We learned last night that the Cincinnati Reds would be calling up infielder Christian Encarnacion-Strand from Triple-A Louisville. What we didn’t know is what the other side of that transaction would be. The club made it official at 2pm today, calling up Encarnacion-Strand to take the place on the roster of infielder Kevin Newman, who was placed on the injured list with gastritis.
If you don’t know what gastritis is – welcome to the club. Fortunately we live in a day and age where we don’t have to go to the library or call a doctor’s office to get that kind of information. From the Mayo Clinic, via the google machine:
Gastritis is a general term for a group of conditions with one thing in common: Inflammation of the lining of the stomach. The inflammation of gastritis is most often the result of infection with the same bacterium that causes most stomach ulcers or the regular use of certain pain relievers.
That doesn’t sound like a good time for Newman. The timeline for “healing” from that is anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.
As for Christian Encarnacion-Strand, he’ll add a whole lot of power to the lineup when he’s in it (and expect him to be in it quite often). In 67 games this season in Triple-A with the Louisville Bats he hit 21 doubles, two triples, and 20 home run. That came along with a .331 batting average, a .405 on-base percentage, and a .637 slugging percentage. Over the last two months he’s walked 30 times with just 33 strikeouts as he’s dramatically improved his walk rate and cut down on his strikeout rate some, too.
The right-handed hitter absolutely crushed left-handed pitchers, posting a 1.064 OPS against them. Of course, he also absolutely crushed right-handed pitchers, too. Against righties he hit .346/.420/.610 with the Bats this season.
While the Reds did have to add Christian Encarnacion-Strand to the 40-man roster, they did not have to create an opening to do so. The team was at 39 players on the roster after designating Michael Mariot for assignment last week.
For those wondering – he will wear #33 and his name plate will only include “Encarnacion”, much like it was in spring training.
Gastritis isn’t fun and for many people it remains a chronic condition. Hopefully, he has a better outcome. Unfortunately, putting Newman on the IL simply delays the hard decisions that Krall has to make. Something has to give somewhere. Maybe before Newman’s IL time expires, he will have swung a trade or two.
I’m 67 and have battled that condition my entire life. Never missed work over it. Wish him well.
68 and have endured it for a good number of years myself – and no I never missed work. But all teams game the IL so I’m not surprised by this. Postpones the hard decisions.
I am 5 years and a bit more older than you guys and have been on the PPI drugs for about 2 years after an upper GI scope I only went for to make sure the chronic upper discomfort I had was not related to the major colon issue I had recently undergone surgery to 100% successfully head off. The GI doc is happy, the oncology monitoring doc is happy, so needless to say, I am happy.
In fairness, I don’t miss work for a lot of things that would cause me to miss work if I were a professional athlete. YMMV.
Shows that Newman is the low man on the totem pole. Lower than Senzel and even Casali.
I’ll turn 68 in November, LDS.
Trading a guy on the IL with that condition is a lot easier than an injury I would think. I don’t think other teams would be too concerned.
Now dfa Casali and call up Fairchild.
Forecast still looking iffy. Hope we get this in and see what CES can do in the bigs.
might as well bring up Marte as well. lets really see what we have . call me skeptical but after this weekend I am not convinced everything is as jubilant as we once thought
Marte is coming up next month after we trade India. Ha. Seriously though, I could see Marte sliding over to 2B. I think he may eventually be a 3B or 1B if he fills out even more.
But if we did trade India, what could we get for him?
That’s a question I’d love to hear some answers to.
I understand pitching is highly valued, but India (when he’s not slumping) hypothetically brings value to your team every single day, whereas a pitcher can only hope to help you once every 5.
I’m not saying he nets a 1 for 1 deal for a stud SP, but a starting second baseman who *should* hit .270ish and 25-30 HRs should be a decent pickup for someone.
If I was on the other team, I wouldn’t want India right now, period. Why trade for a player in a slump?
I would think we would be lucky to get a handful of beans.
But, given that, that would be a more permanent way of getting CES on this team.
Yep, Bell killed India with he moved him off leadoff, trying to make him a 3 hole hitter, and now a 5 hole hitter. When Bell shookup the lineup back then, he should have left India where he was. India didn’t need changing.
In sports there’s a lot of ups and downs, but in the end talent usually wins out.
Perhaps the other team would want to trade for India now since players generally come out of slumps. Getting a player coming out of a slump means you pay less for him but get more from him.
Can’t wait to see the line up today. We’re up against Logan Webb, as tough as nail. So any offense spark CES can provide will be a big help.
Lineups out
Elly leadoff, CES 7th
Steer is out
@IRM, So I guess we will see if a rotation happens or Steer is just out (except for being a platoon guy).
I still think that eventually either Newman or Senzel will be gone along with the 3rd catcher; and, Fairchild or an outside OF who profiles like him will be added for the last 2 months.
Likely a day off for Steer to clear his head. I think he’ll be fine. I’d prefer India sit for the same reason.
I see it as just a day off for Steer.
HIGHLY disappointed that Friedl wasn’t benched for a game or 2.
It’s all about accountability, and this manager doesn’t hold the players accountable.
Elly leading off? If so,that’s great news for this fan.
Can’t say it’s a lineup I’d like to see every day but at least he did something. Milwaukee is off today so this is one of those games the Reds must win. We’ll see if they are hungrier than the Giants.
Thanks. Yeah, I think until the recent struggle Steer has been as steady a hitter as anyone on the roster. It’s hard to imagine he’s the odd man out
Agreed, LDS. India still being at 5 and CES all the way down at 7 is a joke, but at least he finally moved Elly out of the clean up spot and put him lead off where he belongs. Baby steps, I guess.
You would have to be a complete idiot if you think Steer is a just a platoon guy.
@JB, or the manager of the Reds
I agree Jim.
Probably a needed rest day for Steer. I picked India for a rest(rotational) day off & guessed wrong.
I’d like to see India sit for a few days to be honest with you.
I guess Bell is afraid to drop India lower than 5th. 8th or 9th seemed more realistic, and bumping Votto & CES up one.
We need that youthful enthusiasm and energy to re-emerge.
+100
Perhaps. He’s had India in the bottom third before, and he finally moved Elly to leadoff. I’m hopeful he’ll do what needs to be done, but it’s David Bell so it always takes him a few weeks longer than literally everyone else to see it.
Glad Elly is leading off. That might get him going.
Adding CES and a lineup change might turn things back in our favor?
Although I’m not too high on Williamson or Weaver. Williamson might be alright? Its too early to tell.
The lineup though. Elly might benefit from leadoff and McLain might not look like a 3 hitter, but he’s 18-50 (.360) with risp. Thats not chopped liver. Joe Morgan didn’t look like a 3 hitter either.
I’m ready to move on from Bell too, but its not the order, etc. Its mistakes with a rookie laden team, mistakes with journeyman, mistakes with Votto, etc. I pay attention to when other teams throw the ball around (Boston with Kiki H at SS) and gift us runs too, but we’re usually the ones gift wrapping key runs with a pretty red bow on top. I will say Benson might be doing well because he’s low in the order and takes off pressure. Maybe try the same with CES? This isn’t Play Station and you can’t jerk guys around everytime somebody is 1 for 15.
It’s definitely not exclusively Bell, but he bears a lot of the blame for making dumb decisions and being far too slow to react when that stupidity turns out as poorly as we all expected. Anyone can see India isn’t a 3-hole hitter, but Bell wants to try it. Foolish, but worth a shot I guess. Leaving him there for months, when it clearly wasn’t working? That’s exclusively on him. He set India up to fail and it likely got in his head being a 3 hole hitter, thinking he needs to generate more power. Who knows what damage that did to his swing.
I imagine his thinking was if I put India in front of EDLC, he might see a few more fastballs and break his slump. He needs a couple games off-I think he’s played in every game.
Jim, great news on your Dr. report!!
I have to have a colonoscopy every 3 years(2024 next) now due to high cancer risk polyps removed in 2021.
Colonoscopy Day It is like the anti-Christmas 🙂
I am on 3 year rotation now too. My issue was discovered on a 5 year rotation colonoscopy done right on time. I had not had any polyps since my 1st colonoscopy 20 years prior (benign). The GI doc knew it was trouble even before the biopsy came back 2 days later as “transitional”.
3 weeks later I had the big surgery and full advanced pathology confirmed there was carcinoma present but still contained locally within the removed area. I dodged a bullet without even chemo or radiation following on but still go 2x a year for blood draws and had a full exam this past January. Thankfully, all is good 3+ years out.
Everyone of that given age (and they just lowered it) should talk to their doc about the prevention and detection plan appropriate for their situation and then even more importantly stick with the plan even if they (hopefully) test clean time after time.
Hopefully Krall has told Bell that CES is now the fulltime DH and we play on.I felt for the longest time that CES would not be up because of Joey and the Reds being committed to him until they weren’t.Now the plot thickens doesn’t it as to who sets.Gives us lots to talk about going forward.Newman to the injured list just buys the team some time I guess but its worse now for Bell cause Newman played only against lefties.Bottom line is if CES plays every day and he should then somebody is going to set.Could be a trade coming.Of course CES could be just a bench piece replacing Newman which if so then well thats just dumb.
If we’re trying to win games and not trying to not bruise egos, then India needs to be sitting a lot until things change.
Yeah, they only won 50 before the ASB with India, 16 more than last year.
Our Reds have proven that we can win while the sorting is going on, so I’m betting that Krall has told Bell to play him.
No way, EDLC is now our leadoff man!!!
Yeah.
Elly
Friedl
McLain
Fraley
India
Votto
CES
Stephenson
Benson
So, all Bell really did was moved Elly to leadoff and dropped the 1/2/3 batters down one.
Can anyone tell me why Bell keeps trotting India out there in a batting spot he keeps doing poorly in? Either put him back and leadoff, where he’s had most success, or 7/8/9, or bench him. He hasn’t helped this team on offense for 2 months.
I mean, Elly’s only been here, what, about 2 months, and he’s been more successful than India in his spot. But, Elly gets a position change and India doesn’t?
Bell is what he is, a mistake that we had to live with, not what we wanted.
Can’t agree with this more.
Elly moving to the leadoff spot is a gigantic step in the right direction for me. It’s not set the way I’d like, but getting more AB’s to EDLC is awesome.
“Can anyone tell me why Bell keeps trotting India out there in a batting spot he keeps doing poorly in?” Bell like his vets, and like it or not India is one of the “vets” for this team. He’ll probably get pushed down into the bottom 3 soon enough. Hopefully CES can help expedite that with some big hits.
The whole thing with India at 3 or 5 is just stupid and it’s been dumb from the beginning. If this will be the new lineup, then move Votto up. He needs to be in a better spot to drive in runs because he’s proven to be the best at doing it and hits the ball harder more consistently than anyone else… plus he’s been doing it for oh…I don’t know…15 years.
Just a guess on my part:
India took on the leadership role out of ST, and I think that plays a part with Bell being a players Mgr. India seems to be an extrovert and likely is outspoken behind the scenes. Again just my opinion.
Swap Benson and Friedl, CES and India and this would be a decent lineup.
I hope CES does get some reps in the field, alternating with Joey as DH. It looks like, if things work out long-run, he is the 1st baseman of the future?
Votto at 4, Fraley at 5, CES 6, then India where .ever
That would work better. imo
Votto isn’t a #4 hitter
Hopefully, CES will earn his way into that since we don’t have the prototypical 4.
When Elly first came up he was put in the 4 hole, I didn’tagree with that decision. Maybe Bell doesn’t want to go that route with CES, more cautious I guess.
I like Fraley, but his streakness is my biggest concern with him there, and then Bell will remove him for Senzel at somepoint.
We finally have all the pieces up, I’m not going to be upset that Bell didn’t put the puzzle together on the 1st night. He did get his 1st corner piece properly places with EDLC leading off, and I honestly didn’t think he’d make that move so soon. Now that he’s done that I’d like it to look like this eventually.
EDLC, McLain Friedl
CES, Votto, Stephenson
Fraley, India, Benson
I want Steer to play as much as any of these guys mentioned. I’d let Steer float up and down the lineup, and keep everyone else fixed in the order.
I could also see Friedl and Fraley swapping spots if we wanted to go power in the 3 hole. Both are good OBP guys, and both are fast.
Veteran pitchers make rookie call-ups prove that they can hit a FB. I hope a couple of guys get on ahead of CES at some point & he launches one… and puts some energy back in our team. It’ll be a tall task, but so is MLB.
From what I’ve seen during the years, talent can get you to AAA, even the majors. But, in the majors, the idea is adjustments. As in:
– When you first get up here, you could have success. Then, the other teams will figure out how to pitch and defend you, and make their adjustments.
– Then, the other team will be having success against you. This is where the kids need to be able to make their adjustments to what the other team has done. This is the point where so many fail.
India in the 5th hole? Lets not revise history here. Its not like Bell just woke up one day and decided to move him to the 3 hole. Freidl was doing well but went on the IL. McLain came up and was tearing it up at #2. So when Freidl came back then what do you do? If you don’t want to swap everyone around then its either Freidl or India for #3 and who has more power? India did hit 4 HRs w/8 rbis in the last 7 games of the road trip that started our 12 game winning streak.
Now he’s down to 5th and we’ll see what happens? If he fails then its easier to move on. Steer was rolling so move him up, but now he’s cold. Remember this was a throwaway season for sorting until it wasn’t. Looks like the negative Nellies were right….they’re not ready yet. They keep rolling Weaver out there after all. We’re the only ones intent on a playoff run. The Reds FO obviously isn’t
Then you swap everyone around. I believe McLain could handle the 3 hole. Put Friedl in the 2 hole. That didn’t take moving everyone around, only the first 3.
I think #3 might be McLains spot too, but thats after 50 at-bats with success with risp. #3 might pull him out of his game, but I hope not? I can’t blame them for thinking he’d be their 2nd leadoff guy when he came up. India was more of a known commodity so he’ll in the middle. They were hoping for rookie year India, but maybe he’s just a .750 guy? Idk? Talent wise he’s not middle of the order on this team
I hope CES does get some reps in the field, alternating with Joey as DH. It looks like, if things work out long-run, he is the 1st baseman of the future?
I simply can’t see the Reds being a part of any division winner with Bell as manager. We scraped the bottom of the barrel back then when no competent manager wanted to do anything with the Reds. Now that the FO has a load of talent here, I would think there’s a lot more competent managers willing to come here.
Hey, I hope I’m wrong. And, I will be cheering for the Reds all the way.
I believe I remember something someone said several years ago with the Giants were winning their recent WS titles. They said something like, “A manager can’t win you games during the season, but he can lose you games. In the post season, he can win and lose you games.” Meaning, a manager’s decision all stand out more in losses and the post season, win or loss.
Think what Craig Council would do with this much talent. And he seems like a mix of a Co. man & players Mgr. That’s the best formula.
I figured years ago about -9 games over a full season.
In fairness to Bell, Council has had far superior pitching with both starters and the pen. Sims has been very good this year, but he blew the lead in the 8th yesterday. Council had Hader and Williams for several seasons. He’s always had 3 guys better then Sims.
Then starters? Burnes was the 2nd best pitcher in the NL for a few years while Bell gets Mike Minor and Dream Weaver plus 6 star prospect future ace Hunter Greene! Master of all things on the diamond except he only has 2 pitches and about 130 innings in him
Council would probably have a taken a lightly regarded team and, with a surprising influx of young talent, lead them to first place after amassing winning-streaks, a terrific road record, a terrific record in come-from-behind games and one-run games–all of this despite a pitching staff brutalized by injuries and no hitters among the league leaders in homers. His team would have received encomiums (“they’re playing the game the right way”) and unusual national recognition. Then, when the young hitters ran into a team with skilled starting pitchers and overwhelming relief pitchers, they would have a modest losing streak, despite playing the other team close. That’s what Council would have done.
Ummm, our bullpen is statistically better than the Brewers this season. And, our starters didn’t look bad against the Brewers at all.
Minor was last year, Greene hasn’t pitched for a couple of months, and Weaver didn’t pitch against the Brewers.
Not sure where you are going. Reds offense has been much better than the Brewers. The bullpens have been similar at best. The only place they had us was with their starting pitching. And, frankly, I’ve been impressed with it, especially during these last couple of months.
Steve. You’re lazy with your lookups my brother. Do a little homework first
Payamps 1.83, Milner 2.37, and Elvis 2.92. Sims 3.44
Basically our superior hitters couldn’t touch them while Mendoza Winker took Sims off the wall.
Where I’m going with this, Steve, is that the Reds have been unexpectedly good and exciting this season. The success is based largely on very young and untried hitters, though, and it’s inevitable that they will go through growing pains, particularly when they encounter pitching that is good enough to exploit their inexperience, as they did in the two recent series with the Brewers. If EDLC, McClain, Steer and the rest are as good as we believe them to be, they will learn from this, probably suffer some more similar games from time to time, but ultimately be serious contenders, if not this year, then in years to come.
https://www.baseball-reference.com/managers/counscr01.shtml Craig Counsell has a good W-L record as Brewers manager.
Counsell.
Counsell does, indeed. But the Brewers have had at least two 6-game losing streaks this season. I wonder how Milwaukee fans reacted to that?
Thanks for the (spl) correction on Councell.
Craig is a good one, & rarely makes in-game ill advised decisions.
I agree with Rednat that all is not as good with this bunch as we thought. Having coached for over 30 years I can tell that winning hides a lot of problems and unhappy people, but lose a few and the problems will come out of the wood work. The Reds need to make some decisions on who to keep and who to get rid of for next year. Most of the main characters minus Marte are now with the club, they will not be able to keep them all happy so some will be dealt. I just hope they make the right decisions. As for this year the next two weeks will determine if it’s possible to contend but the schedule is tough starting with tonight.
Well I will tell you this, Joey Votto is in his last year as a Red. Steer and CES are your first Baseman . Reds aren’t paying him $20 million next year. Big contracts for a 40 year old man arent happening. I love Joey but Reds are going young and Cheap. CES,Steer,EDLC ,McLain and Marte will be vying for the infield spots next year. I love India as well, but paying him isn’t happening either. He will be traded at the deadline or during the off season. JMO.
Don’t they have a $7 mil buyout with Joey? He’s driving the ball to left-center and he looks good to me…atleast vs righties. $13 mil more doesn’t seem outrageous if he’s still hitting.
Yes they do but they aren’t paying a guy 20 mil and in my opinion Steer is a better hitter right now. You make a infield with CES ,EDLC ,McLain ,Steer and Marte. Four of those together makes a better infield than two of those guys and India and Votto.
And they certainly aren’t paying a guy 20mil to platoon.
Votto can longer be viewed as a complete player. Hes viewed 4 ways
1.) lefty hitter against righties- still good with power
2.) defensive first baseman- poor. Steer is good. CES tbd
3.) baserunner- league worst
4.) lefty hitter against lefties- hasnt hit since 2018. Id rather CES and Steer share 1b/DH against lefties
Votto is not coming back at $20 mil to be a platoon DH
#2 – nothing to justify it. As a matter of fact, the numbers contradict it.
#3 – I don’t see Votto getting picked off. I don’t see Votto getting thrown out trying to stretch a single into a double, etc. I would have to ask you how are you judging your baserunning? Simply because he’s not fast? Plenty of people are fast but are horrible base runners. Plenty of people are slow but make fine base runners.
I hope Votto comes back but if he does my money says he renegotiates for far less money so he can stay with the Reds.
Reds have a heavy run against righties thru the Dodgers first game if SP projections hold. Only 2 lefties- this friday and next monday
I suspect each of the everyday righties- Steer/ McLain/India/CES will get a day off against righties with Stephenson and votto sitting day game after night game thursday and fraley benson sitting friday and monday. votto will DH some and sit some against lefties to open up 1b 4/10 game for CES and Steer
Senzel will play the business day special thursday and again fri and monday against lefties. No idea how Casali gets in other than business day special thursday . Maybe Bell sneaks stephenson in at DH to allow 3rd catcher against the lefties.
Really interested to see Elly lead off.
I commend the organization for bringing up CES. It continues the building excitement and gets all of these young players great experience heading into next season. There is no weakness in this lineup. I also understand sticking with India as we need him to get back to producing similar results as he has in the past. Getting him back into the groove would be huge. He’s arguably the most competitive player on the team and a leader.
I have no problem with India in the lineup. Sticking him at 3 or 5 is simply 2 month long stupid experiment.
I don’t disagree but he is the second on the team in HRs which may be the thinking. He’s a good player but has likely at his performance ceiling.
Lol. India read your post.
In Weaver related news. Kennedy was bad last night. His stuff looked pretty good to me so I can’t quite understand while AAA hitters cause him problems? 3.81 isn’t that bad though. He’s better then Weaver. Stoudt? Same description imo. Stuff seems mlb #4 starter good from what I’ve seen, but 5.56 at Louisville doesn’t cut it.
Lastly Connor Phillips walked 2 of the first 3 hitters the other night, but went 4 ip, 2 hits, 1 er, 3 walks, 5 Ks. He might only get 2-3 innings, but again he’s better then Weaver. How many times do we have to watch this guy fail?
Its not $20 mil though. Its $13 mil. Plus he’s over 1.000 ops vs righties this year and in 2021. Idk? I’ve been ready to move on for some time, but he added some nice power at the right time. He does alot of damage over 350-375 at-bats and that might be money well spent?
Who else are you bringing in for $13 mil? Another Wil Myers dumpster fire maybe
$20 million buys an outfielder that doesn’t need to be platooned. I’m as big a Votto fan as there is on the board, but I don’t see much sense in bringing him back next year. I hope he retires after a strong finish to this year and goes out on a high note.
You already have his replacement on the team that can do what he does. And anyway you want to cook it , it’s still $20 mil. You keep him on the team it’s $20 mil. You buy him out it’s 7mil. I don’t know what they are paying Steer or CES but it will be about 19 million or 6 million less and give you same production at least.
I am very glad to see the CES called up to the show. I do hope the Reds can get some pitching. I think it is a very weak argument to try to say the Reds starting pitching is fine based off the series with the Brewers. If you look at the ERA stats for all of the major leagues, you will find the Reds to have one of the worst. The Reds are not going to win a championship this year without more pitching help. You might laugh when I say championship, but that is my hope for Reds during this competitive run which starts this year.
Happy to see Fernando Cruz toss a scoreless inning with two Ks. I was hoping coach would let him come out again because he can throw more than 15 pitches.
Glad to see CES up…but lots of people here assuming he will replicate his AAA hitting. That remains to be seen.
Time for India lovers to suck it up. I like India, but Friedl has been (or at least had been) a better lead off hitter. Yes India may be more comfortable in the 1 spot, but he should be able to perform in the 3 spot…why not…with Friedl and McLain in front of him, should be getting lots of good pitches.
It would be nice if Votto and Reds renegotiate a deal that would allow him to stay with the club. Not sure what Votto would bring on the open market…maybe hometown Toronto would pay big $$.
Don’t buy the hold people accountable argument. Unless there are players dogging it, not putting in the work, refusing to make adjustments, or making little league blunders. Besides, you would have to have someone to plug in that gets the job done or you’re no better off. Slumps usually are not the result of not trying, in fact are probably exasperated by trying too hard.