Reds Should Not Make a Trade

I don't think the Reds need to make a trade before the trade-deadline ends.  There have been many rumors and stories that Walt Jocketty is looking for a player to bat at the top of the order. 

I think since the all-star break Drew Stubbs has proven that he can get on base regularly and score runs.  Drew Stubbs recently won the National League player of the week award.  He batted .370 for the week with 3 home runs and scored 9 runs. 

Now I know Stubbs isn't going to keep batting .370 for the rest of the season, but he seems to be more disciplined at the plate and is willing to take a walk.  He still strikes out about once a game, and if he could cut down on his strikeouts that would be a great help.  Most of the balls he hit are line drives or hard grounders that have been finding holes.

Plus, Drew Stubbs' defense is superb, I don't know if there is a faster center-fielder or one that can catch as many fly balls as Stubbs can, and his arm is above average at least. 

If the Reds can keep winning until Joey Votto returns I think they will make it to the postseason as either the National League Central champions or as a wild card.  It's still too early to tell and it doesn't look like the Pirates are going to back down.

Scott Rolen Returns off Disabled List

Today Scott Rolen returns from the disabled list and makes a good first start with two singles and two RBI's in his first two plate appearances.  He looks very comfortable in the batters box, but his two hits weren't that solid.  They were a couple of flares into right field, but they were hit well enough to each drive in a runner from third base.  

Unfortunately this means that Todd Frazier will no longer be the starting third baseman for the Reds.  I think he filled in admirably while Rolen was on the disabled list, and hopefully Dusty Baker can find a spot for him so he can continue to play everyday.  I'm not sure how good his outfield defense is, but he might be able to start in left field.  Today he is sitting on the bench and hitting in the DH spot since the Reds are playing an interleague game in Cleveland. 

Hopefully Rolen will continue to contribute with his bat and his excellent defense.  Rolen started out this year hitting pretty poorly, but if today is any indication he will drive in a bunch a runs the rest of the season if he stays healthy.  I think the line-up should be Cozart, Stubbs, Votto, Phillips, Bruce, Rolen, Frazier, Hanigan, and the pitcher. 

If the Reds can stay healthy and keep pitching well it is going to a be a great rest of the season, and with how weak the central division is, the Reds have a great chance of winning it for the second time in three years. 

Reds Opening Day 2012

The Cincinnati Reds win opening day against the Miami Marlins.  It started out as a pitchers duel with Cueto dealing seven strong innings of shutout baseball.  Chapman and Marshall pitched great in the 8th and 9th. 

I really would like to see Chapman as a starter though I think the Reds are wasting his talents using him as a setup man.   I know Masset is on the disabled list, but I think Bray or Ondrusek could fill the setup role nicely. 

Highlights from the game:

Bruce homered
Heisey displayed his excellent pinch hitting skills
Ludwick got his first RBI as a Red

Chapman looked sharp

The Reds still didn't hit that well with runners in scoring position and this is a concern.  I hope they don't fall back on the homer for run support.  Even though they will hit their fair share of home runs in Great American Ballpark, I'd like to see some singles into right field with a runner on second. 

All in all it was a solid opening day victory, and it looks like the Reds are geared up for the season.

Reds Sign Ludwick

A couple of days ago the Cincinnati Reds signed outfielder Ryan Ludwick to a one year deal worth two and a half million dollars. You can read the full story at Reds.com.

I think this is great news, I hope Ludwick will be a more consistent player than both Gomes and Chris Heisey. I think Ludwick will provide a solid left-fielder that the Reds lacked in the previous season. Gomes was a total failure in 2010, and this was pretty deflating for the offense without his 2009 numbers.

Although Heisey is an amazing pinch-hitter and a good starter every once in a while, I don't think he has what it takes to play everyday.

Plus Ludwick always seemed to kill the Reds when he plays against them. This is another reason I'm happy the Reds signed him. This way he won't be able to play against us.

With this addition and the several pitches the Reds have traded for and signed; I really have high hopes they will win the division in 2012 or at least make it to the playoffs again.

Tigers Defeat Yankees

What a great playoff series that was between the Detroit Tigers and the New York Yankees. It took five games, but the Tigers finally prevailed and sent the Yankees home for this season.

For baseball fans it seems like you are either rooting for the Yankees or against them. This year I was against them, I'm tired of them buying their pennants and championships every year. I was glad to see them exit the playoffs early this year. Although in the past I have rooted for the Yankees, but that is only when they are playing against the Atlanta Braves. The Braves are probably the team I hate the most, because they dominated the National League during the 1990s and beat the Reds for the 1995 National League Pennant.

Now I hope the Diamondbacks beat the Brewers, which is another team I can't stand. It's not because I don't like their current players, it's because the Brewers have been a team that has been a thrown in the Reds side all season and in seasons past.

I think the Brewers have a really good and balanced team this year. They have Rickie Weeks who can be an explosive leadoff hitter, and with Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder hitting back to back they can always knock in a lot of runs.

So far this years playoffs have been very exciting and I can't wait to watch more games.

The Votto Lob

I'm so tired of watching Joey Votto causally lob the baseball instead of giving a good strong throw. He's done it too many times this season, and sometimes it has cost the Reds a run or even a game. I know it cost Zack Cozart a trip to the disabled list, and he was lucky it; it could have been a more serious injury.

I'm sure Votto didn't mean to throw the ball right into where the runner was coming, but he should have at least thrown the ball higher since it was a force out. I know Votto has been improving on his defense, but his throws have seem to gone down hill this year.

I don't recall seeing so many poorly thrown balls from Votto in a season before. He is still the Reds best hitter, but now I cringe when I see a bunt bounding Votto's way or any ground ball that he fields.

Another player that seems to have several defensive miscues is Jay Bruce. It seems like he isn't giving his full effort and will sometimes drop an easy fly ball or let one fall in for a hit that he could have caught.

I do love watching Brandon Phillips play defense. He is probably one of the best second baseman of all time. He has tremendous range and a great throwing arm. I hope the Reds can sign him to a long term deal over the winter this year.

Reds Won't Repeat Playoffs

After watching the Brewers series and the Pirates series I think it is pretty save to say that the Reds won't be making it to the playoffs this season. The Reds reside in four team race for the National League Central division. I don't see the other three teams faltering that much except for maybe the Pirates.

The series against the Brewers I think the Reds could have easily won three out of four instead of one. I couldn't believe Dusty Baker sent Cordero out three games in a row and he blew two of those saves. I wished he had used Masset for that last game. The Pirate series really highlighted the Reds great pitching and their offensive holes.

Meanwhile the Reds can't seem to get it together this season. Most of the games I watch it feels like they might have a really strong pitching performance but the offense never clicks in or vise verse. it seems they are never firing on all cylinders.

Problems:
Jay Bruce had a monster May but the team record was a measly 14 wins against 15 losses. Bruce has had a pretty mediocre season if you take away May.
Joey Votto has no protection and is pitched around at least once or twice every game. He is among the league leader in walks.
Scott Rolen has had a lackluster season and doesn't seem to have the same home run power.
Bronson Arroyo is giving up too many homers in each of his starts.

Hope:
Cozart is looking like a good replacement for Jansih.
Dontrelle Willis has had two solid starts since being called up.