DELAYING THE INEVITABLE; FINAL CUTS EXPECTED TODAY FROM REDS
4.2.10
BY:MEH
GIVE US A NUMBER FIVE!
DELAYING THE INEVITABLE; FINAL CUTS EXPECTED FRIDAY FROM THE REDS
Whack Reds couldn't be any more feverish counting down the days until
Opening Day 2010. The anticipation is driving us insane as we timidly await
the final cuts of the spring. The battle between Travis Wood and Mike Leake
(Aroldis Chapman has been sidelined) for the fifth spot in the rotation has
stayed perpetual so far. Chris Dickerson and Drew Stubbs have both impressed
at the plate crusading for the center field job. Options seem to be the
deciding factor for a Players like Wladimir Balentien and Aaron Miles, but
their spring performances may induce their liberation. Whatever the Reds
decide to do with the roster will likely be announced after Friday's game.
We are sick and tired of speculation and previsions. At this point we don't
even care who makes the team (not really); we are just ready for some
baseball!
Corky Miller and Carlos Fisher were both cut on Thursday. Cuts were supposed
to be finalized, but were delayed just to mess with our heads. Take a look
these two sequential headlines from the Reds home page. Are they trying to
drive us mad? Is this Bob Castellini's idea of an April Fool's prank? Does
OMGreds have something to do with all of this......
Here is a breakdown of players who are still on the cusp.
(Statistics through
4.1.10)
Travis Wood: 1-1, 3.50ERA, 15H, 7ER, 2HR, 12BB, and 17K in 18 innings.
Mike Leake: 1-0, 3.00ERA, 16H, 6ER, 1HR, 4BB, and 10K in 18 innings.
Laynce Nix: .273AVG, 10RBI, 4HR, and 12H in 44AB.
Wladimir Balentien: .327AVG, 4RBI, 2HR, and 16H in 49AB.
Drew Stubbs: .315AVG, 11RBI, 5HR, and 17H in 54AB.
Chris Dickerson: .300AVG, 8RBI, 2HR, and 15H in 50AB.
Aaron Miles: .152AVG, 2RBI, 0HR, and 5H in 33AB.
Paul Janish: .361AVG, 8RBI, 2HR, and 13H in 36AB.
Juan Francisco: .311AVG, 6RBI, 2HR, and 14H in 45AB
Travis Wood has emerged as the recent favorite for the fifth spot by most
people, but Mike Leake has modestly posted remotely better numbers this
spring. Wood is more likely to get the nod because of his experience and
seniority. The fifth spotter will not be needed to pitch until April 11,
which may give the Reds an extra week to decide, furthering our
preoccupation.
If the Reds decide to keep both Nix and Balentien, room will need to be made
on the 40-man roster. Aaron Miles will most likely take the fall if they
keep both outfielders. If they posses Balentien, Nix will determine his own
fate. He was a invitee to Reds' camp this year. On the other hand, Balentien
is out of options. If he doesn't make the team, expect the Reds to attempt a
trade because of the unlikelihood of him clearing waivers.
The centerfield job is still anonymous. Both Drew Stubbs and Chris Dickerson
have played favorable baseball this spring. Dickerson is more likely to get
the Opening Day start facing RHP Chris Carpenter, but both players should
make the team engaging in significant roles.
Paul Janish seems to once again secured a spot with the Reds. Janish has
shown advancement at the plate this spring, he has an undeniable ability as
an infielder, and shows his versatility as a pitcher when the Reds are
getting their butts whipped.
Whatever cuts the Reds make Friday will be thirstily accepted. Give us a
number five, secure your weaknesses, and give us some damn baseball!
The Reds beat the A's on Wednesday 8-3 while acquiring fifteen hits. Mike
Leake went six innings, allowing two earned runs on four hits while striking
out two. Scott Rolen and Drew Stubbs combined for 6RBI.
Johnny Cueto struggled against the Rangers during his final spring start for
the Reds on Thursday. He pitched four innings and allowed five earned runs
on ten hits. Danny Dorn won the game for the Reds with a controversial
walk-off homerun in the ninth inning. The Reds snuck by the Rangers 7-6.
The Reds play the Cleveland Indians on Friday at 10:05pm ET. Bronson Arroyo
will make his crowning spring start. Expect to see Jared Burton, Mike
Lincoln, and Arthur Rhodes also getting their work in.
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