Hamilton deal, 1st thoughts
Since I'm not an expert on minor league pitchers and how they'll develop in the majors, I can't say it's a homerun. But the Reds are fat in the outfield, and I'm not talking about A. Dunn. Is J. Bruce more of a sure thing than J. Hamilton? All things considered, I'd say yes. So to get a club's best pitching prospect, and another prospect with such a (supposedly) live arm, seems like a good deal to me. This opens a spot for Bruce to be a Red in April, a good thing. But here's the question:
Are they done?
Was Hamilton a probable chip in any deal involving a major league starting pitcher? Or does it mean that now that the Reds have traded for 2 good young arms, they'll be more willing to cut loose H. Bailey or J. Cueto? Was this deal a preview of coming attractions?
The Reds arent good enough now to contend seriously for the Central. They need Bedard or Blanton to do that. I've been assured by smart people that they're not done, but that was before this. Are they done? Let's hope not.
Meantime, best to Hamilton, whose story inspired. He's written the 1st chapter. Let's hope there's one hell of a book there.
posted by Paul Daugherty at 6:33 PM
8 Comments:
at 6:50 PM 
Anon said...
-
-
at 6:56 PM 
Anonymous said...
-
-
at 7:42 PM 
Anonymous said...
-
-
at 8:52 PM 
Scott Evans said...
-
-
at 10:37 PM 
russ said...
-
-
at 4:30 PM 
bodacio said...
-
-
at 2:39 PM 
Anonymous said...
-
-
at 2:11 PM 
Anonymous said...
-
-
Post a Comment*good deal, handsome guy, sorry to see him go.
I think you've really got it wrong here Paul. Hamilton, Votto, and Keppinger, maybe with a little Hopper thrown in, were the ONLY thing that made watching the Reds bearable. To resign oneself to watching Adam Dung and Fat who gives a da** griffey patrol the outfield is too much to bear. They are simply BORING. No hustle, no clutch hitting, horrible defense, singles off the wall. I was almost to the point where I might buy a ticket to a game, even though I was being robbed by a bunch of crooks without masks charging $7 for a beer. Woe is me!!!!!!!!!!
If there is a book you should write it!
Anon 6:56, I highly doubt you watched a single game, never the less attended one. First beers are not $7, they are anywhere from $5.50-6.50, and $3 before the game on Friday at the bar in the outfield.
Secondly, Griffey played excellent in Right Field, including a great defensive play in the allstar game, among other good defensive plays for the Reds.
I hate to see Hamilton go, had one of the best arms in the league, however the Reds need pitching to win. My bet is in 3 years you will be saying the same thing about Votto you do about Dunn & Keppinger.
I've always felt that a big money closer should always be the last piece of the puzzle. After signing Cordero the Reds still needed a couple of players to be a contender in the immediate future and today they took a step back. I assumed Hamilton would have to go because of the crowded outfield and the departure of the Narrons, but I would have preferred to see him packaged up for a proven commodity. As always with trades, time will tell.
Scott Evans,
Not that this is the end all be all of fielding evualations, but here's a small piece from John Dewan, author of The Fielding Bible:
Dunn was horrible in left field once again (-29 in 2007). Griffey doesn't hurt the team playing right field as much as he did in center. He was a -8 in RF in 2007 after posting -29, -24 and -24 in center field in the previous three years. Between Dunn and Griffey that's -37 in 2007 and that costs the team 20-30 runs more than a couple of average outfielders would have given them.
Doesn't exactly point to Griffey as an "Excellent" right-fielder. You need to factor in the number of balls he was unable to reach, rather than relying on fielding% and a few dazzling plays that would have been routine for an outfielder with at least average speed.
...read a post on John Fay's blog that said "....having Johnny Narron in the clubhouse for Josh H. was not looked upon too kindly by other players." Honest to God, if someone had gone through (read: put himself through) what Hamilton has - how any player in their right mind wouldn't support him having J. Narron around blows my mind. I wouldn't wish what Hamilton went (put himself through) through on my worst enemy and if having Narron in the clubhouse, etc. to support him keeps him healthy - more power to him. It's disappointing to read that others players wouldn't be as supportive. BTW... Hamilton made watching the Reds last year actually fun - great centerfielder, hitter. I'll definitely miss him. Dunn, Jr., Freel in the OF? PUHLEEZ. YAAWWNN.
The rap on Volquez appears to be control.
How likely is it for a minor leaguer to be allowed to learn control in the majors?
With control, I hear he's an exceptional pitcher. Without it, no one is even an average pitcher.
It makes me worry about the Hamilton deal. It makes it look like the Reds aren't looking for Volquez' help this year, but maybe 2009.
* Our online blogs currently are hosted and operated by a third party, namely, Blogger.com. You are now leaving the Cincinnati.Com website and will be linked to Blogger.com's registration page. The Blogger.com site and its associated services are not controlled by Cincinnati.Com and different terms of use and privacy policy will apply to your use of the Blogger.com site and services.
By proceeding and/or registering with Blogger.com you agree and understand that Cincinnati.Com is not responsible for the Blogger.com site you are about to access or for any service you may use while on the Blogger.com site. << Home