Van Meter and Antone to alternate training camp to get to 28

[Kc61]

Colon is a quality IF. Especially at second base. Van Meter's glove has hurt a couple of times. Moose is a lefty, so it makes sense to have a righty to play against a lefty when Moose is in need of a day off, though Farmer could be used there as well.

The LH pinch hitter doesn't come into play much with the DH. Seems like Colon is more useful for the reasons stated above.

Six man bench you should have a good lefty hitter. Reds don’t now, that’s a minus. If Moose or Votto or Suarez is out against a RHP, you’d like a lefty bench bat. If RH reliever is in facing three batters, you’d like a lefty alternative. If Bell makes double switches, you’d like a lefty available. Not a huge issue, but a minus.

[DocRed]

I'm guessing the Reds will have someone go on the injured list and bring up Antone in a few days otherwise 10 days is too long to go without him.

[mth123]

Six man bench you should have a good lefty hitter. Reds don’t now, that’s a minus. If Moose or Votto or Suarez is out against a RHP, you’d like a lefty bench bat. If reliever is in facing three batters, you’d like a lefty alternative. If Bell makes double switches, you’d like a lefty available. Not the end of the world, but a minus.

Ideally yes. But they don't have a good lefty hitter, so Colon fits better in all those other ways. I don't keep a lesser guy just because he hits or throws lefty. It's why Raley and Reed should be on the bubble as well.

As far as Bell's flexibility, I'd rather reduce it. I'm not really in favor of replacing good players with bad ones based on handedness and with no pitcher hitting, there really isn't a need for a double switch or many PH alternatives. They have Winker/Ervin and Casali/Barnhart to play those games with. Everybody else should hit for themselves. JVM is gone. Now lets get Jankowski and Davison off the roster as well. Bring up Acquino and move Raley or Reed out.

[Kc61]

D

Ideally yes. But they don't have a good lefty hitter, so Colon fits better in all those other ways. I don't keep a lesser guy just because he hits or throws lefty. It's why Raley and Reed should be on the bubble as well.

As far as Bell's flexibility, I'd rather reduce it. I'm not really in favor of replacing good players with bad ones based on handedness and with no pitcher hitting, there really isn't a need for a double switch or many PH alternatives. They have Winker/Ervin and Casali/Barnhart to play those games with. Everybody else should hit for themselves. JVM is gone. Now lets get Jankowski and Davison off the roster as well. Bring up Acquino and move Raley or Reed out.

Situations arise. Having a strong balanced bench is good. I don’t see cutting down Bell’s options as an answer.

Reds bench is now:

Two OFers, Ervin RHH to hit lefties, Jankowski LHH, for defense and pinch running but not much bat.

Two IFers, Farmer (who also catches) and Colon. Both RHH.

A catcher - Casali a RHH.

A DH - Davidson platoons to hit lefties, another RHH.

Well organized, covers all the positions, except too many RHHs. A LHH utility infielder with some pop would be an improvement although not essential.

[757690]

Does it matter it if the Reds pinch hitter makes an out batting left handed or right handed?

[reds77]

Removing VanMeter from the roster is the absolute right decision. He's a AAA talent at best. He had a hot start to AAA last year and that resulted in the Reds management overrating his worth to a big league team. It doesn't matter if he plays multiple positions if he's a poor hitter and below average defensive player at all the positions. VanMeter is the kind of player that might not see the big leagues again.

[757690]

If the Reds need a LH bat, the Dodgers just designated Scott Schebler for assignment

[Kc61]

If the Reds need a LH bat, the Dodgers just designated Scott Schebler for assignment

Braves.

[JaxRed]

I seriously would think about grabbing him.

[mth123]

D

Situations arise. Having a strong balanced bench is good. I don’t see cutting down Bell’s options as an answer.

Reds bench is now:

Two OFers, Ervin RHH to hit lefties, Jankowski LHH, for defense and pinch running but not much bat.

Two IFers, Farmer (who also catches) and Colon. Both RHH.

A catcher - Casali a RHH.

A DH - Davidson platoons to hit lefties, another RHH.

Well organized, covers all the positions, except too many RHHs. A LHH utility infielder with some pop would be an improvement although not essential.

The problem is the phrase "strong, balanced bench." With the players we're talking about, strong probably isn't going to happen and weakening it further in the name of balance makes no sense. I'd rather have a same handed major leaguer (say Aquino or even Ervin) as opposed to a minor leaguer like Jankowski or Davidson. I hate the running game, so I'd just as soon not pinch run and risk outs on the bases. If they had a truly elite base stealer, that would be different, but they don't so stay put and stop risking being picked-off or thrown out. If they need a guy to score from second on a single or something, then use one of the pitchers who isn't available to pitch that day as the pinch runner. Keeping crummy positions players around just for that and they end up playing other times where they are completely over-matched. Guys like Jankowski or Davidson are necessary in case of emergency, but otherwise, I don't want them in the game and if they are on the roster, they'll get in the game. Leave them on the practice squad.

[mth123]

Schebler is better than Jankowski and almost as fast. I'd rather aim higher. I still think a trade is needed for bullpen and a bench guy.

[dougdirt]

Removing VanMeter from the roster is the absolute right decision. He's a AAA talent at best. He had a hot start to AAA last year and that resulted in the Reds management overrating his worth to a big league team. It doesn't matter if he plays multiple positions if he's a poor hitter and below average defensive player at all the positions. VanMeter is the kind of player that might not see the big leagues again.

Josh VanMeter had a .327 OBP and a .408 SLG percentage last year while being able to play three spots on the infield and two in the outfield.

That's not a "AAA talent at best" my man. That's a quality big league utilityman.

[757690]

Josh VanMeter had a .327 OBP and a .408 SLG percentage last year while being able to play three spots on the infield and two in the outfield.

That's not a "AAA talent at best" my man. That's a quality big league utilityman.

In 260 PA’s. He hasn’t played enough in MLB for anyone to really know what his “talent” is.

[WVRedsFan]

I seriously would think about grabbing him.

He's already been grabbed by Atlanta

[malcontent]

I'd like to know who in the org made the call on JVM over Dietrich. The guy was All-World for two months, then hurt his shoulder (I hope not lifting weights).

He was a solid MLB veteran who could have filled the hole we have at DH, and subbed for Moose against RH starters when out.