Protection for Votto

[Redleg]

A huge need for this team is someone to hit between Votto and Bruce. The Cards have Pujols, Holliday, Berkman. The Brewers have Braun Fielder Weeks Hart. I would hate to be a pitcher starting the inning knowing those three or four guys are coming to the plate. I think a TOR pitcher is more important than this need but do think it needs to be done in the offseason and not in the middle of next season. I have heard people on here say Willingham but he is a .260 hitter. I think the Reds really need someone who is a .285-.300 hitter there. I would rather have a guy hitting .300 with 15-20 hrs behind Votto than a .260 hitter that hits 30. Jay Bruce is already the .260 hitter that hits 30 hrs. I would like to have Willingham but wondering if anyone could think of a better contact hitter that might be available through trade or FA and would be affordable.

[nux fan]

great point, relying on useless rolen cost them a lot

[texasdave]

Protection in baseball is a myth. Besides, say, hypothetically, they got Kemp to protect Votto; then who protects Kemp?

http://www.sabernomics.com/sabernomics/index.php/2004/09/the-protection-externality-it-doesnt-exist/

[Redleg]

Ok then don't call it protection. They need another player on the team that can around .300 and have a high on base percentage to hit in the middle of the order

[Ohayou]

Isn't that guy Alonso?

[mroby85]

Protection in baseball is a myth. Besides, say, hypothetically, they got Kemp to protect Votto; then who protects Kemp?

http://www.sabernomics.com/sabernomics/index.php/2004/09/the-protection-externality-it-doesnt-exist/

Child Please.

[Redleg]

Isn't that guy Alonso?

Can Alonso play left field well enough is the question. Plus that's 3 leftys in a row which could be bad against a good lefty reliever. I was thinking someone like nick Markakis but his contract is too big.

[texasdave]

Nevermind.

[LeDoux]

If Mr. Votto needs protection I would suggest a German Shepherd or an AR-15. Perhaps both.

[nux fan]

I think Janish should bat behind votto

[dMaus14]

I'm pretty sure Nick Markakis is lefty too! You know what would be really good protection for Votto? Some pitching to put wins up on the board. What's the point in keeping Votto and scoring 735 runs over the season when we give up 720 runs defensively?

[Stray]

I doubt we'll find anyone that'll scare teams away from walking votto but it'd be nice to have a guy behind him that would make teams pay for it more often. Bruce is too streaky to do it consistently.


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[brm7675]

Well word is Dusty is going to hit Stubbs behind Votto this season..and Rolen after that followed by Janish then Mez.

[Vottomatic]

Domi domi gatto Mr. Joey Votto

[Vottomatic]

Well word is Dusty is going to hit Stubbs behind Votto this season..and Rolen after that followed by Janish then Mez.

they're going to re-sign Renteria to bat 4th.

[brm7675]

they're going to re-sign Renteria to bat 4th.

Really that is great..I was getting a bit worried they let him walk...

[izzy's dad]

A right handed hitting outfielder with pop and hits for average would be great to stick in between Votto and Bruce would be great! His name is Ryan Braun, and I don't think the Brewers are going to come off of him. A right handed bat with pop and hits around .260 is more realistic IE: Quentin, Willingham.

[drowg14]

Domi domi gatto Mr. Joey Votto

I'm confused. Was this an intended mistype of domo arigato? Not trying to be an a$$, just curious.

[nux fan]

line up

darrell chaney
julianjavier
joey votto
woody woodward
mike vail
cesar hernandez
larry stahl
steve christmas

[Tuff Nut]

Well word is Dusty is going to hit Stubbs behind Votto this season..and Rolen after that followed by Janish then Mez.
Man, I bet that you're in Hawg Heaven.....Just your style.

[herbdizzle]

If I were the Reds I wouldn't spend big money this offseason on a right handed position player. I think there bigger need is getting another big pitching arm and they could easily do that in free agency with the money saved from letting Cordero, Hernandez, & Renteria walk. It would be nice to see the Reds spend their money on signing either Mark Buerhle, C.J. Wilson, or Edwin Jackson for a 3-4 year contract. They would even be able to pay fair market value for a guy of that group.

A lot of people want to trade their young position players to get a big-name pitcher but I disagree. I think with proper lineup management you can create a pretty strong lineup in house. I would do the following lineup platoons on a consistent basis that I think would create a nice balanced lineup.

LF - Play Alonso against righties, Sappelt against lefties
CF - Play Heisey against righties, Stubbs against lefties
3B - Play Francisco against righties, Rolen against lefties

You wouldn't even have to move around the daily lineup either

1) Philips 2B
2) Alonso/Sappelt LF
3) Votto 1b
4) Heisey/Stubbs CF
5) Bruce RF
6) Rolen/Francisco 3B
7) Cozart SS
8) Mes/Hanigan C

I believe a Heisey/stubbs platoon gives you great power production and allows them both to play in high production situations. I also like Alonso/Sappelt in the 2 hole as high contact hitters in front of Votto. This also keeps everyone fresh and allows the Reds to further evaluate if any of their young guys has star potential. I would merely pick up BP's option for now to insure he stays motivated to earn his contract and give you another year to see if Cozart & Billy Hamilton can be long-term middle infield solutions.

This would also give you a starting rotation of

Cueto
Leake
Chapman
FA Pickup
Bailey
Arroyo

with Wood, Volquez, Lecure to back up the rotation. I'd let Cordero go and go with closer committee (Arredondo/Lecure/Ondrusek/Bray) until someone grabs the spot. I don't think the Reds need to panic, just manage their resources better and sign 1 legit FA pitcher.

[Vottomatic]

I'm confused. Was this an intended mistype of domo arigato? Not trying to be an a$$, just curious.

Sorry. I'm not a Mr. Roboto expert. It was mistyped because I don't know the exact words.

[nux fan]

arrendondo, ondrusek are part of the problem not a solution

[DirtyBaker]

Domi domi gatto Mr. Joey Votto

Domo arigato jose arredondo

domo domo....
domo domo....