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Footprints in the Snow: Cincinnati Reds

Pat LackeyPosted Nov 14th 2008 3:20PM by Pat Lackey (author feed)
Filed under: Reds, NL Central

Footprints in the Snow is FanHouse's look at the paths to be forged by MLB teams this winter as they look ahead to 2009.

How many teams in baseball can match a young core of Jay Bruce, Joey Votto, Edinson Volquez, and Johnny Cueto? The Reds have four young players to build around right now that would make every other team in the league jealous. The problem they currently have is that none of the older guys around those young players, namely Brandon Phillips, Aaron Harang, Edwin Encarnacion, and Bronson Arroyo, have performed up to expectations recently.

The question that Cincy now must answer is when their team is going to be ready to contend. They weren't last year, and Adam Dunn and Ken Griffey Jr. were shipped off as a result. They're still a ways away right now, though if players like Cueto and Bruce can take steps forward this year, they might be closer to contending then people realize. So should they try to arm up for a run to the top of the Central this year? Or should they sit back and wait.
Continue Reading Footprints in the Snow: Cincinnati Reds

From the Windup: Following the Rays

Pat LackeyPosted Sep 18th 2008 9:00AM by Pat Lackey (author feed)
Filed under: Orioles, Rangers, Reds, AL East, AL West, NL Central



From the Windup is FanHouse's daily, extended look at a particular portion of America's pastime.

Unless you're a Red Sox fan, the best story in baseball this year is the Tampa Bay Rays. By now, everyone likely knows the story but let's recap. In 1998, the Rays came into existence. In every season between 1998 and 2007, they won between 61 and 69 games, except for in 2004. They won 70 that year.

This year, though, is a different story. With last night's win over the Red Sox, they've got 90 wins and a two-game lead in the AL East, a division that seemed to be locked in a deep stranglehold that the Yankees and Red Sox would never let up. The amazing part is that everyone saw this coming in some form. GM Andrew Friedman has rebuilt Chuck LaMar's mistake from the ground up and the Rays are winning because they're good, not because they're lucky.

Baseball is cyclical and every couple of years, a young team bursts on the scene and surprises everyone. Who among baseball's long suffering franchises is next? There are seven franchises that haven't made the playoffs since the turn of the century; the Pirates, Nationals, Royals, Brewers, Blue Jays, Reds, Orioles, and Rangers (sorry Mariners and Giants fans, you've been good this century and that disqualifies you from this exercise), so let's take a look at them and see if we can't figure out who might be in line for the next turnaround.
Continue Reading From the Windup: Following the Rays

Bronson Arroyo Is Fairly Certain the World Revolves Around Himself

Pat LackeyPosted Aug 12th 2008 7:16PM by Pat Lackey (author feed)
Filed under: Reds, NL Central

Six weeks ago, Bronson Arroyo was telling anyone that would listen that if the Reds were really thinking about trading him, his giant contract, and his diminishing skills that they were doomed to failure forever. Today, reporters in Cincy went to get his opinion on the Adam Dunn trade. Kind of surprisingly, he's not upset. Unsurprisingly, the reason why has to do with himself:

"A little bit because it came after the deadline. But he was going to be moved no matter what. I don't know if he told (the media) but he made it was no secret to us that he was looking for $100 to $120 million contract. I don't think this franchise is going to give out that kind of contract."

Arroyo said he is not, however, worried about the direction of the club.

"As long as they keep the pitching staff in tact, I think we'll be OK because I think Dusty (Baker) has enough pull to get them to go out and sign some hitters. If we had a real young manager, I'd be worried."

Let's get this straight, Arroyo was convinced that getting rid of his awful 2-year/$25 million extension would be a sign of doom for the Reds, but trading one of the best power hitters in the major leagues is OK because he wanted too much money. And it's OK partially because Dusty Baker has enough pull to go out and "sign some hitters," but mostly because "they keep the pitching staff intact." As in, they didn't trade him, his 23 homers allowed, his 5.44 ERA, and his 1.51 WHIP.

Also, $120 million for Adam Dunn? Does anyone actually believe that?

Carlos Lee's Broken Finger Could End Season

Tom FornelliPosted Aug 10th 2008 1:12PM by Tom Fornelli (author feed)
Filed under: Astros, NL Central, MLB Injuries

When the Houston Astros decided to be buyers at the trade deadline, it was somewhat confusing. The Astros were 50-57 on July 31, in fifth place in the NL Central, and trailing the Cubs by 14 games. In the wild card race, they trailed Milwaukee by nine games. It was pretty obvious to anyone with half a clue that the odds of the Astros overtaking either team, especially after they'd each added a top line pitcher to their rotation, were somewhere between slim and none.

This did not faze Ed Wade, however, as he made the deals anyway in hopes of helping Houston reach the post-season. To their credit, the Astros have played pretty well lately. They've won seven of nine since the deadline, but they still find themselves 12.5 games behind the Cubs and 8.5 behind Milwaukee. If that isn't enough to help the team realize that 2008 just won't be the year, maybe this will do the trick. Carlos Lee is likely done for the season after breaking his pinky finger.
Lee was hit by a pitch thrown by Bronson Arroyo in the third inning of the Astros' 3-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds. He left the game immediately to be taken for X-rays.

"I knew right away it was not going to be good," Lee said. "It hit me square. It's a bad deal, but what can I do? They said six to eight weeks, so probably I'm out (for the season). Unless the guys make a comeback and I'll be back for the playoffs."
Though if the Astros still don't want to give up, I hear that some guy named Barry Bonds might be available.

Rumor Mill Roundup: July 25

Andrew JohnsonPosted Jul 25th 2008 5:00PM by Andrew Johnson (author feed)
Filed under: Diamondbacks, Mets, Orioles, Padres, Tigers, Yankees, MLB Rumors

With the trade deadline right around the corner, our MLB editor brings you the top five rumors every day until July 31.

- Along with Colorado closer Brian Fuentes, Baltimore left-hander George Sherrill continues to be the hottest commodity on the trading block, drawing interest from many contenders including the Cardinals, Rays, Red Sox and Marlins, according to Dan Graziano. The Orioles remain somewhat reluctant to even deal their closer, particularly since their bullpen is a bit shallow after Sherrill, Dennis Sarfate and Jim Johnson and also because he is under team control for the next three seasons after this one.


But at some point the offers from other clubs are going to be hard to ignore, particularly if the team continues to struggle as it has recently. And Sherrill will probably become the latest chipped cashed in by GM Andy MacPhail as the O's continue to build toward contention in 2009 and 2010.

- Though they have a ways to go to get to the top the AL Central, the Tigers do not consider themselves sellers and are looking at adding pitching, particularly in the bullpen if reliever Freddy Dolsi continues to be bothered by shoulder discomfort. Detroit's biggest need is probably a starting pitcher, not a relief arm, but unless it pursues a bargain option like Odalis Perez, the Tigers do not have the assets in the upper minor leagues to get someone like A.J. Burnett.
Continue Reading Rumor Mill Roundup: July 25

Bronson Arroyo Is Full of Himself

Pat LackeyPosted Jul 24th 2008 6:23PM by Pat Lackey (author feed)
Filed under: Reds, NL Central, MLB Video



With the trade deadline looming, just about every player on a bad team is rumored to be on the market. Some players are OK with that. Others aren't. Bronson Arroyo is one of the ones that falls in the latter category. Today he had this to say:

"I'd really be disappointed if they made a trade for me," Arroyo said. "I feel like honestly - if you trade me - you're going ahead and saying we're not going to build a winning team here. Of the four starters who have been here all year, I think all of us have a chance to pitch here for a long time, health-wise and age-wise. If you go ahead and trade me out now, you're cashing in the money for a losing team."

Let me get this straight ... trading an average, 31-year-old pitcher with a big salary that loves to make crappy commercials (see above) for potential prospects to help out the corps of exciting young players you already have is cashing in the money for a losing team? Jay Bruce, Edinson Volquez, Johnny Cueto, and Joey Votto are the future of the Reds. Bronson Arroyo is not. If I were the Reds, I'd be paying another team to take him, his big mouth, and his crappy guitar skills off of my hands.

Spot Jobs: It's Joba Time, Baby!

Matt SnyderPosted Jun 16th 2008 12:20AM by Matt Snyder (author feed)
Filed under: MLB Locking Your Lineup, Fantasy MLB

Spot Jobs gambles by picking five spot starters for the week and five usual starters to avoid. The success rate is usually around 50%, but the risk level is always through the roof. Obviously, though, you always start Brandon Webb (when healthy) and sit Dave Bush.

Five Up

Joba Chamberlain, Yanks -- He's ready now. Plus, the Padres -- despite a recent upswing -- don't exactly have an inspiring offensive attack.

Kevin Slowey, Twins -- He's coming off an eight inning gem against the Brew Crew, but he's been very inconsistent and the previous outing was a three inning-10 earned run clunker. I do, however, like him to string out a second consecutive quality start and victory this week against the light-hitting Nats.

Bronson Arroyo, Reds -- His opponent (Dodgers) has been an incredibly inconsistent offensive team, especially on the road. Sure, people like to call Arroyo's home the Great American Smallpark (it's clever, I know), but he handcuffed the Cards in it last outing.

Jorge Campillo, Braves -- The Bravos love playing at home. The Mariners have scored 20 runs in their last eight games (2.5 per game, mathematically challenged). I'm only a tad bit fazed by Erik Bedard being opposite Campillo, but the Braves should still be able to manage 2 runs. That should be enough.

Scott Baker, Twins -- Facing the Big Unit (see "Five Down"), and the DBacks loooooove to strike out.
Continue Reading Spot Jobs: It's Joba Time, Baby!

On Deck: Return of the Peavy

Tom FornelliPosted Jun 12th 2008 12:30PM by Tom Fornelli (author feed)
Filed under: Mets, Reds, Cardinals, Diamondbacks, Dodgers, Padres



On Deck is FanHouse's look at the day's most intriguing baseball matchups

San Diego Padres (29-38) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (31-34) - 3:35PM Est.

As much of a disappointment as the 2008 season has been for the San Diego Padres, looking at the big picture, things aren't nearly as bad as they seem. They've won five of their last six games, and even though they're still nine games under .500, they play in the NL West so they're still alive.

The Diamondbacks have plummeted back to earth after starting out so hot this season, and the Friars find themselves only 6.5 games out of first place. If San Diego's offense could ever manage to consistently score some runs, the Padres could find themselves right back in the thick of things.

Of course, it's entirely possible they could do it without their offense as they get their ace back on the mound this afternoon. Will Jake Peavy's return be the spark the Pads need?
Continue Reading On Deck: Return of the Peavy

On Deck: The Cubs Hit the Road

Tom FornelliPosted Jun 2nd 2008 3:05PM by Tom Fornelli (author feed)
Filed under: Tigers, Athletics, Phillies, Cubs, Reds, Padres



Our future's so bright, I gotta wear shades

On Deck is FanHouse's look at the day's most intriguing baseball matchups

San Diego Padres (23-35) vs. Chicago Cubs (36-21) - 10:05PM Est.

For the first time since 1908, the Chicago Cubs have the best record in baseball on June 2nd. You know what else the Cubs haven't done since 1908? Yep, they haven't won a World Series. I'm pretty sure that this is a sign that the 100-year wait is finally going to come to an end.

Don't worry about the fact that even though they've won seven in a row, they've yet to experience an injury to a starting pitcher the last two seasons (how long can that last?), and they currently have a run differential of freaking +92 on the season, they're still only 2.5 games up on the St. Louis Cardinals.

That World Series is theirs.

Unless, of course, the league forces them to play games on the road in the postseason.
Continue Reading On Deck: The Cubs Hit the Road

The Dugout All-Stars in: BlackDraft™ Part 2

BPosted May 24th 2008 1:45PM by B (author feed)
Filed under: MLB Draft, The Dugout

Prerequisite: BlackDraft™ Part 1

The ESPN ticker for the mock Negro Leagues draft as it stands:

Round 1

1. New York Yankees - Cool Papa Bell (CF)
2. Washington Nationals - a bag of Cool Ranch Doritos, which are pretty much the worst kind of Dorito
3. Chicago White Sox - Buck O'Neil (1B)
4. Boston Red Sox - David Ortiz (DH)
5. New York Yankees - Manny Ramirez (LF)

Upcoming picks

6. Cincinnati Reds
7. Detroit Tigers
8. Kansas City Royals
9. New York Yankees
10. New York Yankees again

Round 1 continues, after the jump.
Continue Reading The Dugout All-Stars in: BlackDraft™ Part 2
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