Pull The Trigger Already Walt!

Last year our two big "acquisitions" were signing Edgar Renteria and Fred Lewis. While I realize that the Reds are not a large market team like New York or Los Angeles and we aren't going to be in on any high end free agents like the Fielders or Pujols of the world, we are going in need of one thing. Pitching!

The Reds biggest issue at the moment may be replacing Francisco Cordero, who seems to be less likely to re-sign after each passing day. With closers like Brad Lidge and Ryan Madson on the market the club will likely sign a closer at a discount compared to the astronomical sum of twelve million dollars they were paying Cordero the last few years. Names from within have also surfaced as possibilities as closers such as; Homer Bailey, Aroldis Chapman, and Edinson Volquez. You can already forget about Bailey or Chapman closing. Chapman is likely to start this season and if not will stay in the bullpen as a set-up or long reliever. There is no way that Bailey is going to be a bullpen guy, assuming the Reds don't go out and sign two sure fire rotation guys, Bailey will be competing for a spot. That leaves Volquez, and I hate to say it, but I could see Volquez closing games, with an A+ fastball changup combonation all he would have to do is cut down on walks and I could see this as viable. Although I still feel the best option would be adding a closer via free agency.

Next we need to address the need that it seems the Reds lack every year. Top of the rotation starting pitching. It seems as though we are going to aquire this via Trade as opposed to free agency so we can look for a top end guy with a favorable contract situation. At the moment there are three guys that seem to be rising to the top of all the talks, Gio Gonzalez of the A's, James Shields of the Rays, and Jair Jurrgens of the Braves.

The A's were supposedly asking for Gonzalez the sum of Yonder Alonso, Yasmani Grandal, and another top prospect. Gio is a tough pitcher, one of the best in the game, but when you look at his K/BB ratio it is similar to that of one Edinson Volquez, Gonzalez also doesn't have a favorable groundball to flyball ratio which could fair poorly with a move to GABP.

James Shields is going to demand a kings ransom as well, but what you have to ask yourself, Is it worth it? The Reds only have Joey Votto under contract for two more seasons and seems unlikely to return to The Nati for the 2014 season. Is it worth selling a couple of your best farm pieces? Is Jocketty going to cement himself in Reds history as the GM that couldn't make a deal? Only time will tell, and time is beginning to pass this club by if nothing changes soon.

Reds Lineup vs Phillies tonight

CF- Stubbs
2B- Phillips

1B- Votto
3B- Rolen
RF- Bruce
C- Hernandez
LF- Heisey
SS- Janish
P- Cueto 

I like this, I think putting Phillips in the 2 spot is going to get himself and Stubbs more pitches to hit. and the way Bruce is swinging the bat Rolen is going to get some fat pitches as well. I actually feel this is the best line-up the Reds have. Although Hanigan and Hernandez are pretty much interchangeable!

Bronson Leaves Team: Heads Back to Cincy

Lance McAlister reporting today that Bronson Aroyyo left the team and went back to Cincinnati today. This coming after a couple very poor outings.

If you ask me something is wrong with Bronson. He just didn't look right in last nights game and is likely headed back to be checked out by team doctors. Let's hope for the best because Bronson is our top innings eater and one that many consider the ace of our staff.

Why We Suck!

Seems like just yesterday we were sweeping the Cardinals right out of first place. Now with the Reds losing streak at six games we are 2.5 back tied with the Brewers for second. Everything seemed to be going as planned until we dropped two to the Buccos and then got swept right out of Cleveland. But where should the finger pointing begin, I mean, Volquez only pitches every 5th day.

Can you blame the offense? .236/.306/.373 over the last seven days, that line won't win you pennant. Can you blame the Pitching? The starters have a WHIP of 1.35 which ranks 3rd from the bottom only ahead of Houston and Chicago in the NL and an ERA of almost 5 this season. While the bullpen is giving up 1.34 WHIP and a 3.34 ERA, not much better at all.

The truth of the matter is that besides a couple players (Jay Bruce and Homer Bailey), we suck right now. Not taking advantage of RISP, hitting into double plays, and just not caring (Volquez).

But fear not, a lot of things are going on with this club. Between just sending down Volquez, getting Frazier up here, and stripping Johnny Gomes of his starting role (we can only hope) the Reds will snap out of this. Don't forget, before this skid we had an 11-2 run. Which this club is perfectly capable of busting into a winning streak.

So the fact of the matter Reds' Nation we can get through this, and before you know it we'll be playing the ball we are capable of.

On a brighter note, here is this

Reds Shake things up? Could be interesting!

Okay, been a while gonna start blogging on here more. Sorry bout that.

So if you haven't heard the news today, Edinson Volquez was sent to AAA (along with Jordan Smith but who really cares about that) and they bring up Matt Maloney (@mo56maloney on twitter) and Todd Frazier.

This is the best thing to happen in Redsland since last week. Was it me or did it just look like Volquez doesn't care. I mean I personally would have done this a couple weeks ago. Commenting after the game that our lack of offense was to blame? Wow Eddie, Slow your roll. 7 Runs in the first inning bro, not gonna fly. Your era looks like my golf score. I mean I remember talking great things about you, I really regret this now.

So up comes Matt Maloney and Todd Frazier, I really like the move for Mo and Frazier has hit his way into this spot this month, but I was really looking forward to Dontrell Willis making his Reds debut. The D-Train has been tossing pure cheddar this year but will move to the 7-Day DL do to a groin injury.

Also want to throw it up to Jay Bruce who has really come into form as of late (excluding Cleveland). I think while Votto is the reigning MVP the Reds season is going to go wherever Jay Bruce takes us.

And on a strange note, Where is Edgar Renteria, any official word on that, if anyone has heard anything let me know.

Welcome!

Welcome to my Reds' Blog. I seem to talk way too much about the Reds on facebook, so i figured, hell, I'll start a blog. I am very opinionated and hold nothing back. Feel free to comment and point out my stupidity at times. I will not be offended. I will often join in on commenting and will love to get some great discussions going on here.

I will point out also that I will often use this site for bashing things that I do not care for. These including The Cubs, and The Yanks. So I am looking forward to this and hope that you will join in on the fun.