are a pretty decent 1-2-3. Cueto is a work in progress. Belisle has been 3 kinds of terrible.

They can start to improve pitching by fixing the mess in the corner outfield spots and by never starting Jerry Hairston at SS again. DFA Mike Lincoln and Josh Fogg and replace them with some young hard-throwers. Go shopping in the offseason.

Things are certainly better than they've been the last 7 or 8 years. At least now they've got 3 rotation spots locked down and the closer spot sewn up.