Little Slide Rooter

No question that Bradley could give us those kinds of numbers, but when you're in win now mode, why go after such an enigma of a player and not more of a safe bet who you can pretty much guarantee will OPS around .900?

Geovny Soto in a Star Wars fighter pilot costume

Id rather see Freel DFAd or traded then send down Fox. Miles will likely get the 2B starts with Blanco or Freel as a backup, and Id much rather have a bench bat than another offenseless utility guy. Fox at least needs a chance, and those away interleague games will be just that, especially with trade time loming around the corner at that point, AL teams could really start to notice him if he produces. No reason to dump him. are bench is OK with him Hill-catcher Blanco/Freel middle infield Hoffpauir-1B/RF Reed-CF Fox-bat, emergency 1B

His family probably has a picture of Jesus on one side of their mantle and Jim Hendry on the other.

I think Blanco might stay over Scales. Scales hasnt been hitting, or even loking good at the plate lately, and Blanco is by far superior at defense. Fox will stay at least until the away interleague games, and if he pulls his weight, probably longer.

Meanwhile were looking at a washed up Rich Aurilia, a journeyman Russ Branyan or a bust Wilson Betemit to help save us. but even branyan would be better than what we have. i don't understand how we can keep trotting andres effing blanco out there every day when you consider this organizations situation. i mean, really. one injury and we're forced to play complete trash every day? and it's not like ramirez being out for a while is something you couldn't have predicted. i mean obviously nobody oculd have predicted he'd suffer a severe injury that owuld sideline him for months, but he often has trouble with his legs and has to go on the dl at some point almost every season. how can we not have a backup 3b. miles? freel? blanco? scales? those are the guys we had to fill in foro ur best player? c'mon. remember how deep our team was last year? last year we were looking for a way to get a .900 OPS bat (fontenot) in the lineup. now we're looking for a guy who can ops over .700 I woudlnt have predicted that Ramirez would miss such a large chunk of the season. Yeah, things like that happen, but it not an assumption. did you even read the sentence right after that? Im not dissagreeing with you, Im stating that DeRosa was far too valuable of an asset to just give up for a handfull of pitching prospects.

Was that the same game when I think Rolen hit a home run, and the very next pitch Z nailed Edmonds and walked off the field? Didnt bother waiting to be thrown out or anything. Not that was a classic Z moment. Yep, in 2004. It was one of the most intense non-playoff games I'd ever seen, with the lead going back and forth throughout. Z gave up I think his second HR of the day to Rolen and, on his very next pitch, he drilled Edmonds in the lower back. hitting guys because you're pissed that you just gave up a game winning homer is awesome I suggest a new strategy R2, let the wookie win

Meanwhile were looking at a washed up Rich Aurilia, a journeyman Russ Branyan or a bust Wilson Betemit to help save us. but even branyan would be better than what we have. i don't understand how we can keep trotting andres effing blanco out there every day when you consider this organizations situation. i mean, really. one injury and we're forced to play complete trash every day? and it's not like ramirez being out for a while is something you couldn't have predicted. i mean obviously nobody oculd have predicted he'd suffer a severe injury that owuld sideline him for months, but he often has trouble with his legs and has to go on the dl at some point almost every season. how can we not have a backup 3b. miles? freel? blanco? scales? those are the guys we had to fill in foro ur best player? c'mon. remember how deep our team was last year? last year we were looking for a way to get a .900 OPS bat (fontenot) in the lineup. now we're looking for a guy who can ops over .700 I woudlnt have predicted that Ramirez would miss such a large chunk of the season. Yeah, things like that happen, but it not an assumption. The fact is, we all knew wed miss DeRosa, but not that it would come to the point where we needed him this bad. Soriano Theriot Fukudome Bradley Lee DeRosa Fontenot Soto Would still be one of the better lineups in the NL.

did someone just get banned or was that a warning?

Was that the same game when I think Rolen hit a home run, and the very next pitch Z nailed Edmonds and walked off the field? Didnt bother waiting to be thrown out or anything. Not that was a classic Z moment.

Meanwhile were looking at a washed up Rich Aurilia, a journeyman Russ Branyan or a bust Wilson Betemit to help save us. I think you're the only one looking at Aurilia and Betemit. Journeyman or not, Russ Branyan would be a solid pickup. When you have a hole for a month-month and a half you don't go out and acquire a starter. At this point, yes, Branyan would be a great pick up, but the point is, when you have the talent and pay roll that we do, you shouldnt be relying on someone like him to bail out our offense. I understant the magnitute of losing a player like Ramirez, but thats no excuse to struggle as much offensively as we have. Getting rid of DeRosa was a very bad decision. No matter what Bradleys upsode is, it wasnt smart to sign him when it was expected that wed be lucky to get 100 games out of him when Adam Dunn is consistantly healthy and thrives at Wrigley.

another nice start by Kevin Hart. 5 IP, 1 hit 0 R 5 K 5 BB

bring it. When it comes to Fox, the name of the game should be Operation: Build Trade Value.

Wow. Gregg needed to at least give us a scare. Otherwise, I might start to worry.

2 run base hit time. I expect nothing less. Anything else is just a pleasant surprise.

Holy deja-vu Bat Man.

At least their generic rally music is less annoying than the tomahawk chop.

If it werent for Lee at 1st, I wonder how many throwing errors Theriot would have.

Time for the fun part.

Too bad Soriano already has his hit for the series. Lets hope Gregg can take care of the dregs of the Reds lineup.

Good job. Heres where Blanco lines out and Lou sends Scales out to bunt rather than send out Fox.

remember when he used to have it set as his default?

The Reds fans seem to think they;re going to rock us. Prove em wrong Carlos.

Getting Bruce would be huge, but the Cubs are generally where opposing players slumps go to die. I wonder how long before Guz gets the set up job.

Z kill.