I wonder if Tim is still sitting…
Probably since the Reds made no deals to add maybe a bit of spice to their roster.
I was reading on John Fay’s blog where Reds GM Walt Jocketty feels the Reds roster in its current configuration is good. Good enough to make a run. Jocketty also stated that any move would likely come from within the organization.
To interpret, no mind-blowing trades are on the horizon or down the road. Jocketty said he had a couple of deals in the works, but nothing materialized. The players the Reds were pursuing are still with their clubs and were not moved. Jocketty, at this point, feels it’s better to stand pat than to deal. An added bonus may be that Jason Stark of ESPN did not rate the Reds as losers during the “trading period”. The New York Mets are listed and they didn’t do anything either. Maybe there’s something to be said about standing pat.
And maybe that’s not such a bad deal after all. Sometimes the best deal you make is that one you don’t make. Sorry. I was channeling my inner Yogi Berra.
I agree with Tim that the most pressing need for the Reds is at the leadoff spot. The Reds have the next to lowest leadoff batting average in the NL (.236). I had pointed out the dilemma that would be presented. The new leadoff hitter could only be a center fielder. We all take our share of slaps at Drew Stubbs and his lack of hitting. He has lost 18 points of his batting average over the last 10 games (.248 to .229, 1 hit in his last 34 AB). He’s also struck out 16 times within that same span. He didn’t even start one of those 10 games. Hitting coach Brook Jacoby has been working with Stubbs on his bunting. (Note: I find it hard to believe that someone in the minors let that fall through the cracks. A guy with that speed has never had extended batting practice with learning the art of the bunt. That’s crazy.) But Stubbs can cover ground with his speed so that alone keeps him in the lineup. If he gets on base, he can steal a base (18 for 21, 10th in the NL).
A veteran starter would also have been nice considering the number of young arms the Reds have. Wood (23), Leake (22), Cueto (24) and Bailey (24) are all still evolving as starters. The options, in the eyes of the Cincy brass, weren’t there.
I was hoping for deal, too.
But I’m not sitting…I’m still waiting…
Tags: baseball, Cincinnati Reds, Drew Stubbs, Homer Bailey, Johnny Cueto, Mike Leake, Travis Wood, Walt Jocketty
Born in Flint, Michigan, my father moved the family to southwestern Ohio in the summer of 1970. That's when my brother introduced me to the game of baseball...and the Cincinnati Reds. I've been a fan of the Reds ever since and still long for the days of 1975-1976 World Champion Big Red Machine when the baseball world witnessed one of the greatest baseball teams ever assembled. My goal here on BRM is to provide everyone insight on the Reds and to spark thought and conversation about my favorite baseball team.
I am also the editor of FanSided's blog for golf, Pro Golf Now.
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