Episode 49: Reds Preview with Us
By
Amanda
Posted at 7:35 am
We’ve been interviewing NLC bloggers for weeks now to get previews on the competition in 2007, and this week it’s time for a little introspection. The Crack Technical Staff and I use this week’s program to discuss what we think are the biggest transactions of the off-season, the likely roster, and how the team will fare in the coming season.Here’s our projected roster, BTW:
Starting Rotation (5)
- Aaron Harang
- Bronson Arroyo
- Eric Milton
- Kyle Lohse
- one of Kirk Saarloos/Paul Wilson/Matt Belisle/Elizardo Ramirez
Jon won’t even let me bring up the topic of Homer Bailey (though I do anyway in the show), but I agree that he’s not likely to make the team on Opening Day.
Bullpen (6)
- Dustin Hermanson
- David Weathers
- Mike Stanton
- Rheal Cormier
- Todd Coffey
- Bill Bray
It is with some bitterness that I note the absence of Gary Majewski. Not that I’m anxious to get him back on the mound or anything.
Catchers (3)
- David Ross
- Javier Valentín
- Chad Moeller
I actually can see some benefit to carrying three catchers, but not this way. 1) The Reds already have emergency back-ups in Scott Hatteberg and Ryan Freel, and 2) the benefit of having a third catcher does not outweigh the loss suffered by taking up a roster spot that one of our other promising hopefuls could be using.
Infielders (6)
- Scott Hatteberg 1B
- Brandon Phillips 2B
- Alex Gonzalez SS
- Edwin Encarnaci´n 3B
- Juan Castro All things to all people
- one of Jeff Conine/Mark Bellhorn to platoon at 1B and play backup infielder
Conine’s already hurt, but the Reds’ management’s love of old dudes might get him on the Opening Day roster anyway. In either case, you sort of wonder whether it’s really worth it to take the ABs away from Hatteberg. I mean, it was one thing with Rich Aurilia last season, but this is a totally different situation.
Outfielders (5)
- Adam Dunn LF
- Ken Griffey CF
- Ryan Freel anywhere and everywhere
- Josh Hamilton RF unless he can wrest CF from Griffey
- Bubba Crosby backup
Dunn’s set in left field, but any of the rest of those guys could play center or right on any given day. And knowing Jerry Narron’s love of changing around the line-up, they probably will all play everywhere.
We also find some time for news from around baseball:
- Several rule changes in effect for 2007
- Sunday recap: White Sox 13, Cubs 2
- Sosa finds power stroke against Royals
Episode 49: Reds Preview with Us (29.2 MB, 42:37)
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Well Denorfia is missing, but I gues he still has options left so he may start the year in Louisville. But according to BubbaFan Crosby also has a dual minor league contract. SO those 2 guys are competing for one spot I believe.
Also, missing is Ligtenberg and Hermanson from your bullpen. I have to assume at least one of them is going to make the team.
So there’s gonna be some interesting decisions. Injuries usually make things easier, because then guys go on IR opening up a roster spot, so we’ll see how it shakes out.
Majewski is missing too, but he is still hurt. He is looking like a major bust in that trade.
I would bet that, given the choice between Crosby and Denorfia that Narron’s going to choose Crosby. He just doesn’t seem to like Deno.
Hermanson is already in the bullpen list. I’m not sure what I think they’ll do with Ligtenberg yet. They’d have to get rid of an old guy to make room for him, and you know they hate to do that!
Ligtenberg is no spring chicken himself.
John Fay has an article about the roster today. He thinks Hamilton will be the starting CFer.
It’s true that they could start Bubba in Louisville…but they could only call him up once. While Denorfia and Hopper could be sent up and down all season. Because of this, I think they’d have to play a lot better than Bubba to make the roster over him.
So far Bubba is outplaying Denorfia, so he may just win the job outright… which would be alright by me. I am sure we’ll see Denorfia again down the road.
Both of you have good points, and I imagine we’ll hear both of them from Narron when Denorfia doesn’t start the season in Cincinnati. The Heartthrob isn’t making the decision hard.