What moves should Walt make

[Ron Madden]

An interesting article by John Erardi:

Do you agree with Erardi? What would you do if you were Walt?

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/2...uld-Reds-make-

[PuffyPig]

An innings eater like Westbrook wouldn't mkae our rotation.

If you consider that our rotation depth is likely as follows, right now:

Cueto
Leake
Volquez
Arroyo
Bailey
Wood

I'm not sure who a Westbrook innings eater would replace?

Especially since Westbrook is anything like an innings eater. He's having trouble getting past the 6th inning these days.

He hasn't gotten to the 6th inning for 4 starts, and has only twice in 14 starts made the 7th inning. Averaging 5 1/3 innings per start.

[Dan]

If I had to go with an innings eater, I'd pick up Livan Hernandez. Would much prefer seeing an upgrade in LF though.

I think Kemp is out of the picture. But I've liked Beltran since the start of the year, and Carlos Quentin is an intriguing name too. Upgrading LF would let us live with the lack of production at SS.

[membengal]

Fwiw, livan tied to some unsavory drug traffiking noise per a bunch of articles yesterday. Not that I think he was a good target before that news, but that sure doesn't help his trade value...

[RedsManRick]

I agree with most of what Erardi has to say. However, I don't think the Reds need an innings eater. We have plenty of guys who can take the brunt of mediocre innings. If we want something different than what we have, that's a reliable ace.

Johnny Cueto has been pitching like one as of late and Bailey was pitching very well before getting hurt. Ultimately, I think Erardi's biggest point is spot on; the outcome of the season most likely hinges on the guys we already have.

[Ghosts of 1990]

I would acquire a shortstop. Doesn't have to be Jose Reyes. But I would try to get Erick Aybar from Anaheim. Someone who can hit .260 and not kill you with their glove. If they offer the ability to hit lead-off (like Aybar) it's a plus.

I'd also look at a guy like Jeff Francoeur or someone who can play left field. Again, doesn't need to be a Beltran, or Kemp. How about someone who offers production but has chinks in their armor. KC doesn't value Francoeur too much I wouldn't think. They're looking for prospects. He's not in their long term plans. He's only one example. Willingham and others of that mold have been mentioned here before.

Also, I WOULD NOT look for a starting pitcher. I think we have enough in this department. Go and get a reliever who can help stabilize the bullpen. Scott Downs, Micheal Wuertz, Matt Capps, someone with good stuff who can start us closing down the game an inning earlier. This bullpen will be worn thin by August. Who can breath fresh air into them that's around the league? Someone with stuff who needs a change of scenery.

Just making three moves to slightly upgrade these spots would be a really nice sum of the whole parts of this already decent team.

[Will M]

1) bring up Cozart. DFA Renteria

2) trade for an everyday left fielder. doesn't have to be some monster like Kemp. Beltran is possible. i would prefer to save the big trade chips for an ace. DFA Gomes

3) trade for an ace. biggest chips to dangle: Alonso, Grandal, Hamilton

4) bring up Frazier and play him when Rolen sits and also spot start him elsewhere. i am thinking ~ 200 PAs for the rest of the year

5) trade Ramon or Ryan (i prefer Ramon as i think his value is higher) and call up Mes

6) keepers: Mes, Cozart (unless a SS comes back vis a trade) & Frazier

[bucksfan2]

I am beginning to wonder if it won't be an injury that makes the Reds better. Something that gets Frazier, Alonso, Sappelt, Cozart, or Mes into the starting lineup and they take off. I do think the Reds like where they are right now. They have just gone through their brutal stretch of the season. 33 games in 34 days with the likes of the Phillies, Braves, Giants, Brewers, Cleveland, and the dreaded west coast trip. I would imagine that the Reds brass wanted to get through this stretch and stay within striking distance.

I think that LF and SS need to be improved. I don't see Gomes or Renteria being DFA'd but I do think you will see Walt attempt to improve those positions. Bullpen help would be welcomed, maybe another 8th inning man to go along with Massett. I would be against adding a SP unless that pitcher is in the Cliff Lee mold from last season.

[Ghosts of 1990]

Originally Posted by bucksfan2

I am beginning to wonder if it won't be an injury that makes the Reds better. Something that gets Frazier, Alonso, Sappelt, Cozart, or Mes into the starting lineup and they take off. I do think the Reds like where they are right now. They have just gone through their brutal stretch of the season. 33 games in 34 days with the likes of the Phillies, Braves, Giants, Brewers, Cleveland, and the dreaded west coast trip. I would imagine that the Reds brass wanted to get through this stretch and stay within striking distance.

A few weeks back at the Friday night game at home against the cardinals, Hanigan got hit on the hand. I was sure he was going to miss time because of it and be on the DL. I was upset but them immediately excited because I thought that might get Mesoraco up here, and I think he's an impact bat; I think he's ready. Hanigan ended up being fine; but I really think Mes could be a huge lift hitting 6th or 7th in this order after a few weeks on the job.

You're right, an injury might be what it takes.

[Reds/Flyers Fan]

Originally Posted by bucksfan2

I am beginning to wonder if it won't be an injury that makes the Reds better. Something that gets Frazier, Alonso, Sappelt, Cozart, or Mes into the starting lineup and they take off. I do think the Reds like where they are right now. They have just gone through their brutal stretch of the season. 33 games in 34 days with the likes of the Phillies, Braves, Giants, Brewers, Cleveland, and the dreaded west coast trip. I would imagine that the Reds brass wanted to get through this stretch and stay within striking distance.

I think that LF and SS need to be improved. I don't see Gomes or Renteria being DFA'd but I do think you will see Walt attempt to improve those positions. Bullpen help would be welcomed, maybe another 8th inning man to go along with Massett. I would be against adding a SP unless that pitcher is in the Cliff Lee mold from last season.

It's not over yet ... the Yankees, Indians, Rays, Brewers and Cards (not to mention Reds nemesis Toronto; why do we play the Jays so much but rarely ever play the Twins or Tigers?) all dominate the schedule the next couple of weeks.

[bucksfan2]

Originally Posted by Reds/Flyers Fan

It's not over yet ... the Yankees, Indians, Rays, Brewers and Cards (not to mention Reds nemesis Toronto; why do we play the Jays so much but rarely ever play the Twins or Tigers?) all dominate the schedule the next couple of weeks.

Sure it isn't over yet. I was more talking to the brutal stretch of 33 games in 34 days, a west coast swing, and little margin for error. A poorly pitched game and the Reds pen was effected for days afterwards. They were forced to make a number of pitching moves because their arms were tired or hurt.

Over the course of the next few weeks the schedule is difficult but they also have their fair share of off days scattered in there.

[Chip R]

Originally Posted by Reds/Flyers Fan

It's not over yet ... the Yankees, Indians, Rays, Brewers and Cards (not to mention Reds nemesis Toronto; why do we play the Jays so much but rarely ever play the Twins or Tigers?) all dominate the schedule the next couple of weeks.

Because we play CLE twice every year.

[Benihana]

Call up Cozart and Alonso or Sappelt immediately. Play them everyday for the next month at SS and LF, respectively. Determine whether they can be significant upgrades over the status quo, and make subsequent moves if neccessary:

1. Trade for Reyes
2. Trade for Furcal and Kemp/Ethier
3. (Regardless of what happens with LF and SS) Trade for John Danks, Jeremy Guthrie, Chad Billingsley, or (in a dream world) Jered Weaver.

Use the following players as bait:

1. Grandal
2. Alonso OR Sappelt
3. Francisco OR Frazier
4. Heisey OR LaMarre
5. Cozart OR Janish
6. Lotzkar (let someone else take the risk)
7. Jo.Smith (if someone pays for his performance in Dayton)
8. Boxberger
9. One of the Dayton Trio (Hamilton, Yorman, Duran) - only in the LAD or LAA deal
10. One of Bailey, Leake or Wood - only in the Weaver deal

[Orenda]

get out of the way and let youth be served

[Brutus]

I will agree that I don't see a need for an innings eater. With Arroyo and Leake, they may well have two of those. Further, Cueto has been very pitch efficient and Wood has the chance to be that as well. If the Reds add anyone as a starter, it needs to be a top of the rotation arm.

That said, I'd look for one more bullpen arm in middle relief and upgrade shortstop (preferably JJ Hardy if Reyes won't come cheap enough).