What is Dusty Bakers love affair with Volquez? He used him as the number one starter against the Phillies for the division playoff series and Volquez bombed.
Now Baker wants to use him for Opening Day. I would have thought that Baker had learned his lesson and would give the ball to a more experienced pitcher like Arroyo. I know Volquez had that one great season, but so far that is all he has had, and since coming back from Tommy John surgery his starts have been erratic and shaky at best.
I know Volquez is pretty much lights out when he is on his game, but he hasn't gotten that back yet.
I recently read on reds.com that Cueto's bicep was hurting him during an outing, and he was taken to Cincinnati for further tests. I really hope he is okay and the Reds don't lose a player to the disabled list even before the season starts.
I know its to be expected that a couple of players will have some stints on the disabled list through out the season, but I was really looking forward to Cueto pitching, because he had such a good last season.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
I Don't Follow Spring Training
I like to read most of the scarce articles about baseball during the winter although now it is much easier to follow your team with the Internet then when I was a kid. But I just don't like to read about all the spring training stories and injuries. Well if it was a major injury to a known player then I probably would have a hard time not hearing about it.
Spring training seems to be baseballs way of hyping up the new season. But most of the regular players don't play that much at first and many younger and minor league players are working their tails off to make the team.
I like to wait until I know the roster is close to being finalized before I get attached to a player who might not even make the team.
I did read a story about Cueto, it was about his work ethic, and now that he has a three year contract, is he going to maintain the work ethic that got him there, or is he going to resort back to the younger Cueto who didn't work as hard.
I'm a little worried about this myself. I know players will never admit to not working as hard, but you can't help but notice that some players stats will drop a little bit after they sign that big contract.
Spring training seems to be baseballs way of hyping up the new season. But most of the regular players don't play that much at first and many younger and minor league players are working their tails off to make the team.
I like to wait until I know the roster is close to being finalized before I get attached to a player who might not even make the team.
I did read a story about Cueto, it was about his work ethic, and now that he has a three year contract, is he going to maintain the work ethic that got him there, or is he going to resort back to the younger Cueto who didn't work as hard.
I'm a little worried about this myself. I know players will never admit to not working as hard, but you can't help but notice that some players stats will drop a little bit after they sign that big contract.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Volquez Declines Long Term Contract
Recently the Reds organization has been working on locking up their young core of players to long term deals. They signed Bruce to a six year deal, Votto to a three year deal, and Cueto to a four year deal.
As it turns out the Reds also offered Volquez a four year contract that was similar to the amount of money that Cueto will receive. Volquez turned down that offer, but he said he is still open to a multi-year deal.
I think Volquez wanted more money than the Reds we willing to offer, and he also hopes that he will have a great season this year to inflate his value. If he does have an excellent season I don't see how the Reds will be able to retain him. They are pretty cash strapped now after signing all the other players and I don't see how they will be able to up their offer after this season.
I don't blame Edison Volquez for wanting more money, if he does have a monster season he will probably be traded before the deadline to another team, because I doubt the Reds will want to lose him and get nothing in return.
As it turns out the Reds also offered Volquez a four year contract that was similar to the amount of money that Cueto will receive. Volquez turned down that offer, but he said he is still open to a multi-year deal.
I think Volquez wanted more money than the Reds we willing to offer, and he also hopes that he will have a great season this year to inflate his value. If he does have an excellent season I don't see how the Reds will be able to retain him. They are pretty cash strapped now after signing all the other players and I don't see how they will be able to up their offer after this season.
I don't blame Edison Volquez for wanting more money, if he does have a monster season he will probably be traded before the deadline to another team, because I doubt the Reds will want to lose him and get nothing in return.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Reds Sign Renteria
I'm not sure I understand why the Reds signed Edgar Renteria. He is a very older player, but he does have great playoff experience and is probably a strong voice in the clubhouse. Those are really the only reasons I can see.
The Reds already have Miguel Cairo for backup and he can play pretty much every infield position. It says on their website that the Reds still expect Paul Janish to start at shortstop, but I'm not sure if that is what they are really thinking.
I think they are still worried that Janish isn't an everyday player, and I agree they should be worried since he hasn't really played that much consistently until late last season when Orlando Cabrera was injured for a couple weeks with a strained oblique. If I was Janish I wouldn't be too happy about this signing.
The Giants offered Renteria a one year deal with a base pay of one million dollars. Renteria said it wasn't enough money to persuade him to leave his family for another year. The Reds will be paying Renteria 2.1 million for one year and up to $900,000 in bonuses. They didn't mention what the bonuses were for but I'm assuming its if he plays a certain number of games.
This just sounds like the Reds are wasting their money. I would have liked to have seen that two million spent somewhere else.
The Reds already have Miguel Cairo for backup and he can play pretty much every infield position. It says on their website that the Reds still expect Paul Janish to start at shortstop, but I'm not sure if that is what they are really thinking.
I think they are still worried that Janish isn't an everyday player, and I agree they should be worried since he hasn't really played that much consistently until late last season when Orlando Cabrera was injured for a couple weeks with a strained oblique. If I was Janish I wouldn't be too happy about this signing.
The Giants offered Renteria a one year deal with a base pay of one million dollars. Renteria said it wasn't enough money to persuade him to leave his family for another year. The Reds will be paying Renteria 2.1 million for one year and up to $900,000 in bonuses. They didn't mention what the bonuses were for but I'm assuming its if he plays a certain number of games.
This just sounds like the Reds are wasting their money. I would have liked to have seen that two million spent somewhere else.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Winter Signings
During the month of December the Reds organization made a couple of contract signings with their players. The big one was signing Jay Bruce to a six year deal worth fifty-two million. Another smaller deal was made with Miguel Cairo.
I was really happy to see the Reds keeping Miguel Cairo for at least another year or two. He really proved his worth last season by stepping it up every time he was put into the game to replace a starter. He always seems ready to play and that is great for a utility player.
I wasn't so happy about the Bruce signing however. Don't get me wrong I think he is a good player, I was just hoping that the Reds would lock up Joey Votto for a long time. Maybe the Reds felt since Votto just had an MVP season he would be too expensive, but giving all that money to Bruce just seems like a giant risk to me. To me Bruce is still a little bit unproven. He has only been in the Majors for two full seasons and both of the seasons he had some big ups and downs.
I still remember when Bruce sprang into the big leagues he was sensational. He really caught my eye then, and not trying to bring him down but wow he was on fire. I know it would be almost impossible to keep that up for a whole season but if he could then his contract would be worth it.
I was really happy to see the Reds keeping Miguel Cairo for at least another year or two. He really proved his worth last season by stepping it up every time he was put into the game to replace a starter. He always seems ready to play and that is great for a utility player.
I wasn't so happy about the Bruce signing however. Don't get me wrong I think he is a good player, I was just hoping that the Reds would lock up Joey Votto for a long time. Maybe the Reds felt since Votto just had an MVP season he would be too expensive, but giving all that money to Bruce just seems like a giant risk to me. To me Bruce is still a little bit unproven. He has only been in the Majors for two full seasons and both of the seasons he had some big ups and downs.
I still remember when Bruce sprang into the big leagues he was sensational. He really caught my eye then, and not trying to bring him down but wow he was on fire. I know it would be almost impossible to keep that up for a whole season but if he could then his contract would be worth it.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Congrats to Joey Votto
I know this is old news, but I wanted to give Joey Votto a huge congrats on receiving the 2010 National League MVP award. It was very well deserved in my opinion. Votto was in the top in most of the batting categories and his defense has greatly improved. He is becoming a complete player.
He seems to be able to turn it up a notch when the situation calls for it. I'm thinking about the game in Dodger stadium this past season. I think it was in July or August, it was the top of the ninth inning and the Reds held a slim one or two run lead. Votto comes to the plate with runners on second and first. There was two outs. Votto fell behind in the count with two quick swings and misses. Then he turned up his concentration and worked the count full. He fouled off several pitches before singling to left field that scored a run. I jumped up from my seat when he that single it was so dramatic.
I remember before the MVP was announced I was talking with my dad about who he thought would win the MVP. He was pretty certain it was going to go to Pujols again. But I argued that although Votto wasn't the top of offensive categories he was up there in almost everyone. But another big factor was the Reds made it to the playoffs and the Cardinals didn't.
Once again Congrats Votto, and I am looking forward to 2011.
He seems to be able to turn it up a notch when the situation calls for it. I'm thinking about the game in Dodger stadium this past season. I think it was in July or August, it was the top of the ninth inning and the Reds held a slim one or two run lead. Votto comes to the plate with runners on second and first. There was two outs. Votto fell behind in the count with two quick swings and misses. Then he turned up his concentration and worked the count full. He fouled off several pitches before singling to left field that scored a run. I jumped up from my seat when he that single it was so dramatic.
I remember before the MVP was announced I was talking with my dad about who he thought would win the MVP. He was pretty certain it was going to go to Pujols again. But I argued that although Votto wasn't the top of offensive categories he was up there in almost everyone. But another big factor was the Reds made it to the playoffs and the Cardinals didn't.
Once again Congrats Votto, and I am looking forward to 2011.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Laynce Nix Becomes a Free Agent
It looks like Reds Outfielder Laynce Nix is going to try the free agent market again this winter. Last year he tried the free agent route and came up short only signing a one year deal with the Reds as spring training approached.
I don't know if Laynce will have the same luck this winter or not. His numbers were decent this year, but he was hampered by injuries late in the season right when the Reds needed him the most as Gomes was hitting a slump.
The Reds tried to give him an assignment to a minor league club, but Nix declined the assignment. He cleared waivers and now isn't under contract.
I hope he finds a team that will let him play everyday, he has a ton of potential and hopefully if he stays injury free he will have a great year and then a big contract. For the last two years with the Reds Nix hasn't been a full time player, he's always been in a platoon situation with Gomes or another outfielder. I'm not sure why, but maybe Laynce doesn't hit left-handers that well.
I don't know if Laynce will have the same luck this winter or not. His numbers were decent this year, but he was hampered by injuries late in the season right when the Reds needed him the most as Gomes was hitting a slump.
The Reds tried to give him an assignment to a minor league club, but Nix declined the assignment. He cleared waivers and now isn't under contract.
I hope he finds a team that will let him play everyday, he has a ton of potential and hopefully if he stays injury free he will have a great year and then a big contract. For the last two years with the Reds Nix hasn't been a full time player, he's always been in a platoon situation with Gomes or another outfielder. I'm not sure why, but maybe Laynce doesn't hit left-handers that well.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)