Fay's 25 Man Roster guess

[BLEEDS]

Corey Patterson, CF
Jeff Keppinger, SS
Ken Griffey Jr., RF
Brandon Phillips, 2B
Adam Dunn, LF
Edwin Encarnacion, 3B
Scott Hatteberg, 1B
Javier Valentin, C

The bench
Norris Hopper
Ryan Freel
Juan Castro
Paul Bako
Andy Green

The starting rotation:
Aaron Harang
Bronson Arroyo
Johnny Cueto
Edinson Volquez
Josh Fogg

The bullpen:
Francisco Cordero
David Weathers
Jared Burton
Mike Stanton
Bill Bray
Todd Coffey
Jeremy Affeldt


Fairly close to what I said a bit ago, with a couple glaring issues:

1 - Joey Votto at 1B, Hatte on the Bench. I see absolutely no reason to send Joey to AAA. He's a slow starter, but he still brings more to the position than Hatte. Hatte can play the bench role, so he moves there. Joey can hit later in the lineup until he heats up. IMO, he belongs in the 2-hole, but I'm sure Dusty sees him as a NON-BASE CLOGGER and wants him driving in runs.

2 - Belisle. As much as I've dogged on him, I can't see them sending him to AAA. He'd be good in the bullpen an spot starting. Maybe I'm wrong, and maybe he's better off pitching every 5th day in AAA, but I don't see it. I think we go with 13 pitchers as well, given the NON-days off in April, we need more pitchers, early and often.

I also think we're going to have a better option at catcher than Bako. Something is in the works, and he'll be on the roster. I think that means Freel or Hopper is off the team. Having BOTH of those guys on the bench - along with Castro - gives us NO POP at all from their. I think Gil makes the team over Green, just a hunch.

Of course this would be MUCH different if AGON and Ross were healthy, but they aren't. I would hope that Juan F. Castro would not have a job if they were both on the team, but I still might be dreaming.

PEACE

-BLEEDS

[Z-Fly]

Id be ok with this, as long as when july comes around, you dump (Hatte and Patterson) and add (Votto and Bruce).

[AmarilloRed]

Dusty worries me about shortstop. I fear he will choose Castro as the starting SS over Keppinger.

[BEETTLEBUG]

were is the Rule 5 guy picked off waivers from Giants?

[CRedsLarkin11]

That is probably the way I think it will turn out as well but I would definitely give Votto a chance. He doesn't have much to prove in AAA. Bray making the team would be a positive, hopefully he has a good season. I would love to have Volquez and Cueto in the rotation by the way. That bench is pitiful

[ChatterRed]

Corey Patterson, CF
Jeff Keppinger, SS
Ken Griffey Jr., RF
Brandon Phillips, 2B
Adam Dunn, LF
Edwin Encarnacion, 3B
Scott Hatteberg, 1B
Javier Valentin, C

The bench
Norris Hopper
Ryan Freel
Juan Castro
Paul Bako
Andy Green

The starting rotation:
Aaron Harang
Bronson Arroyo
Johnny Cueto
Edinson Volquez
Josh Fogg

The bullpen:
Francisco Cordero
David Weathers
Jared Burton
Mike Stanton
Bill Bray
Todd Coffey
Jeremy Affeldt


Fairly close to what I said a bit ago, with a couple glaring issues:

1 - Joey Votto at 1B, Hatte on the Bench. I see absolutely no reason to send Joey to AAA. He's a slow starter, but he still brings more to the position than Hatte. Hatte can play the bench role, so he moves there. Joey can hit later in the lineup until he heats up. IMO, he belongs in the 2-hole, but I'm sure Dusty sees him as a NON-BASE CLOGGER and wants him driving in runs.

2 - Belisle. As much as I've dogged on him, I can't see them sending him to AAA. He'd be good in the bullpen an spot starting. Maybe I'm wrong, and maybe he's better off pitching every 5th day in AAA, but I don't see it. I think we go with 13 pitchers as well, given the NON-days off in April, we need more pitchers, early and often.

I also think we're going to have a better option at catcher than Bako. Something is in the works, and he'll be on the roster. I think that means Freel or Hopper is off the team. Having BOTH of those guys on the bench - along with Castro - gives us NO POP at all from their. I think Gil makes the team over Green, just a hunch.

Of course this would be MUCH different if AGON and Ross were healthy, but they aren't. I would hope that Juan F. Castro would not have a job if they were both on the team, but I still might be dreaming.

PEACE

-BLEEDS


YAWN

[BLEEDS]

YAWN

Thanks for your well thought out, informative response. You really bring value to the discussion. This is what message boards are all about!!

PEACE

-BLEEDS

[BLEEDS]

Dusty worries me about shortstop. I fear he will choose Castro as the starting SS over Keppinger.

What about Centerfield/Leadoff? Surely Jay Bruce was given a fair shot at winning that job:rolleyes:

Well, lucky for you you didn't take up that bet. Even with no terms, you had no chance at winning that one.

Let me guess - Patterson still hasn't made the 40-man or 25-man yet, right?!?!? :)

PEACE

-BLEEDS

[ChatterRed]

Thanks for your well thought out, informative response. You really bring value to the discussion. This is what message boards are all about!!

PEACE

-BLEEDS

Why post a novel like you do?

The 25 man roster is a yawner without Votto and Bruce.

Enough said.

[BLEEDS]

Why post a novel like you do?

The 25 man roster is a yawner without Votto and Bruce.

Enough said.

You could have said that instead. Guess you're saving words - but surely not FONT SIZE.

BTW, hardly a "novel". I posted Fay's lineup then added 3 points about the differences I see. Guess if you have ADD, that is considered a novel.

PEACE

-BLEEDS

[GoReds33]

were is the Rule 5 guy picked off waivers from Giants?Jose Capellan may not make the team. He has good numbers, but they aren't in high enough levels. Hopefully he can make an impression, but with the bullpen stronger this year it's not likely to amount to something.

[BEETTLEBUG]

If Capellan don't make it they have to offer him back I think to Boston

[AmarilloRed]

What about Centerfield/Leadoff? Surely Jay Bruce was given a fair shot at winning that job:rolleyes:

Well, lucky for you you didn't take up that bet. Even with no terms, you had no chance at winning that one.

Let me guess - Patterson still hasn't made the 40-man or 25-man yet, right?!?!? :)

PEACE

-BLEEDS

He was given a fair shot, and Patterson played better. The difference between us is that I think Centerfield was always an open competition, and you think Patterson was a lock once he was signed by the Reds to a minor league deal. Patterson hit .440 in spring training, Bruce .262. Bruce had to have a Hamiltonesque spring training and really impress to be the Opening Day Center Fielder. The starting position will go the person who earned it in spring training, and Corey Patterson has earned it by playing better than his competition.

[BLEEDS]

He was given a fair shot, and Patterson played better. The difference between us is that I think Centerfield was always an open competition, and you think Patterson was a lock once he was signed by the Reds to a minor league deal. Patterson hit .440 in spring training, Bruce .262. Bruce had to have a Hamiltonesque spring training and really impress to be the Opening Day Center Fielder. The starting position will go the person who earned it in spring training, and Corey Patterson has earned it by playing better than his competition.

Of course I/we can never prove this, but I GUARANTEE that Bruce could have hit .440 and Patteron .262 and Bruce would still be starting in AAA.

There was more going on than "who had the best Spring". To think otherwise is being VERY Naive.

PEACE

-BLEEDS

[jmac]

Dusty just said Bailey is still in mix for rotation spot( presumably only one up for grabs now)
I am sorta surprised the Reds havent announced otherwise if Fogg truly is the one to take it.

[AmarilloRed]

Per Fay:

Rotation: It's set

It's no coincidence that the Reds are pitching in the following order:

Aaron Harang
Bronson Arroyo
Johnny Cueto
Josh Fogg
Edinson Volquez

Dusty Baker wouldn't quite say it, but that's how the rotation will line up for the start of the season.

"It's not set," Baker said. "We've still got some action. It's pretty set, except for that fifth spot. I hate to tell young kids that they're there too soon. Then if something happens, you've got to go back on your word. You want to keep them motivated and driven through the end of spring training."

Volquez pitched only two innings Thursday in relief of Homer Bailey because Volquez was pitching on short rest.

"(We did that) in order to get in sync for the rotation," Baker said. "Fogg did the same thing the last time. We figured Homer could handle starting more than coming out of the pen. It takes him a long time to warm-up."

Matt Belisle is out of the picture because of a sore forearm.

"He's going to throw today," Baker said. "He's falling behind."

That means Harang, Arroyo, Cueto, Fogg, Volquez and Bailey are the only healthy starters still in the mix. Bailey could theoretically move into Fogg's or Volquez's spot.


Bailey still has an outside chance of making the rotation over Fogg, but it is a long shot.

[jmac]

Per Fay:

Rotation: It's set

It's no coincidence that the Reds are pitching in the following order:

Aaron Harang
Bronson Arroyo
Johnny Cueto
Josh Fogg
Edinson Volquez

Dusty Baker wouldn't quite say it, but that's how the rotation will line up for the start of the season.

"It's not set," Baker said. "We've still got some action. It's pretty set, except for that fifth spot. I hate to tell young kids that they're there too soon. Then if something happens, you've got to go back on your word. You want to keep them motivated and driven through the end of spring training."

Volquez pitched only two innings Thursday in relief of Homer Bailey because Volquez was pitching on short rest.

"(We did that) in order to get in sync for the rotation," Baker said. "Fogg did the same thing the last time. We figured Homer could handle starting more than coming out of the pen. It takes him a long time to warm-up."

Matt Belisle is out of the picture because of a sore forearm.

"He's going to throw today," Baker said. "He's falling behind."

That means Harang, Arroyo, Cueto, Fogg, Volquez and Bailey are the only healthy starters still in the mix. Bailey could theoretically move into Fogg's or Volquez's spot.


Bailey still has an outside chance of making the rotation over Fogg, but it is a long shot.

Anyone heard how Randy Johnson is doing ?
Will he be in rotation from beginning ?
If so, we could be looking at Johnson vs Cueto in game 3 .