Last night's loss...

[corkedbat]

...dropped the Reds into sole possession of the 10th worst record in baseball, a half-game behind the Mets and 1.5 games ahead of the 9th worst Padres.

[Tom Servo]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwLWNXFH2rg

[Kc61]

I think the Reds have the eleventh worst record. They are ahead of Boston, Chisox, Twins, Rangers, Astros - 5 in the AL.
Reds are ahead of Mets, Phils, Cubs, Rockies, and DBacks - 5 in NL.

For those interested, the ten worst records don't have to give up a first pick if they sign a qualifying free agent. I think right now the Reds still would have to give up a first pick.

The Astros get an extra pick, to compensate for 2014, which doesn't count. But the Astros 2015 record does count, as I understand.

I think that's how it works, if I'm correct. Good thread, worth following.

[klw]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/reversestandings is a good reference on this. The Astros first notation is related to their compensatory pick for their messing around with Aiken. Top 11 picks are protected next year.


Pick Team W L W% GB
1 Texas Rangers 53 85 0.384 0.0
2 Houston Astros [1]
3 Colorado 55 84 0.396 1.5
4 Arizona 57 81 0.413 4.0
5 Houston Astros 60 79 0.432 6.5
6 Minnesota Twins 60 78 0.435 7.0
7 Boston Red Sox 61 77 0.442 8.0
8 Chicago Cubs 63 76 0.453 9.5
9 White Sox 63 75 0.457 10.0
10 Philadelphia 64 74 0.464 11.0
11 New York Mets 65 74 0.468 11.5
12 Cincinnati Reds 66 72 0.478 13.0
13 San Diego 66 71 0.482 13.5
14 Tampa Bay Rays 67 72 0.482 13.5
15 Miami Marlins 67 70 0.489 14.5

[RedTeamGo!]

Keep losing, baby.

The ability to sign a qualified FA would be huge for this team.

[Kc61]

Keep losing, baby.

The ability to sign a qualified FA would be huge for this team.

LOL, sure, but we're talking the Reds here.

Waiting for the annual beat column that Reds won't be free agent players . . . .

[westofyou]

http://www.leansurance.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Homer.png

[RED VAN HOT]

With games coming up against the Mets, I smell top ten.

[klw]

Waiting for the annual beat column that Reds won't be free agent players . . . .

Does this count?
Fay from August 20
http://www.cincinnati.com/story/redsblog/2014/08/20/cincinnati-reds-removed-from-contention-in-2014/14342287/

But I don't see the Reds as big free-agent players. They haven't been under Castellini for outside players, aside from the Francisco Cordero deal.

The payroll was at a record high this year. Attendance was flat. And the Reds will still have to deal with going all-in in 2013. Ryan Ludwick and Jack Hannahan have team options with hefty buyouts. Ludwick's is $4.5 million; Hannahan's $2 million.

Plus arbitration will inflate the payroll as is.

[Kc61]

Does this count?
Fay from August 20
http://www.cincinnati.com/story/redsblog/2014/08/20/cincinnati-reds-removed-from-contention-in-2014/14342287/

It's a start. Probably something more definitive (with the same bottom line) in the fall. Irritating, but sometimes the truth hurts.

[Kc61]

With games coming up against the Mets, I smell top ten.

Turning into a big series, LOL.

[Chuckie]

YES! That means we've cracked the top-10 of the 2015 draft. Beautiful. I want as good of a draft pick as possible.

Oh, and we could sign a tendered free agent and not lose the pick? Even better.

[757690]

There's no one who might get a qualifying offer that I would like to see the Reds sign this off season, so I don't see it as a big deal.

[RedTeamGo!]

YES! That means we've cracked the top-10 of the 2015 draft. Beautiful. I want as good of a draft pick as possible.

OP was incorrect, see post #4

[MikeS21]

Forget about an an overpaid FA who is cashing in on a career year two or three seasons ago, how about a higher draft pick in next June's draft?

EDIT: I see others are thinking the same thing!

[Kc61]

There's no one who might get a qualifying offer that I would like to see the Reds sign this off season, so I don't see it as a big deal.

Markakis
Hamilton
Votto
Mesoraco
Bruce
Frazier
Phillips
Cozart
Pitcher

[klw]

Doesn't Markakis have a mutual 17.5 million option with a 2.5 buyout? It would be hard to imagine Baltimore not exercising that but then doing a qualifying offer.

[NeilHamburger]

Markakis
Hamilton
Votto
Mesoraco
Bruce
Frazier
Phillips
Cozart
Pitcher

Replace Cozart with Starlin Castro or Addison Russell and it would sweeter.

[cumberlandreds]

I would be shocked if the Reds sign that type of FA this winter. Its just not in their realm of thinking. I think what money they have available they are going to try and sink it in their starting pitching like Cueto,Latos or Leake. Not all three but two of them.

[klw]

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/markani01.shtml
Correction. Markakis has a $2mil buyout.

Here is a free agent ranking:
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015-free-agent-power-rankings
and a full list of FA's
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2013/02/2015-mlb-free-agents.html

[757690]

Doesn't Markakis have a mutual 17.5 million option with a 2.5 buyout? It would be hard to imagine Baltimore not exercising that but then doing a qualifying offer.

Even if the Orioles don't pick up Markakis' option, he's not worth a long term, big money contract. Declining power, getting old.

[villain612]

Hoover is back.

That's good for at least 2 or 3 losses right there.

[Larkin Fan]

Hoover is back.

That's good for at least 2 or 3 losses right there.

The Reds are counting on him.

[Kc61]

Even if the Orioles don't pick up Markakis' option, he's not worth a long term, big money contract. Declining power, getting old.

Orioles would be, well, unwise to pay Markakis $17.5 million next year.

Frankly, I doubt he gets a qualifying offer, or if he does it's likely in the hope that he won't accept. I doubt the Orioles will want to pay him that much.

In any event, I'd hope the Reds (if interested) could sign him for, say, $35 million over three years. A .350 OBP man even without the power, who is still 30 years old fits pretty well.

If you look at the Reds' offensive issues, the OBP level is just unacceptable. Markakis is a lifetime .358 OBP hitter who is at .342 right now in the AL.

If he commands more money, forget it. But a better player will cost even more in trade assets or in money.

[villain612]

The Reds are counting on him.

He's not the hero that we deserve....but he's the one we need right now.

[757690]

Orioles would be, well, unwise to pay Markakis $17.5 million next year.

Frankly, I doubt he gets a qualifying offer, or if he does it's likely in the hope that he won't accept. I doubt the Orioles will want to pay him that much.

In any event, I'd hope the Reds (if interested) could sign him for, say, $35 million over three years. A .350 OBP man even without the power, who is still 30 years old fits pretty well.

If you look at the Reds' offensive issues, the OBP level is just unacceptable. Markakis is a lifetime .358 OBP hitter who is at .342 right now in the AL.

If he commands more money, forget it. But a better player will cost even more in trade assets or in money.

There's not much out there this off season. I'm guessing he'll get plenty of 5+ offers if he's on the market. But if the Reds could sign him to a 3 year deal, that would be nice.

[Kc61]

There's not much out there this off season. I'm guessing he'll get plenty of 5+ offers if he's on the market. But if the Reds could sign him to a 3 year deal, that would be nice.

If they can't find a LF in free agency, then it will have to come in a trade probably for Latos.

My preference would be:

1 - a free agent LFer
2 - the next SS as the main piece traded for a Reds starting pitcher
3- a good reliever acquired in that trade
4- a bench bat and another reliever in smaller deals.

If Bailey will miss much of 2015, that puts a wrinkle in the idea of trading a starting pitcher. Reds may need a stop gap fifth starter in any event, maybe Axelrod.

[corkedbat]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/reversestandings is a good reference on this. The Astros first notation is related to their compensatory pick for their messing around with Aiken. Top 11 picks are protected next year.


Pick Team W L W% GB
1 Texas Rangers 53 85 0.384 0.0
2 Houston Astros [1]
3 Colorado 55 84 0.396 1.5
4 Arizona 57 81 0.413 4.0
5 Houston Astros 60 79 0.432 6.5
6 Minnesota Twins 60 78 0.435 7.0
7 Boston Red Sox 61 77 0.442 8.0
8 Chicago Cubs 63 76 0.453 9.5
9 White Sox 63 75 0.457 10.0
10 Philadelphia 64 74 0.464 11.0
11 New York Mets 65 74 0.468 11.5
12 Cincinnati Reds 66 72 0.478 13.0
13 San Diego 66 71 0.482 13.5
14 Tampa Bay Rays 67 72 0.482 13.5
15 Miami Marlins 67 70 0.489 14.5

My bad, I counted 19 teams with better records than the Reds, making them 20th. I subtracted 20 from 30 and got ten - didn't think that I should've count the Reds too, making them 11th (but not 12th).

01. Angels (83-64) .606
02. Orioles (80-57).584
03. Athletics (79-59) .572
04. National's (78-59) .569
05. Dodgers (78-61) .561
06. Royals (76-61) .555
07. Tigers (76-62) .551
08. Giants (76-63) .547
09. Cardinals (75-63) .543
10. Mariners (74-59 .540
11. Brewers (73-65) .529
12. Braves (72-67) .518
13. Yankees (70-66) .515
(Tie) Indians (70-66) .515
15. Pirates (71-67) .514
16. Toronto (70-67) .511
17. Marlins (67-70) .489
18. Rays (67-72) .482
(Tie) Padres (66-71).482
20. Reds (66-72) .478 (11)
21. Mets (65-74) .468 (10)
(Tie) Phillies (64-74) .468 (9)
23. White Sox (63-75) .457 (8)
24. Cubs 63-76) (.453) (7)
25. Reds Sox (61-77) .442 (6)
26. Twins (60-78) .435 (5)
27. Astros (60-79) .432 (4)
28. D'Backs (57-81) .413 (3)
29. Rockies (55-84) .396 (2)
30. Rangers (53-850 .384 (1)

[RedlegJake]

The Astros have confused things/ There is still the top ten picks but because the Astros get a compensatory pick for not signing this years #1 there are 11 protected picks. The Reds still need to be in the top ten losing teams to stay protected. Pickwise that is the 11th overall pick.

[corkedbat]

The Astros have confused things/ There is still the top ten picks but because the Astros get a compensatory pick for not signing this years #1 there are 11 protected picks. The Reds still need to be in the top ten losing teams to stay protected. Pickwise that is the 11th overall pick.


Forgot about the Astros. Since their extra is the result of a protected pick does it count as a protected pick again?

Actually, neither of their picks should count since they're such a sorry-a** organization.

[corkedbat]

LOL, sure, but we're talking the Reds here.

Waiting for the annual beat column that Reds won't be free agent players . . . .

Even if the Reds did have the cash to delve into the upper reaches of the FA market (and the inclination) to spend it, I can't see them jumping into the FA. In any other year I might say yeah, take advantage of the protected pick, but this year if they have money to spend on a QO FA, they have it to spend on Cueto, Latos or even Leake. Now if they were to whiff on extensions for two or all three (and the cash is there), then sure, go all-in on a top pitcher, but cannot see that scenario developing.

[_Sir_Charles_]

If they can't find a LF in free agency, then it will have to come in a trade probably for Latos.

My preference would be:

1 - a free agent LFer
2 - the next SS as the main piece traded for a Reds starting pitcher
3- a good reliever acquired in that trade
4- a bench bat and another reliever in smaller deals.

If Bailey will miss much of 2015, that puts a wrinkle in the idea of trading a starting pitcher. Reds may need a stop gap fifth starter in any event, maybe Axelrod.

#1 it's figure out the starting rotation pieces. After that, I'd look towards this....

For me, it'll be a full time starting LF'er. Hits for a solid average with some solid pop. OBP be damned. We need contact hitters just as badly IMO.
Next, it's cut the poor relievers. Hoover, Logan, Parra...send them down and give some new faces a chance. Worked for some, hasn't for others. But those three have had their chance to succeed/fail, time to move on.
Lastly, trade some superfluous pieces in the minors for some middle infield minors improvement. Cash in on some starting pitchers who had good years but don't project to at the big level.

No more veteran presence fillers on the bench either. This isn't a young team anymore, we don't need that. Go for youth and energy on the bench.

[mdccclxix]

You may look at Aramis or Panda to play 3b and move Frazier to LF, if you want the best offensive production in the free agent market for the money. Hanley to play 3b is another option too. None of these options appear that great unless payroll is going to 130+ for good. Maybe Mike Morse would sign a middling deal like Ludwick's. I don't see a FA signing that's very big at all. One other would be Melky, but again, the money will be bigger. Most of these players lack on defense.

[Kc61]

Even if the Reds did have the cash to delve into the upper reaches of the FA market (and the inclination) to spend it, I can't see them jumping into the FA. In any other year I might say yeah, take advantage of the protected pick, but this year if they have money to spend on a QO FA, they have it to spend on Cueto, Latos or even Leake. Now if they were to whiff on extensions for two or all three (and the cash is there), then sure, go all-in on a top pitcher, but cannot see that scenario developing.

The Reds' one-sided approach, pitching and little else, has to end. It doesn't work. The only championship it gets you is fourth place in the team ERA column.

Ultimately this pitching staff will have to be filled out with Stephenson and Lorenzen and Lively and Moscot. They can't sign all these veteran pitchers. They may have made a mistake even with Bailey.

This off-season, sign one starter at most, trade one, keep one unsigned for now. Add a bat. Trade off more salary if you can, but there has to be room for more offense. Broxton is gone, trade one major starter, trade some of the $2-3 million per year types. Add offense.

[kpresidente]

The Reds' one-sided approach, pitching and little else, has to end.

Four of the top six salaries, including the top three, all belong to position players. It ended before it even started.

[westofyou]

50 years of no pitching and now during one of the worst offensive years the Reds have had (and one of the best starting pitching staffs) folks are tired of pitching as a base.

Sorry, I think losing 11-7 is worse than losing 2-1

[CySeymour]

50 years of no pitching and now during one of the worst offensive years the Reds have had (and one of the best starting pitching staffs) folks are tired of pitching as a base.

Sorry, I think losing 11-7 is worse than losing 2-1

It's a loss either way.

[villain612]

The Reds' one-sided approach, pitching and little else, has to end.

It's tough to justify this comment when the Reds gave one of the best hitters in the game a $250 million contract.

[Kc61]

Four of the top six salaries, including the top three, all belong to position players. It ended before it even started.

Don't think it's entirely accurate.

The Reds largest contracts, based on average salary per year, are in order: Votto, Bailey, Phillips, Bruce, Chapman, Ludwick, Cueto, Leake, Latos, Marshall, Iglesias. Excluding Broxton, of course, but he was in there.

Of this group of eleven - seven are pitchers. And, of course, a team has eight starting hitters, so if anything there should be more of them paid.

But mostly, since the Ludwick injury last April, offense has been the clear area of need. The Reds should be emphasizing it. And most definitely have not been of late.

[Kc61]

It's tough to justify this comment when the Reds gave one of the best hitters in the game a $250 million contract.

Back when they paid Votto, yes, I felt differently. I'm speaking in more current times, since Ludwick went down in April 2013 and a clear need for offense arose.

[JMO]

Trade Latos for the best possible package of prospects. Extend Leake.

Let go:

Ludwick, Santiago, Hannahan and Skip.

Get a LF, SS, bench bat and LH RP. Promote from within when available.

Dennick, Negron, Soto, Lutz, Perez, Navarro, Barnhart, etc.

NO MORE BIG EXTENSIONS. NO MORE BAD CONTRACTS

Operate like the Rays and the A's

[westofyou]

Trade Latos for the best possible package of prospects. Extend Leake.

Let go:

Ludwick, Santiago, Hannahan and Skip.

Get a LF, SS, bench bat and LH RP. Promote from within when available.

Dennick, Negron, Soto, Lutz, Perez, Navarro, Barnhart, etc.

NO MORE BIG EXTENSIONS. NO MORE BAD CONTRACTS

Operate like the Rays and the A's

Echo.. is there an echo here?

[mth123]

If the Reds do end up with a protected pick, they probably won't be in a bidding war for a free agent. Where it could make a difference is for one of those guys who gets a QO and goes unsigned into March and has to settle for a one year make good deal. Probably some big bats wouldn't mind playing LF and pumping the HR total thanks to GABP and then trying again. Nelson Cruz from last off-season comes to mind.

[villain612]

Back when they paid Votto, yes, I felt differently. I'm speaking in more current times, since Ludwick went down in April 2013 and a clear need for offense arose.

I agree that not getting LF help since Ludwick went down has been the most valid criticism of Walt. Especially in 2014.

Nonetheless, Walt did acquire Choo in 2013 and the offense that year was 3rd in the NL in runs.

[joshua]

So...the money we save from trading Broxton is basically a wash with Hanahan and Ludwick's buyouts. Brilliant.

I would love for the Reds to FIX THE ISSUE IN LF THAT'S EXISTED SINCE FOREVER in free agency. But I foresee that any money spent will go towards keeping Cueto and/or Latos, and they will be signed for too long and for too much. The remainder of our money will be spent overpaying for bullpen pitchers who under perform or signing bench guys who under perform.

Yes, I am psychic.

[Patrick Bateman]

So...the money we save from trading Broxton is basically a wash with Hanahan and Ludwick's buyouts. Brilliant.


For the millionth time, the buyouts are a function of deferring money. It's a mechanism of the time value of money being beneficial for the Reds. The Reds would likely budget this in conjunction with the prior years payroll. The contract terms may not have been favourable when it's all said and done, but it truly is 2013 and 2014's problem. Not 2015's.

It really bugs me when people who continue to fail to understand such a basic concept can be so condescending towards the management of a functioning baseball team.

[corkedbat]

If the Reds do end up with a protected pick, they probably won't be in a bidding war for a free agent. Where it could make a difference is for one of those guys who gets a QO and goes unsigned into March and has to settle for a one year make good deal. Probably some big bats wouldn't mind playing LF and pumping the HR total thanks to GABP and then trying again. Nelson Cruz from last off-season comes to mind.

Excellent point. :thumbup: This I could see this.

[Larry Schuler]

This thread should be stickied.

[malcontent]

The contract terms may not have been favourable when it's all said and done....
Can we jump the gun a couple weeks and declare that Hannahan's was not?

[corkedbat]

nm

[corkedbat]

Excellent point. :thumbup: This I could see this.

The only problem with this plan though is as of now there are a dozen bats (IMO) with the remotest possibility of receiving a QO.

Ben Zobrist. He has a $7.5M option. If the pass on this would they risk him taking the QO for $14M/15M? Rays pickup the option.
JJ Hardy. Maybe if the QO is given and kills his worth (doubt it). He is 32, but could be worth it as a 1yr stopgap
Russell Martin. Move Mes to LF & piss off the Fighting Capt. Hooks? Interesting. QO won't kill his value though, IMO.
Nelson Cruz. He's border line and besides, I thought the O's included a promise not to QO him when he signed.
Nick Markakis. The QO plus a $2M buyout would be darn near picking up the $17.5M mutual option 9not sure howNick's side of the option would work, but I see him taking it. If he were to be tagged for some reason he may well be affected negatively, but I don't see it coming to that.
Alex Rios. Still has some value, but declining. Can't see the Rangers passing up a $1M buyout or tendering a QO when he would almost assuredly accept it and his option is only $13.5M (less than the QO).
Aramis Ramierez. Don't think the SudsDuds would tag him after they turn down his $14M option.
Cody Rasmus. Probably the next best fit for the Reds, but he's a FA under 30 and the competition should be decent (but lower-dollar) if the Jays actually tag him - which I doubt, considering his Bruce-ish numbers this year and recent benching in favor or younger guys.
Chase Headley.Traded @ Mid-Season and his performance has fallen
Michael Cuddyer. Not a likely DO candidate at 36, but that just shows how thin this FA bat class is.
Jed Lowrie. No.
Asdrubal Cabrrera. Hell No. Besides, Mid-Season trade.

There are several decent-to-awesome starters on the arm side of the market, but half or more were dealt at the fall deadline. IIRC, this means they QO. Most of the others, probably won't see fallout from a QO.

[corkedbat]

With tonight's loss, of the team's closest to the Reds [(66-73) .475] in the standings they lost a game to the Padres (66-71) .482, Mets (66-74) .471, Phils (64-75) .460, Cubs (64-76) .457 [2.5 behind the Reds], Twins (61-78) .439 and Astros (61-79) .436.

There is no change in terms of their overall standing this season or their position for a protected pick. The Mets have made it closer (.004) for 11th & 10th place though, headed into the series with them.

[klw]

nm

[BuckeyeRedleg]

With last night's loss the Reds are getting closer and closer to my prediction of 70-92 that was made in the prediction thread before the season. At the time, I just had a bad feeling with Latos going under the knife and Chapman taking taking the line drive off his head. I had a feeling it would be a cursed year. Little did I know how cursed it would be. And before anyone thinks I was being negative for the sake of being negative here is a copy/paste from the last few prediction threads:



2010 – 86-76….This is the most optimistic I've felt about this team and organization in many years. Probably since April of 2000. I think the Reds can actually compete for the division if the Cards stumble. If the Cards don't stumble, they will compete for the wildcard with the Phils (Atlanta is my choice in the East). I think realistically this is an 82 or 83 win team, but they'll get a little lucky and play above their pythag by a few. 86-76.....and trending up.

2011 - 86-76….A minor step back

2012 - 85-77…..I admit my outlook has been dampened with the loss of Madson.

2013 - 91-71

2014 - 70-92

[membengal]

Where is the thread discussing why Skip is getting time in LF while Yorman R sits?

[klw]

Where is the thread discussing why Skip is getting time in LF while Yorman R sits?
Here you go:http://www.redszone.com/forums/showthread.php?106667-Homer-Bailey-to-60-day-DL-and-September-Callups/page4



Looks like the Reds will end up with a pick somewhere between 8 and 15.


Pick Team W L W% GB
1 Texas Rangers 53 86 0.381 0.0
2 Houston Astros [1]
3 Colorado 56 84 0.400 2.5
4 Arizona 58 81 0.417 5.0
5 Houston Astros 61 79 0.436 7.5
6 Minnesota Twins 61 78 0.439 8.0
7 Boston Red Sox 61 78 0.439 8.0
8 White Sox 63 76 0.453 10.0
9 Chicago Cubs 64 76 0.457 10.5
10 Philadelphia 64 75 0.460 11.0
11 New York Mets 66 74 0.471 12.5
12 Cincinnati Reds 66 73 0.475 13.0
13 San Diego 66 72 0.478 13.5
14 Tampa Bay Rays 67 73 0.479 13.5
15 Miami Marlins 67 71 0.486 14.5

[corkedbat]

So they paid them $4.125M last year and $10.625M the last two years and deferred it in an option. Doesn't make it one damn bit better, in fact, it gives Walt a rationalization for bringing him back. (and there's nothing goo about it). Six million dollars for two years of Jack Hannahan? I don't care how much is deferred or for how long, $6M is more than a decade of Hannahan is worth. And again, the option is just one more excuse for Walt to make another bad bench decision.

[Redsfansince72]

So they paid them $4.125M last year and $10.625M the last two years and deferred it in an option. Doesn't make it one damn bit better, in fact, it gives Walt a rationalization for bringing him back. (and there's nothing goo about it). Six million dollars for two years of Jack Hannahan? I don't care how much is deferred or for how long, $6M is more than a decade of Hannahan is worth. And again, the option is just one more excuse for Walt to make another bad bench decision.

i still dont get how he was worth this much money.. he is a avergae player before his injury and worse now.. I hoped the Reds would have signed Russell Branyan for a million and a team option over this guy anyday.. Its like the Ludwick deal. Really he is worth 9 million or a 4.5 mil buy out.. NOWAY i would have done that.. i would have saved those dollars back then and tried to sign cuban slugger Cepedes back then..

[corkedbat]

Friday, of the team's closest to the Reds (66-75, .468), they lose a game to the Marlins (68-71, .489), Rays (68-75, .479), Mets (67-74, .475), Phillies (65-75, .464), Cubs (64-76, .457) [Half Game], Reds Sox (62-79, .440) and Astros (62-79, .440). They lose no ground to the Padres (66-74, .471).

In the Central, they trail the Pirates by 6.0 games for 3rd and lead the Cubbies by just 1.5 games for fourth.

[757690]

So they paid them $4.125M last year and $10.625M the last two years and deferred it in an option. Doesn't make it one damn bit better, in fact, it gives Walt a rationalization for bringing him back. (and there's nothing goo about it). Six million dollars for two years of Jack Hannahan? I don't care how much is deferred or for how long, $6M is more than a decade of Hannahan is worth. And again, the option is just one more excuse for Walt to make another bad bench decision.

Both players got injured. Healthy, they earn their contracts. It's part of the risk of all contracts.

[Moosie52]

There are 9 teams worse than the Reds?

[klw]

Pick Team W L W% GB
1 Texas Rangers 53 88 0.376 0.0
2 Houston Astros [1]
3 Colorado 57 84 0.404 4.0
4 Arizona 59 82 0.418 6.0
5 Minnesota Twins 61 80 0.433 8.0
6 Houston Astros 62 79 0.440 9.0
7 Boston Red Sox 62 79 0.440 9.0
8 White Sox 63 77 0.450 10.5
9 Chicago Cubs 64 76 0.457 11.5
10 Philadelphia 65 75 0.464 12.5
11 Cincinnati Reds 66 75 0.468 13.0
12 San Diego 66 74 0.471 13.5
13 New York Mets 67 74 0.475 14.0
14 Tampa Bay 68 74 0.479 14.5
15 Miami Marlins 68 71 0.489 16.0
Where there is a tie, the team with the worse record last year picks first. Ex. Houston had a worse record than Boston in 2013

[Kc61]

High draft pick? We got this.

[corkedbat]

High draft pick? We got this.

Today's big collective Slump Buster of a win nets the Reds (67-75, .472) a game on these closest competors: Mets (67-75, .472), Cubs (64-77, .454 [half games)*, Astros (62-80, .437). The Rays, Padres, Marlins, White Sox, Reds Sox and Twins are yet to play today. The Phillies won.

* The Cubs are currently playing their second game of the day and are currently trailing the Padres 2-0 with the Baby Bears batting in the bottom of the 5th.

[Big Klu]

50 years of no pitching and now during one of the worst offensive years the Reds have had (and one of the best starting pitching staffs) folks are tired of pitching as a base.

Sorry, I think losing 11-7 is worse than losing 2-1

Better the devil you know, I guess.

[blumj]

High draft pick? We got this.
Can't keep beating draft order competitors like the Mets, need to save those wins for games vs. playoff contenders.

[RedlegJake]

Can't keep beating draft order competitors like the Mets, need to save those wins for games vs. playoff contenders.

Look for the # of Cueto starts. That's about how many wins they'll get from here on

[klw]

Pick Team W L W% GB
Protected
1 Texas Rangers 53 89 0.373 0.0
2 Houston Astros [1]
3 Colorado 58 84 0.408 5.0
4 Arizona 59 83 0.415 6.0
5 Minnesota Twins 61 81 0.430 8.0
6 Houston Astros 62 80 0.437 9.0
7 Boston Red Sox 63 79 0.444 10.0
8 White Sox 63 78 0.447 10.5
9 Chicago Cubs 64 78 0.451 11.0
10 Philadelphia 66 75 0.468 13.5
11 San Diego 66 75 0.468 13.5

Unprotected
12 New York Mets 67 75 0.472 14.0
13 Cincinnati Reds 67 75 0.472 14.0
14 Tampa Bay 69 74 0.483 15.5
15 Miami Marlins 68 72 0.486 16.0

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/reversestandings
Notes:

[1]Compensation for unsigned 2014 #1 pick Brady Aiken
*The first eleven picks are protected for the 2014-15 offseason, if one of those teams signs a free agent who turned down a qualifying offer.

*If two teams have the same record, the higher draft pick goes to the team that finished with a lower winning percentage in the previous season.

[RedlegJake]

Discovering it's just as hard to overcome 4 teams below you when you're racing in reverse as it is to catch them in front of you if you're going for a title

[villain612]

The season was a lot more fun when we were looking at the records of teams like the Brewers, Cardinals and Pirates.

[klw]

nm