Post by Fuck Mike Brown on Nov 20, 2007 15:26:25 GMT -5
It's been a slow offseason. Many names have popped up. one in particular caught my eye. A young left-hander by the name of Erik Bedard of Baltimore. Bedard put up great numbers throughout the season and looks like he's still progressing. But then came the news that the Orlioes were most likely going to extend Bedard's contract. Today, I read that the LA Dodgers and Baltimore are talking about a possible trade involving Bedard. After reading up on some of the Dodgers prospects that would be involved I thought, why not the Reds? They have the trading chips to get it down, in MLB ready young talent and good prospects. Baltimore would be wise to at least talk with Cincinnati. Then this question came up. Is it worth giving away many young players and prospects for a guy who plays every five days. Lets see.
Look at this rotation with Bedard in it.
1. Erik Bedard
2. Aaron Harang
3. Bronson Arroyo
4. Homer Bailey
5. ?
That is a sold rotation. Acquiring Bedard would essentially give the Reds two aces in him and Harang. It would move Arroyo to the number three spot, which he deserves much more than the two. This suddenly turns an awful rotation into a fairly good one. Bedard and Harang do their thing, and Arroyo pitches two hundred innings, putting up solid numbers. The question would be with the last two spots. Homer Bailey is most likely going to continue to struggle, just like he did when he was called up. The reason for this will be his command. Bailey would have to step up and progress quickly to be a decent number four starter. As for the fifth spot, it would be a mystery. The Reds could sign a cheap free agent to fill the void. Or they could promote young hurler Johnny Cueto. Or they could use pitchers that came up and made a couple spot starts. While I think this would be good, the next question is how would acquiring Bedard affect the lineup.
Future Rotation:
1. Erik Bedard
2. Aaron Harang
3. Homer Bailey
4. Johnny Cueto
5. Matt Maloney
This looks like it could be one of the best rotations in the National League in the future. But, the development of Bailey, Ceuto, and Maloney is crucial. While I think this would be good, the next question is how would acquiring Bedard affect the lineup.
It is questionable as to what the Reds would have to give up to get Bedard. Obviously young position players would be the foundation of the trade. But would they have to give up some young pitching, such as Homer Bailey or Johnny Cueto? Lets assume not for now, and look at who it would take to get Bedard. I think that a fair trade would be the Reds sending center fielder Josh Hamilton, third basemen Edwin Encarnacion, and first basemen Joey Votto. All are pretty young and are very talented. Looking at these three names, it seems like a lot to give up for one pitcher. But when you look at it, it's not that big of a deal. Here would be the lineup after the trade.
1. Norris Hopper- CF
2. Jeff Keppinger- 3B
3. Ken Griffey Jr.- RF
4. Brandon Phillips- 2B
5. Adam Dunn- LF
6. Scott Hatteberg- 1B
7. Alex Gonzalez- SS
8. David Ross- C
9. Pitcher
While this lineup would look better with the three players in it, it still looks like a good lineup. Hamilton leaving does not really create a new need. The Reds currently have five outfielders who could start on their team- Griffey, Dunn, Hopper, Hamilton, and super-prospect Jay Bruce. The only concern with this lineup would be the bottom four. Hatteberg showed that he could still hit, but one has to wonder if he would be able to hold a starting job down the whole year. To solve this problem, the Reds could attempts to move Adam Dunn over to first base, but that would be very unlikely. The seventh and eighth holes are suspect. Gonzalez had a great year hitting wise last season, but he needs to show he can do it again. Ross barely hit over .200 last year.
Future Lineup:
It's impossible to see how the lineup will be ordered, so I'll just put the positions.
C- ? First round pick Devin Mesoraco is at least four years away. Craig Tatum is a very interesting option. David Ross will not be able to hold down a starting spot for long, in my opinion.
1B: ? If Votto was traded, the Reds would have no other options in the organization besides Hatteberg. When he retires, they will have no one.
2B: Brandon Phillips
SS: Jeff Keppinger
3B:There are many options in the organization for an infielder spot including top prospects and some possible AAAA players.
RF/CF: Jay Bruce
CF/RF/LF: ? Adam Dunn will most likely not be with the organization past next season. Norris Hopper showed promise, but he needs to prove he can be a starter. Former first round pick Drew Stubbs made progress in single A last year.
As you can see, this lineup in the future would have many questions, and not a whole lot of answers. But, some trades and signings would happen, making it very difficult to predict it and see if it would be acceptable.
So, would you do a trade similar to the one done here. It creates a much better rotation, but leaves a lineup with some holes. I would do it. You need pitching to make the playoffs, and the Reds simply don't have it now. The lineup is good enough to make a playoff run. Remember, I'm just speculating. I 'm not sure of what aces will be made available throughout this offseason. All I know is that there should be some.
Just for reference, here are some aces or very good pitchers that may possibly be available.
- Erik Bedard- Baltimore
- Dan Haren- Oakland
- AJ Burnett- Toronto
- Johan Santana- Minnesota
- Ben sheets- Milwaukee
- Ben Oswalt- Houston
- Dontrelle Willis- Florida
cincinnatiredsbaseball.blogspot.com/2007/11/to-get-ace.html
Look at this rotation with Bedard in it.
1. Erik Bedard
2. Aaron Harang
3. Bronson Arroyo
4. Homer Bailey
5. ?
That is a sold rotation. Acquiring Bedard would essentially give the Reds two aces in him and Harang. It would move Arroyo to the number three spot, which he deserves much more than the two. This suddenly turns an awful rotation into a fairly good one. Bedard and Harang do their thing, and Arroyo pitches two hundred innings, putting up solid numbers. The question would be with the last two spots. Homer Bailey is most likely going to continue to struggle, just like he did when he was called up. The reason for this will be his command. Bailey would have to step up and progress quickly to be a decent number four starter. As for the fifth spot, it would be a mystery. The Reds could sign a cheap free agent to fill the void. Or they could promote young hurler Johnny Cueto. Or they could use pitchers that came up and made a couple spot starts. While I think this would be good, the next question is how would acquiring Bedard affect the lineup.
Future Rotation:
1. Erik Bedard
2. Aaron Harang
3. Homer Bailey
4. Johnny Cueto
5. Matt Maloney
This looks like it could be one of the best rotations in the National League in the future. But, the development of Bailey, Ceuto, and Maloney is crucial. While I think this would be good, the next question is how would acquiring Bedard affect the lineup.
It is questionable as to what the Reds would have to give up to get Bedard. Obviously young position players would be the foundation of the trade. But would they have to give up some young pitching, such as Homer Bailey or Johnny Cueto? Lets assume not for now, and look at who it would take to get Bedard. I think that a fair trade would be the Reds sending center fielder Josh Hamilton, third basemen Edwin Encarnacion, and first basemen Joey Votto. All are pretty young and are very talented. Looking at these three names, it seems like a lot to give up for one pitcher. But when you look at it, it's not that big of a deal. Here would be the lineup after the trade.
1. Norris Hopper- CF
2. Jeff Keppinger- 3B
3. Ken Griffey Jr.- RF
4. Brandon Phillips- 2B
5. Adam Dunn- LF
6. Scott Hatteberg- 1B
7. Alex Gonzalez- SS
8. David Ross- C
9. Pitcher
While this lineup would look better with the three players in it, it still looks like a good lineup. Hamilton leaving does not really create a new need. The Reds currently have five outfielders who could start on their team- Griffey, Dunn, Hopper, Hamilton, and super-prospect Jay Bruce. The only concern with this lineup would be the bottom four. Hatteberg showed that he could still hit, but one has to wonder if he would be able to hold a starting job down the whole year. To solve this problem, the Reds could attempts to move Adam Dunn over to first base, but that would be very unlikely. The seventh and eighth holes are suspect. Gonzalez had a great year hitting wise last season, but he needs to show he can do it again. Ross barely hit over .200 last year.
Future Lineup:
It's impossible to see how the lineup will be ordered, so I'll just put the positions.
C- ? First round pick Devin Mesoraco is at least four years away. Craig Tatum is a very interesting option. David Ross will not be able to hold down a starting spot for long, in my opinion.
1B: ? If Votto was traded, the Reds would have no other options in the organization besides Hatteberg. When he retires, they will have no one.
2B: Brandon Phillips
SS: Jeff Keppinger
3B:There are many options in the organization for an infielder spot including top prospects and some possible AAAA players.
RF/CF: Jay Bruce
CF/RF/LF: ? Adam Dunn will most likely not be with the organization past next season. Norris Hopper showed promise, but he needs to prove he can be a starter. Former first round pick Drew Stubbs made progress in single A last year.
As you can see, this lineup in the future would have many questions, and not a whole lot of answers. But, some trades and signings would happen, making it very difficult to predict it and see if it would be acceptable.
So, would you do a trade similar to the one done here. It creates a much better rotation, but leaves a lineup with some holes. I would do it. You need pitching to make the playoffs, and the Reds simply don't have it now. The lineup is good enough to make a playoff run. Remember, I'm just speculating. I 'm not sure of what aces will be made available throughout this offseason. All I know is that there should be some.
Just for reference, here are some aces or very good pitchers that may possibly be available.
- Erik Bedard- Baltimore
- Dan Haren- Oakland
- AJ Burnett- Toronto
- Johan Santana- Minnesota
- Ben sheets- Milwaukee
- Ben Oswalt- Houston
- Dontrelle Willis- Florida
cincinnatiredsbaseball.blogspot.com/2007/11/to-get-ace.html
