Talented but with unanswered questions, Cincinnati could sink or swim
APCincinnati Reds manager Dusty Baker, shown watching Scott Rolen take batting practice this spring, knows that this is an important season for he and the Reds.
OPINION
By Tony DeMarco
NBCSports.com contributor
updated 7:35 p.m. ET March 22, 2012
|
On the day of the Cincinnati Reds' first spring visit to HoHoKam Park, the line of questioning was predictable when Dusty Baker gathered for a reunion visit with Cubs media members.
With another new Cubs manager in place, why not turn to one of Dale Sveum's predecessors for some 'what he should know' words of advice ? even though Baker's last game in a Cubs uniform is six years in the past?
"I can't tell him anything; we're trying to beat them,'' was Baker's initital response. "I like Dale, but we're still competitors. The better they do, the harder it makes it for us.''
In other words, Baker has enough problems of his own. In fact, his stay in Cincinnati has reached this critical juncture:
- Baker is in the last year of his contract, and the Reds' 2010 NL Central title also represents his only winning season in four in Cincinnati, where his record sits at 322-326.
- The expectation to win never has been higher in the Bob Castellini-Walt Jocketty regime, as sensing an opportunity due to likely drop offs for the Cardinals and Brewers, the Reds made a series of win-now off-season moves.
- Adding to the urgency is the fact that MVP candidate Joey Votto can become a free agent after the 2013 season. While he has said staying in Cincinnati is a possibility, it's more likely a long-shot given deals in the $150-215 million range given to Adrian Gonzalez and Prince Fielder.
It all adds up to the Reds being one of the most intriguing teams to watch, especially coming out of the gate in April. Both individually and collectively, the possible outcomes are wide-ranging. They could be one of the NL's most-improved teams and get back into the postseason, or they could get their manager fired.
For a talented but enigmatic new No. 1 starter in Mat Latos, the Reds sent bounce-back candidate Edinson Volquez and top prospects Yonder Alonso, Brad Boxberger and Yasmani Grandal to San Diego.
Latos' talent is matched by a guarded personality that hasn't always responded well to instruction.
Alonso is penciled in as the Padres' regular first baseman, Boxberger will pitch out of their bullpen at some point this season, and Grandal will reach the big leagues by 2013 as a catcher.
The Reds also replaced longtime closer Francisco Cordero, who at 36 likely is about to enter a decline, with Ryan Madson, who broke out as the Phillies' closer last season. And they added an elite left-handed setup man in Sean Marshall, creating what should be one of the NL's deepest bullpens, with or without Aroldis Chapman."Add Marshall, Latos and Madson, and that's 25 percent of our staff ? that's a lot,'' Baker said. "Usually, one addition is pretty good, but we got three. We also have a healthy Homer (Bailey) and a healthy Johnny (Cueto). Last year at this time, we were without both, and Bronson (Arroyo) was sick (battling mononucleosis). By sheer health alone, you gotta like it.''
But just as quickly, Baker ? as managers on the spot tend to do ? was quick to point out the plusses of the veterans he no longer has on his roster.
"Cordero has what, 300 saves (actually 327)?,'' Baker said. "That's a lot of saves. How many does Madson have, 35 (actually 32)? One's an accomplished closer, and the other is a closer who's coming.
"Volquez already has been an All-Star; Latos is trying to be an All-Star. Volquez is trying to get back to where he was. Latos hasn't been there yet. I think Volquez will have a good year.''
Madson (elbow irritation) also has yet to pitch an inning in a Cactus League game. Neither has important left-handed setup man Bill Bray (groin strain), which has reignited the starter-or-reliever question regarding Chapman.
The Yankees' constant yo-yoing certainly did Joba Chamberlain's career no good, and the Reds could be repeating the pattern with Chapman. The Cuban left-hander wants to be a starter, but has yet to display the necessary pitch assortment and command, and needs time at Triple-A Louisville. No decision about where Chapman will begin the season has been announced, but Baker's words tell you which way he's leaning.
"The team always is more important,'' Baker said. "We're grooming him (to be a starter), but we can always shorten him back up. You can't go the other way.''
As talent-filled as the Reds roster is, they will be trying to get to the postseason with rookies at two key positions ? catcher Devin Mesoraco and shortstop Zack Cozart ? and that rarely pans out.
They let Ramon Hernandez sign with Colorado to give Mesoraco ? their 2007 No. 1 pick ? the majority of starts, with defensive standout Ryan Hanigan as the backup. Mesocraco can hit, as 41 homers in the last two seasons attests. And so far this spring, he has displayed much-improved throwing mechanics.
Cozart, the club's second-round pick in 2007, replaces offensively challenged Paul Janish as the regular shortstop despite only 11 games and 35 big-league at-bats last September before needing Tommy John surgery on his left arm. Cozart has had a big spring offensively to date.
A slight oddity of the Reds' 79-83 finish in 2011 was they outscored opponents 735-720. Their run total was seventh in the NL, and there's reason to expect improvement as Jay Bruce, 25, and Drew Stubbs, 27, mature, plus offensive improvements at catcher and shortstop, and the addition of Ryan Ludwick.
But another question mark is how much production the Reds will get from Scott Rolen, who will turn 37 on April 4, and played in only 65 games last season. Rolen is a middle-of-the-lineup key, as ideally, Baker wants a right-handed threat between left-handed-hitters Votto and Bruce. Rolen, coming off left shoulder surgery, has been productive this spring.
"You can project all you want to, but you have to see how things play out,'' Baker said. "That's the tough part for people to predict. That's what the season is about.''
? 2012 NBC Sports.com? Reprintsadvertisement
Source: http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/46824443/ns/sports-baseball/
20 20 baby lisa baby lisa paranormal activity wvu football district 9 district 9
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.