The Cincinnati Reds rode the rollercoaster on Sunday, falling behind early, rallying to take a late lead, blowing that lead, then rallying again in the 10th inning to take the contest and complete a 3-game sweep of the Houston Astros. The victory was the team’s 8th in a row.
| Final | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati Reds (37-35) |
9 | 9 | 2 |
| Houston Astros (39-33) |
7 | 13 | 1 |
| W: Gibaut (7-1) L: Martinez (1-3) SV: Young (1) | |||
| Statcast | Box Score | Game Thread | |||
The Reds went quietly in the top of the 1st. The Astros did not go quietly in their half of the inning. Alex Bregman doubled and scored on a single by Kyle Tucker. He then came around to score after two singles and Houston took a 2-0 lead. Cincinnati got one of those runs back when Jake Fraley, fresh off of the injured list, lined a solo homer into the right field seats in the top of the 2nd inning.
The 1-run deficit didn’t last all that long as Corey Julks led off with a home run for the Astros in the bottom of the 2nd inning. Houston would get a single and a double later in the inning, but Luke Weaver was able to strand both runners and keep the score at 3-1.
Cincinnati got a little bit going in the top of the 3rd when Will Benson led off with a walk and moved up to third on a single by Kevin Newman. TJ Friedl cashed in on his opportunity with an RBI single to make it a 3-2 game. That was all they’d get after a double play and a fly out followed up.
Luke Weaver didn’t get any help at all from his defense to begin the 4th inning. Alex Bregman hit a low liner to right field and Will Benson dove for it and came up short. It rolled to the wall and Bregman raced towards third. Benson recovered and threw towards the infield where Jonathan India cut it off then airmailed it into the Reds dugout, allowing Bregman to score on the play.
The defense didn’t get much better in the inning. After a walk to Kyle Tucker, Yainer Diaz doubled down the line in left field and when the ball bounced around in the corner, Jake Fraley fell over and Tucker came around to score to make it 5-2.
When the 6th inning rolled around, so did the Reds offense. Matt McLain led off with a single and took second base when Jonathan India struck out on a ball in the dirt and catcher Martin Maldonado hesitated for a second to pick it up. Elly De La Cruz then picked up an infield single with McLain heading to third. Jake Fraley followed up with an RBI single, but he tried to take second base on the throw to third and was thrown out and it turned out to be a big mistake by Fraley because Spencer Steer then took the first pitch he saw and clobbered it for a game-tying 2-run homer.
Daniel Duarte took over in the 6th inning and he would throw two hitless innings to keep the game tied up at 5-5. That was huge because Jonathan India put the Reds up 6-5 with a 1-out opposite field solo home run in the top of the 8th inning. Lucas Sims took over in the bottom of the inning and struck out the first two batters he saw. He then got some defensive help from Jake Fraley who made a leaping catch at the wall to rob Alex Bregman of a hit to end the inning.
Ian Gibaut came out of the Reds bullpen in the bottom of the 9th with a 6-5 lead, as Alexis Diaz was apparently unavailable to pitch. Gibaut led off the inning by walking Kyle Tucker on five pitches to put the tying run on base. During the next at-bat, Tucker would steal second base before Gibaut struck out Jose Abreu for the first out of the inning. Yainer Diaz followed up with a single, but Tucker was held at third on the play. Chas McCormick followed up with a single of his own to tie the game up and move the winning run over to third base. Jeremy Pena was intentionally walked to load the bases. Corey Julks would ground into a double play to end the inning, but Jonathan India got upended on the turn and stayed down for a bit before being checked on by the staff, but he eventually walked off under his own power.
Cincinnati took the lead immediately in the top of the 10th. TJ Friedl laid down a bunt to third base and Nick Senzel, who began the inning as the Reds free runner at second, took third base. Alex Bregman fielded the ball and then airmailed the throw – leading to a collision at first that sent Friedl to the ground, but also brought Senzel home to score. Matt McLain followed up with a deep fly to the warning track in right field and Friedl tagged up and took second base when the throw to the bag bounced away from Jeremy Pena. Jonathan India was then hit by a pitch. The Reds then pinch ran for India with Stuart Fairchild. Elly De La Cruz battled for a 9-pitch at-bat before lacing a single into right field to bring in a run and extend the lead to 8-6. He then tried to steal second, but Jake Fraley hit a grounder to second base. With De La Cruz running it eliminated the double play, Fairchild scored, and the Reds grabbed a 3-run lead.
Alex Young entered the game for the bottom of the 10th inning. Jake Meyers began the inning as the Astros free runner at second base. He would move over to third base on a 1-out ground out and then score on an Alex Bregman single to make it 9-7. Young then got Kyle Tucker to pop out to end the game. Cincinnati completed the sweep and won their 8th straight game.
Key Moment of the Game
Elly De La Cruz winning a 9-pitch at-bat in the 10th inning with an RBI single to add on another run – ultimately the one that would be the difference maker in the game.
Notes Worth Noting
Alex Young picked up the first save of his career.
Lucas Sims lowered his ERA to 2.81 on the season. He’s allowed just two hits in June, covering 8.1 innings of no-run baseball.
Joey Votto posted a video on his instagram stories this afternoon from Louisville that sure makes it sound like he’ll be back in Cincinnati tomorrow and ready to play.
Up Next for the Cincinnati Reds
Colorado Rockies vs Cincinnati Reds
Monday June 19th, 7:10pm ET
Austin Gomber (4-6, 7.29 ERA) vs TBA
Ian Gibaut – only one win behind Kershaw and Stroman, tied with Strider, and more saves than the three of them combined.
The All Star campaign starts … now.
I’d rather see a year-long consistent result.
Back in 1990 Jack Armstrong was 11-3 and started the all star game.
He finished the year 1-6 after that game.
I think you’re getting a little ahead of things. Gibaut has blown4 of the 5chances that he has had to save a victory this year. 2 or 3 times he has blown the save and then got credit for the win because the Reds have rallied and still won the game. He has definately lived a charmed life so far this year and been at the right place at the right time. He has benefited from several of their late game rallies this year. He has been solid and fairly reliable but not at all star quality.
Sarcasm often gets lost on forums like this.
I think Woodrow was kidding.
Gibaut has a 7-1 record. Best middle reliever record in the Major?
Hoo Boy-this is fun!
Reds win in spite of Bell, not because of him.
Boy, these players are fun to watch, though.
It’s literally the opposite of this statement
This team is a reflection of Bell. You can quibble his tactical decisions but you can’t deny he has this team playing at a relentless level – their grit, hustle, and never quit mindset is a reflection of their manager. We’ve seen that for the last several years but now the talent is beginning to match the mindset. And it will be powerful.
Completely agree. I’m not Bell’s biggest fan, but you have to be blind and just completely closed minded if you don’t see that Bell is instrumental in this type of play that we are seeing from the Reds ballclub. You can’t rip Bell and say he’s the reason for so many losses, and then not give him credit when the team is playing out of its mind.
Explain, please.
Agree, I’d like an explanation before responding. I’ve responded to a lot a silly Bell criticisms on this site. In this case, trying to give benefit of the doubt and hope maybe that was sarcasm??
Agree on all counts.
Buckle up. He us NL Manager of the Year if season ends today.
Yessir. Pierats manager in the running for that too. Would be fun to watch the reds and rats duke it out given their prolonged futility.
Yes, sir!
This is ludicrous. David Bell is managing a tired bullpen the best he can given a starting rotation that is essentially a train wreck 3 out of every 5 games. DB isn’t my favorite, but he did nothing wrong here.
Some people will simply hold onto those complaints. Dusty taught me a lot on how much i ought to criticize a manager.
CI3J, I disagree. Bell’s taken tons of heat over the past couple years, even in 2020 when the team made the playoffs, but I think he’s showing that he can indeed manage a major league club. It may very well be that he’s better with young stars, a young player’s manager, as opposed to a guy like Baker, who is good with established stars. If so, he’s a big part of the team’s current success. I think the wheels have come off the anti-Bell, anti-Krall, anti-Castellini motorcade.
Derosa on MLB said this morning that Bell has more talent to work with now then he had in his first four years.Now that is debatable and can somebody say Votto,Suarez,Casty,Castillo,Gray,Mahle,Iggy and more i am sure that were better then average big leaguers.Give Bell credit for whats happening now is fine with me.Give him a pass for the last 4 years?Sure why not?Reds are winning and with young players with a bright future.I have said let the young guys play and Krall has done it and I just plan to set back and enjoy it.Have a lot of memories of this team and going to have some more.Already filed one away for 2023 and it was the most bizarre almost unbelievable thing I have seen in 60 years of following the Reds.Wait for it.Now can somebody say WILD THING
Roger: There were talented players when Bell took over. Some, anyway, but, for instance, Votto was good in ’21 but injured and playing poorly the rest of the time. Castellanos had a great year in ’21, but not so much prior. The bullpens were terrible and the Reds were among the league leaders in injuries.
Well, miracles happen and we’re witnessing one. You don’t question miracles. You just enjoy them and be thankful for them. 🙂
I think I will stop questioning till after game is over and they win. LOL.
This team battles and doesn’t quit
Gotta pick up a SP or two by the deadline. Get Weaver and Lively out of the rotation and into the bullpen. The offense is here, the bullpen is mostly competent.
Weaver needs to be replaced. Lively has an ERA+ of 117–he’s getting it done right now. Ashcraft and Lodolo will return. Dunn should be ready in August, too. Phillips posted 6 innings of efficient, shutout ball at AA. While things may change, the Reds are well-postured right now.
You’re certainly right on Weaver. He was a good signing at the time, but now that the team has found its stride and is performing better than expected, his poor performances stand out all the more. Looks like you can count on Lively, though…for now. Lodolo is on schedule to return about the time Abbott will run out of innings. Ashcroft will be back soon; let’s see if he’s any better than he was before mercifully or luckily going on the IL. If he’s not, then you’re right that the Reds may need to look for 2 starters.
Lively has the best WHIP and the second best (just slightly behind HG) ERA of all the starters. Why do you want to move him out of the rotation?
We will be picking up a SP or two by (about) the deadline. Ashcraft in a week or so, and Lodolo in early August. Lodolo is a stud in the making, and better than any pitcher that the Reds could possibly acquire.
They shouldn’t be trading off valuable prospects for rentals this year. If they can get a starting pitcher for cheap, sure. Otherwise, let the youngsters pitch.
I think you misread the post. Nowhere do I see where BK suggested Lively be replaced in the rotation.
How can you possibly interpret the statement to get Lively out of the rotation and into the bullpen any other way than he wants Lively replaced in the rotation?
MCT – I wasn’t replying to BK, I was replying to Jon who said:
“Get Weaver and Lively out of the rotation and into the bullpen”.
At the start of the road trip, I doubt, even the optimistic fan would say 8 – 1.
Go reds
Absolute MONSTER win for the sweep. The high today is worth the low in the 9th inning.
On to that pizza I was talking about. My whole house smells like some great sauce at the moment. 😀
The Reds have been really fun. My attention of them had waned, especially as NBA playoffs had gone into full swing. But De La Cruz coming up regained my attention. Lots of good things coming together.
NBA? What’s that?
Everything is clicking! Bell & Farmer got their rest and they’re off Thursday so HG can go into Friday’s big Atlanta series on 5 days rest.
They really could use CES’s big bat vs these upcoming lefties, but I’m not holding my breath.
Bring him up with Votto. Lots of ways to do it. For example in today’s lineup Steer to RF, CES to 3B, Votto to 1B.
It would have been really difficult for CES to have improved a team during an eight game winning streak. Perfect is perfect.
There’s always room to improve, even if you are winning. There’s a difference between improving a team’s record and improving a team. Even the best team in the world can be better.
The Enquirer article on Votto returning tomorrow isn’t encouraging. He’s hitting less than .200 in Louisville. A few hard hits balls doesn’t mean he’s ready. Bell isn’t capable of managing a guy like Votto based on his performance, only on his reputation and veteran presence
I think we’ll see JV sitting against LHs.
Bell has his shuffle in full swing.
Myers is more of a millstone at the moment.
I doubt Steer will be sent down.
Unless they abandon the three catchers, it seems likely to me that Fairchild and Benson yield to Votto and Myers. Obviously, it won’t be Senzel or Newman. And it certainly shouldn’t be Steer..
Myers is the millstone.
No bat, no glove, no ‘veteran presence’, no juju.
In the way at 1b.
Not a reliable PH.
I don’t share the Fairchild statistical alchemy but prefer both he and Benson over the Millstone.
Maybe we’re in for a pleasant surprise.
I’ve had a few kidney stones.
Wouldn’t wish them on anyone…except the remaining 2017 Astros.
Why cant Myers be an effective PH?
Lol @ astros comment +1
I dont see a spot for myers right now, but you hold onto him for now 100% in case of an injury
Fairchild and Benson sent down; Maile traded. Votto, Myers, and CES brought up.
Votto started terribly but has looked a lot better lately. His MiLB states mean nothing to him or the organization. If he is healthy and his timing is back, he will improve the team, full stop.
These two are doing what the back of the rotation should. They give the team a chance to win. Not sure there is anything better on trade market.
Have you watched a game he has played in the minors? He is hitting 167 for a reason. He is being overmatched no matter how well he feels.
Or they could send down Fernando Cruz, which would be addition by subtraction for the pitching staff
Again, not really a Bell fan, but your statement is nonsense. Bell is the only manager that Votto has ever played under that literally benched him.
My comment was to LDS.
Haha, right @Chris. That happened all the time. And Bell frequently batted him in the lower third of the lineup.
I was out and about all day but kept checking in on the game. After Steer’s homer to tie it, I had hope. When they lost the lead in the 9th, I settled for the series win. After they won the game, I realized that I’m now expecting wins rather than losses. It’s been a long time to feel like that. And oh man, does that feel good.
Yupper. I feel the same way. The next loss is going to be hard to take, though. It was much easier to be philosophical when they weren’t playing well.
I’ve thought about that. I’ll be okay with the next loss (I think), as long we then follow it up with a win. 🙂
I might eat worms. Hope not.
Think the Astros are glad to see the Reds leave town? Lol
Obviously, we need to score more runs than the other team does to win, but with Weaver, Williamson, and Lively as sp’s, we need to score more than usual. Fortunately, our guys did so again today. WTG, Reds!
Really worried about Bell penciling in Votto 4th in lineup everyday. Hope I’m wrong. The way this lineup has been producing, Votto shouldn’t be anywhere in the top 6.
He shoudn’t be starting until the streak is over…period
What are you worried about? Some commenters here think Votto is on fire down in AAA since coming back from the injury 🙂
Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain, it’s merely a 0.162 batting average since his return from injury.
When a player is rehabbing from injury, he usually won’t hit much for awhile, so basing an assessment of a player’s readiness on his cumulative BA in rehab probably won’t give the whole story. Votto has evidently been hitting better lately and, in any case, he and the coaches know a lot more about his readiness than we do.
I’ve not read ONE SINGLE post suggesting that Votto is on fire in AAA. No need to post false statements to try and prove some sort of point.
Reds are 30-20 since starting 7-15.
With injuries to starting rotation and players. Bell and company have brought this team together to play some great baseball. Sure I question the bullpen decision at times, however it has worked and Bell and the coaching staff deserves credit.
Here here. Way to go KH: thanks for doing the math that I’ve been wondering about for quite some time And I agree that Bell, a favorite whipping boy in these parts (much like in any fan base), deserves a ton of credit. Even in the dark days of last year, he never lost the team. They play hard for him and they play well for him.
It amazes me that despite all the good results we’re getting in that 30-20 streak, EVERY SINGLE DAY we have the Negative Nellies complaining about one thing or another. Even in this string of 8 straight road wins.
It’s really painful for some of these Reds fans to be winning. The Monday morning quarterbacks will never be satisfied.
I am neither a Bell hater or supporter. But, I give credit where credit is due. David Bell and Nick Krall have done a fine job.
Wasn’t able to follow the game today due to Father’s Day activities! Glad they won!
Hate to be a Debbie Downer but Gibaut’s leadoff walk to start the bottom of the 9th inning ended up being the tying run and forced extra innings! This seems to happen way too much!
Nonetheless, the Reds overcame adversity and SWEPT the reigning WS Champions!
Great win, Great road trip! Bring on the Rockies!
Not Gibaut’s best inning of relief, and the lead-off walk certainly didn’t help. But he bailed himself out of huge trouble with that inning ending d.p. Got to give him credit for that. Thankfully, our bats and Young took care of the rest.
Welcome back, Fraley!
Give him credit for a ball that was rocketed at third base? Haha…Pure Luck
Be glad you weren’t here. We don’t think you could have taken it. 🙂
I nearly couldn’t myself. I hate to think what my blood pressure must have been during the 9th and 10th innings.
When does it happen way too much. I cannot remember Gibaut walking anyone or giving up any runs in quite a while. He has been nothing but solid this year.
Fingers and toes crossed that Diaz was just being sensibly rested. Even if he’s fine now, they will absolutely burn him out in the 2nd half if they can’t find another way. Yet, who would have thought this team would need a lock down guy like Diaz this season?!
One more thing! While some may have criticized Bell’s RP decisions today, the end result was a win AND Diaz got some needed rest!
Exactly – while we’ve all been critics of Bell and the owners, they’ve built the city one heck of a team. That’s why critics don’t matter.
Moving forward they’ll get Ashcraft back and he can replace Weaver. Actually they shouldn’t start Weaver again regardless. Ashcraft might be able to right the ship hopefully.
That leaves Lively and Williamson. If they’re going with an opener tomorrow then that says they think Williamson isn’t ready for the rotation. I agree. Spot starter/long man/situational type imo.
Someone mentioned Dunn and I had forget about him. Lodolo is around the corner too. I’d be grooming Levi Stoudt in the meantime. It might take him 80+ pitches but I think he could pull off 4 innings 2 runs. Otherwise it’s journeyman time. All those guys have to own a much higher baseball IQ then Weaver
That corner that Lodolo is around is August Avenue and 21st Street at the closest.
Dunn at the crossroads of Likely and Never.
We may see Phillips before either of them.
Stoudt at the intersection of Hopefully and Soon?
Will Benson’s OBP on the season, even including the horrendous month of April, now sits at .360, good for 4th place on the team. He also now has a positive WAR at 0.2.
In fact, the only negative WAR on the active team is our good pal, Kevin Newman. Still sitting at -0.3. I guess that’s to be expected for a guy who plays mediocre defense and is a below average hitter (88 OPS+).
I disagree with Newman being a below average hitter. His batting average this season is 271. His career batting average is 261. How is that even close to below average hitter? The analytical stuff sometimes is ridiculous in regards to all these numbers.
People take whatever stats they want to support a narrative.
He is very clearly a below average hitter
@Steve is Newman really below average for a utility infielder/spot starter? Or are you comparing Newman to the league in general? Could I also see the list of of utility infielders who are above average hitters?
Why the constant Newman stuff on here? Granted he shouldn’t be leading or playing every day, but how many teams are hitting .270? He hits .260-.270 with doubles power. That’s about as average as average gets
Average is only one measure of success and ignores on-base skills and doubles, triples, and home runs, which are worth more than a single.
Newman has an 87 wRC+ and 88 OPS+, both of which indicate, by definition, that he is a below-average MLB hitter.
Looking at the 9 Reds with the most plate appearances (among whom is Newman) he ranks 7th in OPS+.
Unless we ignore the math, I’m pretty sure 7th out of 9 qualifies as below average?
Who had the game winning double the other day? Geez, leave the guy alone will ya?
The detractors and poor Reds fans won’t mention his stats against left-handed pitchers, which is a strength. Batting .271 overall is not to be griped about.
Yes, it’s nice that he did that.
But stats don’t lie. Newman’s 88 OPS+ clearly shows he’s a below average hitter, and his -0.3 WAR is still the worst of the active roster.
yeah we should call Berrero back up and watch him strikeout every other at bat. The bashing of Newman on this site is beyond ridiculous. The guy has a done a great job all year.
Stats don’t lie and, for his career Newman is probably below average, and he got off to a poor start with the Reds. Recently, though, he has had some key hits–even against right handers. He’s a utility infielder; he plays when starting infielders are injured or need rest or when the Reds like him as a match-up against an opposing pitcher. We shouldn’t need to have whipping boys, but we apparently do.
So glad to have Fraley back in the lineup. He is such a good at bat almost every time he’s up! Despite platooning and missing time for various reasons (wrist, allergies, etc.) he’s still top 30 in the league in both RBIs and Stolen Bases!
Unbelievable that I have seen Reds fans on Twitter want to use him as trade bait for rental starting pitching
Note the Friedl sac bunt in the 10th.
It’s worth noting after the meltdown on RLN over the Bell’s resistance to it in a recent extra inning game.
It worked like a set piece and should every time.
Practice it.
Force the 3B to throw in a hurry.
Great to see head trash-can-banger Bregman be the goat as well.
You know Harry, I think it has gotten to the point where the visiting team thinks they need multiple runs in extra inning so they give up on playing the small ball because the home team can just then play for one run. I am a little old school like you and like the bunt, but I’ve seen it not be as good a strategy for visiting team.
I believe huge for us, whether tonight or through the streak. . .
DD tonight was awesome. It would be nice to see another good arm get back there. I hope Diaz is alright.
Young as well. We need to see these other relievers get their time, also. Bell just can’t rely on Gibault, Diaz, Young, and Farmer all the time. He does have others.
On one hand, I’m impressed with Elly, on the other hand I’m not. I will explain. He is showing me a great eye; I love that. But, it seems to me that the other teams are going to be keeping the ball down on him until he shows them he can hit those pitches, also. I mean, since the HR, I haven’t seen many pitches up in the zone to Elly.
We aren’t blazing many trails nor losing many trails, besides pitching. I mean:
– our batting is pretty much middle of the road in the NL. Except for OBP, 2nd in the NL. Who would have thunk that some years ago?
– Horrible starting pitching stats. But, great relieving stats.
I love to see major leaguers who know how to bunt.
This is just a different team.
Well, despite being 27th in MLB in HR’s, the Reds before today were 9th in runs scored, decidedly not middle of the road. And aren’t runs scored what really matter anyway?
With 8 teams above them. That is an understandable stretch to say they are “blazing trails” with runs scored.
Diaz pitched in 4 straight games. Let’s let the guy have a game off.
Agreed.
Bell needs to have some courage to go with his other guns sometimes, not just rely on Farmer, Gibault, Diaz, and Young (Young might be somewhat understandable, being the only lefty out there). I mean, look what DD did the other day, 2 straight innings, no problem.
Another McSweep, this one with extra-innings. I hope they won’t mess with the team’s energy by calling up Votto and/or Myers, they have no business with the club now. The only right move is to promote CES and trade Newman.
Yeah Newman has been terrible. Worst player in the league. He needs to be gone, yesterday.
It’s the only right move. Smh
Not terrible, just below average with better options available.
Who is the better option, Hal?
To play first and third as well as corner outfield as needed? CES is at minimum an equivalent defensive replacement and likely superior than Newman. The advantage he is going to give you with the bat is extreme even if he K’s ~30% of the time.
I accept the possibility that CES is being held down because of being a part of a trade bringing in an arm.
Hal, this is a real stretch:
“To play first and third as well as corner outfield as needed? CES is at minimum an equivalent defensive replacement and likely superior than Newman”.
Don’t know how you make that declaration. CES in 3 minor league seasons has played a total of 10 INNINGS in LF and 9 INNINGS in RF. Did he only play two games in the OF because he was clearly suited to be an outfielder? Did he show such mastery that he did not need any further innings there? Still smh.
And no one is raving about CES’ work at 3B or 1B either. MLB Pipeline says : “Encarnacion-Strand has more than enough arm strength to stick at third, and he’ll keep getting plenty of reps there, but the strong and physical infielder can be too stiff there at times. He’ll keep getting time at first, mostly to give the Reds options of ways to get him into the lineup”.
CES is a bat first guy who has made nice strides in cutting down his K rate this year and has greatly increased his ability to get on base. He’s the future at 1B and DH. Newman is a middle infielder whose future with the Reds is as a utility guy. There’s a role for both of them with the Reds.
But do you want CES to be a utility guy? When they bring him up, I expect he’ll be starting pretty much every day. They could move him around, but then somebody else will have to come off the bench to cover the position he vacated.
CES has been looking good at 3B recently to me especially yesterday from what I saw. He threw out a runner in the grass behind 3B easily.
There are plenty of guys that can play multiple positions. There is no longer a need for one “utility” guy.
Melvin, how does the fact that CES threw out a runner from the grass behind 3B rebut what I posted?
MLB Pipeline says : “Encarnacion-Strand has more than enough arm strength to stick at third, and he’ll keep getting plenty of reps there, but the strong and physical infielder can be too stiff there at times”. CES is simply not known as a talented defender.
Votto, a future HOFr, didn’t make the majors until he was 23 (didn’t go to college so he started in Rookie ball at 18). CES is 23 and will most likely make the majors this year. Both Votto and CES had to learn to play a new position. Neither one is likely to ever be considered a plus fielder and both had to spend time learning to play 1B. CES will be in Cincy this year; we don’t need to bemoan it EVERY SINGLE DAY. The organization sees the player on a daily basis in games, in practice, in the clubhouse, everywhere. If they think he needs more work, how do you presume to know more based on you viewing of a minor league game or three? And just how many years did you serve as a professional scout?
As for not need a utility guy going forward, what happens if they trade India for pitching or for an outfielder? And if they don’t keep Senzel or say, and this is unlikely, he’s injured? If McLain slides to 2B permanently and EDLC to SS, who’s playing 3B? Who’s your backup SS/2B/3B? McLain and EDLC can’t play all three positions at once. Guys like Newman, Fairchild, and Senzel have value due to their position flex.
IMHO, there’s a role for both CES and Newman on this team.
Hey Earmbrister. I guess the point I’m trying to make is that I haven’t seen where CES is as bad defensively, anywhere he has played, as some say he is. He’s more than adequate in my view. As far as utility Steer has played all over the place including SS and could be used there as a backup. If they were to trade Newman for example and needed one player for a backup then Lopez has been doing just that in AAA. He’s played all over the place plus a lot of SS. He’s also hitting pretty well with more power this year as well. I don’t know what’s going to happen of course. I’m not exactly sure what you mean. If you give me a scenario I’ll give you what I think would work. I think the chances of trading India are slim to none and getting slimmer all the time.
Melvin, I only know what I’ve read regarding CES’ defensive abilities or inabilities. There are apparently concerns vs kudos about his fielding: I have not seen him at all (much less on an everyday basis).
Steer has not played SS either this year or last in MLB. He’s a first and third baseman, with a few games at 2B and LF. He’s hardly played “all over the place”.
I like Steer, but he’s not the prototypical utility guy, particularly in the middle infield.
Melvin, my point was that CES will presumably be starting, whether at first, third, OF or DH. If somebody gets hurt or needs rest and they move CES to cover his position, somebody else–a bench player–will have to cover the position he vacated.
Earmbrister – Steer would be a third option at SS with EDLC and McLain on the team. Either one would play SS and Steer move to 2B or 3B. Steer as a third option is okay.
Yep, that Votto guy hasn’t earned the right over his career to play one more second with this team. Throw him on the scrap heap ASAP. Seriously?
If you have watched Bats games you might be saying something different. This is all about who he was and not how he is performing now.
ever think that Newman may have a very good effect on this very young team’s chemistry (i.e., energy). He has been with the team ever since day 1. Our 1 utility infielder doesn’t have to set the world on fire. He just needs to be able to play 4 or 5 positions with passable defense and not be an easy out in the lineup. When I watch the games Newman seems to do just that.
Look at Newman’s last 30 games.
Chris Welch said something to that effect.
Hopkins and Senzel are really the only players who should be sent down in order to bring up Votto and CES. But I have a feeling it will be Fairchild and Hopkins. I just do not see any consistency in Senzel.
Not only sent down but DFAed as with both of those would require a 40-man spot. Votto tweeted he’ll be back tomorrow. Years ago, I decided to retire because if I hadn’t two young people were going to lose their jobs. somebody is going to lose a job tomorrow when a player from the past replaces a player of the future. CES is a little different situation as he is a part of the future.
Just as important who is going to lose playing time.
Hopkins was already sent down to make room for Fraley coming back
Hopkins went down for Fraley today. I think Senzel should be the odd man out when Votto comes back tomorrow, but I’m guessing that it will be Fairchild.
Might be one of the catchers.
But, yes, something has to give. It’s sort of the opposite of having no one to root for. Once you have too many to root for, someone has to go.
They used all three catchers in the win yesterday.
I don’t wish poor health on anyone but at this time of year everyone has some nagging injury they are dealing with. If I had to guess, someone on the active Roster goes down with some type of inflammation. Surely Casali strained his back leaping for all those Ricky Karcher out of the zone fastballs!
100% correct on Senzel. His best position is 3rd and there’s no room at the inn and there never will be. It’s time to trade him to somebody who needs a decent 3rd baseman and try to get a decent minor league pitcher for him.
According to MLBTradeRumors.com the Red Sox are looking for a CF and/or an INF who can play multiple positions. Trade Senzel to them (and cash, if need be) for LHP Chris Murphy
What a game, series, and streak!
Quite the wild ride, that’s for certain. Frankly, I’ll take it.
I’m still riding the euphoric high from today’s win and the sweep that I’m sure made Dusty eat his box of toothpicks.
The roster will sort itself out … somehow. I’m thinking Fairchild is the odd man out right at the moment, if only because Senzel has a little more versatility. Newman should stay at this point and, perhaps, they are working on a trade. Another one of those things we just don’t know.
Maybe they short the team a pitcher for a bit. Probably not the best plan, but I think we all know choices will have to be made. And not just this week. There are more choices coming.
We ride it as long as we can. Hoping we can rain some fire on the Rocks and win a few on the homestand.
I was in Louisville today for my first Bats game. Had a great time even though they got beat pretty bad.
When Votto left the game after only 2 at-bats, I told my son he was probably heading to Cincinnati. It sounds like I was right.
CES was playing third base and made an outstanding play early in the game.
Got home in time to watch the Reds extend their winning streak. They are really amazing right now.
I watched the play CES made at 3B on TV. It WAS outstanding. 🙂
It seems the Reds are on the verge of assuming the old Mets title of The Amazings.
Took Krall awhile but he now has a really good team full of players that are young and exciting but more important is they can play.Gone are the older non productive players and thats tough for an old man of almost 70 to say but it is really is the story.No longer does it take 3 hits to score somebody,no longer does the money play or vet privlege enter into the decision making as to who plays.Kids with little or no major league experience flying around having fun is what we are seeing and its exciting.Long season but these kids love to play the game.Baseball gods if there is such a thing smiled on us with the WILD THING in KC and you had to know after that well something good was about to happen and it has and why shouldn’t it continue.Not ready to say go print play off tickets but they passed a huge test these past 3 days.
yes roger. Its working.
i got braves reds tickets next weekend….really good ones.
reds are a solid team and trending up for sure.
With the Reds now playing so well, some people are predictably finding it absurd for anyone to criticize Bell. But many of those same people will also say it’s absurd to criticize him when they’re playing very badly — because the problem is always a “lack of talent” or “players failing to execute.”
Fun fact: It’s possible for a team to win games with bad management. For example, Fraley knocking in a run reflects his talent, while Fraley getting thrown out trying to take second, when it makes absolutely no sense to take that gamble, reflects poor coaching. The Reds won despite it. Gibaut pitching well this season reflects his talent, while being used in the 9th inning today was poor management. Sims was available and seemed to be pitching fine. The Reds won anyway.
To be fair, I think Bell’s decision-making this year has been better than it’s been in the past, but that’s an exceptionally low bar.
A manager looks a lot smarter when he puts a player in the position to do something, and they come through.
When he uses a player and the player fails…then the manager looks stupid. Or something like that.
I think David Bell has more real talent this year than any past years he managed. The team’s biggest weakness now is starting pitching. They have two really good starters in Hunter Greene and Andrew Abbot, a pretty good starter in Ben Lively, a marginal rookie in Williamson (who may get better…he does have real talent) and Luke Weaver, who is really not a very good ML pitcher.
Abbot has been nothing short of amazing….and Hunter is starting to get into a groove.
Lively is going to be up and down…he does not have tremendous stuff, but has a good idea about pitching and will be good when he has good control.
Williamson has some good stuff, but he is erratic. But so was Hunter Greene early in 2022. He could be overpowering and alternatively terrible in his next start.
I guess Ashcraft will be back soon, and I would guess somebody has to go, and Williamson may still have an option. He should replace Weaver, but I think they will keep Weaver because he can’t be optioned back to AAA without losing him to waivers….but I may be wrong there.
Some people do criticize Bell every time a choice he makes doesn’t work out (like every time Newman doesn’t reach base), but I think most of the criticism he gets is for objectively BAD decisions. When McLain strikes out in a key situation, for example, you don’t see many people getting mad at Bell for allowing McLain to hit for himself. But when Benson was hitting .042 and Bell used him as a pinch hitter just because he’s left handed, people were understandably annoyed when Benson popped the ball up.
The question, of course, is who decides objectively which decisions are good? And based on what? Bell does make bad decisions because all managers do, and fans of all teams, in all years, criticize managers’ decisions. People need harmless diversions, and I guess that qualifies.
Was Frayley waved on the second by the coach or did he go on his own?
Sims may of only had a inning in him and trying to give Diaz a extra day of rest may very well be a good decision.
Do you think Sims said he was tired and asked to be taken out of the game after throwing 14 pitches to get three outs? I don’t. I think Bell has a theory about pitchers being unable to pitch more than one inning, and he makes decisions based on his theory. It’s as simple as that.
I don’t think anyone specifically told Fraley to try for second in that situation. But I do think Reds players have shown a consistent tendency to ignore what the situation is when they decide to run or not run, swing or not swing, dive or not dive, etc. And I think coaching (or the lack thereof) has a lot to do with that.
Whatever Bell’s theory on bullpens, it seems to be working.
Bell is likely better at his job then all of our at our jobs. We’re being critical of a dude working his tail off to win games for this city. Jeez. Maybe we could be supportive.
Um…. This is the same way he’s approached the bullpen every year he’s managed this team, and the bullpen has often been the absolute weakest link. Also, several relievers have had season-ending surgeries or spent months on the injured list during Bell’s tenure. Bell’s
strategy is “working” because the relievers happen to be pitching better this season. He didn’t make them pitch badly in previous seasons and he isn’t making them pitch better this season. He also isn’t responsible for the fact that his starters have been pitching worse this year than in the past. These things have nothing to do with strategy.
If he has such a theory, he regularly makes exceptions to it, because he does have relief pitchers pitch 2 innings from time to time. Duarte pitched two innings in the game in question. Bell’s theory of bullpen management probably includes accounting for the differences among the players available, the game situation and, yes, whom he is likely to need the next day.
David Bell is not my favorite manager, but I do believe he deserves some credit this year for how resilient this team has been. It’s hard to me to always kind of gage how good a MLB manager is. It seems like a high school baseball coach who is good with people could do about the same job as most MLB managers. But I think there are good and bad managers. He’s got some tough decisions coming up. The way the 2021 collapsed concerned me about Bell’s influence or lack there of on that team. But I believe Winker was hurt and I maybe they just weren’t that good and it ended up showing talent wise, maybe it didn’t have to do much with Bell. Bell might be better with young talent than with established veterans. I think it’s hard to tell with managers. Dusty Baker has had mostly really good teams in his career it seems. But they usually failed in the big time playoff moments until last year. I always think Dave Roberts with LA is not that great of a manager. It seemed like he didn’t have a great feel in the playoffs, but I don’t know…again it’s hard to judge managers effectiveness I believe.
That might just be the dumbest thing I’ve read in this forum in a long time.
“Fun fact: It’s possible for a team to win games with bad management. For example, Fraley knocking in a run reflects his talent, while Fraley getting thrown out trying to take second, when it makes absolutely no sense to take that gamble, reflects poor coaching.”
So when a player does something good; it’s credit to the player. When player does something stupid, it’s on Bell. LOL. Just curious, Friedl took 2nd base on a tag from 1st on a fly to RF. So should we assume that was brilliance on Friedl’s part, and if he had been out at 2nd, that would have been horrible coaching on Bell’s part? I will give you the benefit of the doubt and just assume you didn’t actually read what you posted, and it was just an accident on your part. 🙂
No Reds win – not even a late inning come from behind rally to extend a winning streak to 8 games, all on the road – would be complete without the requisite RLN Bell/Newman bashings. Love the angst and sound analysis, y’all complete me.
I guess I must be complicated. I’ve been defending Newman since before the season even started, and I’ve defended Bell’s use of him, but I’m one of Bell’s most consistent critics when it comes to all non-Newman topics. Go figure.
I’m also a fan if Newman. For the most part he’s great for team chemistry and his had some clutch hits and plays and I think he’s part of the reason the team is as good as it is. He us very versatile. I don’t like the decision with the bullpen today at all and there’s plenty of times I don’t agree with Bell on his Bullpen usage. However the team is playing great and you have to give Bell credit for keeping the guys loose and in the right frame of mind to play well.
@TampaRed, lol!! Unfortunately those comments go with the territory.
Well you won’t get any Bell comments from me today. Newman has been adequate, he’s had some good and bad moments this season. He’s below average offensively and defensively. RLN must state the truth win or lose.
I watch a ton of baseball, I don’t think Newman is below average defensively at all. But honestly, that’s not worth arguing about for me.
Offensively, he’s a utility infielder. I’m still waiting for someone to produce the list of utility infielder who are considered above average hitters? Because those players are usually called full-time starters.
Why arent Reds braves on every national network next weekend. Best NL weekend series without a doubt
Sell it out RLN
Im going,
Old school. I’ll be there Friday.
Im there saturday.
Good baseball teams playing each other.
I was going…….until my wife told me I was doing something else that weekend.
Have a great time, you guys.
Fraley talked about the culture that has been created in an interview after the game.Lots of us on here have said the Reds didn’t know how to win and that they needed a culture change.Some said if you can’t change it with the existing roster you need to flip it.Heard the same thing last night on MLB as they discussed what was wrong with the Cards and they needed to do and it centered around Goldy and Nolan.My point is if you can’t change the players then you go out and get different players.We have discussed forever about guys like Eugenio and Moose and Farmer and Casty and even Joey and others and how we loved them or didn’t love them but the bottom line this team continued to lose.All of these guys are still playing by the way but sometimes it just gets old.I am a selfish old guy but I am tired of talking about the nasty boys and the BIG RED MACHINE and sweeping the A’s in 1990.I want to talk about little MAC and ELDC and Steer and yes WILD THING and Krall is making it possible.Come off the hip Bob and fill in the holes or sell the team.GO REDS
Yeah it’s amazing how fast everything has changed since Moose/Joey/Geno/Wink station to station. So boring.
As for Fraley, said yesterday I’d slot him 5th to protect Elly and Bell out him there and got instant production. Maybe too much Newman, but he’s mixed and matched and most of it has worked. India to 3rd. Stephenson lower in the order. He stuck with Benson and Fairchild when they had horrible stretches. He could’ve buried Benson after his first go around. Bell has done well this year
Good point on Benson. I thought he was terrible and would never play much after coming up initially. He and Fairchild are guys that have really made a difference who you’d never think would have. Got to give Bell some credit for that for sure. I like Newman. Maybe he’s played a little too much, but I think he’s a solid veteran that adds some maturity to the team and lineup, and has had some clutch hits. Look at his 2019 Pittsburgh stats…he was really good. Sure it was one year, but he’s proved he can be that good.
The Reds record is 37-35.
So if the manager were Sparky Anderson instead of Bell, what do you think their record would be?
What is the difference between the last 4 years and this year under Bell?
The answer is player talent.
Bell ain’t so dumb when the players do well on the field.
Oops, my comment was supposed to be a reply to J above ending with “… but that’s an exceptionally low bar.”
Well, Bell has improved as a manager, also. In ’21, he wrote Winker in the 2 hole every game, despite the fact that Winker batted .177 with a 58 (!) OPS+ against LHP. Winker killed the offense in the 2 hole in games against a LHS.
But Bell is doing much better adjusting the lineup for handedness splits this year, and it has helped the offense.
I’ll be a Bell believer when he writes Votto’s name down in the lineup, below 6. Somehow I doubt he will. We will see.
Bell plays the splits too much. Bell plays the splits too little.
I think if Sparky were the manager, their record would probably be about 40-32. There have been a few games where Bell’s decisions have clearly cost the team wins that a better manager would have won.
What having more talented players has done is given Bell a crutch to be bailed out for his poor decisions. That was the case today.
just wow
Instead of repeating my managerial records stats, I’ll just urge people to make lists of their favorite managers and then check their records: many of them will have–sprinkled hither and yon–losing seasons and, often, terrible seasons. The total career record may not reflect this, because esteemed managers are often sought by well-resourced teams.
Yes, this is pretty clear.
So, the consensus is that Bell was dead wrong to not leave Sims in for a second inning and pitch Gibaut instead. When is the last time Sims went two innings? Even once this year? Not his m.o., apparently. Gibaut and Farmer are more of the workhorse types, so I wasn’t at all surprised to see the substitution. It obviously didn’t work out too well. So what? Why all the second guessing and criticism of Bell? Perfection isn’t exactly easy to come by. Let me know when you get there, armchairs.
Sims hasn’t pitched multiple innings because Bell won’t allow it. It’s not that Bell keeps trying it and Sims keeps failing at it. And I seriously doubt Sims is asking to be removed every time he pitches an inning.
When did he tell you that?
Why won’t Bell allow it? He allows other guys to pitch multiple innings. If he’s intentionally trying to sabotage the team, it isn’t working.
I think Sims doesn’t pitch multiple innings in order to try to protect him from injury. Warming up multiple innings is hard on relievers, especially high effort relievers like Sims.
I think the worse decision was to put Diaz in the game after Sims had only thrown 5 pitches in the earlier game in the series. That was why Diaz was unavailable for this appearance. Bell is going to overuse his best relievers.
I want to say I’m thankful I was able to watch todays game with my 83 year old father on Father’s Day. This team is so much fun to watch. I honestly can’t remember a time that compares to now in terms of all the exciting young players. Maybe Eric Davis, Kal Daniels, Barry Larkin, Kurt Stillwell and Paul O’Neil. Votto, Bruce, Kearns, Dunn, Bailey and maybe Lopez sprinkled in when he was still a good prospect.
Neither of those 2 groups were this much fun. I think David Bell is doing an excellent job. For those questioning his handling of Sims, have you forgotten that kid’s injury history? I am sure the he is on a strict 1 inning limit. The way he has been handled now has made him the set up man Diaz will need when we make the post season this year.
No condemnation of anyone here. Just ask yourself if just enjoying the ride would be more fun than the constant need to be right about everything.
Congratulations Reds on turning the ship around!
Also, someone commented about Frailey getting thrown out was bad coaching. WHAT? The teams freaking identity is putting pressure on the defense and taking the extra base whenever they can. Most of the time it works to spectacular results. Once in a while someone will get thrown out. It happens.
This is the kind of second guessing I just don’t understand but whatever. As far as I care, please keep being aggressive any chance you get and take that extra base.
I’d bet a fortune that Fraley made the decision to go on his own. He saw the throw going to third and thought he’d take his chances and advance. Out by a country mile and on stricltly on him.
I’m the “someone” who said it. I like the team being aggressive in most
circumstances, but players also need to be aware that there are circumstances when you need to be more cautious. Down by a couple runs, one out, a runner taking third, and Steer due up next is NOT the time to get thrown out by 10 feet trying to get to second base. That’s just bad baseball. And it’s up to the manager to make sure those kinds of things don’t happen. They happen fairly often on this team. (I also think they’re too cautious about stealing bases sometimes, and wind up hitting into a ton of double plays as a result. I’ve been begging for more hit-and-run plays to avoid those double plays, but Bell almost NEVER calls them.)
Wow, Chris, that was a devastating point. You showed me. Sims threw 34 pitches on May 11, then 1 pitch on May 13, then 16 pitches on May 15, then gave up four runs on May 17. Clearly, it was the 34 pitches he threw on May 11 that caused him to pitch badly on May 17, and not the fact that he was pitching in Denver. No other pitcher has ever had problems pitching in a Denver, so it must have been those 34 pitches six days earlier that did him in. Yup.
Sorry — obviously meant for Chris below.
Ok couple of things-
Joey’s batting avg at Louisville doesn’t mean anything because the sample size is so small (Benson anyone?). What you should be looking at is he isn’t striking out a ton, he’s had some hard hit balls, he’s walking and generally getting the bat to the ball. These are signs he’s pretty close and a few games up here should get him back in the groove. Even if he is bad for Joey our DH spot coming into today was hitting like .230 with a .690 ops, it’s likely by on base skills alone he would improve that.
Newman has been a valuable player. I do think he has gotten a little too much run at times because his defense has been really bad. He has cost the reds multiple runs in the field. But his bat in a utility super sub role is actually quite fine. Just going by ops+ or wrc+ doesn’t always tell the whole story. You have to think about how it fits in the roster construction. He’s a guy with generally solid contact skills, he rarely strikes out and gets on base. Based on how the roster is put together he slots in nicely in the lower third to help turn over the lineup quicker. Now where I am critical is dumping farmer and then trading for him. It would have been better to pay a couple million more to farmer and added dauri moreta to the pen. In that sense it’s a net negative. But the player himself is a fine role player on a team like this.
Sims is never pitching multiple innings again in his career. He’s had multiple major procedures. Bell has smartly (with medical input I’m sure) decided that sim’s best ability is his availability and they are load managing him. It’s worked great so far and there is no reason to change it. Keep him healthy all year and he is super valuable to the bullpen.
Bell is doing an admirable job considering how much roster shuffle has happened with this team and how abysmal starting pitching has been (going into yesterday starters were rocking an ERA near 6.6). It’s honestly stupid to question anything tactical because you just have no idea what is happening in the dugout or locker room. Guys might be feeling sick so he’s trying to avoid him, or a guy may see particular pitches a bit better so he plays. There’s so much more depth to the decision making than we could possibly know so it’s just ridiculous to think anything we might do would be better than what’s being done. I believe bell is firmly in the average manager tier for MLB, but he’s working well with this crew, so let’s watch and enjoy.
Please don’t give Bell credit for “smartly” managing Sims’ workload. He’s had a one-inning rule for almost all of his relievers in every season, and they’ve been getting injured left and right despite the limits. (And this includes Sims.) I’m confident there’s no science to any of this. It’s all hunches and guesswork. Some pitchers can throw a ton of pitches and will be fine, some will repeatedly get injured no matter what limits are placed on them. Bodies all respond differently. Sims could wind up on the injured list at any moment, or he might never be injured again. Nobody knows how to control it.
You never hear about a star quarterback being taken out of a game because he’s thrown 25 passes and they’re afraid he’ll get hurt if he ever throws 26 passes in a single game because he had shoulder surgery last year. You never hear about a star basketball player being removed from a game after the third quarter because they’re worried he’ll get hurt if he plays in the fourth quarter because he had major knee surgery last year. They take him out for a few minutes to get a little rest and send him right back in the court to finish the game, and they’ll do it every single game all season. Only in baseball is the “limited workload to avoid injury” nonsense taken seriously.
Actually it’s very simple. If Sims throws 30 pitches then he wouldn’t be available til Wednesday. They’re not blowing people out so these guys are needed almost every day. It’s a long season
@J what are you talking about? The NBA very famously has load management. They limit guys minutes throughout a game guys don’t play on second nights of back to backs. Happens with most teams.
With the QB you might run the ball more throughout the game so that you QB throws fewer passes throughout the game. This does and has happened, so your argument makes no sense.
The point was when Sims first got here, he threw multiple innings all the time. He’s only done it 4 times this year, never 2 full innings and he’s only pitched back to back days once, this most recent St Louis series. They are clearly managing his workload and the extra rest seems to be helping keeping him on the mound.
Sims threw 34 pitches on May 11 (recording 5 outs, I might add) and pitched again on May 13, May 15, and May 17. He threw 28 pitches on May 31 and then pitched again on June 2. He could have thrown 30 pitches today and pitched again on Tuesday according to the way Bell has been using him over the last month. Please don’t overthink this. Bell has shown time and time again that he prefers using relievers for one inning the vast majority of the time (especially his best relievers), and today was just another instance of it. It’s not about protecting Sims from injury or being able to use him on Tuesday. It’s a theory that says “good relief pitchers should usually only pitch one inning at a time,” and nobody seems to know why he believes this.
@J You aren’t very good at this. Look what Sims did 5/17.
Ok, I take it back. Some NBA teams do seem to engage in some sort of load management under some circumstances, but it’s not of the kind that I mentioned above. They don’t yank the star player out after the third quarter of a close game — when he’s playing well — simply because they’re afraid he’ll be injured if he ever plays in all four quarters. That would be too arbitrary for anyone to stomach.
I’m not opposed to giving guys some rest between appearances. I’ve never complained about that. But the idea that a guy can’t throw 14 pitches, sit for 10 minutes, and then throw another 14 pitches because he might get hurt seems absurd to me. There is nothing comparable to that in any other sport as far as I know. Basketball players, hockey players, and football players are all asked to play as hard as they can for a stretch of time, rest for a while, then reenter the game and play as hard as they can. Repeatedly. All season long. Even if they had surgery last year.
i think you have to go back to the 60’s when Bench, Rose and Perez were coming up to find a comparable level of anticipation. From a pure athleticism standpoint, this group of young reds tops them all
It has always seemed to me that players enjoy playing for Bell. He is very loyal to his players, especially vets and journeyman. He finds a way to get most of his players fairly consistent playing time more than any Reds manager that I can remember. Even when they were horrible it seemed that players liked playing for Bell. I have been very critical of his in-game decision making and lineup choices, but the reality is that a lot of his lineup choices over the last few years have been influenced by decisions above him. Bad bullpen pitchers also make Managers look foolish. Here’s to hoping he keeps pulling the right strings this year. But, I still can’t stand listening to his post game interviews, especially after losses. I prefer a little “Sweet Lu” honesty on occasion… Just keep winning. I can always turn off the tv when his interview starts.
I see this all the time, that Bell prefers vets and journeyman over better,younger players. Where is that evidence?
He’s been the manager since 2019. In that time, he’s had a rookie of the year and another that finished 4th. He’s got multiple candidates this year. He’s placed into the starting lineup or pitching staff India, Stephenson, Steer, McClain, ELDC, Greene, Lodolo, Ashcraft, Williamson, Diaz, Friedl and I don’t even know how many RP’s.
He gave Barrero almost 500 AB’s, Hopkins got starts, along with Robinson and a few others that I’m probably forgetting. He’s giving Fraley a chance to flourish, and Benson as well. He’s winning today with rookies and young players.
He plays the roster he’s given. If the FO gives him Moose, Vosler, Myers, etc then he’s just the guy that fills out the lineup card. Bell doesn’t get nearly enough credit for what he’s done with the young guys, rookies and others trying to find their way. Honestly, he’s been fantastic with player development.
A few players just haven’t panned out so the narrative has become that Bell prefers the Vosler’s of the world. The evidence doesn’t support that.
TR, I basically said the same thing in my post. A lot of lineup decisions are made because of FO personnel decisions, but I’ve watched the vast majority of the Reds games while he has been the manager, you can’t argue with the fact that he has given lots of playing time to vets and journeymen, some of them deservingly so… Others not so much. Like I said, he basically tries to play everyone that he can, as much as he can. I agree that he has done a much better job this year of playing the younger players. Once again, probably driven by Front Office decisions. I’m not sure that you actually read my post. I think you just had a point that you wanted to make.
@Soto, that’s fair. And I mostly agree with you.
Hope is not a dangerous thing after all. After years of hoping this Reds team came out of no where and bedazzles. Everybody contributes, no superstar so to speak. Absolutely love it. Let’s hope for a 9 game winning streak
I had family over and turned the volume almost down to nothing, but everyone still heard Sadak screaming when Elly slid headfirst into 1B)). That guy makes me laugh. He’s like a little kid
The current makeup of players, with their ” never say die” attitude, hustle and comraderie has definitely given themselves, the REDS, a chance to win on any given day.
If and when Votto and Myers return, and replace any 2 of the youngsters who have been performing, the team speed and hustle and cohesiveness may (will) be diminished. Bell’s current player rotations will be lessened.
To those who make the roster decisions: PLEASE DON’T INJECT VOTTO AND MYERS INTO THIS LINEUP BASED ON “PAST PRODUCTION”. Re-introducing them to this exciting team could upset the entire momentum this young TEAM has built without the presence of JV or WM.
Go Reds!!
I don’t care about Myers – he’s fly by night. But Votto? Don’t you think a guy who’s dedicated his entire career to this team deserves the opportunity to shine again? If he fails, he fails, but give the guy some credit, some respect, and a well-deserved chance, will ya? He’s earned it. All of it.
RLS, I’m with you! But no matter what anybody on RLN wants, Votto is going to play. He’s earned it with his attitude, work ethic, and amazing career. I can also think of over 20 million other reasons that he is going to play.
And, I believe Votto is professional enough to think he’s not going to come in and play everyday. If I’m wrong, we would be blowing it.
I would be starting Votto 5 of 9 games, maybe 6 of 10. More if an MVP bat shows up, less if not.
My only worry about Votto is. . .he’s notorious for being a slow starter. And, with this team, I don’t want to be playing him to “work things out”.
Lastly, what I would like to see the Reds do during the off season is. . .try to confirm who’s at what positions. I mean, like Sparky did back in the 70’s, the big 8 didn’t start all 162 games (I believe someone said it was barely over 100 games). But, when Sparky wanted a win, everyone knew who the starting 8 were going to be. And, Sparky played them.
Let’s try to confirm more positions and depth charts. I would think that would go a long way for the development of the players, also, not having to worry each day about how to play every position going into every game. They can just worry about playing their same position each day. I would encourage them to take defensive practice at other positions. But, I’m looking for them to be “my man” in certain positions.
Agree, Votto has earned the right to come back. And I seriously doubt he’s replacing any “youngsters” – in last night’s game, he likely would have replaced Newman.
Myers is a different story.
i have been reflecting on this road trip. You have to give credit where credit is due and that is to the commissioners office. these rule changes have made a difference for the reds. I also give credit for teams like the Yankees and dodgers for signing off to these rule changes. They didn’t have too. They have dominated the “3 outcome” era with winning percentages of 58 and 57% respectively since 2000. the reds have a winning percentage of 47 percent and pirates and royals 44%. So there was no reason for them to agree to the rule changes. I am sure if they protested Manfred would have caved. So i give credit to them.
Also while I don’t like this ghost runner on second rule for extra innings. it plays right into the reds hands on the road. It is almost a guaranteed win on the road if they get to extra inning because you know you are gong to have a guy with good speed at second when you begin the inning.
also I really don’t think the reds need to go out and get a big time starter necessarily. I actually think the “little 3” are doing a pretty good job so far. they aren’t giving up the “big inning” and keeping the team in the game.
Finally I think there is a 90% chance Votto’s present will have a positive effect in the clubhouse but there is a bout a 10% chance there could be a negative effect. I Like Joey but he can come across aloof and a little eccentric at times shall we say. It will be interesting to see how the young guys respond to him for sure
Fraley’s postgame comments were interesting. He credited the culture that this group has built, beginning late last year. He specifically mentioned Votto as being part of that. I am not sure he will make much of a positive difference on the field (and maybe the opposite), but I get the sense that he is a big part of the culture of the club. Myers, not so much…
Very excited for Votto’s return!
I disagree about the starting pitching. They’re not getting it done. I don’t want a rental starter, but if we can get an above average starting pitcher with a few years of team control, I’d trade some prospects for that.
I will state this. . .
I like to think of life as a series of tests. We have a young team. We all know this streak isn’t going to keep going (though I, like everyone else, hopes it does). When it does stop, I want to see how this group responds. They’ve been pretty resilient.
I’m not a huge fan of David Bell, but I have no problem with his bullpen management. Clearly Diaz wasn’t available. Sims was brought in to face the top of the order in the 8th, which is why he didn’t pitch the 9th. Guys other than Sims and Diaz will need to occasionally get big outs for this team to ultimately be successful. Those two will not be available in every big moment. I probably would have gone with Alex Young in the 9th over Gibaut, but there are always factors at play that we don’t know about. I also think DB deserves a lot of credit for the recent surge. He has done a great job with the clubhouse culture and it’s very apparent that the players like him and play hard for him.
On another note, I’m nervous about a Votto return. Not because he’s going to be a clubhouse cancer or anything like that. I’m worried he isn’t going to hit (he hasn’t all season in AAA), and it’s going to create a hole in the lineup that isn’t currently there. If he struggles but the Reds remain in contention, how long is the leash? Hoping and praying that Votto plays well and it doesn’t turn into a sad and uncomfortable situation during the final season of his brilliant career in Cincinnati.
Go Reds!
Let’s just hope our next discussion doesn’t revolve around sample size. It definitely should not. If both Reds management and Joey himself say he is ready, then let’s go! Everyone should be on the same page here. You want to talk about a sideshow distraction, just have Joey get about 4 hits in his first 30 ABs. Then this becomes an absolute mess. Long way around the barn of saying I agree with you that the worry needs to be about Joey’s on field performance. If he is not ready, then leave him at Louisville. The nightmare scenario is his stinking it up out of the gate. Like it or not, this could become national media stuff.
Reddawg, agree with your first paragraph – well said.
As to your Votto comments, I don’t disagree, but I’m not that worried about it. Take yesterday’s game for example, Votto would be starting instead of Newman against a righty (and Steer just moves to 3rd). I have no worries that old man Votto can outhit Newman against a right handed pitcher. Votto isn’t going to block or take away bats from our young guys currently on the team. However, he is going to block CES from being called up. That’s the biggest negative I see. But I’m excited to see what Votto has left.
I can understand the thoughts with Votto. He notorious for being a slow starter. But, I doubt Votto wants to come back and insist on playing every game, insists of full AB’s, etc. If he does, that’s a cancer. I would look to play Votto maybe 5 of 9, maybe 6 of 10, games. More if he’s got the MVP bat going, less if not. And, I believe Votto would take it.
But, I do believe he’s earned the right for the opportunity. A legit opportunity. Not just one day or even one week.
8 straight wins and a 1/2 game out of first place after 72 games. This team has performed better to this point than anyone expected. Can they keep it going is the question? The coaching staff has been very good. Navigating injuries to an already thin rotation and utilizing the skills of a very young roster. Again can they keep it going? That is the challenge. Will management invest to help? Why don’t we fill the comment section with that dialogue instead of second guessing a staff that has outperformed anyone posting here’s expectation. Quite honestly folks that mess is getting old.
Following a team like this, that plays with youthful enthusiasm and low expectations has been a joy. Something that doesn’t happen often.
I am an unapologetic OSU fan in all sports, but for the majority of the time being a fan of the football team can be a slog because the weight of expectations on a bunch of high school age kids trying to be successful and a bunch of grown people acting like they are already pros (or should play like that). The team wins are fun but expected and just about any loss is catastrophic.
I often wonder if that is what it is like to be a fan of the Yankees, Dodgers, Red Sox, Cardinals, etc. The 1990 Reds were unexpected and the David vs Goliath aspect of that season is one of the big reasons that season is remembered so fondly. Eric Davis hitting that HR in game 1 is still my favorite Reds moment.
For me that’s what makes this so special. We don’t have to go into each game expecting our 200 million dollar payroll team to perform. We can enjoy this group of mostly home grown players and cheer them on as they try to make memories for us. That’s the magic that is happening and I hope it doesn’t end soon.
A half game out; really? Quite a surprise after all the predictions this would be a wasted season to sort. How nice to see the Cardinals in last place for a change. Keep an eye on Ariz./Milw. First place is in sight.
Trade Senzel and a prospect not in top 25 to Royals for Aroldis Chapman. Reds need another lefty in BP.
I would also move Steer to LF and see if packaging Fairchild and Maille and a prospect might bring in terms of a starting pitcher
I think CES needs to play 1B and alternate with Votto at 1B/DH . Hopkins back to AAA.
I would expect competition for someone as Chapman. Same with starting pitchers like Lance Lynn. Hopefully the Reds have identified their targets and how much they are willing to give up to gain one of their needs. I would guess their premiere trade pieces with a rebuilder would be guys like Benson, Senzel, Barerro, Stoudt, Santillan, Antone, and Fraley. I don’t think Fairchild or Maile have much interest or value to a rebuilder.
Hopkins already back to AAA.
I doubt the Royals would take that. From what I can tell, they either don’t need Senzel or would rather have a top prospect for a reliever that who is still relatively useful.
I mean, though Senzel may still be better than a couple of players they have, Senzel isn’t going to be someone who takes them up a step. It would be a trade that wouldn’t help them.
Maille & Fairchild would get picked up, but wouldn’t bring much. Maille would seem to be the odd man out for Votto though. No need for 3 catchers if Stephenson is squeezed out of DH.
If they ever call up CES my pick would be Senzel, but I predict it will be Benson. If Steer or CES get pushed into the OF with Freidl and Fraley then where would Benson play?
Over the weekend Senzel looked worse against right handed pitching than I’ve ever seen even Fraley (or Winker et al) look against LH pitching. Defensively, they have 3-4 other guys who can play 3B now, at least 2 of them better than him (EDLC, Newman, Steer even India who has been taking grounders there pregame), In the OF, Senzel is also well down the line defensively, certainly behind Friedl and Fairchild in CF.
Senzel fan here as well as a Barrero fan but both are having their fate decided by better players.Little Mc and EDLC decided Jose’s fate and not Newman by the way and the guys you mentioned are deciding Senzel’s.Jose is younger with more upside so he stays in the minors until but NIck well is in a really bad place not only on this roster but in the organizations plans I would imagine.
To add a point to the Fraley discussion. He slows rounding first, play is right in front of him. He sees the throw going to third and decides to go to second. In a normal world, third baseman fields the throw and tags the runner; Fraley strolls into second. Credit to the third baseman, he cedes third to de La Cruz, steps forward to take the throw and nails Fraley by a mile. Fraley decision consistent with team philosophy, discretion may have been the better part of valor there; tough to give up the out at that juncture.
I was thinking more or less the same.
I think Fraley made the right decision to go to 2nd. Something different with this team is “the speed”. Reds cannot play aggressive base running with guys like Moose and the alikes, but with these athletic guys, they must try.
Certainly Astros 3B also made the right decision, and was able to execute it better and get Fraley out. It didn’t pay at the moment, but it felt as part of the new identity of the team.
The crowd cheered that out just to look later the Reds scored. And the final smile was in Reds side
I am apparently in the minority, but I’m excited to see Votto back in the Reds lineup, hopefully hitting 5-7 after the speed guys at the top. With Hopkins back to AAA for Fraley, I’d end the 3 catchers trial. Anyone just looking at his average in AAA and saying he can’t help the Reds needs to take a closer look. Recently he’s cut down on K’s, walked more and, most importantly hit a lot of line drives. I trust him enough to know when he’s ready, and recent results back that up. And if you look at season long results from the DH slot, it wouldn’t take much for Votto to be an upgrade, possibly a big one. And based on reports from the dugout and clubhouse he’s already been a big part of this team’s 2023 energy.
I think Wil Myers on the other hand would not improve this team. I’d much rather see CES in Cincinnati. But I suspect the FO has too much money committed to Myers to admit he’s been a bust. We’ll see on that one.
Lastly, I love that in spite of some sloppy play the Reds found a way to come back twice and sweep the Astros on the road. Great fun. Here’s hoping there’s no let down for the Rockies, a team they should beat if not sweep. Now if the Giants, Phillies and Brewers could just lose a few games now that they’re done with weak competition for awhile (okay, the Giants beat up in LA – good for them). Go Reds!
KC is really the 1st trading partner we need to work out a deal with. They want to trade Chapman, and Barlow as a package, and I’m sure they’d trade Greinke. We nearly lost last night because we didn’t have a closer. Barlow is 7 for 8 in save opportunities this year, and had a low 2 ERA the last 2 seasons as KC’s closer.
Greinke isn’t the cy young guy anymore but he’s a vet with a sub 5 ERA. If Ashcraft returns soon. and Phillips in a month, we might be in business. Greene, Abbott, Ashcraft, Phillips, Greinke, with a possible return of Lodolo (IL) near the end of the year.
I think they are wanting a salary dump, and if we take on all that money we’ll be able to trade less prospects than a team that only targets Chapman. Plus we’ll be a better team.
Phillips just turned 22. Did they bring up Homer that fast? I can’t remember? Ashcraft basically skipped AAA, but he’s older. Give him a few starts at AAA and if that goes well then why not? Can’t be any worse then Weaver
Homer came up when he was 21. I was actually there for his ML debut night, back in 2007.
Don Gullet came up (first as a reliever) when he was 19. At 20, he was a starter and won 16 games.
I think Gary Nolan came up when he was 18.
Mike Leake was 22, but he came on the Reds starting rotation directly out of college.
@Indy, I’m not worried about the age, but I agree Phillips isn’t even close to a guarantee. The reason I said a month is to see how he does in AAA. If he does well like Abbott did you bring him up, if not you let him continue to develop in AAA.
What does KC get? Just a salary dump? But, it sounds like you may be asking them to take on just as much if not more salary. They won’t go for it. They know they aren’t going to win this year. They are going to want pieces to help them in the future, not just a salary dump.
@ Steve, I didn’t mention any specific return. “we’ll be able to trade less prospects than a team that only targets Chapman” Yes, they will definitely want prospects for a rebuild. The only point I made was if we take on the salary dump of all 3 that helps offset the quality of prospect return.
When we’re in no position to take on any serious salary? I’d rather go for something we need, like an actual starting pitcher. But, I understand where you are coming from.
Votto will play and a lot when he returns.He has earned the right to play IMO.Its only for a few months and hopefully he plays well but he will play even if he doesn’t.I hope he goes out with a bang and we move on to 2024.If the Reds can release Moose and pay him to play for somebody else they can do it with Myers and they should.What Myers could bring in a trade is not worth showcasing him to other teams.Reds took a chance a 10 mil chance and it didn’t work so move on.I can watch Joey even if does poorly because he has earned it and he is last of the old guard.Krall has flipped the roster with Joey being the last piece.Four months from now its over.GO YOUNG REDS
Thank you Roger the most sensible comments made about Joey here in a very long time.
What does it tell a young player who may have to sit so Votto can play? It tells them the Reds rewards loyalty and if they spend their entire career with the team, as Votto has, they won’t be cast aside like an old shoe when they are at the end of their career.
The Castellinis don’t get much right, but they are keeping Joey around, at least for a few more months, and they should be applauded for that.
I’m not a at least bit upset if Will Benson or Stuart Fairchild get their feelings hurt.
They have no choice but to “keep Joey around,” due to his contract: he can’t be traded (without his permission) and he can’t be DFA’d.
I agree with this! Joey Votto has had to put up with a lot of inferior teams. He deserves to get to play on a strong team like we finally have this year.
Pick 1 of senzel, benson and Fairchild and send them to AAA for a month. It won’t kill them and it likely won’t be a month with injuries.
Dfa mike Siani or put someone injured (Derek law) on the 60 day DL and get on with it. We’re talking about Joseph Daniel Votto here- not some scrub.
I like the Greinke, Chapman idea. On another note, I hope India and Friedl are not too banged up. I feel this is India’s team. To me the other players feed off of him. The never give up daring way of play. My anxiety is that when Votto comes back, it becomes his team. No offense to him, he is an all time Reds great. I like the fire that India has displayed.
It has been a decade and more since I have witnessed the Reds playing leverage baseball like they did Sunday to close out the Astros for that win.
The Reds eclipsed a multi run deficit to tie the game. After taking the lead in the 8th inning, they dug in when things went off the rails in the 9th and battled on defense to make it through to the 10th. In the 10th, the Reds stood down the Astros tough guy tactics and secured the win with a flourish.
Every position player in the Reds dugout Sunday has played a crucial role in one or more games of this 8 game road winning streak. Most of them were also around for the 5 game road winning streak in May.
Whatever Joey V may “deserve” for his long and illustrious career with the Reds, even more none of the position guys on the current active roster deserve to come into work on Monday to be told they are back to AAA. Joey has 5 or so rehab days still available to him. Let him cool his heels till this winning streak has run its course.
An argument can easily be made that Senzel can get sent to AAA to get regular playing time (until an injury occurs, or more likely he is traded at the deadline). Of all the regular non-catcher infielders right now, his numbers are the least impressive.
Personally, if I were Krall, I’d have been contacting teams over the past week and telling them to send their best offers for Maile, as he is expendable. Even if one of the two remaining catchers gets injured, they have Robinson in AAA.
I’m confident Krall is doing that, for more than even a catcher. Why? Because moves have got to be made. What we need to be ready for is. . .if it involves one of our favorites, so be it.
While I understand your statement regarding Votto and the current players, two things:
1) That’s a whole lot better position to be in than having multiple players who deserve to be put down and we are having to bring them up just to field a team, something like what we have had to do with starting pitching. Votto definitely deserves an opportunity. I would have no problem with him playing 5 of 9, maybe 6 of 10 games, more if he gets his MVP bat going, less if not.
The only thing about Votto that I’m worried about is he is notoriously a slow starter. Give him extra time to “get going”? How much time is “extra time”? I wouldn’t be giving a half season for it, something that may never come back. But, he deserves some kind of opportunity, more than just a game or two.
I’m super excited about this young team. They have proven that they can win now. I am not a proponent of giving up too much to get a couple of arms, but they really need to add at least one or two pitchers before the deadline. They will have to probably package at least one of their better young prospects like Arroyo or Hinds to accomplish that. Teams aren’t going to give up much for just Senzel, Myers, Newman, Maile, etc.
This team needs to add CES asap. Consistent winning will become easier with a power bat in the lineup to protect EDLC. Teams are not giving him much to hit at all. Fairchild has played well but I think he is going to end up being sent down or going on the DL. One of the catchers has to go. For most of the season I would have voted to get rid of Casali but his positive impact on Greene is quite apparent so Maile will probably be the one. Votto will be fine.
Agreed with the catchers, I believe. I would have Maile’s bat. But, from what I’ve heard, I believe Casali is working better with the pitching.
I checked a little last night. There isn’t much starting pitching to be gotten right now. Anyone any good, their teams are in pennant races themselves. And, thus, they probably wouldn’t let the starting pitchers go. The best we would be able to do, which may still be better for us, is getting a “serviceable” pitcher. Like someone who may be just a step better than Lively or Weaver.
I agree. There is little out there. Greinke may like the idea of playing with Votto, and he won’t cost much in prospects.
I think Trevor Williams on the Nats might work. He is owed $7 million for next year, so (again) I don’t think that the prospect cost would be too high.
I would vastly prefer using the off-season to sign a veteran free-agent pitcher, as opposed to giving up top prospects for rentals. The Twins did that last year to get Tyler Mahle, and they now wish that they had not done it.
It looks like we might be a rainout tonight. Tomorrow for a double header doesn’t look bad. Something our relievers don’t need. Hope our starters could get the job done.
Both teams are off on Thursday..They would probably make up the game then, No?
MLB Central on MLB network gave the Reds some love this morning. Lunatic Fringe by Red Ryder as the theme song. Diggin’ it.
great song! Always seemed a like a Pink Floyd-type song to me.
Red Rider is one of my favorite bands back in the day. Neruda album is a classic.
Great to see the Reds sweep the Astros, a good team! Getting swept by the Yanks hurt.
It’s not who you play, its when you play them. Can we play them again now?
I’d really like to see Senzel and Myers traded for whatever we can get, and their spots taken by CES and Joey. Joey only plays against some righties. Leave Benson and Fairchild up. Go get an ace, maybe another setup guy. Win the whole darn thing.
Honestly I like that we will reward Joey with a nice send off but as long as the reds are contenders for the playoffs I’m putting the best players on the field. There will still be time to have a Votto farewell day. This team is playing extremely well right now and until it’s not I’m not messing with the chemistry . Quite frankly from following Joey for a number of years now I don’t think he would want to do that. After all he is still getting paid.
Agree with putting best players on the field, but against a righty, Joey is likely one of your 9 best hitters:
C Stephenson
1B Votto/Steer
2B India
SS McLain
3B De La Cruz
OF Benson
OF Fraley
OF Friedl
DH Votto/Steer
Votto is blocking no one, except maybe CES from being promoted.
Only thing is, Steer is SLG better against left handers but batting better against right handers. But, this is how Votto is going to have to be played, with whoever gets moved.
Well, except the 3 headed catcher means Stephenson only catches 40% of the time and is DH/1b 60% of the time plus another 25% of the time the opposing starting pitcher is a lefty. That lineup looks great, x there is a minority of the time it will be employed.
What happens the majority of the games when Casali or Maile starts at catcher and who plays 1b then and who plays first base/DH against a lefty? I think CES is getting blocked by Votto.
WE will all have to see how things play out. I suspect it will be a daily dance with DH/1b/positional rotations and rest with Votto at first base providing the ripples. Ive heard nothing from Votto that indicates he is not planning on playing 1b with regularity against both Righties and lefties. I suspect Steer plays some outfield.
C Stephenson
1B Votto/Steer
2B India
SS McLain
3B De La Cruz
OF Benson
OF CES/Steer
OF Frieda
DH Votto/CES
With Fraley as a platoon guy along with Fairchild, Newman and the catchers. That lineup seems to have more potential. And it means parting with Myers and Senzel (preferably Maile too)
old-school, I may be wrong, but my hunch is the Stephenson at DH and 3-headed catcher experiment goes away with this next round of IL activations. Fingers crossed.
All indications suggest Votto will be activated tonight and the roster moves and lineups will be out even if the game is rained out. When Votto is activated, who loses their 26 man roster spot?
A. Nick Senzel
B. the 3rd catcher
C. Stuart Fairchild
D. Will Benson
E. Kevin Newman
As crazy as this sounds based on the play for the last week, i think it will be Benson. Hes got options and is the 3rd lefty OF. I hope I am wrong.
Won’t be A – if Senzel, why activate him in the first place?
B or C most likely – I heavily favor B.
Won’t be D – Benson is basically a starting outfielder against righties at this point.
E – Very doubtful.
I would think Newman, Fairchild, or DFA’s Maile or Casali, unless a trade can come up, possibly for the proverbial “player to be named later”.
I’d prefer B, but I think it will be C.
Love the multiple choice, take us back to our (old) school days! 🙂
I chose B with a coin flip for Mahle or Casali. If the coin lands on it’s edge I trade Mahle. Newman will probably be traded at the deadline.
Should be interesting day
One of the stories I saw on MSN today had Myers, Newman, and Lively all on the trading block by deadline. I’m skeptical but it would solve the roster crunch.
Myers frankly has no market value in any trades, IMHO.
Kevin Newman is a Ute infielder/SS, and is hitting well in situations with the Reds, especially against left-handed pitching. There might be some team out there that might take him to fill a slot.
Ben Lively is a marginal major league pitcher (of which there are a LOT in the Majors this season), and …good for him, is getting a chance to pitch in the Bigs this year. I don’t think he is a long term answer for a starter (beyond 2023). The more the league sees of his stuff, the less likely he is going to be successful. Having said all that, the Reds don’t really have any starters to spare, until MAYBE Lodolo comes back in August.
And really nobody (no team) is parting with a good starter for peanuts. Good starters (not great, not aces, but just good) are at a premium…unless somebody wants to shed contract money. Almost every contending team wants to upgrade their starting rotation.
I’m guessing one of Maile/Casali/Fairchild will hit the IL with a “nagging” injury.
I’d option Senzel for Votto and then try to sell high on Newman and DFA Myers if he hasn’t shown any AAA improvement by the end of his rehab stint, and bring up CES when the roster dust settles if there are no injuries.
Senzel and Newman are redundant with how Bell uses them. We did give up a nice bullpen piece for Newman, so it would seem we could command something similar? He has come through fairly consistently in this winning month plus vs. Senzel for a red-hot week but otherwise somewhat spotty.