wolves82
Highly Respected Expert
Are tickets on sale yet? Where else am I going to go?
The Official 2023 Cincinnati Reds Thread
- Thread starter AEW Champion
- Start date
AEW Champion
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I assume yesterday’s signing completes the Reds’ offseason spending except for possibly more relievers on minor-league deals with an invite to spring training.
Here’s where the roster stands. My projected lineup:
2B Jonathan India
LF Jake Fraley
DH Tyler Stephenson
RF Wil Myers
1B Joey Votto
3B Spencer Steer
SS Jose Barrero
CF Nick Senzel
C Curt Casali
Bench:
OF TJ Friedl
C Luke Maile
INF Kevin Newman
INF Nick Solak
Starting rotation:
Hunter Greene
Nick Lodolo
Graham Ashcraft
Justin Dunn
Luke Weaver/Luis Cessa
Bullpen:
Alexis Diaz
Reiver Sanmartin
Tejay Antone
Lucas Sims
Tony Santillan
Buck Farmer
Luke Weaver/Luis Cessa
Ian Gibaut
Louisville depth:
SP Connor Overton
RP Joel Kuhnel
RP Fernando Cruz
RP Tayron Guerrero
RP Silvino Bracho
OF Michael Siani
OF Stuart Fairchild
Prospects who could arrive in 2023:
INF Matt McLain
INF Elly De La Cruz
SP Brandon Williamson
SP Levi Stoudt
1B/DH Christian Encarnacion-Strand
Position battles:
Center field: Nick Senzel figures to get one last chance, with TJ Friedl pushing him. This could be a landing spot for McLain or De La Cruz this summer if both incumbents underwhelm.
Fourth and fifth starters: Justin Dunn figures to have a leg up for a rotation spot, but the last spot is up for grabs between Overton, Cessa and Weaver. It wouldn’t be surprising for Williamson to improve and force his way into the big leagues at some point this season.
Last two bullpen spots: I figure six spots are taken if guys are healthy: Diaz, Sanmartin, Sims, Antone, Santillan and Farmer. The last two are totally up for grabs, although it would make sense for one of the two to go to a long reliever who doesn’t win a rotation spot, which I figure would be Cessa or Weaver. I’ll give Ian Gibaut a nod just based on him being on the team last year.
Shortstop: I don’t think it should be much of a battle, but we’ll see how patient the Reds are with Jose Barrero before inserting Newman and/or pulling the trigger on McLain or De La Cruz.
It’s true, it’s true. Trust me …
Here’s where the roster stands. My projected lineup:
2B Jonathan India
LF Jake Fraley
DH Tyler Stephenson
RF Wil Myers
1B Joey Votto
3B Spencer Steer
SS Jose Barrero
CF Nick Senzel
C Curt Casali
Bench:
OF TJ Friedl
C Luke Maile
INF Kevin Newman
INF Nick Solak
Starting rotation:
Hunter Greene
Nick Lodolo
Graham Ashcraft
Justin Dunn
Luke Weaver/Luis Cessa
Bullpen:
Alexis Diaz
Reiver Sanmartin
Tejay Antone
Lucas Sims
Tony Santillan
Buck Farmer
Luke Weaver/Luis Cessa
Ian Gibaut
Louisville depth:
SP Connor Overton
RP Joel Kuhnel
RP Fernando Cruz
RP Tayron Guerrero
RP Silvino Bracho
OF Michael Siani
OF Stuart Fairchild
Prospects who could arrive in 2023:
INF Matt McLain
INF Elly De La Cruz
SP Brandon Williamson
SP Levi Stoudt
1B/DH Christian Encarnacion-Strand
Position battles:
Center field: Nick Senzel figures to get one last chance, with TJ Friedl pushing him. This could be a landing spot for McLain or De La Cruz this summer if both incumbents underwhelm.
Fourth and fifth starters: Justin Dunn figures to have a leg up for a rotation spot, but the last spot is up for grabs between Overton, Cessa and Weaver. It wouldn’t be surprising for Williamson to improve and force his way into the big leagues at some point this season.
Last two bullpen spots: I figure six spots are taken if guys are healthy: Diaz, Sanmartin, Sims, Antone, Santillan and Farmer. The last two are totally up for grabs, although it would make sense for one of the two to go to a long reliever who doesn’t win a rotation spot, which I figure would be Cessa or Weaver. I’ll give Ian Gibaut a nod just based on him being on the team last year.
Shortstop: I don’t think it should be much of a battle, but we’ll see how patient the Reds are with Jose Barrero before inserting Newman and/or pulling the trigger on McLain or De La Cruz.
It’s true, it’s true. Trust me …
Last edited:
AEW Champion
Your wife’s favorite poster
I also wanted to point out that since arbitration numbers were agreed upon yesterday for all six arbitration-eligible Reds, Spotrac has the Reds’ 2023 payroll at $83.3 million after the Weaver signing.
$50.5 million of the $83.3 million is going to Joey Votto, Mike Moustakas and Ken Griffey Jr.
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$50.5 million of the $83.3 million is going to Joey Votto, Mike Moustakas and Ken Griffey Jr.
It’s true, it’s true. Trust me …
wolves82
Highly Respected Expert
Well, we hope for the best, because we are fans. But 2-3 key injuries and this roster has zero chance. That bench is sad, and the rotation is almost as sad. I'd feel much better if Greene and Lodolo were 3-4, not 1-2.
A lot will be put on Diaz, Sims, Antone, Sanmartin and Santillan. They all have above average stuff. If they are all healthy and pitching at their peak out of the pen, maybe 70 wins. More likely 60 wins.
AEW Champion
Your wife’s favorite poster
It’s almost insane to think that if Joey Votto isn’t ready by the start of the season, the Reds’ 26-man Opening Day roster could make around $34 million combined. An entire team making less than Aaron Judge. Or Justin Verlander. Or Max Scherzer. Etc.
It’s true, it’s true. Trust me …
It’s true, it’s true. Trust me …
50 wins
That's perfectly fine if the Reds save the money to spend at the right time.
Min/max is not a difficult concept for .ost organizations but for some reason this one struggles with it.
AEW Champion
Your wife’s favorite poster
Apparently Phil Castellini made a fool of himself again — this time by speaking today during a Rosie Reds lunch at the stadium. The gist of it is that he tried to put the blame on anything but the Reds for why the Reds stink.
www.redlegnation.com
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Why do the Reds continue to allow Phil Castellini to speak? - Redleg Nation
Cincinnati Reds COO Phil Castellini spoke at a luncheon for the Rosie Reds on Saturday and once again put his foot in his mouth.
www.redlegnation.com
It’s true, it’s true. Trust me …
Auglaize99
Active member
I will take the over on that. I will be really optimistic and say they are not a lock to lose 100. Will probably more or less ignore them unless Greene is pitching or they call up De La Cruz. Plenty of other interesting teams to watch in 2023.
It must be horrible.... sell the team and put yourselves out of our misery.Apparently Phil Castellini made a fool of himself again — this time by speaking today during a Rosie Reds lunch at the stadium. The gist of it is that he tried to put the blame on anything but the Reds for why the Reds stink.
Why do the Reds continue to allow Phil Castellini to speak? - Redleg Nation
Cincinnati Reds COO Phil Castellini spoke at a luncheon for the Rosie Reds on Saturday and once again put his foot in his mouth.
View attachment 38145
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AEW Champion
Your wife’s favorite poster
If Yappi threads could have thumbnails in their subject line, this would be a good one for this thread:
It’s true, it’s true. Trust me …
It’s true, it’s true. Trust me …
wolves82
Highly Respected Expert
Phil is an obvious idiot who only has his job because of his good fortune at being conceived. Any other COO/President would have been fired after speaking to customers the way he did last year. His comments yesterday reinforce two things:
1) Gave further proof that he is too stupid to have any important job. Saying the Reds "operate like a non-profit" blows my mind. Many non-profits (Goodwill, churches, universities, etc) overpay their executives and give big year end bonuses in order to show zero net income at the end of the year. Since the Reds have never asked their shareholders for more cash, we know the organization has plenty of cash flow. Undoubtedly the Castellini's and Williams are cashing in big.
2) Shows his tremendous jealously and disdain for the players and the money they make. Again, he is too stupid to imagine. Publicly mocking your most important employees is a sure firing in most real management jobs.
Anyone with any hope for this franchise should give it up until this doofus is out of the picture.
1) Gave further proof that he is too stupid to have any important job. Saying the Reds "operate like a non-profit" blows my mind. Many non-profits (Goodwill, churches, universities, etc) overpay their executives and give big year end bonuses in order to show zero net income at the end of the year. Since the Reds have never asked their shareholders for more cash, we know the organization has plenty of cash flow. Undoubtedly the Castellini's and Williams are cashing in big.
2) Shows his tremendous jealously and disdain for the players and the money they make. Again, he is too stupid to imagine. Publicly mocking your most important employees is a sure firing in most real management jobs.
Anyone with any hope for this franchise should give it up until this doofus is out of the picture.
wolves82
Highly Respected Expert
Reds team payroll this decade:
- 2020 = $164M (just above the MLB average)
- 2021 = $144M
- 2022 = $113M
- 2023 = $83M (slightly more than half of 2020 payroll)
As AEW said, Griffey, Moose and Votto are $50M of the $83M. Welcome to the absolute #1 MLB poverty franchise. Payroll might be in the $40M-$50M range next year.
- 2020 = $164M (just above the MLB average)
- 2021 = $144M
- 2022 = $113M
- 2023 = $83M (slightly more than half of 2020 payroll)
As AEW said, Griffey, Moose and Votto are $50M of the $83M. Welcome to the absolute #1 MLB poverty franchise. Payroll might be in the $40M-$50M range next year.
I have no issue with a very low payroll on a bad, young team IF you are willing to to go beyond what cash flow allows in future years when the team has a chance to win.
Wtf are you talking about?
wolves82
Highly Respected Expert
Literally no one said anything like that. And only a moron would think that the Reds would lose 100 games with an MLB average payroll of around $150M. Hey, Phil Castellini is a moron. Are you really Phil?
however, "the team salary is more in line with the talent level than ever before" is 100% accurate. The salary is about the worst in the MLB, and the talent matches. Why are you happy about this? You really are Phil !!
14Red
Well-known member
I think many feel if the Reds just pay guys the wins come, it doesn't work that way. We found that out with Mike Moustakas, Mike Minor, etc.
14Red
Well-known member
Let's go!
AEW Champion
Your wife’s favorite poster
I’m curious to see whether the high probability of the Reds carrying three catchers is a concerted effort to have Stephenson mostly as a DH or 1B this season, or whether it’s just temporary cover in case Votto isn’t ready to open the season, thus necessitating playing Stephenson at 1B early.
If he doesn’t catch much early on and the HR numbers trend upward, you gotta consider keeping him at 1B/DH. Let veterans Casali and Maile handle catching duties.
It’s true, it’s true. Trust me …
If he doesn’t catch much early on and the HR numbers trend upward, you gotta consider keeping him at 1B/DH. Let veterans Casali and Maile handle catching duties.
It’s true, it’s true. Trust me …
Stop being stupid. No is suggesting we pay bad players like Mike Minor $10M (although you were all for it last year). Rather, pay good players and win.
In short, do a better job of identifying good players early in their career and pay them before they get expensive. That's how small market teams stay competitive every year.
14Red
Well-known member
Mike Moustakas had a GREAT year in Milwaukee before the Reds signed him. You guys make all your decisions in the rear view mirror, AFTER it happens. Anyone can do that. Many on this thread wanted to bring back Tucker Barnhart for whatever he wanted. We LIKE players and want to just give them money. It goes both ways.
wolves82
Highly Respected Expert
Yes! That for me was the best thing about the Casali signing. Since they had already signed Maile, to me it clearly signaled that the Reds are going to be smart with Stephenson. Casali is Catcher #1, Maile will be a backup, and Tyler's bat can be other places in the lineup (DH, LF, occasionally 1B).
The Moose release helps reinforce this also. I'm hopeful, but it seems like the Reds might be making a smart long term move with Tyler.
wolves82
Highly Respected Expert
Correction. Most of us knew the Reds could not afford the last year of Barny's last year, and said so in posts. You wanted to keep him.
Yes, I'll admit to being happy about the Moose signing initially. He was always a winner and good hitter. Reds should have included a weight clause in that one.
14Red
Well-known member
That's just the thing, you never know when these guys are done.
Spartacus1987
Well-known member
Starting to wonder if the Reds would ever move cities. They will never win a WS ever again being in Cincinnati
Nonsense
They can win in Cincinnati. It simply requires being intelligent on how you operate. Something they have clearly lacked.
wolves82
Highly Respected Expert
The city has nothing to do with the ability to win. The ownership and poor management has everything to do with it.
Spartacus1987
Well-known member
True but the best teams are in the biggest cities.