Reds

[M4CAT]

The Reds are only a couple of pieces away from being as balanced across the entire roster as any team in the league. Cincinnati could certainly still make noise and be a problem for teams in 2023. A lot of teams need SP and not just a Cincinnati problem. The Brewers games sucked but not ready to throw the towel in and point towards next year yet. This offense won't stay cold very long. A winning record 1 year removed from a 100 loss season is substantial progress and this team is growing fast. Still just mid-July, a lot of baseball to be played and who knows yet what deals could be made at the deadline.

 

[kybloo92]

As far as I'm concerned, this year is still wide open. Tampa Bay has shown vulnerability lately, the Atlanta series in June, the losses by 1 run with the depleted starting rotation. The Marlins, Giants, Blue Jays & D'Backs are the only teams beyond July with a record better than Cincinnati and by only 2-3 games a piece that the Reds face in Aug-Sep.

 

[jameslee32]

Defense is a real problem. If I'm an opponent I'm telling my guys to run on Freidl at every turn. Freidl has nice speed, reads well, anticipates well and gets excellent jump on ball but has a wimpy arm. His arm is better suited for LF. Made throws vs Brewers in last game of series that were really costly. Reds may need to upgrade there.

Yeah but that last throw was a bad decision and nothing to do with his arm. He really needed to hold the runner at first base by throwing to second instead of home.

 

[jameslee32]

I would start to be concerned if it is taking some of these guys well into 2025 to get things going. If Greene, Lodolo, Ashcraft, India, Steer etc are showing the growing pains next season then there is cause for concern. I don't think they will be. Also, the money coming off the books after 2024, if the Reds stay the course promoting from within without relying on big time free agents then this is less of an issue with the team control on these young players.

They may not win it all this year, next year or ever but should be right in the mix going forward. As long as the Reds stick to the plan they have in place, don't get impatient they are in a winnable division and have one of the best farm systems to continuously reach down and fill holes like Tampa Bay does. The moment they get impatient, trading off for a bunch of then it is all for nothing. The path is clearly there and the analysts at MLB Network always point out the waves of talent that this is no one time fluke. Going with college players in the draft will only expedite the process.

I would be very happy to be in the mix for the next 10 years but I also hoped for this same result in 2010. Patience and smart pitching decisions will be crucial for it to happen.

 

[kywildcatsfannumber1]

I would be very happy to be in the mix for the next 10 years but I also hoped for this same result in 2010. Patience and smart pitching decisions will be crucial for it to happen.

I will still remain hopeful and not going to dwell on the past with the future as bright as it is and new leadership with Nick Krall making very smart decisions in the draft as well as maximizing the prospects in return for each trade. The man is doing his job and can't really ask much more from him at this point. Whether it pans out into a World Series or not, time will tell but the pieces are now in place. Now up to the coaches to do their job with the player development.

The farm system is loaded and the Reds don't have to find themselves in the same boat as 2010 with waves of talent coming in. See the approach they took in the MLB Draft with an emphasis on players coming out of college closer to MLB ready. Even if one or 2 are busts, they are so deep it is hard to see that even being a problem. The smart pitching decisions are happening whether it is already extending Hunter Greene, 3 college pitchers in the 1st 3 Rounds with Rhett Lowder, Ty Floyd & Hunter Hollan. What you are wanting to see is happening.

 

[kybloo92]

I will still remain hopeful and not going to dwell on the past with the future as bright as it is and new leadership with Nick Krall making very smart decisions in the draft as well as maximizing the prospects in return for each trade. The man is doing his job and can't really ask much more from him at this point. Whether it pans out into a World Series or not, time will tell but the pieces are now in place. Now up to the coaches to do their job with the player development.

The farm system is loaded and the Reds don't have to find themselves in the same boat as 2010 with waves of talent coming in. See the approach they took in the MLB Draft with an emphasis on players coming out of college closer to MLB ready. Even if one or 2 are busts, they are so deep it is hard to see that even being a problem. The smart pitching decisions are happening whether it is already extending Hunter Greene, 3 college pitchers in the 1st 3 Rounds with Rhett Lowder, Ty Floyd & Hunter Hollan. What you are wanting to see is happening.

Like I said earlier in the season, the patient message doesn't resonate with fans after decades of losing. I realize there isn't much of a choice at this point but it is probably the best approach with this team. There is too much talent but still seeing a lot of rookie mistakes. I like what the Reds did in the draft but still wish an outfielder was prioritized in the early rounds out of NCAA with the best prospects still some years off not counting Hinds. Even though Greene and the Big 3 are having injury history, you had to extend one of them if for no other reason to have team control when trade time comes. I still don't see Hunter Greene finishing that contract as a Red. He'll bounce back and put up massive numbers by the time that deal is winding down, will be hard to afford him.

 

[mrschwump]

EDLC a graduate of the Nick Senzel School of Base Running.

 

[kywildcatsfannumber1]

Like I said earlier in the season, the patient message doesn't resonate with fans after decades of losing. I realize there isn't much of a choice at this point but it is probably the best approach with this team. There is too much talent but still seeing a lot of rookie mistakes. I like what the Reds did in the draft but still wish an outfielder was prioritized in the early rounds out of NCAA with the best prospects still some years off not counting Hinds. Even though Greene and the Big 3 are having injury history, you had to extend one of them if for no other reason to have team control when trade time comes. I still don't see Hunter Greene finishing that contract as a Red. He'll bounce back and put up massive numbers by the time that deal is winding down, will be hard to afford him.

What else are you going to do at this point? The Reds are never going to be big spenders at the trade deadline or free agency. The Rays have had 11 out of 15 winning seasons with 2 World Series trips for a small market in one of the most competitive divisions so don't tell me it can't be done here. It is happening right before us. Go back and look at the deals Walt Jocketty & Dick Williams were getting for the stars of that 2010-13 teams. That team was pieced together with many aging veterans, these are some of the best young prospects in all of MLB. Compare the trades done by Jocketty & Williams to what Nick Krall received in the Mahle trade alone. The Reds have so many talented young players and don't even have room to start all of them in their natural positions on a routine basis.

If you're missing Sonny Gray, well he is getting lit up lately and Twins fans starting to get that frustration Reds, A's & Yankees fans had with him. Surprised he isn't on the shelf right now. I miss Castillo too but there was no way Cincinnati could afford him. For 2 Top 25 everyday position player prospects, plus whatever Stoudt & Moore turn out to be I take that trade for the likes of Noelvi Marte & Edwin Arroyo.

As far as Greene, the same ones wanting him gone will be the same ones crying when he is tearing it up for a team in October year in and out. Out of the 3 he has shown the most consistency when on the mound and all 3 been on the IL both seasons. It would be great to sign more but in all reality that is not going to happen.

 

[jameslee32]

I will still remain hopeful and not going to dwell on the past with the future as bright as it is and new leadership with Nick Krall making very smart decisions in the draft as well as maximizing the prospects in return for each trade. The man is doing his job and can't really ask much more from him at this point. Whether it pans out into a World Series or not, time will tell but the pieces are now in place. Now up to the coaches to do their job with the player development.

The farm system is loaded and the Reds don't have to find themselves in the same boat as 2010 with waves of talent coming in. See the approach they took in the MLB Draft with an emphasis on players coming out of college closer to MLB ready. Even if one or 2 are busts, they are so deep it is hard to see that even being a problem. The smart pitching decisions are happening whether it is already extending Hunter Greene, 3 college pitchers in the 1st 3 Rounds with Rhett Lowder, Ty Floyd & Hunter Hollan. What you are wanting to see is happening.

I'm convinced Krall is a much better alternative than Dick Williams but since nothing has been won just yet, I'm not sure all the pieces are in place. For example, Greene and Lodolo have to stay healthy and productive. This is also the first slump for the new lineup. Let's see how they and David Bell respond to adversity.

Btw, Dick Williams was on the field the other day for the HOF ceremonies. More fuel that he remains in the loop with his dad. Not sure that's a good thing either.

 

[mrschwump]

I'm convinced Krall is a much better alternative than Dick Williams but since nothing has been won just yet, I'm not sure all the pieces are in place. For example, Greene and Lodolo have to stay healthy and productive. This is also the first slump for the new lineup. Let's see how they and David Bell respond to adversity.

Btw, Dick Williams was on the field the other day for the HOF ceremonies. More fuel that he remains in the loop with his dad. Not sure that's a good thing either.

Agree. Gotta get the pitchers back and let these young players fight thru this bout of bad baseball. They'll do it in time, too much talent not to. Have to admit however, not real crazy with the lineup especially two of the better hitters, Steer/Benson, hitting 7th/8th.

 

[M4CAT]

Cincinnati Reds GM Nick Krall: Tough week vs. Milwaukee Brewers won't change trade intent

The Cincinnati Reds are by most accounts ahead of their competitive schedule and just had their toughest week in 6 weeks. But they're still buyers.

www.cincinnati.com

 

[kywildcatsfannumber1]

I'm convinced Krall is a much better alternative than Dick Williams but since nothing has been won just yet, I'm not sure all the pieces are in place. For example, Greene and Lodolo have to stay healthy and productive. This is also the first slump for the new lineup. Let's see how they and David Bell respond to adversity.

Btw, Dick Williams was on the field the other day for the HOF ceremonies. More fuel that he remains in the loop with his dad. Not sure that's a good thing either.

The team really hasn't had much of a chance yet to prove themselves since he has rebuilt it with his vision and he is owed that much to your point they have not won anything yet. Injuries and player development are not directly his responsibility, that is obviously up to the coaching staff to develop these guys into productive players. If certain players don't develop then yes it is his responsibility as an organization to make the coaching hires/changes but I don't see how anyone can have much of a problem with the direction of this franchise under his watch after losing a historic 100 games to where they are at this point in 2023.

They made a huge step showing Alan Zinter the door last year and Joel McKeithan has been great for this team. No complaints here with me for Nick Krall considering there are no perfect GMs. The Reds GM job is one of the hardest in all of MLB whether they are contending or rebuilding as a small market with a limited budget and inheriting a mess that occurred before him. Like I said, the pieces are indeed in place and up to everyone else to do their job now. People need to be patient as they develop and we have seen more top prospects debut than any season I can remember in decades. A rookie wall was inevitable once the league developed a scouting report how to hit the young pitchers and pitch to our young hitters. This is all part of the game and the growing process. I trust these guys will get it done. Too talented not to.

 

[M4CAT]

If Friedl isn't hitting, I sit him. Plain and simple. .246 over the last month and .120 in the last week with his weak arm. If the Reds want to switch him & Benson around to see how that works, worth a shot.

It wasn't long ago people here were saying the outfield of Benson, Fraley, Friedl & Steer were here to stay going forward and like it. Let not even a week full of bad games happen and that narrative has changed. You can tolerate more when the Reds are winning and putting up runs but to me, the defense in the outfield is the same as it was to start the season.

 

[M4CAT]

The team really hasn't had much of a chance yet to prove themselves since he has rebuilt it with his vision and he is owed that much to your point they have not won anything yet. Injuries and player development are not directly his responsibility, that is obviously up to the coaching staff to develop these guys into productive players. If certain players don't develop then yes it is his responsibility as an organization to make the coaching hires/changes but I don't see how anyone can have much of a problem with the direction of this franchise under his watch after losing a historic 100 games to where they are at this point in 2023.

They made a huge step showing Alan Zinter the door last year and Joel McKeithan has been great for this team. No complaints here with me for Nick Krall considering there are no perfect GMs. The Reds GM job is one of the hardest in all of MLB whether they are contending or rebuilding as a small market with a limited budget and inheriting a mess that occurred before him. Like I said, the pieces are indeed in place and up to everyone else to do their job now. People need to be patient as they develop and we have seen more top prospects debut than any season I can remember in decades. A rookie wall was inevitable once the league developed a scouting report how to hit the young pitchers and pitch to our young hitters. This is all part of the game and the growing process. I trust these guys will get it done. Too talented not to.

Pickler should have been given the boot too and expect he will at the end of the season if they don't make the postseason. Then again, apparently the league sees something in him that some of us aren't because the Mets nearly hired him as their bench coach last year.

 

[kybloo92]

The team really hasn't had much of a chance yet to prove themselves since he has rebuilt it with his vision and he is owed that much to your point they have not won anything yet. Injuries and player development are not directly his responsibility, that is obviously up to the coaching staff to develop these guys into productive players. If certain players don't develop then yes it is his responsibility as an organization to make the coaching hires/changes but I don't see how anyone can have much of a problem with the direction of this franchise under his watch after losing a historic 100 games to where they are at this point in 2023.

They made a huge step showing Alan Zinter the door last year and Joel McKeithan has been great for this team. No complaints here with me for Nick Krall considering there are no perfect GMs. The Reds GM job is one of the hardest in all of MLB whether they are contending or rebuilding as a small market with a limited budget and inheriting a mess that occurred before him. Like I said, the pieces are indeed in place and up to everyone else to do their job now. People need to be patient as they develop and we have seen more top prospects debut than any season I can remember in decades. A rookie wall was inevitable once the league developed a scouting report how to hit the young pitchers and pitch to our young hitters. This is all part of the game and the growing process. I trust these guys will get it done. Too talented not to.

You could make the case the Reds might need to shake up their training staff with the injuries that have been dealt their ways but without being on the inside knowing what their routine is for strength and conditioning it is just speculation on something we don't have all of the answers about. It is concerning that Greene is having to do a mid-season core strengthening program during rehab. Conditioning should take place during the offseason and could be as much Greene's fault as anyone here not being in the appropriate shape for a full season. Fortunately that is a problem than can be fixed instead of another arm injury that requires a 2nd TJ surgery for him.

 

[kybloo92]

Agree. Gotta get the pitchers back and let these young players fight thru this bout of bad baseball. They'll do it in time, too much talent not to. Have to admit however, not real crazy with the lineup especially two of the better hitters, Steer/Benson, hitting 7th/8th.

Steer needs to get it in gear. Scuffling at the plate lately and needs to play his way back up the order. India a little high up there right now too. I think they like Benson down there to have some speed at the bottom of the order for the top of the lineup to easily drive him in. Steer hitting .243 over the last month, .042 with 1 hit in the last 7 games.

 

[kybloo92]

It wasn't long ago people here were saying the outfield of Benson, Fraley, Friedl & Steer were here to stay going forward and like it. Let not even a week full of bad games happen and that narrative has changed. You can tolerate more win the Reds are winning and putting up runs but to me, the defense in the outfield is the same as it was to start the season.

Not recommending getting rid of them but you can argue 2 of these guys are out of position with 2 LF (Fraley/Friedl) and the one in Benson who has the most versatility in all 3 spots has been getting the bulk of the LF starts. He is athletic and would put him in CF or RF. Don't want Fraley in CF, RF seems to be his only other position than LF. Benson seems to struggle against that LF wall in GABP so moving him off utilizing his athleticism elsewhere is not necessarily the worst thing.

 

[jameslee32]

The team really hasn't had much of a chance yet to prove themselves since he has rebuilt it with his vision and he is owed that much to your point they have not won anything yet. Injuries and player development are not directly his responsibility, that is obviously up to the coaching staff to develop these guys into productive players. If certain players don't develop then yes it is his responsibility as an organization to make the coaching hires/changes but I don't see how anyone can have much of a problem with the direction of this franchise under his watch after losing a historic 100 games to where they are at this point in 2023.

They made a huge step showing Alan Zinter the door last year and Joel McKeithan has been great for this team. No complaints here with me for Nick Krall considering there are no perfect GMs. The Reds GM job is one of the hardest in all of MLB whether they are contending or rebuilding as a small market with a limited budget and inheriting a mess that occurred before him. Like I said, the pieces are indeed in place and up to everyone else to do their job now. People need to be patient as they develop and we have seen more top prospects debut than any season I can remember in decades. A rookie wall was inevitable once the league developed a scouting report how to hit the young pitchers and pitch to our young hitters. This is all part of the game and the growing process. I trust these guys will get it done. Too talented not to.

I think you make a lot of sense and all the moves look so promising but until we get through 162 games or more, it's still open for debate whether talent alone can mold into a consistent winner. Sometimes it's when things go wrong that you find out more about players and staff. That said I do find it interesting how patient Krall has been with Bell as opposed to Zinter. So far, he's been proven right.

 

[kybloo92]

Field looks like crap but Mark Sheldon says they are starting at 8:30

 

[jameslee32]

Agree. Gotta get the pitchers back and let these young players fight thru this bout of bad baseball. They'll do it in time, too much talent not to. Have to admit however, not real crazy with the lineup especially two of the better hitters, Steer/Benson, hitting 7th/8th.

I liked it when India was batting leadoff and expected he'd go back there during this slump instead of EDLC. It might have been a coincidence but the team was starting to have that "never say die" mentality during that time.

Steer is down way too far in this lineup today but with his slump I get it I guess, although the whole team is struggling on offense.

 

[jameslee32]

Weaver's still the good luck charm as far as offense. 4-1 good guys, top of the 3rd inning.

 

[kybloo92]

Weaver's elbow looks awful. Down another starter.

 

[M4CAT]

Weaver's elbow looks awful. Down another starter.

A lot of swelling. Don't know the severity yet but would be surprised if they don't play it safe and skip a start. Re-call Brett Kennedy.

 

[M4CAT]

CES first home run!! PH 3-run blast for an 8-7 lead! 1st MLB hit too.

 

[kybloo92]

Best they can hope for is a series split. Bullpen is on fumes in mid-July.

 

[jameslee32]

That's a 6-game losing streak now. 11-10 Giants.

 

[M4CAT]

Bound to catch up to them at some point with this banged up starting rotation and taxed bullpen. The run they had might be sustainable with a full deck. Be nice to put the offense and pitching together at some point down the stretch.

 

[M4CAT]

Krall needs to bring in a reliever, a reliable setup man because these guys just aren't cutting it before Diaz. Santillan doesn't impress me, Farmer is spent. Sims, Young & Cruz can't carry the Reds the rest of the way. Bell uses Diaz against the bottom of the order during the suspended game while Gibaut comes in after to shit the bed and has the gall to bench CES in the night game. It might be time for India to sit and figure things out, rest him while at it because he is not helping the Reds right now. Law is an average pitcher at best, not looked sharp coming back off the IL. Cruz has surprisingly turned his season around and earning his keep. Won't be long until he's burned like Farmer. Weaver's x-rays were negative so hopefully he can eat innings in his next start instead of another bullpen game to pick up the slack. Need Ashcraft to continue his streak of starts recently and go at least 7.

 

[dave5164]

You look at the last 6 games and the Reds should have won 4 or 5 out of 6 games. The loss before the All-Star Break and the Milwaukee 2 series hasn't helped the Reds at all. Before the 6 straight games with Milwaukee the Reds were coming back and winning all games until the Milwaukee series before the All-Star Break. If you look at the last 6 games the Starting Pitching has been decent except for Weaver's start tonight. Williamson and Lively both have been pitching good enough to win when they start. Ashcraft, Abbott, Lively, and Williamson have been pitching decent ball for 6 or 7 innings. When we get Hunter Greene back that will help the rotation and if we can get back Lodolo in Mid-August that would help the starting rotation. If I was the Reds I would still go after a Good Starting Pitcher to go with this rotation along with 1 or 2 relievers. The Reds should have stopped the losing streak in the 2nd game tonight losing 11-10. The Reds are still only 2.5 games back to Brewers and they still have 2 on the road with Phillies and then 3 with the Braves. Then the Reds go to Milwaukee in a huge 3 game series on the road and the Reds need to take 2 or sweep the series. The Reds need to take the next 2 from the Giants and have an outstanding series against Arizona before hitting the road for a 10-game road trip. The offense did seem to come back alive in the 2nd game with 4 homes and Encarnacion-Strand needs to be in the lineup with McClain and Cruz. The Reds do seem to play on the Road better lately than at home. The Reds just need to get back to playing ball like they were playing before the 6 games with the Brewers. The Reds are only 2.5 games behind and they are also still in the race for a Wildcard spot. Just get back to playing outstanding baseball like the Reds were before the Brewers 6 games.

 

[M4CAT]

I think you make a lot of sense and all the moves look so promising but until we get through 162 games or more, it's still open for debate whether talent alone can mold into a consistent winner. Sometimes it's when things go wrong that you find out more about players and staff. That said I do find it interesting how patient Krall has been with Bell as opposed to Zinter. So far, he's been proven right.

That is when coaches need to do their job to get the players to reach their potential as well as the players take responsibility for their own development. Too many guys recently like Barrero & Aquino before when you hear Eric Davis talk don't want to listen. Still see it with guys like Senzel (lost cause) who just can't get it together. It is a collective effort all around. Bell's shortcomings as a manager at times, plus the injuries and the FO entering the season without much of a contingency plan in the event the worst case scenario happens with injuries. It feels like 2 years ago since the days of Overton & Cessa.

After nights like last night, I question the managerial moves of David Bell and talent alone will not win you a World Series. Talented hitters, some like India who leave a lot to be desired defensively and need to pick it up offensively. I know he isn't the only one but for the 'team leader' he is definitely not carrying the Reds right now. Oftentimes wonder if Bell is the man we need leading the charge with a new group or find a new voice in the dugout before its too late.

We know the difference between Zinter and David Bell's job security, Buddy Bell. Someone had to fall on the sword for losing 100 seasons and should have cleared house bringing in a veteran manager. Now that they're winning, would look foolish to cut him at this stage and many teams would love to have the talent the Reds have to mold into a winning team. I recall a few years ago Joe Maddon raved over the Reds farm system and that was before the trades.

 

[M4CAT]

You look at the last 6 games and the Reds should have won 4 or 5 out of 6 games. The loss before the All-Star Break and the Milwaukee 2 series hasn't helped the Reds at all. Before the 6 straight games with Milwaukee the Reds were coming back and winning all games until the Milwaukee series before the All-Star Break. If you look at the last 6 games the Starting Pitching has been decent except for Weaver's start tonight. Williamson and Lively both have been pitching good enough to win when they start. Ashcraft, Abbott, Lively, and Williamson have been pitching decent ball for 6 or 7 innings. When we get Hunter Greene back that will help the rotation and if we can get back Lodolo in Mid-August that would help the starting rotation. If I was the Reds I would still go after a Good Starting Pitcher to go with this rotation along with 1 or 2 relievers. The Reds should have stopped the losing streak in the 2nd game tonight losing 11-10. The Reds are still only 2.5 games back to Brewers and they still have 2 on the road with Phillies and then 3 with the Braves. Then the Reds go to Milwaukee in a huge 3 game series on the road and the Reds need to take 2 or sweep the series. The Reds need to take the next 2 from the Giants and have an outstanding series against Arizona before hitting the road for a 10-game road trip. The offense did seem to come back alive in the 2nd game with 4 homes and Encarnacion-Strand needs to be in the lineup with McClain and Cruz. The Reds do seem to play on the Road better lately than at home. The Reds just need to get back to playing ball like they were playing before the 6 games with the Brewers. The Reds are only 2.5 games behind and they are also still in the race for a Wildcard spot. Just get back to playing outstanding baseball like the Reds were before the Brewers 6 games.

This is going to be hard to accomplish with the taxed bullpen the rest of the way after David Bell has used up his relievers. I think relief help is necessary if this team still wants to make it to the postseason in 2023. It would be nice to get a pitcher than can slide back and forth between long relief/spot starts because that is what is needed most to pick up the slack in addition to a shutdown reliever before Diaz enters the game.

With CES on-board, I can't see this team in a prolonged offensive slump. Still worry about the outfield defense and if they could get a trade for an impact hitting outfielder to shore up the OF. Yes, Friedl and Benson came make some highlight reel plays but overall this outfield defensively is in the same shape as it was to start 2023.

It's getting harder to weather the storm with the injuries piled up plus the spent bullpen but I am still fine with finishing the season with Ashcraft, Abbott, Williamson and hope to get Greene & Lodolo back in a reason timeframe in August. If this can happen, Lively would be a huge addition to the bullpen and can still skip starts for Abbott down the stretch and Weaver is better suited as a reliever. His numbers weren't near as bad in the pen for KC. No one seriously thinks the Reds have been winning his starts because how well he pitches. That streak ended tonight. Weaver is too volatile, the only guy who can throw decent innings in a game that he still somehow blows up in.

 

[dave5164]

In tonight's start vs. Giants SP Weaver strikes out 6 batters and the 1st and 3rd innings had 2 outs and gave up a Solo homer in 1st and 3-run homer in 3rd with 2 outs in both innings. Weaver had 61 pitches in 3 innings and with 6 strikeouts wasn't pitching bad for the Reds. Weaver gave up the big 2 out 3-run homer in the 3rd and same in 1st with a solo homer with 2 outs. Weaver could had a 2 hit shutout heading into the 4th inning if it wasn't for the big 2 out Homers he gave up for 4 runs. We saw in the 2nd game that this Cincinnati Reds offense can't be shutdown for too long. The Reds need Greene and Lodolo back and no one has given a date when either Greene or Lodolo will return to the starting rotation. The Reds starting pitching over these last 8 games hasn't been terrible and if you look at the numbers most starters have been going 6 or so innings giving up 2 or 3 runs. Tonight wasn't a good start for Weaver but the Reds should have won the 2nd game tonight. If the Reds can just get back Greene now to go with Abbott, Ashcraft, Lively, and Williamson until Lodolo gets back later. Then have Greene, Lodolo, Abbott, Ashcraft, Lively or Williamson as 5th starter and the other in Long relief. The Reds need to go out and get 2 or 3 reliable relievers to add to the staff and the Pitching could be good for remainder of season. I still believe with this Reds offense and if they can get Greene and Lodolo back then the Reds could make that run to the playoffs. We just need to get those 2 starters back from injury and add 2 or 3 good reliever

 

[cole854]

The Reds are only a couple of pieces away from being as balanced across the entire roster as any team in the league.

They need...

A consistent starting catcher. The catcher by committee is typical Bell....ignorant.

A starting outfield....repeat....starters. The 5 man platoon ignorance has worn out its welcome. A few of these guys need to be replaced by some decent arms.

A consistent batting order. The shuffling is another one of Bell's ridiculous maneuvers.

You trade either EDC or Enc-Strand for an ace.

A new manager. A new hitting coach. A new pitching coach.

 

[cole854]

The EDC hype needs to take a break, especially from Sadak (worst TV guy ever) until we start seeing consistency. 1 for this last 16 (3 for his last 21) with a ton of K's, swinging at bad pitches, etc. The one great game a week is fine for highlights, but this team has way too many holes in the lineup to keep him hitting 4th on an every day basis. This is his second really bad stretch in the last month. Of course, with Bell managing this team into futility, changes are probably not gonna happen.

As I said.

This and more needs to happen.

 

[TCurtis75]

They need...

A consistent starting catcher. The catcher by committee is typical Bell....ignorant.

A starting outfield....repeat....starters. The 5 man platoon ignorance has worn out its welcome. A few of these guys need to be replaced by some decent arms.

A consistent batting order. The shuffling is another one of Bell's ridiculous maneuvers.

You trade either EDC or Enc-Strand for an ace.

A new manager. A new hitting coach. A new pitching coach.

EDLC, CES, McClain, and steer are all rookies and untouchable. That is the foundation for the next decade and all are under contract for 6 years at least. Imo, India and Benson should also be untouchable. To suggest trading EDLC or CES is foolish. Those are 2 of the best prospects in baseball.

 

[kybloo92]

They need...

A consistent starting catcher. The catcher by committee is typical Bell....ignorant.

A starting outfield....repeat....starters. The 5 man platoon ignorance has worn out its welcome. A few of these guys need to be replaced by some decent arms.

A consistent batting order. The shuffling is another one of Bell's ridiculous maneuvers.

You trade either EDC or Enc-Strand for an ace.

A new manager. A new hitting coach. A new pitching coach.

You must be living in an alternate reality if you think the Reds are going to trade Elly De La Cruz and CES the future 1B in 2023.

 

[cole854]

EDLC, CES, McClain, and steer are all rookies and untouchable. That is the foundation for the next decade and all are under contract for 6 years at least. Imo, India and Benson should also be untouchable. To suggest trading EDLC or CES is foolish. Those are 2 of the best prospects in baseball.

This is why I am right. No one is untouchable in professional sports. Players like India, Steer and Benson are a dime a dozen...nothing special about either...just solid players, nothing more.

EDC and CES...you chuck one for an ace or a 2. Period.

 

[TCurtis75]

This is why I am right. No one is untouchable in professional sports. Players like India, Steer and Benson are a dime a dozen...nothing special about either...just solid players, nothing more.

EDC and CES...you chuck one for an ace or a 2. Period.

You simply are wrong. I should have known you have no clue what you are talking about based on your posts in other threads. You certainly prove it here. Plenty of players are untouchable in all sports. Giannis in basketball. Mahomes/Burrow in the NFL. Judge, Ohtani (except now when it is clear he isn’t going to resign with the Angels), and the 4 players I mentioned for the Reds. Untouchable players in trade moves are frequent across all sports. You can admit you are wrong. You won’t implode or spontaneously combust.

The Reds are setting themselves up for the future and you don’t trade that future for a short term rental player.

 

[jameslee32]

Krall needs to bring in a reliever, a reliable setup man because these guys just aren't cutting it before Diaz. Santillan doesn't impress me, Farmer is spent. Sims, Young & Cruz can't carry the Reds the rest of the way. Bell uses Diaz against the bottom of the order during the suspended game while Gibaut comes in after to shit the bed and has the gall to bench CES in the night game. It might be time for India to sit and figure things out, rest him while at it because he is not helping the Reds right now. Law is an average pitcher at best, not looked sharp coming back off the IL. Cruz has surprisingly turned his season around and earning his keep. Won't be long until he's burned like Farmer. Weaver's x-rays were negative so hopefully he can eat innings in his next start instead of another bullpen game to pick up the slack. Need Ashcraft to continue his streak of starts recently and go at least 7.

This bullpen has exceeded all expectations and probably needs help with so many innings pitched but until last night had done extremely well recently. Starters have given them exactly what they needed during this period thankfully. Offensively it just looks different. More swinging for the fences and strikeouts instead of manufacturing runs. This is the downside of watching Votto and CES at the plate if everyone else simply mimics THEIR game.

 

[M4CAT]

This bullpen has exceeded all expectations and probably needs help with so many innings pitched but until last night had done extremely well recently. Starters have given them exactly what they needed during this period thankfully. Offensively it just looks different. More swinging for the fences and strikeouts instead of manufacturing runs. This is the downside of watching Votto and CES at the plate if everyone else simply mimics THEIR game.

Agree with you that this offense has seemingly gotten away from what was working earlier this year and does look different. I actually expected the bullpen to be a strength and SP too at the start of the season. Injuries have gotten in the way and overuse of the bullpen is setting in. Even Barry Larkin is alluding to how these relievers are overworked especially with Farmer last night.

The only one I think exceeded my expectations has been Alex Young, did not know what we were going to get with him. Gibaut & Duarte looked good in ST. As frustrating as Gibaut can be, he can get the job done in high leverage situations with 8 wins thought it does not always look pretty like yesterday not coming through. Cruz picking up where he was in 2022 thankfully. A solid setup man would do wonders for this team going forward.

At this point, I can't see Levi Stoudt becoming a starter in Cincinnati and never goes deep in ball games anyway. Especially with Richardson, Petty, Phillips, the recent college draft picks and the rotation as it stands once fully healthy. Why not try him in relief like they did with Santillan after starting in 2021 and moving him to the pen later in the year like Sims a few years ago coming in as a starter and the setup man for Diaz. If he can eat 2-3 innings like Hoffman did would save some arm down the stretch. Hell, even pitchers like Wainwright, Bumgarner, David Price have worked out of the pen on contending teams early in their careers before they became full-time starters.

I should have reserved judgment on Law coming back from injury since he was serviceable last year and prior to the injury this season. Santillan has a lot to prove still going back to the 2021 season and has command issues. Hopefully that works itself out but still a lot to prove. I have no expectations for Dunn & Antone in 2023 if and when see them for as long as they have been out.