kylescubs23

Wow, you all freak out about the littlest things. We know what Hank brings and its not like he's making starting catcher money. He's our backup, calls a great game, cut down other teams running, and is limited with the bat. I'll take my chances with Hank over Soto at this point. Calm down.

I agree Bruno, I was all for Suppan as our 3/4 starter, but now he has probably priced himself out of our range. He's not spectacular, but he is solid and makes his starts, a couple things we desperately need.

Its amazing the same people who were wanting Hendry to be promoted a few years ago are now the same ones who want him canned.

I think its the right move at this time. Obviously, Piniella has more experience than Girardi and we know he knows what he is doing. There are too many questions marks with Joe. As I have said before, I am fine with either one because I don't think we will win next year anyway, but Piniella is the safe choice.

but it does talk about a few of the guys that I would want here if we hire Girardi (Kranitz and Perry Hill)... http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061009&content_id=1706766&vkey=news_fla&fext=.jsp&c_id=fla

I like Thom a lot, but i am not that big a fan of Marty.

Reds hired Thom Brennaman to do radio and tv today. He'll team with Marty on select games on the radio. They are increasing their tv schedule on FSN Ohio from 100 to 145. Good for us who live in this area as that means there is a greater chance of all the Cubs-Reds games being on.

Its on ESPN http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2612495

Agree goony. If Gonzalez offers them a job tomorrow in Florida, they'd be crazy not to take, not knowing what Girardi is going to do.

Girardi's infield coach in Florida is also widely considered the best in the business as well, Perry Hill. Anyone know if all the coaches were fired or just Girardi? Nevermind, found it... As for Gonzalez's staff, he plans on having discussions with three of the coaches with Marlins this past season. Hitting coach Jim Presley, pitching coach Rick Kranitz and infield coach Perry Hill will be considered to return. Not expected back are bench coach Gary Tuck, third base coach Bobby Meacham and bullpen coach Mike Harkey. The team also is considering some coaches from within the organization being promoted to the big-league level. A possible bench coach candidate is Pat Corrales, who is not returning as the Braves bench coach. http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061003&content_id=1696585&vkey=news_fla&fext=.jsp&c_id=fla

Thanks Raisin. Kind of what I expected, knew he wasn't on campus. Thanks again

Can you tell me what it says about Kyle Orr in the Draft Dish? He signed with UK and I had not heard anything about him until I saw this yesterday. I'm sure he will eventually sign with the Dodgers, but was just curious. Any help is appreciated. Thanks http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/draft/

Thom Brennaman is probably going to be Steve Stewart's replacement in Cincy on their radio broadcasts. Then he would take over play-by-play when Marty retires. If Brenly leaves, I would love to have Steve Stone back.

He has already said he is willing to come back in the pen. I say throw him in the closers role. I don't think anyone is dumb enough to throw him back to back days early in the year. Use Eyre and Howry on the days he can't close and when he builds up enough arm strength by June or July then let him close two games in a row. He definitely has the mentality to close and his control improved last year when he threw out of the pen. What the hell do we have to lose?

Cuban is a Pittsburgh native, therefore his interest in the Pirates. He has approached them about buying them, but has been told they are not for sale.

I keep getting this feeling that Marcus Giles is going to be our 2nd basemen next year.

Couldn't they move Woody to the 60-day and open another spot as well?

I agree, I wanted him to be Jacque's platoon partner this year. Although he would probably be starting in LF everyday if that were the case.

I do not want to even get started on the pitching so lets look at the offense for next year: CF Pierre...hopefully we can resign Juan and hope he gets off to a better start next year. I am not a big fan of a leadoff hitter whose obp is driven by their batting average, but he is our best option (Dave Roberts maybe) SS Izturis...once again, obp driven by batting average. I do not know of a better spot in the order for him. If you move Barrett to the 2-hole, your bottom 3 are Izturis, Cedeno, and the pitchers spot, not good 1B Lee...if he recovers fully from the wrist, there is nothing else to say. LF ???...this is the fundamental problem with our team. We need someone to hit between Lee and Ramirez, preferably lefthanded but I will not be picky. Where we are going to find this person, I have no idea. Carlos Lee would fit the description but I would pay the contract that he wants. (thoughts on Sheffield, although I think the Yankees will pick up his option) 3B Rammy...Hendry's biggest mistake since becoming GM (debatable) is giving him the out clause in his contract. Hopefully Rammy is with the Cubs next year and has a manager that will stay on him to make him one of the best players in the league. C Barrett...one of the most improved players in the league over the last three years, offensively. RF Jacque...strikes out way too much to my liking and looks lost in the of sometimes, no arm to speak, but would be fine batting seventh and platooning with Murton. 2B Cedeno...he's not going to bat 2nd and would be fine here. Bench: Murton...I just don't see how he can play next year. We have to get another big bat to help this offense produce and to protect us against losing Lee or Ramirez for an extended time. Having little to no power from your middle infield and centerfielder, gives you very few options and with Jacque signed for two more years, we cannot upgrade there. Neifi (unfortunately) Pagan After that, who knows. Defensively, our infield should be one of the best in the big leagues. Lee and Izturis are gold glove caliber, Rammy has improved tremendously and Cedeno should be above average at second. In the oufield, Pierre covers a lot of ground, but has no arm, Jacque scares the crap out of me and has no arm as well. If we get a significant upgrade in left, I could care less about the outfield defense. Pitching is just a mess. Beyond Z, we have four rotation spots open (3 if you count Prior) and 4 bullpen sports open as well, hopefully Wuertz, Aardsma, and Novoa step forward the rest of the year. Thoughts? Why not bat Barrett second he's an on-base machine and he's doesnt strike out a lot. Izturis would then move to the 7 slot ahead of Cedeno. Man we better get Lee during the offseason or we will not only have a weak rotation we will have a weak offense as well. If you move Barrett to the 2-hole, your bottom 3 are Izturis, Cedeno, and the pitchers spot, not good Just to answer your question, I haven't been at a computer since yesterday. I also admitted I didn't like guys whose obp is driven by their average aka Pierre, but what other options are there aka Dave Roberts.

I was trying to forget about Rusch and his contract. I was only counting on Howry, Eyre, and Dempster, thus 4 or 5 remaining.

I was just going off of what our team will probably look like next year. Izturis will make $4.5 million next year, he will not be on the bench. I would prefer our leadoff hitter and and 2nd hitter get on at least a 350 clip, but the way our team is shaping up for next year, that will not happen. The only way that does happen is if Cedeno is traded and we acquire another 2nd basemen to hit 2nd. Cedeno will not be a bench player.

I do not want to even get started on the pitching so lets look at the offense for next year: CF Pierre...hopefully we can resign Juan and hope he gets off to a better start next year. I am not a big fan of a leadoff hitter whose obp is driven by their batting average, but he is our best option (Dave Roberts maybe) SS Izturis...once again, obp driven by batting average. I do not know of a better spot in the order for him. If you move Barrett to the 2-hole, your bottom 3 are Izturis, Cedeno, and the pitchers spot, not good 1B Lee...if he recovers fully from the wrist, there is nothing else to say. LF ???...this is the fundamental problem with our team. We need someone to hit between Lee and Ramirez, preferably lefthanded but I will not be picky. Where we are going to find this person, I have no idea. Carlos Lee would fit the description but I would pay the contract that he wants. (thoughts on Sheffield, although I think the Yankees will pick up his option) 3B Rammy...Hendry's biggest mistake since becoming GM (debatable) is giving him the out clause in his contract. Hopefully Rammy is with the Cubs next year and has a manager that will stay on him to make him one of the best players in the league. C Barrett...one of the most improved players in the league over the last three years, offensively. RF Jacque...strikes out way too much to my liking and looks lost in the of sometimes, no arm to speak, but would be fine batting seventh and platooning with Murton. 2B Cedeno...he's not going to bat 2nd and would be fine here. Bench: Murton...I just don't see how he can play next year. We have to get another big bat to help this offense produce and to protect us against losing Lee or Ramirez for an extended time. Having little to no power from your middle infield and centerfielder, gives you very few options and with Jacque signed for two more years, we cannot upgrade there. Neifi (unfortunately) Pagan After that, who knows. Defensively, our infield should be one of the best in the big leagues. Lee and Izturis are gold glove caliber, Rammy has improved tremendously and Cedeno should be above average at second. In the oufield, Pierre covers a lot of ground, but has no arm, Jacque scares the crap out of me and has no arm as well. If we get a significant upgrade in left, I could care less about the outfield defense. Pitching is just a mess. Beyond Z, we have four rotation spots open (3 if you count Prior) and 4 bullpen sports open as well, hopefully Wuertz, Aardsma, and Novoa step forward the rest of the year. Thoughts?

From rotoworld.com... http://www.rotoworld.com/content/story.asp?sport=MLB&storyid=23512 Cincinnati will apparently turn to the execrable combination of Clayton and Juan Castro at shortstop, which could only be worse if Neifi Perez was somehow involved. Castro has been hot since general manager Wayne Krivsky mercifully took him off the Twins’ hands, but in terms of pathetic hitting there are few non-Neifi players who can match Castros’ track record. Don’t trust 35 good at-bats over a dozen years of ineptitude.

I'm sure the Reds are going to keep running Dunn in left and Griffey in cf as well. They gave up their best defensive outfielder and Griffey is probably staying in center though he needs to move to right so Freel and Denorfia can play center.

Lopez is not a good fielding shortstop, he has a lot of potential in his bat, but not in the glove.