A Cincinnati Reds Franchise

[MasonTK]

http://www.dougburley.com/i/sports/reds.gif

NL Central Standings - 2009

Cincinnati Reds 0 0
Houston Astros 0 0
St. Louis Cardinals 0 0
Milwaukee Brewers 0 0
Pittsburgh Pirates 0 0
Chicago Cubs 0 0


Team Leaders

Avg.
1.
2.
3.

HR
1.
2.
3.

RBI
1.
2.
3.

Wins
1.
2.
3.

ERA
1.
2.
3.

[MasonTK]

http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/uu304/MasonTK/News1.jpg?t=1235181998

[XxPRiM3TiMExX]

There probably going to move this thread so just be aware, if its gone, it will be in the miscallaneous forum. :/

[REDSandBEER]

REDS baby!!!!!!!

[MasonTK]

didnt know this sub even existed. hopefully other people actually see it.

not being a reds fan, or follower, im looking for some advice about possible preseason movements i should make. i really want to acquire someone to play LF right away. i want to get rid of stubbs at some point (personal choice, not a fan) and possibly alex gonzalez (start keppinger). any ideas of a quality guy to make the trade?

im not a big arthur rhodes fan, so im also hoping for a REAL bullpen addition. ill add owings to the pen if i feel bailey should start over him. owings in the pen makes nice for 4th 5th and 6th innings when you are bringing up the pitcher spot. if i start owings, then bailey will be going down to AAA and ill need a middle reliever. once again, any suggestions?

[soldaderyan]

yea, this section is forgotten, I think the mods are going to add a new sub forum. meanwhile...

[MasonTK]

by the way, hows my template for news items? i made it from paint and it was actually quite simple. just pasted some images from cincy local news sites, and the teams website. i have a similar one made for post game scores. excited to post, and hopefully i can keep up. now i just hope people read it, haha.

[soldaderyan]

haha, yeah nice job looking good.

[XxPRiM3TiMExX]

yea, this section is forgotten, I think the mods are going to add a new sub forum. meanwhile...

Yeah, I made the Petition to make a subforum the night he moved us here, an he said we will be moved to the sub forum when Ron Gets back so....:rolleyes:

[seermagic12]

man whatever you do don't bat Brandon Phillips cleanup

[MasonTK]

http://mlb.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_150020.jpghttp://mlb.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_447736.jpghttp://mlb.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_429665.jpghttp://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_453211.jpghttp://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_502317.jpg


LEFT FIELD, ANYONE?

Cincinnati, OH -- Take your pick.

Left field is up in the air this season and going into camp, its anyones spot to win.

The likely starter will be either Jerry Hairston, Jr or Chris Dickerson. Hairston has plenty of MLB experience, but tends to struggle with staying healthy, and won't be a long-term solution. Dickerson made a big splash after the Adam Dunn trade in 2008, but his numbers in the majors were higher than he's ever shown in the minors.

Edwin Encarnacion is a possible option, as management has already discussed the idea with the starting third basemen. Jeff Keppinger would fill in, which would provide a very strong left side defensively, and allow Jay Bruce to rotate in the 5 hole with Encarnacion, and provide a lot more run production in the middle of the lineup with runners on base.

Johnny Gomes and Jacque Jones are both under Minor League contracts, and with a strong camp, either one could make the 25 man roster. Don't count on those two to make a starting impact, however.

Minor leaguers Drew Stubbs and Chris Heisey both have been huge impacts in the minors since being drafted in 2006. Stubbs will start the year in AAA Louisville, and Heisey is likely to make the jump there from AA Carolina after this season's draft. Either one could have an impact in the Major league lineup by mid-season due to their speed. Then again, either one could have an impact on the trade block, also.

[MasonTK]

man whatever you do don't bat Brandon Phillips cleanup

I actually have no plans to. I'd prefer to let him hit in the 2 hole, but at the very least, 3rd. I put the projected lineup based on real life as of this moment, but will be mixing it up a good bit. I want to keep the first few posts true-to-life until I get a grip on what kind of team I have. I can't justify putting that kind of speed in the clean-up spot.

[seermagic12]

I actually have no plans to. I'd prefer to let him hit in the 2 hole, but at the very least, 3rd. I put the projected lineup based on real life as of this moment, but will be mixing it up a good bit. I want to keep the first few posts true-to-life until I get a grip on what kind of team I have. I can't justify putting that kind of speed in the clean-up spot.

that's cool, but speed has nothing to do with not putting phillips in the clean hole. he's one of the worse cleanup hitters in baseball. I do would bat him 2nd and fire dusty baker and teach him what getting on base means instead of always swinging for the fences.

[MasonTK]

it does to me. its not that im against putting speed in the 4 hole, but only if you have a team full of speed. i agree, phillips needs to cling to what makes the team win. by hitting him higher, it allows his speed to work in situations when it is most efficient. hitting him 4th means that he'll be coming up in situations where a deep fly ball is key. hitting in that spot means his speed is more irrelevant than hitting with less outs and less men on base (and with bigger bats behind him, not in front).

i agree about baker. he is, and always will be, the type of manager to lock players into positions and lineup spots based on prototypical standards, instead of mixing things up to create chemistry. the reds better hope the team is set-up well from the start, because he is way too stubborn (or way too much of a yes man) to make the necessary changes.

[seermagic12]

i agree about baker. he is, and always will be, the type of manager to lock players into positions and lineup spots based on prototypical standards, instead of mixing things up to create chemistry. the reds better hope the team is set-up well from the start, because he is way too stubborn (or way too much of a yes man) to make the necessary changes.

lets just hope they don't extent his contract (ends this year)

[MasonTK]

http://www.ecacsida.com/images/logos/ESPN_logo.jpg


Interview with New Reds GM MasonTK

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3125/3189023509_94faec0911.jpg

ESPN Reporter: Tonight Reds GM MasonTk joins us for an interview on the upcoming season. Mason, thanks for joining us

MasonTK: glad to be here. thanks to those of you at espn for giving the reds a little love. were very excited about the upcoming season.

ESPN Reporter: So coming into your rookie season as a GM this offseason you made some moves, such as the Ramon Hernandez deal, and the Willy Taveras signing. Which signing do you think was the biggest you made, and had the best chance to help the team?


MasonTK: well, all of our acquisitions were vital to building our program. all 3 of our starting outfielders from last years camp have moved on and signing willy was very necessary. we traded to get ramon because we knew that we werent going to resign paul bako or javier valentin. i think signing him shows were looking to make the playoffs and win the division this year. micah owings was also a great pickup, and now our rotation has competition, which we desperately needed to build the young guys.

ESPN Reporter: speaking of your rotation, we know that it has plenty of potential, but do you think that it can live up to that potential this season? It would be very difficult for Edinson Volquez to be able to consistently put up numbers like last year.


MasonTK: no question, he had a great year, but we dont change our expectations that quickly. we have the same outlook with him for 2009 as we did when he joined the rotation. hes too young to put that much pressure on him. he earned the no. 2 spot and if he stays relaxed and focused, hell be fine.

ESPN Reporter: The division your in is a very tough division with the Cubs, Brewers, and Astros always looking pretty good each season. Do the Reds have what it takes to win this division this year? Can they be the Rays of last year?


MasonTK: our division is always a battle, but the key with 6 teams, is not sliding too far when youre not clicking. all of those teams are good; even going to pnc park to play the pirates is no easy task. our goal is to stay healthy and play the way we know we can. we have the pieces, the mix of young talent with veteran support, and should make at run at this thing. were not done with making changes just yet, and hope to take care of our last minute needs before opening day.

ESPN Reporter: So on your Reds team, what would you say is your biggest weakness? Your lineup? Staff? And do you plan on making a move before the season starts to address this weakness?


MasonTK: well without calling anyone out, we definitely need some OF depth. LF is still up for grabs and well feel out our options before the season starts. we have some great talent but need someone who can go every day. we have talked with edwin (encarnacion) about the possibility of playing there, in order to get jeff keppinger in our lineup, but well have to see. other than that were going to need someone in the pen to come in during the early innings and keep us in the game. like i said, we have a great team, and were going to make it deeper so we can last through october.

ESPN Reporter: okay last question before i let you go, the fans wanted this one, how many homers do you predict Micah Owings will hit this year? haha


MasonTK: we welcome all newcomers but micah is really creating a buzz around the city. it all depends on what role he takes on. if he wins the 5th spot, he may pinch hit here and there. if he is in the pen he will get a lot of ABs, i can guarantee that. we let micah work on his hitting in his own time, and he loves it. batting practice for him isnt a chore, its a luxury, and that is what makes him so good. i cant wait to see him hit his first one.

ESPN Reporter: Thank you for your time on this interview.

MasonTK: No problem, its always a pleasure stopping by.

[MasonTK]

http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/uu304/MasonTK/News1-1.jpg

[MasonTK]

stole everyone's leaderboard idea. i added division standings and RBI counts, and got rid of saves. not sure who came up with it but here is me giving you credit... kind of.

[I0I HaVoK I0I]

----OFF TOPIC-------------

I got a Jay Bruce autograph baseball he signed it he was with when they came to play the Richmond Braves(AAA) he was with the Louisville Bats and i got the ticket stub so 25 years from now i can sell it lol

[soldaderyan]

haha, :D I came up with the leaderboard idea, thnx

[MasonTK]

im a little nervous about this franchise now, with the way the demo went. should be ok so long as i give the sliders a good workout.

[I0I HaVoK I0I]

Don't worry bout it man i always wait til opening day to play my franchise that gives me plenty of time to get the right sliders