Not to beat a dead horse, but this Reds team is unrecognizable. Here’s tonight’s position players, with my ever-valuable comments:
CF Drew Stubbs (in AAA until a few hours ago)
SS Paul Janish (batting .206, rookie defensive specialist)
1B Joey Votto (quality major leaguer, potential perennial all-star)
2B Brandon Phillips (solid major leaguer, but should never hit higher than 6th)
RF Jonny Gomes (non-roster Spring Training player, beaten out by D. McDonald)
LF Wladimir Balentein (recently cut by the offensively-challenge Mariners)
3B Adam Rosales (batting .205, rookie nothing specialist)
C Ryan Hanigan (rookie, potentially long-term quality player)
Not exactly the ’27 Yanks.
Next year, there are a few things to like– another year of Votto, the return of Bruce (who I think will be a very good big league hitter sooner than later), the continued development of Hanigan and Dickerson.
Then there are things to maybe, kinda/sorta be hopeful about– the potential for Harang, Arroyo, and Cueto in the rotation, the potential for Balentein to unleash his unquestionable tools, an improved Homer Bailey, Rolen shoring up infield defense and being a productive bat.
But there are also a bunch of things to NOT be excited about– Rolen’s ability to stay on the field, the combined salaries of Rolen-Cordero-Harang-Arroyo which will surely prohibit Walt from making any significant additions, the mere existence of Willy Taveras, another year of Dusty batting Phillips in the middle of the order and giving lots of at-bats to low OBP players…
Ok, I’ll stop now. Like I said, it hurts. I just need to get this stuff out.
I’ll never have another favorite team. That conversation begins and ends with the Reds. MY Reds. But please pardon me if I find myself rooting for the Rockies (Tulo) or the Twins (Mauer) while my team sucks.
It will end up being the same old song next year. Always is. 😦
Yep!…I hear you loud and clear Scott..!! How many ab’s has Phillips had in the 4 hole??sick. Gomes was beaten out by McDonald…but, really! It’s sad, no doubt. Small market…yea,.. but what about the Marlins and their 8,000 fans per game?? The Cards sold over 3.2 mil tickets this yr (2 wks ago!) ….thus Holliday batting after Pujols… thus the Reds just can’t hang….and I don’t see it changing. :((
We just want to compete…that’s all…just don’t embarrass yourselves….past the All Star break….again, and again, and again and again…Pleeease..!
Go Fish..!!
It *looks* like English, and yet …