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.
Monday, January 10, 2011
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.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Giants Win National League Pennant
The Reds were swept out of the first round of playoffs to the Phillies. Although the Reds looked like they were going to win game two of that series they had too many mental mistakes and gave away a four run lead.
The Phillies went on to play the Giants for the National League Pennant. The Giants won the series four to two. It was a fun series to watch, I watched games one and five, because Tim Lincecum and Roy Halladay were pitching against each other. Both of those games were great.
Lincecum won game one with a three to two victory, and Halladay won game five mostly because of a Giants error that allowed three runs to score in that inning. Both games were well pitched with the pitchers making adjustments to the hitters and getting out of tight jams. It amazes me that Lincecum is only twenty-six years old; he seemed to be really composed most of the time and didn't let an error or a bad call disturb him.
I'm really rooting for the Giants in the World Series. I hope they win it all; they made a great comeback over the Padres to take the Western division, and really showed the Phillies they can compete with the best. Although the Rangers will be tough; they seemed to handle the Yankees pretty easily.
The Phillies went on to play the Giants for the National League Pennant. The Giants won the series four to two. It was a fun series to watch, I watched games one and five, because Tim Lincecum and Roy Halladay were pitching against each other. Both of those games were great.
Lincecum won game one with a three to two victory, and Halladay won game five mostly because of a Giants error that allowed three runs to score in that inning. Both games were well pitched with the pitchers making adjustments to the hitters and getting out of tight jams. It amazes me that Lincecum is only twenty-six years old; he seemed to be really composed most of the time and didn't let an error or a bad call disturb him.
I'm really rooting for the Giants in the World Series. I hope they win it all; they made a great comeback over the Padres to take the Western division, and really showed the Phillies they can compete with the best. Although the Rangers will be tough; they seemed to handle the Yankees pretty easily.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Goodbye Harang
Well this was probably Aaron Harang's last start as a Cincinnati Red and it didn't end well. He only pitched two innings and started pitching the top of third and gave up a single to the pitcher and a single to the next batter.
Then Harang was taken out of the game because of a blister on his middle finger. And so ends his season and probably career with the Reds. He does have an option on his contract for 2011 but at 12.75 million I doubt the Reds will go that route.
Aaron Harang had a pretty bad year this year and has struggled every season for the last three years. When the Reds acquired him he was a pretty good pitcher and had some good years despite getting very low run support.
So it seems kind of unfair that he was with the Reds all those losing seasons, and when they finally have a chance to go to the playoffs and win he will be sitting out. I wish Harang well, I don't know if he will sign with another team next year or not.
I think he could be a decent middle to long relief pitcher, but I don't know if he is willing to go that way. He might be signed by a team that is desperate for starters but I'm not sure he is that reliable anymore with all of his nagging ailments.
Then Harang was taken out of the game because of a blister on his middle finger. And so ends his season and probably career with the Reds. He does have an option on his contract for 2011 but at 12.75 million I doubt the Reds will go that route.
Aaron Harang had a pretty bad year this year and has struggled every season for the last three years. When the Reds acquired him he was a pretty good pitcher and had some good years despite getting very low run support.
So it seems kind of unfair that he was with the Reds all those losing seasons, and when they finally have a chance to go to the playoffs and win he will be sitting out. I wish Harang well, I don't know if he will sign with another team next year or not.
I think he could be a decent middle to long relief pitcher, but I don't know if he is willing to go that way. He might be signed by a team that is desperate for starters but I'm not sure he is that reliable anymore with all of his nagging ailments.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Reds Clinch Division Title
What a great day it is to be a Reds fan. Coming into today they needed just one more win or one more Cardinals loss in order to win the division. Today the Reds clinch the division title by beating the Houston Astros 3-2 in exciting fashion. They went against the tough lefty Wandy Rodriguez and were only able to produce two runs against him through six innings.
Luckily Volquez delivered a good outing for the Reds and held the Astros to two runs through six innings also.
When I saw it was going to be decided by the bullpens I knew the Reds had a great chance to win. The Reds bullpen did excellent with Rhodes, Masset and finally Chapman getting the win. Each pitcher struck out at least one batter.
The game ended with a dramatic home run. Jay Bruce came to the plate in the bottom of the ninth being hit-less in the game, and had bounced into a disastrous inning ending double play in the sixth with the bases-loaded.
The first pitch Bruce saw he launched into deep center field. He raised his hand up as he watched the ball clear the fence as he rounded the bases his team was waiting to start celebrating. It was a very good game, and I am really happy to be a Reds fans.
Luckily Volquez delivered a good outing for the Reds and held the Astros to two runs through six innings also.
When I saw it was going to be decided by the bullpens I knew the Reds had a great chance to win. The Reds bullpen did excellent with Rhodes, Masset and finally Chapman getting the win. Each pitcher struck out at least one batter.
The game ended with a dramatic home run. Jay Bruce came to the plate in the bottom of the ninth being hit-less in the game, and had bounced into a disastrous inning ending double play in the sixth with the bases-loaded.
The first pitch Bruce saw he launched into deep center field. He raised his hand up as he watched the ball clear the fence as he rounded the bases his team was waiting to start celebrating. It was a very good game, and I am really happy to be a Reds fans.
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