Reds Polls: Janish, Chapman, Opening Day and Left Field

As I began to wonder off into an alternate reality where baseball season was about to begin, I woke up and a few questions popped into my head. I had what I thought were answers, but wanted to know more. Daydreaming wasn’t helping either. I always revert back to the same point…waking up before first pitch.

Ah, first pitch, who should have it? Is Janish doomed? Aroldis Chapman? When? Chris Heisey? Ryan Ludwick?

So…you see my issue here. And we know what that means…

To me, it’s looking that way, but I’m not completely convinced. We knew Walt was looking for another backup infielder. Why else would he have made the deal in acquiring Wilson Valdez in exchange for Jeremy Horst?

Neither are magicians with the bat. Valdez is a tad better…with a better arm.

Valdez: .243/.290/.330, 6 HR, 92 RBI, 1 IP, 0.00 ERA
Janish: .221/.289/.302, 7 HR, 70 RBI, 2 IP, 49.50 ERA

Janish is far better in the field as he’s posted a career Rtot of 26 compared to 12 for Valdez. Plus, Valdez is four years older. I understand that Jocketty was looking for a veteran, but…

To me, it should be the first choice, but I don’t see it happening. Actually, this is something I shouldn’t even be pondering had Chapman been kept a starter from the get-go.

So, the choices. Unless there’s some off-season program that’s been kept under wraps, I doubt it will be out of spring training.

After the first month is a decent possibility. Chapman would have a handful of starts under his belt, the arm should be stretched out, etc., etc…

The All-Star break might be the best option to consider. Well, for me it is. The limit of innings might not be as prevalent in going this route.

I didn’t want to use the final choice for this question, but that is included for those that still feel Chapman is better served as the closer, a move that should never be considered.

I doubt anyone would think that Johnny Cueto or Mat Latos should be considered an answer for this question. I will offer this…I doubt it will be Bronson Arroyo. Lot of money…

Leake has progressed nicely, but he is on Tom Verducci’s red flag list (and Verducci does not consider the Reds a contender). I would be surprised if Leake’s inning total increased as much this season as it did last season. With the “list” in mind, Leake would be one to consider.

But my money is on Bailey (not like I actually bet).

Remember telling you of that alternate reality? This is the point I snap out of it. I have no clue who’s on the mound for the opener.

You look at any Reds depth chart and listed at the top of the rotation is Cueto followed by Latos. Both cold foot the bill of Opening Day starter.

Last year, I had no issues with Edinson Volquez starting. Of course, in hindsight, I’ve beaten myself for such a thought, but why shouldn’t the guy that was involved in the deal that sent EV out of Cincy get the shot?

Cueto knows how Opening Day works in Cincinnati. I was pulling for him to get the ball last year.

"Today, Reds skipper Dusty Baker tabbed Edinson Volquez as the Opening Day starter against the Milwaukee Brewers on March 31. I kind of thought it might go the way of Johnny Cueto. And I know that Bronson Arroyo has said he would take the ball if asked. Never came down to that."

This might be the biggest question on the mind of Reds fans. We see what Chris Heisey can do. We know all about his splits of righties and lefties. We’ve seen his splits of starting versus being a bench player. All of that has been regurgitated numerous times.

Ludwick has been an everyday player so he knows the rigors of being such. Heisey does have youth on his side as he’s five and a half years younger then Ludwick.

This is the spring training position battle to watch…

…and don’t for get to vote on our other poll about the Hall of Fame.

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