The Reds haven't played well the last month, that's for sure. But it's not or ever been due to lack of effort? The team is has faults, but playing hard hasn't been one of them this season. They have 81 wins with 6 games to go.
Yep, one more win and they have a winning season.
There has been more support for Bell than I figured, and I'd say it's about 50/50 right now. I'm not in agreement with the Bell extension. But it doesn't bother me too much. I just don't like his lax demeanor, and I know that's kind of the way guys are now. I'd like to see more pep from the manager. I'm ok with a guy being a "players" manager, but what happens when times go bad? I suppose I'm going to have to just give up on the continued emphasis of "analytics" in baseball. Many point to this as the way the game is played now, to that I say it certainly doesn't have to be.
We all know you wish Bell had more entertaining press conferences, you have told us this repeatedly. That's not how I judge managers. My personal opinion, Bell would have graded about a D+ or C- before 2021, and I would probably give him a B- now. I feel like he improved in several ways, until September, when he fell back into his lefty/righty match-up habits from the past.
I respect the Cardinals, certainly. They win with a good mix of players. But do not try to make them into Tampa or Oakland, they are on a different level than Cincy in terms of revenue and payroll. The MLB average team salary is $130M. The Reds are slightly below that at $125M, while the Cards are 9th highest at $169M.
This was my take about six months ago. Obviously did not expect any of the Central teams to compile the number of wins that MIL and STL did.
I agree with your talent assessment of the top 3 Central teams - pretty darn close. The difference is that Milwaukee's top starting pitchers had great years, and Castillo, Gray did not, and for the Cardinals they went most of the year without their top 2 starters. Of course Milwaukee's bullpen was great, and the Reds and Cards were mostly bad.
No doubt, the Cardinals have Un-Cardinaled themselves with player acquisions, and honsestly, before this 17 game win streak, we could criticize them for it. Nearly every team is capable of going on long win streaks and it does happen. The Cardinals timing this year was phenonimal. That said they could get dumped in a one game playoff and it all be over. A short win streak in May or June may have got them the division.
I feel the Reds are as good or better than the Brewers and Cardinals in talent. Our starting pitching while mostly healthy and decent was still a downer in my opinion. Gray, Castillo and Mahle are still good but not great pitchers. We are light years ahead were we were 5 years ago, but nowhere near the rotation from early in the decade. Also we need to stop this silly thinking that starters only go 5-6 innings. Putting a relevant bullpen together may be one of the most difficult things to do in sports because you're trying to put together failed started in successful one inning roles. There's reasons bullpen guys are bullpen guys, they are failed starters. Therefore, you need to have starters 6-7-8 innings instead of 5-6. Puts way too much pressure on bullpen guys. Especially if you're not going to use bullpen guys every day.
I will be shocked - albeit pleasantly shocked, if Castellenos comes back. His agent is Scott Boros and he's not a team friendly guy to work with. His wife and kid love Cincy, but this isn't about them. And the Reds will be looked at by many fans as cheap and not willing to pay players. I just don't see the Reds competing for him. Look, Castellenos can go to another team that has better opportunities to win. You name it, the Phillies, the Dodgers, the Angels, the Astros, even the Cardinals and he's going to not only make more money, but have a better chance to win.
Not sure where to start with this mess. The beginning, I guess...
Oh Wolves...I'm not going to sink your ship, but just provide some balance. And just so you know, I'm happily married and been that way for over 30 years. I'm not saying Nick isn't genuine, but that's exactly what a person should say when he's courting 30 major league baseball teams, including the one he has the most leverage, his current team. Believe it if you want, but just be leary.
Castellanos has hit every where he has played. I'd pay him build around him.
My bad, poor communication. As I understand, doesn't Miley have $1 mill club option? I would pay the mill and let him walk, or negotiate a much lower salary. Shogo, looks like we're stuck with him. I'm not for paying him $8 mill to not play for us.
I may eat these words but I'm really ok with our starting pitching, with or without Miley. I'm just really resistant giving a 35 year old soft tosser who's had a history of injuries that much. If we're the Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers and money is no object ok. Also Hunter Green and Nick Lodolo will likely be in the rotation my mid 2022. Vlad Gutierrez has a spot in my rotation with Sonny and Castillo. We can find another starter, don't think the club has given up on Jeff Hoffman as a starter.
Ah yes, thats right, Miley does have the $1M buyout. I would write that check today, instead of paying him $10M next year. Put the $9M saved in the Nick C. fund. Gotta assume Greene and/or Lodolo are in the rotation next year.
I pray they've given up on Hoffman as a starter. Unless he is starting in AAA.
Agreed it is Barrero's time.
You write the check, and I'll stop by, pick it up and hand deliver it to Bob Castellini. I think you may have a puncher's chance of working with Miley on a lesser deal, he made $8 this year, I don't think he'll get much play elsewhere. I'd start low, maybe offer him $8 over two years with an option for a 3rd, I can't imagine he's got much left in the tank. Also understand that while Greene and Lodolo will likely be in the rotation in 2022, they will be part time starters at the best. We coddle these guys so much these days. To think Greene will lead us into the playoffs is a pipe dream. I bet he'll be lucky to go 110 innings next season, even healthy.
I think you're going to have to take some risks next season, especially if you want to fund the Castellenos fund. YOu'll have to go on the cheap for #4/ #5 starters, the bullpen and possibly other places. I do the same with Tucker as Miley, I try like heck to restructure him. I don't know that I ever see Stephenson catching more than 100 games, I think that's counterproductive to his long term career. I'd love to keep Tucker as more of full time catcher and use Stephenson catching and to spell Joey. I think we really need to back Joey down more. He loves to play every day but there has to be more off days for Joey the next few years. I think he's seeing the benefits to it.
All starters are back and under control. Castillo, Gray, Mahle, Guiterrez and Miley. Add in Greene, think Lodolo will begin at AAA. That's why I said offer Miley/Guiterrez/Hoffman or anyone not named India or Stephenson and see what can happen. The majority of clubs are searching for starting pitching and we have some. I have no clue how it works but all of those guys are under contract but no way you part with Mahle, Gray or Castillo.
I'm not going to say the Bailey / Cueto decision worked out, but I think you have to take a deeper dive into the circumstances. Up until 2014, Homer had been pretty healthy and had a nice upward track. Cueto on the other hand had some injury issues, both were the same age. At that point if you had to pick one, I think Homer was the safer bet. Now certainly no one can forecast injuries, and as soon as Homer signed the long deal, his injuries just started mounting. Cueto meanwhile, had the championship run in KC, but he's been often injured and paid a ton of money to not pitch much since.