Cincinnati Reds 2012

[euro60]

so the Reds sign Andrew Brackman (ex-Moeller, ex-first round NY Yankees pick)...

Wow... I am underwhelmed. I hope the Reds have better things ahead to right the disappointment that was 2011

[Predot]

Considering the rest of the Central is crumbling around them (Cards lose Pujols and TLR, Brewers lose Fielder and Braun for 50, Cubs, Pirates don't make any major moves, lameduck Astros still atrocious), standing pat seems like taking three steps forward.

I think the Reds should be the favorites in 2012.

[euro60]

Has Prince Fielder already signed with a new team?

So yea, maybe the teams around them are crumbling, but that doesn't mean the Reds shouldn't try to improve themselves. If they're gonna pull another 2011 ("it'll get better, no, really, they WILL get better, just give it time, just  alittle more time, just a lil', oops time's run out"), I'm gonna scream!

[Butter]

I see Dontrelle Willis signed with the Phillies.  There goes one of the better starters we had in the last half of last season.

[Zafer Kaya]

Nice move by the Reds today.  Latos is better than any of the FA's they could have signed and he's cost-controlled.

They did have to pay a steep price in prospects, but Alonso was blocked by Votto and Grandal was blocked by Mesoraco.  It's a risky move, but you have to be ballsy if you want to win it all.  Good job by Jocketty.

[euro60]

Nice move by the Reds today.  Latos is better than any of the FA's they could have signed and he's cost-controlled.

They did have to pay a steep price in prospects, but Alonso was blocked by Votto and Grandal was blocked by Mesoraco.  It's a risky move, but you have to be ballsy if you want to win it all.  Good job by Jocketty.

agreed on all accounts. Good move by the Reds!

[Homsar]

I think it's a great move for a guy like that.  Y'all hear about his run of I think 15 starts giving up 2 runs or less last year?  Imagine that on the Reds.
NOW IT IS REALITY.

[Zafer Kaya]

I don't remember that happening.  But at any rate, GABP is much harder to pitch in than Petco.  So he could fail to put together a similar run and see his ERA go up half a run and still be a good acquisition. 

I don't think the Reds got a steal, but they did what they needed to do.  It was a good trade for both teams.  I thought the Reds might make a move for Garza, but I guess they didn't want to trade within the division.  Latos is at least as good; maybe better.  And both of those guys are a step up from Gio Gonzalez or John Danks or the other guys you keep hearing about as trade bait.

[euro60]

I don't remember that happening.  But at any rate, GABP is much harder to pitch in than Petco.  So he could fail to put together a similar run and see his ERA go up half a run and still be a good acquisition. 

The guy's ERA was in fact better on the road than at Petco last year, so it's not just a ballpark thing. I think this is a great move for the Reds. The moment is NOW for this team. Forget about "prospects", and "might do well in the future". The future is THIS YEAR for the Reds.

[mizary]

I think the reds have finally learned that no amount of planning for the future can make up for low attendance/revenue.  When the Reds have a good season they make more money - more money buys better players - which yields a better team - which means ... more wins ... and more money. It's a win-win-win situation.

I don't think THIS IS OUR YEAR and it's DO OR DIE.   But perhaps this is the beginning of a consistently good Reds team.  I think we were better than it showed last season.  It was alot of bad luck.  Even the best poker player in the world will suffer bad beats.  I think the Reds can make the playoffs this year.  I'd put their chances at 50/50.  But more than anything I just want them to be good.  Get people excited. Fill those seats.  Then next year we will have an even greater chance at the post season and the world series.

I think the Reds are heading in the right direction...  and this trade was a good step towards their goal.

--mizary

[Zafer Kaya]

Another potentially very good deal for the Reds today.  Marshall is very good coming out of the bullpen.  And a nice guy and fun to root for to boot.

Losing Wood carries a bit of a sting, but he was pretty bad in 2011.  I like him, but I think his realistic upside is probably that of a solid #3 guy, but more likely a backend rotation innings eater.  Or he could be nothing at all.  But the Cubs have nothing to lose and the Reds don't really have the flexibility/risk profile to keep throwing Wood out there and allowing him to reach the upside potential.

This makes the Reds better immediately, and if they fall out of the race they could flip Marshall and also end up better in the future.  It also makes the Cubs better immediately because let's face it almost anyone would.  And if he pans out, they could be better in the future as well.

So to me, it's a fun trade for both teams.  Intra-division, soft-tossing lefty for soft-tossing lefty, just enough difference in profile (one an ace MR, one a #4 guy, one young, one old) to add a little extra intrigue.

I imagine the two minor leaguers are going to be typical throw-in type guys who the Reds won't miss much, and probably don't have enough trade value on their own but who could still be useful to a barren team like the Cubs.

[Butter]

I'm not thrilled with this deal, depending on who are the 2 minor leaguers, especially considering Marshall is only under contract for 2012.  But at least Jocketty is doing something.

If it's just 2 random guys, then I'm fine with it, especially considering the 2011 that Wood put together.

They overpaid by one in getting Latos, but if he is a legitimate #1 or #2, then I am fine with it.  I think Alonso may be a future All-Star, but he was a man without a position.  Problem will be in a couple of years when Votto decides to leave and we have no one at 1B.

If we can manage a WS in the next couple of years, then it's a great trade.  If not, then it's an overpay.

[Zafer Kaya]

I feel like if the minor leaguers were legit or even semi-legit prospects we would already know who it was.

The names can't be made known through official channels until the deal is completed after physicals, but its not like the trade was shrouded in secrecy or anything.  The beat reporters were twittering all about it the trade for a day before the agreement was reached and leaked.

Of course it turns out I'm totally wrong and it's Mesoraco and Hamilton I'm not going to be too upset.

[Homsar]

If we can manage a WS in the next couple of years, then it's a great trade.  If not, then it's an overpay.

You realize you're talking about the Reds right?  Even using such words as "World" and "Series" has been taboo for 20 years. Especially when you say them together.  And ESPECIALLY especially when you say them together and use the words "In the next couple of years the Reds might make the" in front of them.  So if either of these trades helps the Reds even make it past the 1st round of the post season, it will be well worth it.  I don't know about all of you, but I was 5 when they won in '90, so basically my whole life has been almost-was-es in Cincinnati.

[Butter]

You realize you're talking about the Reds right?  Even using such words as "World" and "Series" has been taboo for 20 years. Especially when you say them together.  And ESPECIALLY especially when you say them together and use the words "In the next couple of years the Reds might make the" in front of them.  So if either of these trades helps the Reds even make it past the 1st round of the post season, it will be well worth it.  I don't know about all of you, but I was 5 when they won in '90, so basically my whole life has been almost-was-es in Cincinnati.

There is no reason that the Reds can't realistically make a WS within the next couple of years.  I mean, the fucking Cardinals have won 2.  There's no reason we can't just at least make it to 1.

Well, I guess there is a reason, and he chews toothpicks in the dugout every night.  But other than that, we have a good lineup and good pitching.  Just need a year that is relatively injury free and getting some rookies to come along a bit.  Reds should be favorites in the Central next year, and all it takes after that is getting hot for a couple of weeks at the right time.