To quote Kevin McCallister: Reds, your bullpen….. WOOF! Cincinnati lost to Philadelphia by a touchdown. Scratch that, it was two touchdowns.
| Final | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia Phillies (26-29) |
17 | 18 | 0 |
| Cincinnati Reds (24-29) |
3 | 9 | 1 |
| W: Nola (4-4) L: Gray (1-4) |
|||
| Statcast | Box Score | Game Thread | |||
The Offense
After a quiet 1st inning Tyler Stephenson led off the 2nd inning with a single. Tyler Naquin followed up with a home run to put the Reds up 2-0 with his 11th dinger of the year. After watching the lead evaporate, the Cincinnati offense got to working in the bottom of the 4th when Nick Castellanos singled to lead off the inning and extend his hitting streak to 18 games. Tyler Naquin drew a 1-out walk to put two men on, but Kyle Farmer grounded into a double play to end the inning and the threat.
The Reds got things going in the 5th inning, trailing 4-2, when Jonathan India singled with 1-out and then stole second base. Mike Freeman, who entered the game in a double switch when Sonny Gray exited the game, came through with an RBI single to cut the lead for Philadelphia to one.
After the Phillies busted out for a 6-run top of the 6th inning the Reds tried to get something happening when Nick Castellanos doubled and Tyler Stephenson walked. Tyler Naquin grounded into a double play and then Scott Heineman struck out and Cincinnati came away with nothing. They also came away with nothing in the 7th and 8th.
The Pitching
After being spotted a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the 2nd inning Sonny Gray gave up solo home runs to Ronald Torreyes – his 1st of the year – and Odúbel Herrera – his 3rd of the year – as the Phillies tied the game up. The next inning saw the Phillies take the lead after J.T. Realmuto singled on a grounder to Kyle Farmer who threw a short hop to first that got by Tyler Stephenson and saw Realmuto head to second. He’d score the go-ahead run on a 2-out single by Alec Bohm. Philly played add on again in the 5th as Jean Segura singled, stole second base, and then scored on a double by Rhys Hoskins that made it 4-2.
That double led to a pitching change as David Bell called on Heath Hembree to take over for Gray who had thrown 96 pitches in 4.2 innings on the night. Hembree, inheriting a runner on second base, walked the first batter he faced. He rebounded by striking out Brad Miller to end the inning and strand both runners while holding the deficit to two runs. When he returned for the 6th he was not greeted in a pleasant manner as Andrew McCutchen unloaded on a solo homer to lead off the frame to make it 5-3 for the Phillies. After a single to the Alec Bohm it was time to head to the bullpen once again and the Reds turned to Amir Garrett. Former Reds prospect Ronald Torreyes doubled and extended the lead to 6-3. Two pitches later Odúbel Herrera homered for the second time on the day and made it 8-3. Jean Segura followed with a single a pitch later and then Rhys Hoskins hit the ball to Kentucky to make it 10-3. Garrett saw his ERA sitting at 9.56 at the end of the inning.
Cionel Pérez took over in the 7th and tossed a shutout inning. But when he returned for the 8th things didn’t go as well as he walked two batters, gave up a 3-run homer to Andrew McCutchen that made it 13-3, and then a single to Alec Bohm. That’s when the Reds second best reliever, Alex Blandino, entered the game to try and keep it a two touchdown game. And just as predicted, Blandino got the job done as he got Ronald Torreyes to pop up on the 1st pitch he threw and ended the inning. He returned for the 9th inning and allowed the first two batters to reach before getting Nick Maton and Andrew Knapp to fly out. But a walk to J.T. Realmuto loaded the bases for Matt Joyce who took an 89 MPH fastball into the right field stands to make it 17-3.
Mike Freeman took over on the mound with two outs in the 9th to face Archie Bradley who at no point ever showed any attempt to swing at four pitches thrown in the mid-50’s as the crowd cheered on the 11th strikeout of the game so they could potentially get free LaRosa’s pizza.
Notes Worth Noting
Joey Votto was supposed to begin his rehab tonight with the Triple-A Louisville Bats but the game was postponed by rain so it’s going to have to wait until tomorrow.
Nick Castellanos extended his hitting streak to 18 games. That’s the longest streak in Major League Baseball this season, active or not.
Re-Opening Day is surely going to go well on Wednesday after this one today just leaving the fans ready to sprint through the turnstiles.
Up Next for the Cincinnati Reds
Philadelphia Phillies vs Cincinnati Reds
Wednesday June 2nd, 12:35pm ET
Spencer Howard (0-1, 5.56 ERA) vs Vladimir Gutierrez (0-1, 1.80 ERA)
Tomorrow’s attendance may very well be a message to Bob Castellini.
But i’m afraid he let the batteries on his hearing aid go dead, and won’t be able to hear it.
And that’s the way he likes it.
Get your craft beer and bobble heads while you can, Reds fans!
I’m thinking a lot of people have already bought their tickets. Will empty seats matter to Castellini if the till is well fed?
Obviously there is no savior or major reinforcements waiting in the wings for the bullpen (you’re not going to throw any of the top starting prospects in there at this time, I don’t believe) at the minor league level, but who do you try next?
Could Nick Howard be one to give a shot and see what might stick?
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/reds-nick-howard-double-a-redemption-story/amp/
Brandon Finnegan is another guy who falls into the same category as Howard but probably not as much as a wing and a prayer longshot. In 7 appearances at AAA, BF had allowed 6 runs in 12.1 innings for a 4.38ERA but 5 of the 6 runs came in 2 appearances,
Recall he was one or two good outings away from making the MLB team in the spring when he foundered in the last week or so. Being already off the 40 man roster made him easy low hanging fruit to retain in the minors over a guy like Perez.
After tomorrow’s game … the Reds will have played exactly 1/3rd of the season.
Let’s give them a win tomorrow on Re-Opening Day.
-1/3 of the season played …. 25 wins.
-Losing record at home so far … and losing record on the road so far.
-Would need to go 60-44 rest of way … just to reach 85 wins.
1/3 of the way in … just a meh team … not bad enough to be a seller at trade deadline … needs a lot of help to win the division.
Let me clarify … a case could easily be made to shop players at trade deadline … especially for some position players would could break in 2-3 years down the line.
Will front office be clear-eyed enough to see that as possibly a smart play?
Better yet … could Bell stand it? He hasn’t had to deal with being “out of it”, “focusing on youth” … his over-managing (IMO) would not be needed if kids were playing.
Referring back to our exchange regarding the NHL and contract seasons, the Reds have to either extend Castellanos (buy out his post season walk away option ahead of the deadline) or trade him, don’t they?
Yes, the qualifying offer system would get them a draft pick; but unless the whole team is blown up, the Reds have more immediate MLB needs they should be looking to fill via trade.
Spot on, IMO, Jim.
Letting Castellanos walk, just for the draft pick, is bad asset management. Worst of all options.
Entering today … Winker and Castellanos had double the WAR of the rest of the team.
A draft pick does nothing for years to try and fill the hole Castellanos leaving creates.
Oh and regarding hockey, JD seems determined to honor an agreement with Jones’ agent to keep everything “private”. I suspect he hasn’t quite thrown in the towel just yet and just maybe Jones is privately showing some wiggle room. But JD will pull the trigger ahead of the draft if they don’t have at least an agreement in principal.
Agree with you guys. Likely a good chance to get better compensation for Castellanos at the deadline than the pick itself. Certainly more likely to recoup someone that will help sooner. That’s the smart move. Let’s see if the Reds FO makes the smart move.
Bad team. I’m sorry but the Reds are a bad team. Rebuilding since 1990.
I don’t agree with the notion that Castellanos will bring a big return in July. He is either a 2021 rental, or else a guy the acquiring team will have to extend at full value. Teams trade players’ contracts, not players. He is very productive player, but that does not mean that his contract has all that much value right now. It’s kind of like getting a high-maintenance wife; she may look great at first glance, but the bills will come due soon enough. See Lindor, Francisco.
Castellanos will bring a very good prospect, but he isn’t likely to bring a can’t-miss one or even a guy the Reds can count on starting in 2022. Plus, this year is a particularly hard year to evaluate other teams’ systems, because there is still a hangover from most prospects’ having not played in 2020. And as long as the Reds have a sliver of a chance (anything more than a “Dumb and Dumber” chance), the Reds for purposes of season ticket sales in 2022 can’t be seen to be surrendering an elite player.
We gave up Encarnacion and prospects for Rolen.
The Bluejays got their money’s worth of that deal!
Castellanos is an AS starter and early MVP candidate. He will net something solid. These NL East teams will make a move with a wide-open division.
Both Perez and Garrett should be sent down to keep Joey company in Louisville. Time to go with Greene and Lodolo and Moreti
Send Garrett away. Away!
What’s left to say at this point? Unless ownership is willing to spend money on additional salary (and given the higher than expected attendance this year, they should) and allows Krall to make some trades, not much will change. Shuffling Perez back and forth to Louisville is not working. Garrett has had enough chances this year and needs to be DFA-ed. Outside of trades, the only realistic option to salvage the bullpen this year is to bring up Lodolo and Greene and stick them there.
A change in ownership is never easy especially in Cincinnati where local/metro control is primary. I liked the direction Dick Williams had the Reds going in his time as the chief operating officer. If Williams could lead a local group to buyout the Castellini’s and take majority control of the Reds, I think it would be a positive move.
Reopening day is here and we’re counting on Vladimir to do his part in a series win since the relief core has had a major workout.
Blandino’s option is soon to be vested at 10 IP (3.2 IP so far).
The Reds are between a rock and a hard place with Amir Garrett. He is out of options and cannot be sent down without first being exposed to waivers. However, given his performance has not stabilized at an acceptable level, maybe the time has come to play waiver wire roulette with Garrett’s future.
If Garrett clears waivers and is outrighted to the Reds minors, he would have the time and space to work on his game and could be returned to the Reds if and when he got his act straightened out.
What If Garrett is claimed by another team? Then his remaining 2021 salary (about $1M) is off the Reds books and available to be spent elsewhere. Given his level of performance to date with the Reds would this really be such a bad outcome?
And with that $1M price tag attached to Garrett along with the need to keep him at MLB just maybe no one would claim him on waivers anyway. I suspect the point has been reached where that is a reasonable risk to take given the alternatives.
DFA is reasonable except—who replaces him?
When a guy is coming apart at the seams like AG, it serves neither the team’s or his best interest to just keep running him out to the mound unless he is used as the new guy in Sal Romano’s former mop up role. In that case they still need somebody to replace Garrett in more meaningful situations.
So, why not take the risk of sending Garrett through waivers to hopefully gain the reward of getting him to the minors where he can focus on getting himself right.
See above for my suggestion that Brandon Finnegan is worth a look as a replacement.
No one is capable of filling that role, including Garrett. I’d say the mop up role is his home for now, 98 mph lefties don’t grow on trees, and unlike Perez he has a history, all be it a mixed one. Plus I like his attitude, I know people got on him for the Rizzo thing, but Garrett wants to win.
Maybe we will get lucky with Hoffman in the pen, and Lorenzen should be back some time? We also have Santillan, O’Brien, and Sanmartin in AAA. Maybe 1 or more could help the pen, as they will have a hard time earning a starting spot in 22 with Greene and Lodolo coming on strong.
It’s not only AG, I’d say that excluding Antone and Sims, the whole bullpen has been just awful. That’s six players that otherwise would be unemployed or in the minors at best.
Did we sign another guy named Sims? He’s be terrible this year. Both Sims and Garrett have shown their stuff, but you can’t count on either game to game. Doolittle is probably the next best reliever after Antone. Just don’t bring him in with runners on. Truth is this pen is straight garbage. Hopefully we can recycle a few of the guys for 22, and get some new relievers to supplement them. You really need 3 guys that you can count on, and we have 1.
Garrett has been having a bad year, but the stuff is there and he has been mostly better than serviceable prior to this. I don’t believe he’d clear waivers. Maybe that’s okay, but he also might be fixable, and making decisions with short-term goals in mind seems to me to be playing into the pipe dream that the The Reds would be serious contenders this year.
I would disagree that “the stuff is there”. In the past it has been there; but, this year, consistently it isn’t because it isn’t MLB stuff when it cannot be consistently located for a proper outcome. Garrett is wild both out of the zone and even worse, in the zone. He doesn’t look like the same player.
Who is going to commit $1M on a project guy (with no options) who will come with a full season price tag of probably $2M next year via the arbitration process if he is fixed? The teams which can afford the money most likely are in races and cannot afford the dead spot in their MLB pen.
Our disagreement about Garrett’s “stuff” is purely semantic. I agree that he hasn’t been able to throw his pitches where he wants them: that’s the problem that I thought might be fixable, since it could well be mechanical in origin. I was referring only to velocity and movement, both of which might be hard to fix if broken.
Definitely a rock and hard place. Especially considering past performance with Garrett. But I agree, it’s getting to the point that you can’t just keep sending him out there to implode. I’d vote for taking the DFA risk, if you lose him then you shed some salary, if he straightens out in AAA you regain an effective bullpen pitcher.
I’m not saying it’s necessarily wrong to DFA Garrett but just remember this. If he were on another team in the same situation don’t you think the Reds would take a chance on him regaining what he had? The point is he’s not clearing waivers. Very slim chance of that. It’s in his head so a psychologist may be what’s needed lol….or maybe just a good kick in the butt.
@Melvin, I don’t think the Reds take would take the chance at a price of $1M for the remainder of this year and probably $2M full season salary in 2022 if they succeeded in “fixing” the guy. They are already saddled with Feliz and Hemmbree in roughly the same price and risk range.
Hmm maybe you’re right. His mouth has gotten him and the Reds in a lot of trouble.
Garrett would never clear waivers. They could shop him, though, and maybe they’d get an offer that they could take. There may be another pitcher whose team can’t seem to fix him, just like DJ and the Reds can’t seem to get Garrett right.
I think that the Reds will keep Garrett, because he probably now has been humbled enough to where he will listen to good advice. Maybe he needs to hear it from Miley or Gray or somebody like Don Gullett, but he will get better — sometime and some place.
And if he doesn’t clear, the Reds drop a million bucks from their payroll. That seems to me to be a better outcome than the risk he can be “fixed” at the that cost while in the MLB pen.
Take the DFA step. Use the first week trying to get something for him; if nothing is offered, send him through waivers.
It seems like some of these guys in similar situations spend more time on the waiver wire than off of it bouncing from team to team. Who knows, even if he is claimed, he well may pop back up on waivers where the Reds could get him back minus several weeks (months) of salary load.
It would be funny if the Cubs claimed him.
You’re making too much sense Jim. haha The bigger problem is we have nobody. Well we do but they’re in Double A getting their innings there instead of helping at the ML level. As I’ve said before, there are SO MANY innings needed they most assuredly would get plenty of work even in long relief. Our starters rarely go five innings if that.
I don’t think I’ve ever read something that sarcastic and negative in a game recap from Doug before as the last sentence. I don’t disagree with it in the least. Times are tough and spirits low
Yeah. Way to go Doug! 🙂 Makes you feel a little better don’t it? haha…not much though huh?
Times are tough, but the Reds looked pretty good in the first game of the series, so there’s that. Also, before I Cleted, I noticed that Suarez looked good at third, so there’s that, too.
Michael Jordan was one of the best trash talkers… ever. And what made him a great trash talker is that he backed up every word with amazing play… rising to every occasion.
Cincinnati isn’t a great town for trash talkers. The only one I can recall that endeared themselves to the city was Chad Johnson — and even then we kinda cringed. But Chad also backed up his mouth and antics with touchdowns.
Amir Garrett has definitely excelled at running his mouth. But he has utterly failed to back up that mouth with his play. That bad anywhere. It’s even less tolerable in Cincinnati.
Well the best thing about that is he’s showing kids what NOT to do. I’m sure that’s the reason he’s doing it. To be an example of what not to do. I commend him. 🙂
Being a Reds fan these days is liking riding the Diamondback at Kings Island….just with the opposite effect. :)….unless of course you throw up on roller coasters. 🙂
Why does Perez keep getting called up??
Most likely because the other 40-man relief options at AAA are:
Goudeau – 4.97 ERA, DeLeon 6.00 ERA, H. Perez 9.37 ERA, Warren 7.36 ERA
Of course, there are other non-40 man options like Diehl (1.04 ERA), Alaniz (2.53 ERA), Fulmer (3.86 ERA), Carle (4.26 ERA), and Finnegan (4.38 ERA) in the AAA pen, but it would take a roster move and not all of those guys can be optioned back without going through waivers (again).
Per Fangraphs, Brandon Finnegan actually has an option remaining, yet another reason to take a chance on him at the MLB level. The other side of the coin is he is approaching total service time to become a minor league free agent; and, ironically the Reds would have a longer period of remaining control over him on the 40 man roster. But he is now 28 years old.
I don’t think there is any harm in putting Finnegan in. Honestly he can’t be worse than what we’ve had, and there’s always that small chance it works. Plus he’s at the Romano point for me, last chance to see if he can put it together again or it’s time to fill that AAA roster spot with someone else.
Yep. it’s not like he could be much worse and as you said should probably be his last chance. It’s not like it’s a big risk…..and he’s a lefty. David Bell LOVES that hitting or pitching. 🙂
24 & 29. Is it too much to ask to get this team five games OVER .500? Probably. I’ve seen this dog and pony show for years so expectations remain the same. Limited. My prediction of 80 & 82 remains on track.
This team has to be a seller at the deadline. They are going nowhere with this bullpen. Castellanos is not coming back and do you want to give him a 5 year contract at what 30 years old? Trade him and try to find anyone who will take Moose and Shogo. They are on wrong side of 30. Trade anybody who isnt young. As much as we all dont want to see it but this team needs a rebuild.
They should trade both Winker and Castellanos. That would be their best hope at a future. They should bring three or four young foundational players.
Castellanos yes because he isnt coming back on that weak contract. . Winker is iffy. It all depends on what their time commitment is on the rebuild. The bullpen needs a complete overhaul. Antone needs to go to starter with Mahle, Greene and Lodolo and Castillo if he can turn it around. I love Votto and he was worth every penny of that contract. Unfortunately it should have been for less years and front loaded. Reds are basing their Shortstop future on Garcia. Hope that works out for them but…..he could end up being the guy that played last year. Would you take Garcia and what could be or pay Trevor Story and know what your getting?
I’d like to have Story but man, considering the amount of money it will take I don’t know If I wouldn’t take my chances on Garcia or even AlfRod. These guys with these giant contracts, hmm. All it takes is an injury or two and poof it’s not worth it. All that money goes down the toilet and our prospects with it along with flexibility. Just have to be wise and very careful. That’s all I’m saying. Of course quit crying poor and spend money. Just spend it wisely.
I don’t know about Story. He’s injured right now, and that would scare me (although it might drive the price down). Plus, he has not been having a great year anyway.
No matter which way one turns, the options don’t look promising for the Reds either this year or the very near future. (Further out, the potential starting pitching, at least, looks promising, but that may be a while.)
We definitely need bullpen help. But I don’t know if I would trade someone like Castellanos to get it. He and Winker are two of the primary reasons we’ve won 24 games–which by the way, is only a few more wins than teams like the Tigers, Twins, Rangers, Nationals, Diamondbacks, and yes, the Pirates. That’s the class we’re in right now, unfortunately.
Unless a way is found soon to right the ship, this team is in trouble. The bullpen’s performance is demoralizing for the whole team. If we’re frustrated, how do you think the position players feel when a close 4-3 game goes to 17-3 in the blink of an eye?
If current trends continue into late June/early July, I seriously consider trading almost anyone on this team and look toward the future (again–it always seems just beyond our grasp). Sigh.
I was on the trade Castellanos track as well, for the same reasons you’ve stated. Doug changed my mind on the last RLN podcast. We have a better shot to get a good prospect as a compensation pick, than by trade. Plus we get to watch him and hopefully Winker compete their butts off of a MVP award.
The more I think about it if I was going to spend big on someone Casty would be the guy. I hope somehow they do. As I said earlier, Winker will eventually, not too far down the road, cost a lot of money. I’d rather spend it on Casty.
Last night was one game, just like Monday afternoon was one game for the Phillies. Their fans a day ago were saying the same things the Reds’ fans are today.
To those moaning about the Reds’ not spending money == well, they did spend money a year ago, investing $24 million/year for 2020-2022 on Moustakas and Akiyama, plus another $18 on Moose for 2023. That was a huge blunder – one that a smarter small-market team like the Rays does not make.
In hindsight, the Moose/Akiyama signings were done because Dick Williams and unnamed others clearly undervalued Jesse Winker. Moose and Akiyama are completely unnecessary with the elite LH bat that Jesse Winker has, especially given that Joey Votto will play through 2023. But Williams did not understand what he had in Winker, and frittered away $90 million on two aging LH hitters who now have no role on the team. Without the $24 million wasted on Moose and Akiyama, the Reds would not have their bullpen hole, and would also likely have found a one-year solution at shortstop this year.
The Reds spent the money, and did so recently. They just spent it foolishly.
Signing Akiyama in early January with Castellanos still unsigned was a huge mistake. When Nick signed is when this front office screwed up. They got a great contract with Nick but now they were paying Shogo 7 mil a year to platoon. The moose signing was 2 years too many. The Reds had the money to spend but were like a young boy in a candy shop. Totally overwhelmed. Reds have the money to spend. They just dont spend it wisely.
Thank God the front office didnt listen to the fans and signed Kim to play shortstop. Hitting a whopping .194. I’m just not big on these guys coming over from the Japanese and Korean leagues. There is to much adjustments for these guys. Not to mention those leagues dont stack up to what is played here. Only a few players actually are worth the contracts they sign. Akiyama is worth league minimum at best. No arm and no power. Slap hitter who cant slap is not good.
Yeah. I did, at times, seem like they were spending money just because they finally could and had it to spend and were taking whatever they could get or whatever was left. It’s seems as though they’ve totally disregarded the aspect of the game called defense.
This is an interesting and reasonable take to me. I would only say in partial defense of Williams, that I suspect he thought he had additional money coming and that he didn’t get it probably has as much to do with why he left as the publicly stated reasons.
Also, such as 2020 was, I don’t think the Reds would have made playoffs last year without Moose and Akiyama. They both came up large in the big September finish. We have no way of knowing how things would have played out in a normal full season scenario.
And Winker is not the same player this season he had been in the past. Just a casual look at him confirms the conditioning work he has talked about doing in the off season. The new body came with a new attitude also, I would guess at least in parqt from spending a season around Nick Castellanos.
“And Winker is not the same player this season he had been in the past.”
Winker is playing way over his head right now. The time to put him on the block is now for the best return. I would start by calling the Dodgers, Padres, and Yankees.
You dont give a 4 year and 3 year contracts to aging 32 year old hitters. Akiyama has had a nice 2 week career here in the majors. Like Cowboy said when you get the chance to play , you take advantage of it. He hasnt done that. He has no power and pitchers over power him and his weak slap hitting. Base runners take the extra base knowing he cant throw. Reds got into the playoffs with pitching and MLB putting extra teams in. Winker came up from AAA on his bat. They knew he could hit and you could see it at times when he got here. Does this year surprise us with the way he is hitting? Not really. They said he was a Joey Votto clone. At 27 he is coming into the player he was expected to be. Signing Akiyama was a mistake. Signing Moose wasnt a mistake. Signing Moose to a 4 year contract was a huge mistake. Signing Castellanos to a contract with 2 opt outs was a mistake.
@scotly50 I don’t mention Winker in trade rumors because I don’t think there would be many if any agreeing with me on here. However since you brought it up, lol, when you stop and think about it, it really could be for the best. The Reds have to ask themselves: 1) Will he keep hitting like this? 2) If so will he stay healthy? 3) Will they sign him long term? 4) Will his value ever be higher than right now?
Remember if Winker can’t hit and get on base, he’s not worth much. He has basically no other skills. I like him and the way he’s hitting. Don’t get me wrong.
On the other hand Casty has good speed, a real good arm, and getting better all the time on defense. If I was going to spend big on one of those two it would be him. Winker has pretty much maxed out his potential on defense and maybe offense too. He has a history of injuries. Casty strikes me as a Pete Rose (I know that’s not good to mention him on here lol) type. The kind who will endure and hit well for a long time.
Big Ed .. You are exactly right . I did not like those two signings when they were made and Dick Williams was at the helm of the ship when they happened . Akiyama of course was a complete unknown and it is my belief Moose was signed because he was simply available at the time and so was the money and the desire to at least get one “Big name free agent ” to generate interest . Moose at second base really ? Again Williams was in charge at that time.
This is Winker’s first year with this kind of production. Let’s not get ahead of the ball. Maybe he’ll maintain an elite level of play. Maybe not. Granted Moose has been a disappointment. Shogo really hasn’t had the opportunities to demonstrate whether he is July 2020 or Sept. Castillo can be fixed, probably. Suarez, probably not. Votto, twilight of a great career. Garrett? He let his mouth overload his rear end, and became too focused on SJW instead of baseball. Fundamentally, Reds pitching is messed up. Johnson, Boddy, strategy, talent? Too focused on spin rates and strikeouts? Too much focus on analytics (remember if everyone is doing it, it becomes average performance) instead of fundamentals? After all, the average high school team probably runs the bases better. And there’s still Bell, the FO, and the ownership, none of whom have distinguished themselves. I think the real questions for the Reds is whether they can catch the Pirates. With Bell calling the shots, it’s possible.
Moose is the one that made the least amount of sense, to me. For one, he’s really a 3B trying to play 2B. For two, the Reds had a good option at 2B already in the fold with Nick Senzel. Then finally, Moose was already over 30 when signed, so a decline on production was to be expected.
Garrett has two pitches and he cannot throw either for a strike. Similar performance last year . His fastball is not overpowering . He continues to walk batters at crucial times and does not do well in tight games. Waive him Same for Perez who cannot throw strikes either.
Castillo, Garrett, and prospects not named Lodelo for Trevor Story. Last chance with our last wave of real free agent signings. If not, time to blow up the roster… AGAIN!
You wouldn’t need anyone besides Castillo for half a season of Story. Even with his poor season Castillo has 3 times the trade value of Story.
Story is injured right now. Also, not having a great year. Big risk for a team that seemingly isn’t going to contend this year.
Suarez for STory straight up. Rockies would likely jump on it. And Story’s year doesn’t set him up for a huge payday in FA.
Reds are in a free fall situation and the only way to right the ship is to shop players that other teams may want.Its easy to say that and even harder to commit to it becuase it admits things are way out of wack.We can see the team is built wrong,we can see the pen is just awful and we can see that neither will improve just by hoping and praying it does.Players make a difference and right now we have those that are aging and hurt and in decline.We have those that aren’t old or hurt that are not performing at all.In fact they are awful but it appears we have no one thats better.It can be fixed but I am not sure the organization wants to or has the ability to do it and what worse for me is that I just see a little sign every now and then that they are trying to do something.I really believe its just smoke and mirrors in an attempt to try and keep a dwindling fan base interested.Doug’s last comment about Re-opening day hit the nail on the head.In hindsight last nights game should have been played and managed like it was the 7th game of the World Series but instead it was little league time on the field and in the dugout.Yeah it was one game and there is always another one tomorrow and 162 each year and as Eugenio said talk to him in October.Same can every year being kicked down the road by the same people crying we can compete.We know they can’t and won’t but we still hope.The truth is as fans we are just like the team.I don’t watch the Reds but I do watch other teams play and there are still good owners that put a good product on the field.There are teams like the Cards that always are plugging in younger players and moving older players.I will remain a fan but in reality we will never be any more then we are now under this current ownership.
Absolutely correct my friend. I cant like this enough.
I understand everybodys logic on what or what not to do. The main problem ,when it all comes down to it, is we all have no idea what the front office logic is. They dont seem to have any direction on how they want to build the team now and in the long run. They ,seems to me , cant stay on board with the plan they start with. Louisville’s cupboard is basically bare and that’s not good. The team we are watching every night has major issues with bullpen, shortstop etc. We all want a winner and want trades or call ups but the front office seems to think Bell ,Johnson and Boddy can make allstars out of throw away players from other organizations. At least give them some talent to work with. The team on the field does not work well together in my opinion and us diehard fans who have been here forever are frustrated. Tired of being the Cardinals and now the Cubs little brothers that get beat on every year.
JB, you forgot the Brewers put a hurt on yearly. I agree the Reds front office and ownership have no long range plan. Decisions made were with a hope and a prayer.
There’s a reason those bullpen cast-offs were available. With starters not going very deep anymore in games, you should not be dumpster searching.
I don’t think the purchases made 2 yrs ago were bad. Couldn’t ask for more from Castellanos. While Moose is aging, I wouldn’t forsee the trouble keeping him on the field and in the line-up and altho not lighting it up as in his youth, definite trouble for opposing pitchers. Shogo ? Not sure why he’s being used so sparingly other than Naquin showed up on the scene. In retrospect only, he’s now surplus given Winker’s success (who many here would have gotten rid of already), Senzel (when available) and now Naquin. Even without Bauer, wouldn’t have predicted Castillo’s and Gray’s slow starts and perhaps not predicted Mahle’s maturation. Miley’s acquistion also starting to bear fruit. Bull pen, even if we had Lorenzen, the area most neglected. Really only have two dependable ones in there. All that said, if we can get the BP strengthened or righted and get our first stringers in the line up and we stay close enough to 1st place in Central, a good late season spurt, like last year, could do the trick.
Have not been commenting much this year to attempt to let the team settle out and not react/overreact to every pitch, hit or game.
Reds pitching is giving up to many walks, 2nd worst in the league in walks per 9 innings (4.4, league avg is 3.4). Cards are the worst @ 4.6 BB/9, 4 teams are at 2.8 BB/9 as the best.
To many base runners, to many opportunities, to many long ABs and short outings.
They need to do what Chris Welch says, goal is to have the batter be out in 3 pitches or less.
If a pitcher can get to 0-2, there is a waste pitch coming that gets swung at 2 times a season. The next 2 pitches are off the plate hoping for a swing, then they start putting the ball over the plate at 3-2 which get fouled off then they give up a walk.
Pitch #3 needs to be a strike in a pitchers location and see what happens.
Cannot be worse that what is occurring now.
Defense is overall pretty poor, bottom 1/3rd in MLB, tied 21st with 25 unearned runs
Offense is 7th in MLB at 4.89 Runs per game which is a positive.
Winker and Castillo have been great.
Stephenson and Barhardt a pleasant surprise.
Suarez has been on a decline for offense for 3 season now.
Suarez peaked in 2018 with OPS+ of 138
2019 was OPS+ 129 and 189 Ks (lead the league)
2020 OPS+ = 98 (67Ks in 57 games)
2021 OPS+ = 58 (70Ks in 52 games)
Between his well below average hitting and well below average defense, no idea why he is playing every day or any more than a hope to hit an HR as a Pinch Hitter.
As Solitar stated,
60-44 rest of way … just to reach 85 wins
85 wins will most likely not win the NL Central.
NL Central winner will most likely have 89 or 90 wins.
WC #2 will most likely be 91 or more wins.
Team needs a shake-up, do something different, change of strategy as they seem very predictable as what they will do. If a fan that watches 80 to 90% of the games can figure this out, you have to figure the people from other teams that get paid 7 figure annual salaries will be able to figure out the Reds strategy and overcome it.
Cubs swept padres.
Cards series huge. Anything below 3-1 is prolonging the inevitable