Paul Daugherty: Reds weird roster

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Reds weird roster

Third post of the day. I must get paid by the word.

Postgame radio topic last night: Reds roster: What the ...?

Castro DFA'ed... a mil wasted.
Patterson 1-for-forever... 3-plus mil
Fogg... horrible... 400k...
Belisle...horrible once, probably best in long relief

No Homer, no Bruce...

Can't trade the kids, though, not even for an over-the-top starter such as Haren or Bedard.

Here's the issue: Hairston does what Castro did, better and cheaper. Bruce can hit 190, same as Patterson, cheaper. I didnt understand why the club signed Patterson in March, and I don't now. Fogg, Belisle or Bailey? Cheap, cheaper, cheapest.

If you want to go young, go young. This isnt a team that's going to win anything this year. Use the year to allow the kids to become all right. Or not. Those the Reds have chosen to promote and allow to play have justified the thinking. Anyone have a problem with Cueto, Volquez and Votto?

Why does W. Krivsky keep messing with veteran retreads who cost more, when he has kids who are cheap and ready to go?

OK, done for the day. This is just way too much good stuff for you guys to process in one 24-hour period. Time to go lose some golf balls.

27 Comments:

at 9:44 AM

Unknown said...

Cueto, Volquez and Votto are the reasons that I'd go see the Reds this year.

Add Bruce, Hairston, Bailey, etc., and I'd stay interested all year long as I watched their progress (or lack thereof.)

As it is, I'm already getting tired of same old, same old.

This is not a team that I'd come to watch.

at 10:14 AM

russ said...

Krivsky has made some good moves, but he has made some truly bone-headed ones as well. Mike Stanton, 2 yrs plus an option. Castro, 2 yrs. These are guys that no other teams were interested in that add no value to your roster. Yet they didn't get an option for Patterson when he was in such a compromising situation when the Reds signed him. Right now that looks smart, but if Patterson came into his own and played the whole season the way he played the first week, he would be one of the top free agents in the next offseason. I still think he could put up some power numbers playing in the GABP.

I'm not ready to throw in the towel on the season and I do agree with Krivsky (for once) on the "sample size" statement. But if this team doesn't get it together soon they just might have to make their younger players sink or swim. Maybe it is time to bring up Bailey and let him prove to himself that he needs to be more pitch efficient and work on his offspeed pitches since he doesn't seem to believe it.

at 11:07 AM

Cheviot Sports Authority said...

For once I agree with you. This roster is ridiculous. I did hear you say after the game last nite that Hopper was not an everyday player. Maybe not, but after hitting .329 in over 300 ABs last season and being the poster boy for a lead-off hitter, I just don't understand the reasoning of not giving him a legitimate chance. I believe he had hit around .350 in his last 2 seasons at AAA. I don't care if he hits the ball hard or bunts every time. He seems to hit it where they ain't, which used to be the object of the game.

The Amazing Krivsky continues to seem to be dazed and confused with his, as you call them, retreads. How many chances does Matt Belisle get? He would have lost his job last season if they had anybody else to fill it. What does Happy Hairston bring to this club? He has been around for 10 years, will hit about like Castro and is not as good a glove. Do you think that Castellini is getting tired of eating contracts?
I could bitch alot more but this post is getting too long.
ST CSA

at 11:10 AM

Anonymous said...

With the April nosedive it's obvious the Reds at best are going to struggle to play .500 ball. It's past time to go with the youth movement and bring up Bruce and Bailey. Let the young guys take their lumps and get big league experience. Jettising Castro is a step in the right direction. Now get rid of the rest of the mature players who are not producing like Patterson, Fogg, Coffey, Majeski, etc. If Belisle cuts it in the bullpen, fine, if not get rid of him also. Let Bruce, Votto, Bailey, Volquez and Cueto and eventually Maloney, take their lumps and we'll be ready to win in a couple of years. Let's get smart the way the Twins do with young players by letting them play.

at 11:42 AM

Anonymous said...

Krivsky's ambivalence on whether to "go young" or "find more tired old retreads" will ultimately cost him his job. It's like he's trying to be half pregnant; last I checked you can't get there...... As you so aptly pointed out, they are not winning any titles this year so the young players need to be up here for a true audition with the hopes that next year's squad will reap the reward for their apprenticeship in 2008.

at 11:48 AM

Anonymous said...

Paul...thanks for the rational thinking. Homer had his few months to get adjusted to the big leagues last year, time for him to sink or swim. The Reds need to find out now if his potential can equate to success, otherwise move to plan B in the next few years. I'd also like to see Bruce up here now too, although I think Krivsky will wait until the end of the year like he did with Votto in '07.

Gotta show some trust in these young guys, otherwise they'll bounce when they are stars and their contracts are up.

at 12:07 PM

Anonymous said...

The sample size argument might fly if there was any signs out of this team that they might be able to hang in and compete in the long run. I've seen zero signs of that. This team still appears to be several pieces from being able to compete for a playoff spot.

at 12:13 PM

matty buckets said...

Wasted money...Mike Stanton 3.5 mill, Juan Castro 2 mill, Todd Coffey $925,00 for '08, Bronson Arroyo 30 mill, David Ross 6 mill, Scott Hatteberg 1.85 mill, Ryan Freel 7 mill, Corey Patterson 3 mill, Josh Fogg $400k, Cormier 2 mill. Am I missing any? I am just glad it isn't my money Kriv is pissing away.

at 12:23 PM

Anonymous said...

Why isn't Freel in the starting line-up?

at 12:31 PM

Anonymous said...

when the reds hired toothpicks baker, it was a clear sign they weren't going with a youth movement. managing a team of youngsters is certainly not one of his strengths, and i don't think he would've signed up for that anyway....he wants to win now. this is how it will be as long as dusty's in charge.

at 1:16 PM

Anonymous said...

It seems like these Reds are sleepwalking through the season so far. No emotion, no fire. I think a purging of the veterans in favor of a youth movement would at least spark a little interest again. I've never gone from 100% upbeat to 100% disheartened about a Reds team so quickly as this year.

I'll watch again tonight since it'll be in HD, but I'm not sure how much more of this I can stand.

at 1:22 PM

Anonymous said...

I think I'm feeling sick...
I am starting to get the "warm and fuzzies" about Griffey Junior. After his tenth inning, game winning hit and his approach to HR 600, I'm starting to feel kinda sad that this is probably his last season as a Red. He is a remarkable player and fun to watch. I was among the vocal critics since he's been in a Reds' uniform, but, seeing his smile and his flashes of greatness, I think--sniff--I might actually miss him next season. What am I saying? I'm sick...it's Bruce's position, I know (he can't play center) but...

at 1:47 PM

Anonymous said...

Actually, Paul, you could use a fourth blog post today.

Marvin to Chad: Do what you say, say what you mean.

I have been extremely disappointed in the failure of leadership, starting with Brown and Lewis. Selfishness, antisocial behavior, and lack of self-discipline all reflect leadership. But Marvin gained a little back with that statement. I simply hope he can back it up.

at 2:38 PM

Cheviot Sports Authority said...

The only good part about watching the games lately has been the absence of George Grande.

I still will never buy another JTM product for as long as I have to watch and listen to those commercials by Arroyo and the Creep . Paul, I listened to the post game last nite and it played an awfully lot on your station. That is bad for your listeners too.
ST CSA

at 3:25 PM

Will said...

Paul dont be an idiot. Haren was the only pitcher that was worth trading our top prospects for. It would have taken Bruce Bailey Cueto and a few more prospects to get Haren. Bedard also would have taken at lease Bruce, and he's not worth Bruce. Plus Bedards already hurt, that move would have looked great. It doesnt hurt to have Bruce and Bailey down for a little longer. Bailey showed he wasnt ready this spring and Bruce only has a year of minor league ball under his belt. Plus its only April. I agree this team doesnt look good, but its early. This is the most talent this team has had for a long time, so stop complaining so much. Plus shouldnt you be busy trying to run Ken Griffey Jr out of town or something?

at 3:30 PM

Anonymous said...

I think hopper is being wasted on the bench. He proved last year he can be a good lead off hitter and he might not be a power right handed bat but at least he gets hits and gets on base. He plays good defense he'sfast and can get a bunt down. Have you seen Patterson bunt, he is terrible. Let the guy play.

This is my idea for a batting order Johnny B. Baker needs to think about:
1)Hopper CF
2)Dunn LF
3)Keppinger SS
4)Griffey RF
5)Phillips 2B
6)Votto 1B
7)EE 3B
8)Catcher (either Nacho or Bako)

For right now until all the guys start hitting like they are supposed to. Just think about it. the lefty-righty thing works. hopper and dunn get base on alot. kepp isn't gonna hit it out but he will get them over and get base hits. This is by no means a long term plan but right now the way this team is hitting it makes sense.

at 5:36 PM

anti-media said...

Paul, Great Post....its very apparent that Cluless has made this team totally disfuctional!! W.K. has a long list of blunders,how long will Bob C. allow him to set this team back ???He is WAY over his head....WAKE UP CINCY FIRE KRIVSKY

at 5:49 PM

anti-media said...

Paul, When will our media hold Krivsky responsible for this mess ???Why does he get a free pass ?? Remember the Nats. won more games in 07 than the Reds !! His arrogant incompetence has cost Bob C. many millions and set the team back many yrs. !!WAKE UP CINCY FIRE KRIVSKY

at 7:15 PM

Anonymous said...

Many have asked & none have answered >>> why isn't Hopper playing????
Anyone got a clue?
Must be something "off-field".

at 10:42 PM

Frank Robinson's Ghost said...

Paul --

When is the last time castro had a game like that one by Hairston? [Five days before Never.] Let's see what happens.

Anon -- Dusry obviously doesn't think Hopper can play much (r, at least that Freel is a better option). I bet he goes down when Ross is activated.

at 5:52 AM

Anonymous said...

Krivsky does need to go. The Reds have been essentially a team of recycled hash since '95, except Bowden was able to wring a good year or two out of Gant, Vaughn, Eric the Red, Smiley, etc. Krivsky seems to think that he can pull off the same, and look what has happened. Oh, let's trot out Patterson, maybe he'll strike gold. Or, let me continue to sign 40 year old over-the-hill relief pitchers. What a joke. Bring up the youngsters, turn them loose, and see what happens. Either we fall apart and begin dreaming of UC football and X basketball in July, or we have a pennant race. It can be done, Kansas City proved it back in '03, and Minnesota has proved it over the past 5 years. Time for the YOUTH MOVEMENT!

at 8:42 AM

Pete14Fan said...

Amen, pick a philosophy and have the fortitude to stand by it. Win this year, deal the kids. Build for the future get rid of these middle aged journeymen...there is after all a reason no one but the Reds were clamoring for the services of Corey Patterson.

at 8:56 AM

oldtimer said...

Mr. Doctor et al

Please read 12:13pm once again and digest. Thank you Garbonzo Bean Man for putting to words the incredibly lengthening list of bad costly and stupid signings by Krivsky. I can get one or two, but over and over?

If Baker thinks Hopper is too flawed to start on this team, well then he's a fool. Ask Pete McKanin who he thought was the best all around hitter last 2 months last year. Signing Patterson, another marginal never do well, was bizarre.Especially with that contract. And now Hairston has one good game and he'll play till he reverts to form.

Hopper has shown he has a knack for getting on base. Didn't Maury Wills, Rod Carew, and others of that ilk define leadoff as just that? When Baker claimed he didn't even know Patterson had gone 0-for-24. that's when I knew we had another Krivsky retread. And I don't mean Patteson.

And last but not least, the Castro release comment seemed eerily similar to the Narron firing, didn't it? Sounded like he would cry. Looks like Krivsky is a sentimental old fool one minute, and a paranoid secret agent the next. The guy is just plain weird.

at 9:34 AM

Cheviot Sports Authority said...

Oldtimer, I thought exactly the same thing when I heard The Amazing Krivsky speaking of releasing Castro, sounded just like when they FINALLY fired Narron. Thought he was going to cry. Maybe its just because it makes him look so foolish for signing these guys in the first place. Or, maybe like you said, he is just WEIRD.
ST CSA

at 1:32 PM

Anonymous said...

This is hilarious......

Six weeks ago, Doc was stumping for getting rid of the future to win now.

Now he wants to go youth.....

Maybe it's because Blanton is 1-4...

at 1:39 PM

Paul Daugherty said...

132... I know this is hard for you to understand, but here goes: I wanted the Reds to deal some youth for a solid vet starter. When they opted against that, I wanted them to give a chance to those they refused to deal, i.e. Bruce and Bailey. Try to win or play the kids. Don't try to do both. Do you understand it now?

at 2:27 PM

Anonymous said...

I understand fully....I committed the mortal sin of daring to criticize a talk show host.

You can have it both ways, but the Reds cannot.

I'll take my chances with the personnel decisions made by Castellini (has consequences)over Sport Talk hosts decisions.(no consequences, just more armchair QB'ing)

Remember Homer Bailey last year?

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Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Reds weird roster

27 Comments: