MLB commissioner Bud Selig at opening of Marlins Ballpark. (Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE)

Today, MLB Commissioner Bud Selig announced that the 2013 All-Star Game will be held at Citi Field, home of the New York Mets. Joining Selig for the announcement, which was held at City Hall, was New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Mets owner (and Selig confidant) Fred Wilpon. All three were all smiles.

This news should not shock one person. I don’t say that because of the fact there has been some stirring of this news for a while now. I say it because of the friendship of Selig and Wilpon. Before I go any further here, I have no ax to grind with Wilpon or anyone that’s associated with them as far as past players, current players and any writers out there.

Well, maybe Bud Harrelson…

Here’s some things to note.

The last time an All-Star Game was in the Big Apple, it was 2008 at Old Yankee Stadium. The festivities that surrounded the ASG generated over $148 million in revenue to the NYC area. During today’s announcement, Bloomberg estimated that the 2013 festivities could infuse NYC with over $191 million. By contrast, this year’s ASG to be held in Kansas City is expected to inject $60 million into the KC metro area.

Talk about standard of living.

So, back to Bud and Fred. This is all a little odd to me.

Recall some time back when the Mets ownership was drawing the ire of many? Seems like they may have been a little caught up in Bernie Madoff’s doings. While nothing of such has ever been stated, at one time, the trustee for the Madoff case was wanting the Mets owners to fork over a huge chunk of change. At one time, that amount was a billion dollars. Instead, Wilpon and company recently settled for $162 million after an initial payback of some $83 million.

Mets chief executive officer Fred Wilpon during spring training workouts at Digital Domain Park. (Brad Barr-US PRESSWIRE)

What’s the line used in almost every crime drama? Follow the money. That’s the road I’m going here.

You see, Wilpon needed a means to recoup some of those “funds” he will lose or has already lost. Selig provided such a vehicle. It may not be on the scale of recovering all the losses, but hey, at this point, a few million here and there will do.

I can imagine the conversation that happened a couple of years ago…

Bud Selig (BS – how appropriate): Fred, it’s Bud. You know, I was thinking about something last evening. Wanna run it by you.

Fred Wilpon (FW): What’s on your mind?

BS: I know you got that trustee wanted a crap load of cash from you. I think we can help each other out here. I need a place for my 2013 All-Star Game. I think Citi Field would do the trick.

FW: Why would I want that? I got enough on my plate at the moment.

BS: Hear me out, Fred. If Citi Field were to host my game in 2013, you could make a few more bucks. You might be needing those funds on down the line. Wink, wink. Nudge, nudge.

FW: More money? Keep talking.

BS: So, the 2013 All-Star Game will be at Citi Field and you make money. What are you getting here?

FW: I got it alright. So, I take it all you want me to do is say yes?

BS: It won’t be that simple. Gotta make you work for it.

FW: What’s that supposed to mean?

BS: I know your ballpark is new and all, but there’s a couple of things I still don’t like about it. If I let you host my game, I need a favor in return. I need some changes made.

FW: What kind of changes? You’re not going to make me take the big apple out, are you?

BS: Heck no! Love that thing. Baseball is a game where fans like to see runs score. Your new park isn’t exactly hitter-friendly. Bring those fences in.

FW: IS that all?

BS: yes. Wait! No, it isn’t. The part about fans wanting to see a lot of runs is true, but they also like to see outfielders rob a home run every now and then. Can’t happen with that wall you got in left field. Lower it to about eight feet so outfielders got a shot. Heck. The fans like those web gems almost as much as homers.

FW: I think I can do that. But won’t this set me back some money?

BS: Don’t worry, Fred. Got that all figured out for you already. Picnic area, Fred. Picnic area. More seats to sell. More people in your park means more money.

FW: More money. I might break even on this deal yet. I could be a winner after all. Sure, Bud. I’ll host your game.

(silence)

Bud? You there?

(dial tone)

As I was Googling some facts from the Madoff scheme, I also saw an alert for a great piece by C. Trent Rosecrans on CBSSports.com. His last paragraph may provide a little insight on the next time we could see an All-Star Game in Cincinnati.

Hosting the game isn’t always about what team hasn’t had it in a long time, there are other factors and those will come to play, but it seems the Marlins are the favorite for 2015 and the Twins for 2016. Another one to keep in mind, 2019 will mark the 150th anniversary of professional baseball and would be a perfect fit for the Reds, who haven’t hosted an All-Star Game at Great American Ball Park and owner Bob Castellini is desperate to land the game.

2019 seems like a long time off, C. Trent, but your premise makes complete sense to me.

——————————

Like what you’re reading? Stay up-to-date on all things Reds by following Blog Red Machine on Twitter (@blogredmachine). Also, please take a minute and “Like” our page on Facebook!

(David Banks-US PRESSWIRE)

You don’t have to go too far into Leake’s 2012 stats to determine the issues.

His strikeouts are down and his walks are up. His current SO/BB ratio of 1.45 is less than half of his 2011 ratio of 3.11. His SO/9 of 4.5 is down from 6.3 of 2011. The BB/9 of 3.1 is up from his 2011 number of 2.0. We know Leake is far from your prototypical strikeout pitcher, but that stresses the limiting of the free passes.

But this isn’t the biggest discrepancy. That comes in hits allowed. At the end of last season, Leake posted a respectable H/9 of 8.5. So far in 2012, that has risen to 11.4, an increase of 34%.

We know Leake is prone to surrendering a home run or two. He was second on the staff last season and his HR/9 for 2011 was 1.2. This year that currently sits at 1.7.

More free passes, more hits, a higher rate of home runs allowed can only transfer into more losses.

Heading into Atlanta, we know the upcoming portion of the schedule would be brutal. Not only because of the records of the teams the Reds will face for the remainder of this week into next, it’s due to a couple of factors.

The next off day is not until the 31st of May. Skipping Leake any turns during this stretch will only increase the load on the other four pitchers. In turn, the rest periods for those other four starters will be lessened. Maybe there’s a possibility all four could handle the short rest, but there are still four months and a couple of weeks to go in the season.

I hear you. You can’t win a division in the early stages of a season, but you could lose it if you get too far behind in the standings. The bonus is that the Reds are not at that point as of now. You could say there is a little time to attempt to correct whatever ails Leake.

But how much time? Good question. There’s no defined answer for that question, but I’ll guess it’s not an extended length of time.

Another factor could be this. There isn’t exactly any pitcher in Louisville that’s been lighting up the International League. Here’s all the pitchers that have a start in Louisville this season.

Nothing overly impressive, but…

I will grant you that the above ERAs look more attractive than the 7.11 attached to Leake. So do a few of the WHIP numbers. Same for the H/9.

On the average, the Bats staff isn’t getting too far into games either. Only one starter with five or more starts is averaging over six innings per start: Jeff Francis.

Francis had himself a good spring. He arrived in Goodyear as a non-roster invitee and stuck around until the end of spring. He knew he was headed for Louisville prior to camp breaking. He knew his role.

If the front office were to fashion any type of “swap” of Leake for a Louisville starter, it would have to be Francis. That would necessitate an adjustment to the 40-man.

But would sending Leake to Louisville to receive more teachings from Ted Power be of benefit to him?

Most likely. After Leake’s demotion last season, he provided the Reds great cause for optimism heading into 2012. After that brief stint, Leake returned and went 9-7, but the Reds were 12-8 in those games. The ERA was 3.36, his WHIP was 1.12 and the SO/BB ratio was 3.44. Those same numbers in nine games (including a trio of relief appearances) prior to seeing the Bats clubhouse were: 5.70, 1.38 and 2.46.

He learned something. He either learned some things from Power or that he didn’t care for life in the minors. Or both.

I have previously pointed out that Leake’s 2012 has started in a complete reverse to his 2010 and 2011 seasons.

So I will now refer to the title of this. Is tonight critical for Leake?

Critical may not be the appropriate word to use here. I would say on a scale of 1 to 10 with ten being that critical point, tonight’s outing could rate as high as an 8, but I would also have it no lower than a 7. Therefore, my deductive math skills put it at a 7.5. Not quite critical, but definitely serious.

——————————

Like what you’re reading? Stay up-to-date on all things Reds by following Blog Red Machine on Twitter (@blogredmachine). Also, please take a minute and “Like” our page on Facebook!

His talent is unparalleled.  It’s not hard to imagine six scoreless innings every five days with Chapman on the bump.  The problem is, that’s not where the Reds necessarily need him – right now.

Despite how outstanding the Reds’ ‘pen has been, it’s worth keeping in mind that the Reds are without two very important arms normally utilized in late, pressure-filled situations.  Nick Masset.  Bill Bray.  That’s not even counting the $8 million closer who won’t throw a single pitch.  Take that into consideration – then, consider the fact that the Reds boast MLB’s third best bullpen ERA at 2.35.  The bullpen has been a saving grace.  It’s has been a safer investment than Apple.  Only seven teams in baseball have a bullpen that has surrendered fewer games than Cincinnati’s.  There isn’t another bullpen in the majors that has more wins.  There isn’t another bullpen in the majors that’s recorded more strikeouts.

Chapman has an awful lot to do with this.

(Brad Mills-US PRESSWIRE)

I know the common gripe: “We can’t be paying $20 million for a set-up man.”

A question to you: what dollar amount do you assign to a win?  Chapman, pitching in his current role, has played a significant role in more than a few.  Look beyond his 3-0 record.  Of the 14 games Chapman has pitched, only four have come in a game decided by four or more runs.

In fact, the Reds have only lost two games all season when Chapman has pitched – both 2-1 losses, both to Washington.  Would the W-L total for the Reds be any different without Chapman and his flawless 18 innings?

Not sure.  But are you willing to find out, right now?

The bullpen has been great – guys like Arredondo, Ondrusek, Hoover, Simon and Marshall have really helped the cause.  And while every one of those guys has been serviceable, what pitcher do you want on the mound, in the 8th, with bases loaded and the go-ahead run at second?

Not a question.  It’s Aroldis Chapman and his 100 MPH fastball that makes even the best hitters in the game look clueless.

Aroldis Chapman will be a bona fide starter, when the bullpen is back to full strength and the Reds finally decide to do something with Mike Leake and his 7.11 ERA.  Until then, just like HBO, you have your best asset available, on-demand, nearly every game.