Cincinnati Reds 2004 Outlook

[sweaver]

Players in: Cory Lidle. Players out: they traded most of the marketable and/or expensive ones at the trading deadline.

C: Jason LaRue
IF: 1B Sean Casey, 2B D'Angelo Jiminez, SS Barry Larkin, 3B Ryan Freel
OF: Adam Dunn, Ken Griffey, Jr., Austin Kearns.
Bench: Corky Miller, Juan Castro, Tim Hummell, Wily Mo Pena.
Rotation: Cory Lidle, Paul Wilson, Jimmy Haynes, Jose Acevedo, Aaron Harang (Brandon Claussen)
Bullpen: Danny Graves, Ryan Wagner, Chris Reitsma, John Riedling, Phil Norton, Brian Reith.

This team is a lot like the 2003 version. They have some pop, a good bullpen, and a lot of holes in the rotation.

[Gosfgiants]

I find it interesting that Reds have two A's castoff starters in the rotation. If they get Ted Lily it'd be the trifecta.

[clemente21]

The Reds' bench might be the worst in baseball.

[Craig S.]

I predict that the money I spend on Reds' tickets will be well-spent. Not because they'll be good, but because that pitching staff will likely mean long games and more baseball for the dollar.

[Rajah]

guh. How long until cinci gets around to trading Dunn and Kearns?

Shouldn't we just pencil Wily Mo in for starting CF at this point? Seriously, Ken is about as likely to play a 100 games as Albert Belle is to get a new contract.

And Barry Larkin is still playing?

Brandon Claussen is likely to end up the best pitcher on that staff.

How many days until Danny Graves is traded?

[Domeboys]

How many days until Danny Graves is traded?

As a failed starter, Graves has no trade value because of his large salary. Perhaps if he re-establishes himself as a top closer, he can be moved.

[Skip]

I was over-optimistic (is that a word) about the Reds this time last year; I think I am now (hopefully) over-pessimistic. I certainly am pessimistic in any case.

[cubfan33]

Too ... easy ...

Must .... not .... make ... Rose ... joke ...

[Rajah]

As a failed starter, Graves has no trade value because of his large salary. Perhaps if he re-establishes himself as a top closer, he can be moved.
To clarify. I am assuming he'll be at least a good relief pitcher again, which will give him value to a contender. Thus, my original comment.

[KCBOOMER]

The Reds look worse than last year. Maybe Lidle will return to prior form since he will not get the privilege of pitching to pitchers. It would be nice if they could unload Griffey for some pitching but he is signed for $12.5M for each of the next five seasons. Tough to unload him when you consider he has only played 230+ games in the last three years.

[Craig S.]

Too ... easy ...

Must .... not .... make ... Rose ... joke ...

I thought everyone had New Year's resolutions not to mention him!

[clemente21]

Too ... easy ...
Must .... not .... make ... Rose ... joke ...Rose could probably still pinch hit better than Juan Castro. Heck, I'd rather have a 56 year old Davey Conception than Juan Castro.

[Rajah]

I thought everyone had New Year's resolutions not to mention him!
I resolved no such thing!

[huskerdru]

IF: 1B Sean Casey, 2B D'Angelo Jiminez, SS Barry Larkin, 3B Ryan Freel

That is one sad lookin' infield!!

[gyb13]

one sad looking team, outfield aside

[clemente21]

That is one sad lookin' infield!!And that's before Larkin goes on the DL three times. Then you get the phenomenal Juan Castro starting at SS.

[gyb13]

or felipe lopez

[Rajah]

That is one sad lookin' infield!!
You know its bad when a Tigers fan says that! :p

[Craig S.]

The lineup isn't totally bad - they just need some help in the # 1 spot, along with 2, 6, 7 and 8.

Claussen, Harang and Lidle aren't bad for the third through fifth spots in the rotation. The problem is that there's nobody to fill those first 2 spots.

[gyb13]

I find it interesting that Reds have two A's castoff starters in the rotation. If they get Ted Lily it'd be the trifecta.no, they have three - Haynes, Lidle, and Harang

[Domeboys]

Looking for something positive to say...

D’Angelo Jimenez is tearing up the Dominican this winter. Coming off a regular season where he hit .360 with a .485 on-base percentage, Licey’s second sacker continues to be hot in the Dominican League playoffs. Last I checked, he is three for nine with a run scored and two RBI.

[gyb13]

small sample size! :stinker:

[sweaver]

D'Angelo is a good player, the Reds' best over the second half. Problem is, they aren't happy with his (league-average) defense and want to move him to 3B.

[CincinnatiChili]

The lineup isn't totally bad - they just need some help in the # 1 spot, along with 2, 6, 7 and 8.

Claussen, Harang and Lidle aren't bad for the third through fifth spots in the rotation. The problem is that there's nobody to fill those first 2 spots.
This sounds a lot like last year's joke about the team - the Reds need a #1 and #2 hitter, and a #1-5 starting pitcher.

The joke is getting so repetitious that it's ceasing to be funny.