The two pitchers that started on the disabled list this season were Johnny Cueto and Homer Bailey. This past week they both returned and had great starts. I was glad to see that Bailey's excellent rehab performances transferred over to the big leagues. I didn't see Bailey's game, but I watched some of Cueto's pitching against the Cubs.
Cueto's pitching wasn't as spectacular as Bailey's but he had a good game especially since he didn't give up any runs. The Cubs did load the bases and it seemed like he was having a little trouble with controlling his off-speed pitches. He did let some Cubs base runners on almost every inning from walks or ground ball singles, but it didn't look like the Cubs were able to get good wood on the ball.
These guys are usually pretty good inning eaters. They are able to pitch much further into a game than Sam LeCure and Mike Leake could. I'm glad they decided to put LeCure in the bullpen. I'm not sure what they are going to do with Leake maybe use him as an emergency starter.
If both of these players continue to pitch well I think the Reds rotation just became a lot stronger, and the Reds might be able to put some series wins together and retake first place.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Scott Rolen Placed on Disabled List
The Reds lineup took a hit today with the announcement that third baseman Scott Rolen is placed on the fifteen day disabled list effective April 20th. This is very bad news for the Reds. They seem to be struggling at the plate this last week and a half.
Joey Votto is going to need an effective hitter behind, and I don't think Gomes and Bruce don't fit the number four spot. Especially with the way they have both been slumping at the plate. Gomes might have six home runs and fifteen runs batted in, but he is batting a paltry .222. Bruce fairs much worse at two homers, eight RBIs, and a .247 average.
It seems like both players aren't performing that well. I've been watching the last few games, and Gomes looks like he is trying to hit everything out of the park. Bruce just doesn't look like he is in the game one hundred percent all the time. He seems to make a few mental mistakes here and there, and I don't know if it's because he is a younger player or what.
If the Reds want to be successful in April and May they will need to rely on their pitching or hope some of their batters get red hot. I know Gomes and Bruce have great potential, I just hope they lock in soon.
Joey Votto is going to need an effective hitter behind, and I don't think Gomes and Bruce don't fit the number four spot. Especially with the way they have both been slumping at the plate. Gomes might have six home runs and fifteen runs batted in, but he is batting a paltry .222. Bruce fairs much worse at two homers, eight RBIs, and a .247 average.
It seems like both players aren't performing that well. I've been watching the last few games, and Gomes looks like he is trying to hit everything out of the park. Bruce just doesn't look like he is in the game one hundred percent all the time. He seems to make a few mental mistakes here and there, and I don't know if it's because he is a younger player or what.
If the Reds want to be successful in April and May they will need to rely on their pitching or hope some of their batters get red hot. I know Gomes and Bruce have great potential, I just hope they lock in soon.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Reds Sweep First Series of 2011
Wow, is really the only word I can think of to describe the first series of 2011 for the Cincinnati Reds.
I was late to opening day and started watching the game on TV around the sixth inning. I saw the Reds were losing and it even further led me to believe that Volquez didn't deserve the opening day start. I watched the game till the end and boy did the Reds make a comeback. Ramon Hernandez's three run homer put the Reds on top with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. The Reds came back, because it looked like the Milwaukee's closer wasn't ready for the season.
Game two I was also late for and began watching at the top of the second inning so I missed Rolens two-run homer, but I would watch it later on the Reds website. Travis Wood cruised through the first third of the game and only got into a little bit of trouble during the middle innings. He pitched very well though. Cordero received his first save of the season and although he did let one run score he looked pretty good too.
The third game was just a blow out with the Reds scoring over double digits. Ryan Hanigan hit two homers, and Philips and Gomes each had one too. Arroyo looked pretty good too even though he has mono.
It is looking like the Reds are hungry and want to prove that they deserved to go to the playoffs last year.
I was late to opening day and started watching the game on TV around the sixth inning. I saw the Reds were losing and it even further led me to believe that Volquez didn't deserve the opening day start. I watched the game till the end and boy did the Reds make a comeback. Ramon Hernandez's three run homer put the Reds on top with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. The Reds came back, because it looked like the Milwaukee's closer wasn't ready for the season.
Game two I was also late for and began watching at the top of the second inning so I missed Rolens two-run homer, but I would watch it later on the Reds website. Travis Wood cruised through the first third of the game and only got into a little bit of trouble during the middle innings. He pitched very well though. Cordero received his first save of the season and although he did let one run score he looked pretty good too.
The third game was just a blow out with the Reds scoring over double digits. Ryan Hanigan hit two homers, and Philips and Gomes each had one too. Arroyo looked pretty good too even though he has mono.
It is looking like the Reds are hungry and want to prove that they deserved to go to the playoffs last year.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Reds Opening Day Starter
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.
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)