Reds
- Thread starter mrschwump
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Yeah after this I don't want him near the rotation. Guess there is a reason he is no longer in Chicago.
Thought Stephenson could have had the PB instead of the WP as well.
Grand Slam India!!!
Until I get snakebit, I still play Stephenson at C, Steer at 1B, India at 2B, EDLC at 3B, McLain at SS, Votto at DH, Fraley in RF, Friedl in CF and Benson/Fairchild in LF. Maybe not the greatest defense in the league but these young guys gotta play and learn. We know what Newman and Senzel can do.
Abbot has been unreal. Diaz really starting to leak oil. When was the last game he got 3 up, 3 down for a save?
McLain is rookie of the year IMO, Friedl is a hell of a player and great leadoff hitter.
Reds have been a blast so far.
McLain is rookie of the year IMO, Friedl is a hell of a player and great leadoff hitter.
Reds have been a blast so far.
Votto is really struggling right now but the team isn't suffering much at all so might be time to give him a couple days rest or DH only as I've been suggesting. I would also say Stephenson should be playing more than 4 days last week now that Greene is hurt and Casali isn't his private catcher. Easy to suggest Stephenson should be playing more than Votto at this point in their careers.
A-S break upcoming and Reds have a big decision to make re Votto. These handful of games remaining will tell a lot but if he wants a spot he better start delivering. Votto knows as well as anybody what's at stake.
As long as the Reds are winning and putting up runs as they have over the last few weeks, I don't see them making any huge changes to the lineup. CES is the only one worthy of challenging for the starting spot from Votto. Certainly not Senzel, Fairchild or Newman everyday in the lineup. Newman is fine in his role off the bench but don't need him starting everyday. The Reds had a plan for Stephenson set over the offseason and playing him at DH when he's not catching with the emergence of Maile more so than Casali has made it work so far.
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Good to see him finally breakout but giving them the lead at this point in the game is most important of course. Two of the biggest DH candidates have produced all the runs (3) up to now, Votto/Stephenson in 7th inning. Tonight Steer is the DH.
I don't care if it is the bottom feeder Nationals, Weaver was doing his job eating innings and resting the bullpen. Reds have had quality starts in the Padres series and tonight again. Maybe Weaver could have gone another inning the way he was pitching.
Showed his range going up the RF line in the deep territory the Nats have on that snow cone catch. Votto has been back what 12 games? If you told me he would have 4 HRs & 10 RBIs at this point I would take it. The average will rise with this lineup protection around him.
Although next year is a team option for $20 million, it's hard to see him getting traded at the age of 39. Joey will be 40 in September. The buyout for 2024 is $7 million. Guessing the Reds would be forced to throw in a youngster in any deal before the trade deadline.
Yeah it just proves he's not as 'washed up' as some people are making him out to be.
It was a great start for Weaver though the bullpen still has to go 4 innings should they hold on to this lead. Even Welsh/Sadak thought he would be out there in the 6th. Would like to see some more runs put on the board and not have to see Diaz this series. He could use the days off.
I know it isn't popular but think after all he has done for the organization, giving him a shot in likely his final year to try and contribute to the lineup is warranted compared to the alternatives on the active roster. Would love to see him go out a winner.
Some of the criticism he has gotten before he even stepped on the field with people's preconceived notions were unfair and willing to see what he can do with more than 2 weeks back. The man was playing with a torn rotator cuff and just 2 years removed from hitting 36 HR & 99 RBIs. Not expecting him to reach those numbers again but honestly doesn't have to do the heavy lifting in the lineup with all of the talent around him.
I want his presence as an experienced veteran around this team should the Reds do something this year. Not to mention all that he has done with Stephenson taking him under his wing as well as the young prospects on this team now while Joey was with them in Louisville. He is like having an additional hitting coach.
I've read on here in other threads and it is a sentiment among others in Reds country that they just can't wait for him to be gone. The day is coming and they will all be able to soon rejoice. All about what have you done for me lately and forget he is one of the best Reds to ever wear the uniform.
They will say the same thing about Elly De La Cruz if he is a career Red when he gets old or bitch when the Reds don't sign him and goes on to win a World Series elsewhere. Already doing it with India, pay to keep Greene and people do nothing but bitch about it. Will never satisfy everyone.
I don't think it's a knock on Votto's career that he's not the player he once was and the Reds are headed in a different direction. I hope he's here thru the end of his contract but that may not be possible with Steer and CES waiting in the wings. Stephenson can also play first base when not catching. It's also hard seeing him signed to a new contract at 41 years old for the 2025 season. But who knows?
Expect people aren't saying only that. They have had him out to pasture for the last 2 years and saying how bad they want him to retire. Just read other forums and threads on here, you'll see the Votto hatred. I didn't say anything about signing him beyond the expiration of his contract and it is a general consensus that many expect this to be his last season. Those things are just obvious when it comes to being a player in his age 40 season. My whole point that shouldn't be misconstrued, the respect the man's career and he deserves one last shot to prove himself before he likely walks away. Steer is going to LF, it has to happen with Marte & CES for sure here in 2024. If they wanted to make it work with CES in the lineup they could. I don't subscribe to the theory Votto is blocking him entirely from making his debut.
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Haters gonna hate. Not all are Reds fans to being with. Rupp Rafters is all you need to know. 🤣
Yeah that was an excellent throw and pick by McLain to secure the win! Reds need to re-sign him in the offseason.
He may not be blocking anyone if he is in a role where he doesn't play everyday but would make the Reds have to do a lot of shifting around the infield to accommodate him at 1B or DH everyday and bringing up CES. Would almost assuredly mean Benson is the odd man out in the outfield if Steer is in LF which I am not sure is the best move taking Benson out the way he has been playing. Can't take out Fraley or Friedl in the OF either. Kind of leaves Steer in the 1B equation and he must play everyday as productive as he is. Stephenson has to get regular ABs at DH when not catching plus India isn't going anywhere at 2B for now. On most days it's McLain at SS & 3B EDLC. I'm starting to wonder if we'll see CES this year unless it is late September, Votto goes ice cold or someone goes on the IL long term.
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Spencer Steer has nothing to worry about. Neither do McLain or EDLC. Steer has experience at all infield positions in his professional career and learning LF on the fly has only boosted his value. Plus his bat, he has some of the best job security of anyone on this team with his offense. I don't know when to expect CES to be called up. The success of the offense has made his debut less urgent than it was before. They scrapped the outfield plan for him though with his experience at 3B as well, if the Reds had immediate plans for him in 2023 he would have been called up for the 1st 2 1/2 months that Votto missed.
I honestly don't remember him being that good at UK, but is an excellent defensive catcher
8-4 win. 16 hits & 5 SBs with 100 SBs on the season. We saw it in Spring Training the emphasis on the running game and certainly the prospects have helped this number too. Fraley is going to easily be a 20-20 guy this year.
Need to finish off the sweep with 9 games vs Milwaukee this month, Arizona, San Francisco, the Dodgers and even the Cubs hanging in there all to come the rest of the month. Big games for Senzel with a 3-run home run and 2 home runs for India. EDLC/Steer 4 hits, Kennedy did his job and his performance was better than the 4 runs over 5 that were given up once he ran out of gas and scored while Cruz was in. Needed a game like this and a break with the schedule they have played recently and what is to come.
Need to finish off the sweep with 9 games vs Milwaukee this month, Arizona, San Francisco, the Dodgers and even the Cubs hanging in there all to come the rest of the month. Big games for Senzel with a 3-run home run and 2 home runs for India. EDLC/Steer 4 hits, Kennedy did his job and his performance was better than the 4 runs over 5 that were given up once he ran out of gas and scored while Cruz was in. Needed a game like this and a break with the schedule they have played recently and what is to come.
I take it back Cubs beat the Brewers today Reds in first by themselves!.
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