Jonathan India homered and Elly De La Cruz made magic happen on the bases while Hunter Greene and the bullpen took care of the rest on Sunday for the Cincinnati Reds in a 4-3 victory. The win gave the Reds a series win over the St. Louis Cardinals, who are now 12 games under .500.
| Final | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati Reds (31-35) |
4 | 10 | 0 |
| St. Louis Cardinals (27-39) |
3 | 7 | 0 |
| W: Gibaut (6-1) L: Hicks (1-4) SV: Diaz (15) | |||
| Statcast | Box Score | Game Thread | |||
Cincinnati didn’t waste much time getting on the board. Jonathan India hit a solo home run in the 1st inning to dead center to put the Reds in front 1-0. The lead didn’t last that long as the Cardinals put in some work in the bottom of the 2nd. Willson Contreras led off with a walk and moved to third on a Dylan Carlson double. Contreras would score on a single by Jordan Walker and then Carlson came in on a ground out that gave St. Louis a 2-1 lead.
In the top of the 3rd inning the Cincinnati offense tried to put something together with a little rally of their own. Curt Casali led off with a single and then moved up to second on a 1-out single by Matt McLain. After a fly out it came down to Elly De La Cruz. He battled with Adam Wainwright, but came out on top with an RBI single into center on the 6th pitch of the at-bat that tied the game up.
St. Louis went right back to work in the bottom of the inning when Paul Goldschmidt led off the inning with a single. He came around to score the go-ahead run when Nolan Arendado hit a ball into the right field corner that got by a sliding Will Benson and turned into a triple.
The Reds would get that run back in the 6th inning after Elly De La Cruz walked, stole second base, and then scored on a Tyler Stephenson single. Will Benson followed up with a single of his own to put the go-ahead run at second base, but after a pitching change by St. Louis Stuart Fairchild flew out to end the inning.
In the bottom of the inning Hunter Greene got himself into trouble when he hit Dylan Carlson with one out and then walked Jordan Walker. That was the last pitch he threw as the Reds called on Ian Gibaut to enter the game and try to keep the game tied up and he did just that by getting back-to-back infield pop ups.
TJ Friedl tried to get a rally going in the top of the 7th with a 1-out double. He took third base on a wild pitch. After a strikeout, things were up to Jonathan India and he crushed the ball. Unfortunately it was to dead center field and the ball was caught by Tommy Edman with his hand against the wall to end the inning.
The 8th inning began with a walk from Elly De La Cruz. He took off for second base on a hit-and-run by Spencer Steer and the move worked out as the ball was grounded to shortstop and the Cardinals could only record an out at first on Steer with De La Cruz on the move. A passed ball followed to move him up to third base. With the infield in Tyler Stephenson grounded one right to shortstop, but De La Cruz broke for the plate anyways and he slid in headfirst safely ahead of a swipe tag attempt to put the Reds on top 4-3.
Lucas Sims took over for Ian Gibaut to begin the bottom of the 8th inning and immediately got himself into trouble with a walk of Nolan Arrenado. Sims got things going in the right direction by getting back-to-back pop ups before striking out Jordan Walker to strand the runner and send the game to the 9th inning with Cincinnati still up by a run.
Alexis Diaz came out to pitch the 9th inning for the Reds, looking to close out the second Cincinnati win in as many days. After two easy outs, the final one wasn’t quite the same. Will Benson made a nice running catch on a ball to the warning track in right center to end the game, giving the Reds a series win over the Cardinals.
Key Moment of the Game
Elly De La Cruz scoring on a fielders choice on a contact play in the top of the 8th inning that put Cincinnati up 4-3.
Notes Worth Noting
Elly De La Cruz now has a hit in all six of his big league games. He is hitting .364/.481/.636 with three stolen bases in those six games.
Matt McLain also has hits in his last six games, and hits in 18 of his last 20 games. He is now hitting .336/.387/.518 on the year with the Reds.
Alexis Diaz is now 15-for-15 in save opportunities. He lowered his ERA to 1.71 with a perfect 9th inning.
Up Next for the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds vs Kansas City Royals
Monday June 12th, 8:10pm ET
Luke Weaver (1-2, 6.27 ERA) vs Zack Greinke (1-6, 4.59 ERA)
Statement series and statement week.
Reds beat the Dodgers and Cards on the Road.
Gibault/Sims/and Young have been solid. Diaz is simply the best reliever in baseball. Ive been asking for a dominant lefty reliever for 4 years now. Can we get one to make this bullpen a top pen to add to a good offense?
Go reds.
Chappie would be a good fit
Wish he had 1 more year of control
Anything 2023 is happy surprises
2024 is the year to be serious and make moves to compete IMO
There is definitely a need for a good lefty in the pen. Chapman has an ERA of 2.82 in 26 games and I hear he’s getting up to around 100 mph again. I think Reds fans would love to have him back and it would make our team a whole lot stronger. Chances are good in my view that we wouldn’t have to give up too much to get him. At least none of the really good guys and prospects that we definitely want to keep.
I’m all for bringing Chapman back to Cincy. I know he isn’t as good as he used to be but he still is a very quality bullpen piece that this team could use. Trade and sign a new 2-year deal with him maybe?
Definitely an Elly day – did it all. Plus, 10 hits – three by Benson, dinger by India, Friedl ended his mini-drought. All good. Starting pitching good with superb bullpen (Gibaut, Sims, and Diaz quite the threesome). Series win. WTG, Reds!
I think he barely beat the tag regardless of the catcher not having the ball to score the fourth run. It’s just insane that on a ball hit that hard right at short with the infield drawn in that he could beat that throw…how is that possible? I realize a good throw beats him although would have still been a bang bang play but he is going to put so much pressure on the defense going forward in these types of situations
Greased lightning, that kid.
I think the best description I heard of him is “the cheat player you create with 99 everything in MLB the show.”
The single in the first inning was ridiculous, that’s a routine out for most players in baseball.
I can’t believe he has an OPS over 1.0 to go along with it.
Oh, and excellent defense, too.
That was big! Now they just have to keep fighting and get this sorting figured out. Almost have to make a trade I would think?
I agree with the others that Stephenson has to drop DHing so much. He’s getting his stroke going again with loopers and dunkers over the infield, but they need power. Catch 110 and DH 20 in a regular season and that should work out for the team
I agree. Bell seems to overlook the importance of offense. Put your best lineup on the field most of the time.
David Bell, 3rd generation major leaguer, 15 years coaching / managing pro baseball, really needs to spend more time on RLN so that he understands scoring is important.
Chrisinvenice,
Managers are not perfect no matter their pedigree or experience. I remember when Bell’s grandfather played for the Reds. I also scratch my head at Bell’s lineups on an almost daily basis. Defend his lineups if you like. But you might want to take notice of how many times the Reds struggle offensively when the best offensive players are on the bench. I know players need days off, but not 40-50% of the games. The starters should be in the lineup 85-90% of the games or more. Pete Rose would play every game.
Geezus, I don’t know how these narratives get started. The Reds are TENTH in runs scored in all of baseball, while being near dead last in HR’s.
Bell said during the spring that playing hard and taking advantage of their speed was going to be how they won games. They’re doing exactly that.
I usually don’t participate in the “Bell sucks” blah blah blah, but man, your comments….gosh bless it.
@Chris No way would I ever come here for any managerial advice unless I didnt want my job anymore.
guessing that was heavy sarcasm, but on here nothing would surprise me
Those shoulder injuries, they just always seem to take forever. In a ball player’s case, it’s just weeks and months of not doing anything baseball related. When Stephenson starts driving the ball to the right field wall, we’ll know he’s feeling like himself again. I don’t think he’s far.
I agree. I’m not a big Stevenson fan but he has started driving the ball to center, right center, right more in the last week and a half or so
The 2 HRs homeruns I saw recently were oppo
As Tony Perez liked to say back in the day, they need a “Big Stick” in the middle of the lineup. Tony was still getting English figured out back then; and, as a preteen and early teenager I always loved it when he would pronounce the “i” in “big” like an English long ‘”e” and say “I want to be the beeg stick and get the beeg check”. And that’s exactly what he became.
A big stick between EDLC and Steer would make this lineup something to truly fear; and, CES as DH is the guy to be it.
And CES will be going “downtown” a lot with the Reds.
Based on his hitting in AAA, wouldn’t we think that EDLC might be the beeg steek? He is, in a tiny sample size, playing more like what we hoped Billy Hamilton would be than the reincarnation of J. Bench, but he has hit a monster homer and a triple and his EV’s say he’s got power at this level. But of course, if CES brings his power to MLB (whenever he gets here), it won’t hurt a bit.
@IRM> I am going to wonder out loud what they might gain by shutting Stephenson down from baseball activities and putting him on whatever program Votto has been on until around July 1 then sending him out on rehab with a targeted return date of shortly after the all star break.
The corresponding move would be to bring CES up and install him as the DH. Chuckie Robinson and Jhonny Perada are both cooking at Louisville if they’d need another catcher during the interim.
Stephenson seems to be regaining his strength, I’d keep him going.
Apr .351 SLG
May .344 SLG
June .447 SLG
2021 .431 SLG
2022 .482 SLG
Best Stephenson news in June is that before Sunday he has just 7Ks in 38PBAs. He was approahing Aquino levels not that long ago.
2 Hr but only 1x 2B in June so far though prior to Sunday. Ultimately I believe he is a high 2B rate guy vs HR man.
I think his ability to catch 50%-60% of the time is as important for the team so they can move on from the 3 catcher plan and get a legit HR guy in CES up and in the lineup at DH
I agree with you, the 3 C’s are holding back the team. I have absolutely zero proof of what I’m saying, it’s just conjecture, but I think his range of motion has also increased. He took an inside pitch and put it into RF in this series, I can’t recall seeing him do that any other time this year. Regardless of the reason he seems to be coming around at the plate. I’d like to see a 60 / 40 split with him and Maile.
If Votto returns and CES is promoted, I’d have those 2 split 1B / DH almost 50 / 50, leaving very little starts there for Stephenson. That’s assuming a fairly productive Votto, which is a big assumption at this point.
Now, if we could just get CES up here. A lineup like the following is a winner.
Freidl (cf)
India (2b)
McLain (SS)
De La Cruz (3b)
Stephenson (c)
Steer (1b)
CES (Dh)
Fraley (lf)
Benson (rf)
Bell, needs to play these guys most of the time instead of tinkering with the lineup every day.
Agree!
Vs lefties and/or once or twice a week
Senzel in the OF and/or 3B
I think that is hands down the best lineup the reds can put out – and it’s a scary dangerous one!
As I said… the lineup would be De La Crucible
You need to put CES behind EDLC or they will just pitch around him
I wasn’t making out the order— just the players.
Dewey- Then great lineup!!
Thanks, JB.
I’d take those players and do the following batting order:
2B India (R)
CF Friedl (L)
SS McLain (R)
3B EDLC (S)
DH CES (R)
1B Steer (R)
LF Fraley (L)
C Stephenson (R)
RF Benson (L)
India seems to thrive in the leadoff role. He hasn’t been the same hitter since being dropped to 3rd. With India/Friedl/McLain batting first, you have 3 guys who know how to get on base and all have a little power. Then behind them comes the thunder and lightning of EDLC, CES, Steer, and Fraley. Those guys can all hit, and can also launch the ball. EDLC also provides a nice speed boost, and won’t be clogged up on the bases as India, Friedl, and McLain are all also fast.
The bottom of the lineup is no slouch either, as Fraley and Stephenson probably have 20+ HR power in them, if they could just get healthy. Then finally, Benson is the stealth “second leadoff” guy. He can get on and hope to be driven in by the top 3 hitters, using his speed to his advantage.
You could swap Steer and Fraley, and I wouldn’t argue. Also, note it’s lefty/righty almost all the way through, meaning pitchers have to keep constantly changing their approach for each hitter.
I think this is probably the best lineup the Reds can put out there.
That is exactly the lineup I would love to see almost every day, and in that order too. I’m with you, not liking India batting 3rd. He just doesn’t seem himself as much there.
My Lineup:
Friedl CF
McLain SS
EDLC 3B
CES DH
Steer LF
India 2B
Votto 1b
Stephenson C
Senzel/Fraley RF
* This lineup is absolutely STACKED.
** Votto until he proves he can’t.
Chris – Good job. Of course the order isn’t set in stone. I actually wish they’d train Marte to play the outfield and use Senzel/Fraley as bench pieces or trade bate.
That lineup will be awesome! However, ownership does seem to realize that bringing up CES will increase the attendance. Makes no sense. They have an active roster of $29.7 M which will more than double when Votto and Myers return. Seems like they have a few pennies available to invest in some impactful pitching. Maybe they don’t want to bring up CES because he will cost 10 times more than they are paying in AAA.
I don’t understand your point about the current roster cost, and that it would more than double when Votto et al return. The Reds are still paying Votto, Myers and anyone else on the IL.
The cost of players actually playing which doesn’t include those on IR or management/ownership mistakes. Votto and Myers are getting paid more than than the current 26 players on the active roster!
Bell needs to sit Benson and Frayley against LH.
Elly wasn’t joking when he described his game as electric.
“Electric” De La Cruz.
Sparky
One more thing, I definitely have not been the biggest David Bell fan over the last 3 years… but it is funny how you start to become a little bit more okay wuth the manager when he starts to have better pieces to put out on the field.
When they had Elly running on the pitch to Steer which kept them out of the double play in the 8th and then had him running on contact even with the infield drawn in those were the right decisions and led to the victory.
Yes. However, I think it also makes a difference that guys like Fairchild and Benson are not playing with one eye on the probable next-day opposition pitcher to see when they will play and then an eye on the opposition bullpen to see if they are going to be subbed out in a platoon switch after just 1 or two PAs.
Fraley is the guy who is the guy who is absolute boom or bust on platoon splits, not the guy starting in place of him when a LH pitcher starts. Fairchild for instance is actually league average versus RH pitching. So, instead of being greedy and yanking him for Fraley at the 1st chance to get Fraley a PA vs a RH pitcher, Bell would be better served to hold Fraley for a legitimate high leverage spot to insert him into the game vs the RH pitching.
Fairchild is AAAA vs righties and Fraley is a Silver Slugger against righties. Im taking the silver Slugger .OPS with an .866 OPS and wRC + 123 in 2023 against righties.
I was just saying Bell should pick his spots better. If it is a leverage situation when Fairchild or whoever is due up, sure, spend Fraley. Otherwise, hold him back for such a better situation. They have enough flexibility in their players to move people around and keep Fraley in the game if he hits for someone other than another OF.
Depending on the game situation the worst thing that can happen is not Fairchild or any other RH hitter they have batting against a RH pitcher, it is getting caught with Fraley facing a LH pitcher in any situation.
In the last week, in situations he would have been out if Friedl was available, Fairchild was still in for a single and double, an RBI or two in one game and scored the winning run in another. In another game, they got caught with Fraley facing a LH pitcher for the 27th out.
” However, I think it also makes a difference that guys like Fairchild and Benson are not playing with one eye on the probable next-day opposition pitcher to see when they will play and then an eye on the opposition bullpen to see if they are going to be subbed out in a platoon switch after just 1 or two PAs.”
I dont understand your point at all, so they know their role and there are no surprises? Why would this have any affect on them? Fraley’s better than SF vs RHP so he gets subbed in, Fairchild’s even platoon splits dont matter. Fairchild’s not hitting that well overall, but he’s been fine out there in his role so keep him there. The leverage spot that may or may not come up isn’t worth the 2 extra ABs you’d get over the course of the game IMO.
That said, if Bell wanted to save Fraley I’m fine with it. Trusting Faichild vs a RHP sounds great, I just highly disagree that it affects him or his performance if you sub him out. He’s our 4th OF, thats what every team does.
The reality is the manager has very little effect on a team’s wins and losses and it’s still mostly how much talent you have, and how the players perform each day. So it’s natural that when the team starts performing the manager looks good.
Ah yes. And it’s playing out right before our happy eyes.
It does matter, if the manager plays the subpar guys over the better ones. Myers anytime, or Newman vs. righties. if the performances are = between 2 guys, play the one that might be a part of the future.
What we’ve learned is, bell will play subpar guys more than he should, if they are on the roster.
Subpar in whose eyes? Matchups don’t always play out the way the back of the baseball card would make you think. Also, while I know many of us want the Reds to play the “best” guys everyday, there are obvious reasons why that can’t happen, such as the need to rest players, minor injuries, splits and so on. And it’s foolish to not play the bench guys from time time–enough to keep them ready–because they’re going to be needed throughout the season.
How are the Reds going to do once they accommodate Votto, Myers, Senzel, and Ramos. Senzel can’t play OF, he’ll be back on the IL in no time. A few wins doesn’t mean Bell is suddenly a good manager. The Reds still need pitching and new management to move forward
You are correct sir.
The Reds talent levels, top shelf to too early to tell, for the non-linear.
Top shelf of the Scottish variety: Greene and De la Cruz
Finest Kentucky spirits: India, Stephenson, McClain, Lodolo, Diaz
Excellent libation of choice: Steer, Friedl, Ashcraft, Abbott, Sims, Farmer, Law, Gibeault, Young
Viking Plunder. Fraley, CES (so far)
Very serviceable everyday use. Newman, Senzel, Fairchild, Barrero, Maile, Weaver, Lively, SanMartin, Gutierrez
Past its best. Votto, Casali, Myers, Antone, Dunn, Santillan
To early to tell: Benson, Hopkins, Stoudt, Williamson, Salazar, Legumina
I would have to put Diaz in the top. No one on the teal is performing his job better
I went back and forth on that one — I originally had Diaz there, but wasn’t certain he’s the type of generational talent that Green and Elly are. He may be.
+1000
I think Diaz is in the right spot.
He’s one of the best closers in the game right now, but I don’t think he’s Mariano Rivera just yet. Greene and De La Cruz are generational talents and would be in the same tier as Rivera.
Steer leads the team in several categories and still gets no respect. Seems like the kind of guy who doesn’t care. Keep hitting and playing a stellar first base, Spence. One of my favorite guys.
I’m with you on this Steer, does not get the credit he deserves. The guy is just a solid all-around player who at worst is an above average player.
I believe third shelf down is still pretty darn good. He’s not 40 year old Scotch, or $100.00 Bourbon. But he’s still really good, and for a rookie, comparable to rookie year Ashcraft and Abbott, and second year Friedl.
Me too.
The fastest WRs run a 4.3 forty which is 27.9 feet per second. Elly is at 30.8. I’m thinking MLBs sprint speed must not include starting from zero or he really is the world’s fastest human
I don’t know if the time starts when the ball is hit or when the batter leaves the box. Either way, there has to be some momentum versus a cold sprint start from the blocks like the timed 40’s we see in run up to the NFL draft.
This is nothing against you Indy. The most overrated stat in the world is how fast a football player runs. They time him in shorts and t-shirt. They should be timed in shoulder pads and uniform. I could care less how fast they run in shorts. Example John Ross. Stone hands
JB,
Might have missed the point here.
ELDC is even faster. He is really really fast, showed in the last 2 games.
And unless they are the outside wideout guy stretching the field on fly patterns, the quickness on the move and step after the catch is what really makes the difference.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba was so good with Ohio State because he was strong off the line, ran precise patterns, had good hands and was so quick not only on the breaks and after the catch but he could continue to throttle up and down very quickly moving downfield after a catch,
How would knowing how fast they run in pads be better information to know for a guy who has stone hands?
“Sprint Speed is Statcast’s foot speed metric, defined as “feet per second in a player’s fastest one-second window” on individual plays”
There are some fast WRs, but to be the world’s fastest human (that we know of) he’d have to beat the time of the current leader in the 100m dash.
We watched a bit of this game on a lunch break and then kept it on while driving home (my wife watching, me listening). What a game! What a feeling to beat up on the WLB Dirty Birds this way.
I’m thinking ELDC just might be a good player. 😀
One of the booth voices on the TV (I keep the captioning on and audio muted) said EDLC was “(Billy) Hamilton with the other four tools”. Very appropriate I thought.
“Billy Hamilton after taking Captain America’s super soldier serum.”
I use “DiMaggio rounding second” as a historical measure.
That lineup will be awesome! However, ownership does seem to realize that bringing up CES will increase the attendance. Makes no sense. They have an active roster of $29.7 M which will more than double when Votto and Myers return. Seems like they have a few pennies available to invest in some impactful pitching. Maybe they don’t want to bring up CES because he will cost 10 times more than they are paying in AAA.
He is not on the 40 man roster so it could be more than 10x more!
Yes, but still pocket change to an MLB team.
The increase in attendance, could cover that in 1 or 2 games
Myers should never see another at bat with the Reds
Is anybody going to the first playoff game at GABP? What is the closest hotel so I can walk to the game?
God love you. I stay at the Westin on Fountain Square. Party time
One CBA point, MLB free agents that signed during the previous offseason can’t be traded prior to June 15. I think the other 29 teams will view Myers as having a negative trade value. In short, he will likely have to be DFA and then released. The Reds have done this several times recently–if he remains on the team once healthy, it’s because they expect he is poised to contribute. My take, he’ll be cut.
Either Maile or even Casali could have value to another team. Catching is always in short supply in the majors. The return won’t be great, but the opportunity to move one of them opens later this week.
BK, thank you for knowing that. It puts a lot of these things in perspective. Most of us don’t know all the rules for player contracts, like that.
June 15th could be a big roster adjustment day for the Reds. Or within a week after June 15th.
In 6 (six!) AB’s for the Bats, Wil Myers has no hits and one walk. Ok, so lets give him 5-10 more days to get his stroke together. He was hitting a robust 0.189 in the Majors this year, so if he doesn’t hit at AAA, what conclusion should the Reds TOP MEN make? At this point in the season, Myers is still owed something like $5 Mil.
Joey Votto (being paid $25 Mil this year), is coming off MAJOR shoulder surgery, and is still working on his timing. He was 1- 3 on Saturday (rained out today). Let’s see where he is in five days. And no, he is not going to be DFA’d. If he feels like his shoulder is normal and still isn’t hitting, then maybe he hangs it up.
Henry Ramos, hit well with AAA Bats prior to being called up to the Reds. Didn’t really burn it up with the Reds, but on Rehab and is hitting. Give him a few more games until June 15th, as Henry ALSO has a spot on the 40 man roster. CES does not, and needs SOMEONE to come off the 40 man. Henry could be outrighted off the 40 man, and someone might claim him for their AAA team. But although he looked promising in Spring training, he is also a 31 year-old career minor leaguer. Maybe there is a reason for that.
Would you rather have Henry than one of Fairchild/Hopkins/Benson?
I think the only reason front office will keep Myers or Ramos is because they need a guy that will hit homers. Will Myers warm up or not is the question .
Ramos hit no HR with the Reds during his MLB stint, prior to injury.
Myers hit two in one game, and another homer, while with the Reds. Maybe he was hurt and he will start to pick it up tomorrow with Louisville.
CES has hit 17 in the Minors this year, in less than 190 AB’s. If the reasoning is “hitting homers”, I think I know who I would choose.
I see no reason to recall Myers or Votto prior to their 20-day rehab limit. I also don’t see Ramos offering anything that would bump a current player off our big league roster. He’ll likely get optioned once he is fully healthy and rehab complete.
I would try to protect the one remaining option with Barrero and Fairchild, but they simply may not survive an improved 26-man roster IF everyone is healthy.
I totally agree with you David. I would have brought CES up the day after EdLC. I’m all for playing the young kids. Ramos is 32 and has no future here. Myers couldn’t hit an outside pitch with a 12 foot 2×4.
I was unaware of this, thank you
I think it’s safe to say that we would not have won today without De La Cruz. He and McLain have changed the entire atmosphere of the team and organization for that matter. IF the the front office is REALLY interested about winning then there is NO EXCUSE to not bring up CES NOW. He’s “a difference maker” like the other two. The time wasted could mean the difference between winning the division or not. Every game counts. Bring him up NOW and figure things out about roster spots later. WINNING is the most important thing.
Indeed, one roster spot is easy. However, I try to remember they may have him working on something that is not apparent to us commoners.
Who are you calling a commoner? hahaha 🙂 Seriously I don’t know what he could be working on at this point that he can’t learn in the majors.
It’s a point worth considering, though, given the disparity between AAA pitching and MLB pitching. It could also just be a matter of a little more sorting. Either way, I bet he’s here soon.
AS BK stated, the Reds can’t make a roster move on Free Agents signed for 2023 until June 15th. I think this applies to Casali, Maile, Newman and Myers (although Newman was acquired in a trade).
I don’t think that applies to Henry Ramos (minor league signing), but I could be wrong.
CES needs a 40 man roster spot. I would be loathe to outright one of the young guys off the 40 man (and risk losing them) to make room for CES, although he has a lot to offer.
Kuhnel? Herget? Salazar? Karcher? Siani?
What’s to loath about?
Believe BK said the MLB free agents couldn’t be traded until the 15th of June. Being DFAed then outrighted or released can happen anytime. I’d guess if they happened to have an option and less than 5 years MLB service time, they could also be optioned.
Stoner- Salazar is not going to be DFA’d . If you take out the melt down at Boston , he has given up 1 run in 9 innings.
Yes, as I said … MLB free agents. MiLB free agents don’t get the same rights. BTW, a MLB free agent can waive the no-trade provision, but the sending team can only receive cash considerations prior to June 15.
Okay, JB, there’s still numerous options in my response to David’s worries.
Agreed, Salazar would be my last choice.
Salazar has a chance to be a nice controllable bullpen piece, definitely holding on to him.
Newman was a trade
Exactly! Every game counts and the path to a playoff spot will only get more difficult every week!
Ahh you said Playoff! There is room up here for you on my Playoff bandwagon sir!!
I’m walking along beside the bandwagon wishing that we could find a good euphemism for “playoff:” Why tempt the Fates?
I want to utter the word playoff too but I am afraid coach Mora will come after me.
As a new guy to this circuit, I can’t help but wonder if the players read these posts? Management?
P.S. I’ll wager the big money teams are already eye-balling and salivating over the prospects of picking up EDLC some day. Hopefully, Elly will go Votto style and stay forever.
If there was EVER one guy that I would look to lockup for 10+ years as fast as possible it would be De La Cruz. The longer you take the more expensive it will be AND the less likely it will be the Reds that do it. There are no guarantees but he’s a guy worth taking a risk on. Staying healthy is the only thing realistically keeping him from the Hall Of Fame some day. Have to take a chance.
I’d try a deal like they did with Greene (2 year of extra control), it might be more money than Greene’s deal, There is nobody on the planet that I’d sign for 10 years, unless we all of a sudden get Mets money.
I think the Reds might be wise to try and sign Elly to a Ronald Acuna Jr.-type deal, which was basically a steal. 8 years / $100 mil. Acuna took the bird in hand. We would be buying out the arbitration years, and extending two more. He would be 29/30 at the end. I think everyone knows if the Reds don’t do something like this, he is gone. He knows if he stays healthy, he is getting Tatis, Soto-type deals at some point.
De La Cruz is only 21. If we don’t sign him to at least in his low 30s it’s just about guaranteed that we’d lose him in my view.
I would sign him and McLain.
I got a bigger college scholarship than the Reds signed Elly for.
They dropped $7M signing Alf Rod, $10M on Minor, $7.5M for Myers.
Count the $ blown on Moose and Shogo and you’re close to half of a cool deal for EDLC.
He can sign another one when he’s 31.
I’d sign Elly for ten years 100%
I’m sure the ‘Big Dogs’ (wealthy clubs) have their eyes on De La Cruz and McLain and others as they emerge. These players are the Reds future and should be signed up early. The length of time is a management decision that will have a long term impact.
Players better not read this stuff. Most of them would be depressed. After one bad week, the poster base wants them DFA.
Lol.
Too true. Recency bias. It’s catching.
“As a new guy to this circuit, I can’t help but wonder if the players read these posts? Management?”
God I hope not.
plus 1000
Crazy season so far. Pittsburgh is in first place and the Cardinals in last 8 games back. Lots of people saying Reds before the season started were almost guaranteed to lose 100 games again. Now they are just 4 out of first with two of our starters out on IL and not pitching well. Just hope the pitching we have somehow holds up till we can get our starters back and they can start to produce like we thought they could/would.
They are only 4 out of first place, but they are still 4 game under .500 and have the fifth worst winning percentage in the national league. We need to not get ahead of ourselves as fans.
Well it’s a funny thing how the worm turned when the Reds actually took the field with 23-24 of their best uninjured players
I wait and see how the team performs heading into the break, and make my decisions then. Even then I’d still soft buy, unless you can get a stabilizing force in the rotation with a few years control. Marte will be a frequent ask now and in the offseason.
Well done, Reds. The road to the playoffs is lined with series wins. On to KC. EDLC, in the 1st. inning, getting a hit on a rather routine ground ball was unbelievable. I’ve never seen such speed from the batters box.
Ken Griffey (Sr) when he was a rookie, early on, with the Reds. He was explosively fast out of the batters box (hitting left handed).
There was a guy with the Montreal Expos named Larry Lintz, who I think was a shortstop. Blazingly fast out of the batters box. I think he was around in 1971 or 72. Didn’t last, because he couldn’t his ML pitching (ala, Billy Hamilton).
Waino is old, but he hustled and still wasnt fast enough. Crazy, he has speed and runs at maximum effort always looking for that extra base.
Interesting to note that two of the biggest spending teams, the Mets and the Padres, are sitting 9+ games behind their division leaders. Gives one pause about spending a bunch of money when their spending has gotten them closer to bottoms dwellers than division leaders. Also not clear that losing Freddie Freeman has hurt the Braves all that much.
Big series for Weaver, Williamson, and Lively because if they can’t handle that lousy team in that giant park then they just can’t hack it. I would keep an eye on that Salazar kid they just sent down. He throws a heavy ball and he was a starter til this season. Maybe put him with an opener or something? All they need is 5 innings with 2-3 runs and the offense/bullpen could cover them often enough to make it interesting
1 – Now – CES takes Kuhnel’s spot on the 40-man, Hopkins spot on the 26-man.
2 – On 6-15 be ready for trades – one of the catchers, and any of the MLB FAs. Take their time for a good deal, and get pitching – good rentals or better prospects.
3 – 7/31 – see if there is a good deal for pitching controlled thru 2024 – don’t pay to go longer and don’t get MiLB talent – load up on more relievers of, or about to be, MLB caliber.
4 – rest of season – see if Joey has any value in 2024 – it surely won’t be 20m, but it may be 2-5m. The 7m is already in his account.
I just thought I would put, this Reds team is 4 games behind the Pirates and 3 games behind the Brewers for 2nd place “and” the last WC spot.
https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/should_the_reds_move_jonathan_india_back_to_the_leadoff_spot/s1_17200_38904755?utm_source=mb&utm_medium=email&mb_edition=20230611&mb_loc=right_h
My biggest fear right now is guys like Wil Myers, Nick Senzel, or (gulp) Joey Votto coming back and taking playing time from one of the young studs. Especially since CES isn’t even up here yet and he needs a spot too. I don’t mind the 3 catcher system, but not sure how much longer it can last at this point.
I dont understand why everyone’s written off Votto.
I don’t think everyone has written off Votto, but at best, he’s a big question mark.
Measured up against a prospect like CES, who seems anything but a question mark, and sensible fans may be a bit apprehensive.
I’d love to see JV return to some form, but it’s likely only to be a half year’s worth.
I don’t think we’ll see him put up Myers numbers, but if he’s hitting .230 / .240 with little power, then what’s plan B?
The ‘trade CES’ crowd here is driving me nuts.
CES should be up now and let Votto filter his way back in as he regains his hitting.
A big bat will help the Reds as much as another reliever or an ‘inning eater’.
Who in the world here said to trade CES?
Haven’t seen that one.
One thing that has been bothering me is that CES may not be up because they are contemplating trading him for rotation help. His value is very high right now and bringing him up may impact that if he starts out slowly.
I understand we need his bat in middle of the order to contend but we also need a frontline starting pitcher. Prior to this year he and a lesser prospect netted Mahle. With the year he is having in AAA what is his value now?
The ‘lesser prospect’ was Steer who is putting up ROY range numbers.
The return on CES won’t be what you expect…a frontline starter.
EDLC and CES will anchor a potent lineup for years to come.
Why toss that away on at what would at best be an expensive trade.
Build the team to be a sustainable winner.
The Reds need a big bat in the middle of the lineup.
They’ve got one but are too confused to bring him up.
Reds will regret trading CES for a decade.
A bad, bad idea.
I hope more sensible heads prevail.
+1000. Bait with some of the hot prospect(s) at A/A+ or at the most Noelvi Marte at AA. Fill out with somebody like Fairchild who would be a solid #4 OF for many teams or Senzel if a team needs a RH bat to protect an LH hitter in a platoon situation plus another mid to lower minors guy if needed.
Yeah, I wouldn’t trade CES. Finish fixing the lineup, then fix the pitching, which might be better than we fear when Ashcraft and Lodolo return.
plus 10000000
Looking forward to the next roster moves with Votto, Ramos, Fraley, Myers and Senzel due to return from IL soon. That will be a shock to the actual team’s energy, in particular considering how much contribution could be expected from Votto or Myers. Perhaps, from the players currently in the active roster, only Hopkins, Barrero and Newman have had very little impact in the past couple of weeks, so they’d be optioned and traded, to be replaced by Fraley, Ramos and Senzel, respectively, but that still leaves the future of Myers and Votto in the air, as well as the long due promotion of Encarnacion-Strand.
Newman has had some impact the last few weeks. A number of multi on-base games and solid defense. He was starting before EDLC came up when the Reds were short-handed and really didn’t have a better infielder on the bench. Barrero was playing center some because Friedl was hurt. I would say Newman rose to the occasion.
If all the indications and scouting reports paint EDLC > McLain at SS, is there a reason by EDLC keeps playing 3B?
Were the defensive reports wrong, or does Bell not want the best defenders aligned at their best positions?
EDLC and McLain alternated at SS last year when both got to AA and again this spring at AAA. When McLain was at SS, EDLC generally moved to 3B; but, when EDLC was at SS, McLain moved to 2B. I believe for now at least, they don’t want to involve India in the position swapping and have taken the easier path of putting EDLC at 3B since McLain isn’t seen as a 3B fit.
However, there have been reports and pics on Twitter of India taking grounders at 3B in pregame warmups over the last week.
Now we can hope they don’t implode against the hapless royals
There is a paywall but the lead article on ESPN + by Kiley McDaniel this morning:
“How Elly De La Cruz and the Reds- THE REDS- became must watch TV”
He writes in all capital letter:
THERE IS UNABATED JOY SPREADING IN CINCINNATI BECASUE ITS YOUNG BASEBALL TEAM IS FUN AS HE$%:
Yep its pretty much guys under 30 that are playing with exception of the vet catchers and with exception of Newman right now all have less then 3 years experience.Krall has done a great job of purging the roster of older players.I have said over the least few years just play the young guys and lets see and sort and now we are seeing.Young guys on this team have talent and its much better to discuss who is playing or not and why if we are just talking about players that may be part of the future rather then having to deal with the vets who will not be.Yes we have Myers and Votto probably returning to deal with but it will only be for awhile and only through this year at worst.It will be interesting to see what Krall may do going forward.Wouldn’t it be great to see our BIG 3 starting pitchers actually get healthy and perform as was expected and Abbott and others continue to get better for the last couple of months of the season.
I really feel next year this team could be very very good if Bob spends some money to fill in the holes.Yesterday’s win was one of those wins that kind of says we are getting there.A grind out win on the road against a division opponent is always huge.Reds will blow some people out and get blown out.They will lose some they should win and win some they should lose cause its a long season but winning teams or teams on the way up win games like yesterday.Team win and of course it don’t hurt to have EDLC on our side.GO REDS