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Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy has retired from the Dayton Daily News after covering the Cincinnati Reds for 37 years. Hal's blog, though, will continue to be a must-read for Reds fans. He'll share his thoughts on the team this season and will file updates from Great American Ball Park. You also can catch Hal in print every Sunday in his popular Ask Hal columnHome > Blogs > The Real McCoy | Cincinnati Reds baseball news > Archives > 2008 > March > 25 > Entry
Can Reds afford to cut Stanton?
Dusty Baker made both an interesting and telling comment Tuesday morning in the visitor’s clubhouse at Clearwater’s Bright House Field.
The question was the final determination of the bullpen, who goes and who stays. As candid as always, Baker said, “I know it is not my money, but I hope money isn’t a factor in the final choices. I know the team wants to stay in a budget, but. …”
But, indeed.
The reference obviously was to left-handed relief pitcher Mike Stanton, who wasn’t very good last year and has been mediocre, at best, this spring. But he has a $3 million guaranteed contract with a $500,000 buyout. If the Reds want him to go away (he already cleared waivers, nobody claimed him) and they can’t trade him, it will cost them $3.5 million to show the fans they REALLY want to win this year.
Baker’s bullpen of left-handers would be Jeremy Affeldt, Bill Bray and Kent Mercker. If ownership says, “Keep Stanton,” then Bray has options and might land in Louisville. Or they could jettison Mercker, a situational pitcher Baker likes.
In six appearances, Stanton has given up three runs, four hits, two walks and struck out one.
Affelt hasn’t been that good, either, but Baker stuck up for him.
“I’m a bit concerned about him after he gave it up Monday (two runs, two hits and a walk in one inning, ballooning his spring ERA to 12.51). But he’s a guy you have to consider as having a good track record. Maybe he is throwing too many strikes. He needs to throw quality strikes and keep it as simple as possible. He is a guy who analyzes things too much and he wears his problems all over his face. He cares big-time and you’d rather have that than a guy who doesn’t care.”
The roster remains too large, but there was one cut made Tuesday. Outfielder Jerry Gil was re-assigned to minor-league camp.
Gil most likely will end up at Class AAA Louisville with Jay Bruce and Chris Dickerson and Baker said, “They are going to have some ouftield in Louisville, man. Boy, that potential outfield they have. Whew. Wow. Some good arms, good speed. Probably one of the best around.”
I was tempted to say it, but bit my tongue when I wanted to say, “If you kept Bruce, you might have a much better outfield in Cincinnati.”
Call me Chicken Little.
Of Gil, Baker said, “He needs to play. He didn’t play at all last year (injury) and he is going to be a good player. He realizes he needs some at-bats and needs to play. In fact, he is going to be a very good player. He just needs to stay away from injuries because he has had some unfortunate things happen to him.”
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By Patrick
March 27, 2008 10:23 AM | Link to this
If Merker replaces Stanton he may help the Reds win 3-5g more than Stanton does. The question is that improved production worth Merker’s contract major league minimum I would think plus incentives since you have to pay Stanton anyway. And I would have to say yes it is cut Stanton.
By Scott
March 27, 2008 8:41 AM | Link to this
I’m with an earlier poster- who guaranteed Stanton this ridiculous contract?
By Bill
March 25, 2008 7:32 PM | Link to this
Of course, get rid of bad performance, especially if they are older. Who garanteed Stanton three million, anyway? Send him home, also. Keep Fogg and Bailey and let them determine during the season who will be # 5. Each can be used for long relief/youth will be served/and we won’t be wasting time sending Homer to AAA.A great reason to ship out Stanton.
By Gary Maloy Jr.
March 25, 2008 6:43 PM | Link to this
I agree with DB Co(o)per, who knows all about those millions… The Reds have to pay Stanton 3 mill anyway. An extra 500 grand is peanuts in today’s game. Shall we also pay with the bad outings he puts up? We’ve paid enough. Let ‘im go! Go Reds!
By Steve
March 25, 2008 6:06 PM | Link to this
I’ve been in Sarasota watching the Reds for the past two weeks. I favor Jay Bruce over Corey Patterson, especially since Patterson has quit hitting for the most part the past week. BUT, I understand what Dusty is thinking - place the blame at the (slow) feet of Junior and Adam Dunn. Corey Patterson has made some excellent plays in CF and covers more ground than Jay Bruce does.
By smtides
March 25, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this
DB: It DOES cost the Reds something to cut Stanton, and that is the cost of the player (Mercker?) who takes his place in the pen. In effect, the Reds will be paying two salaries for one spot. That said, cut Stanton anyway. Please.
By Joe
March 25, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this
Isn’t he(Stanton) coming off the juice? Ship him out now. Go Reds!
By Joe
March 25, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this
Isn’t he coming off the juice? Ship him out now. Go Reds!
By heybarrylarkin!
March 25, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this
It would be nice to never have to see Stanton in a Reds uniform again. Open wide, and eat the contract Kriv. He’s garbage. Give someone else a chance who can put up some “0”s on the scoreboard.
By heybarrylarkin!
March 25, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this
It would be nice to never have to see Stanton in a Reds uniform again. Open wide, and eat the contract Kriv. He’s garbage. Give someone else a chance who can put up some “0”s on the scoreboard.
By DB Coper
March 25, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this
Stanton is going to cost this team $3.5M NO MATTER WHAT. Cutting him doesn’t “cost” a thing. The only question is whether you want his bad performance or don’t - you’re paying for it, either way. But a big AMEN on the Cincinnati OF. They’re most certainly better off, in the short-, medium-, and long-run with Jay Bruce out there.
By Deaner
March 25, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this
Pay up and ship Stanton out of here! It would be a shame to send Bray down to Louisville. I don’t have any strong feelings either way on Mercker.