By Y-City Jim

August 16, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this

Well, we have him so he will get the chance but minor league numbers pretty much predict MLB numbers. Not sure about Shoppach though his last couple of seasons have been decent especially for the money the Indians are paying him.

By MAC

August 16, 2008 7:36 PM | Link to this

Maybe so Jimmy, but let’s at least give the kid a chance; I believe he’s only 25 yrs-old? Maybe they move him back to SS or use him as trade bait to get one of the catchers from the Indians? Martinez is likely to stay w/ the Indians, but Shoppach might be available? Then again, maybe they keep Castillo and use Hannigan and say Bailey to bring in Shoppach? It’s simply another prospect which is what everyone is always screaming for!

By Y-City Jim

August 16, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this

With these stats: .281 BA .322 OBP .396 SLG .718 OPS, it won’t matter where he plays. He just hasn’t proven to be much of an offensive force.

By MAC

August 16, 2008 8:57 AM | Link to this

Story I read on Castillo stated he came up as a SS, but really enjoys the Catching position. Good news he’s athletic enough to play a number of different postions and has hit above avg at each level. I believe he is a switch hitter at that? I’m sure the Reds are looking at him as a Catcher?

By HuberTucky

August 15, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this

Steven Ross…did you ever work @ EFM?

By Calvin S.

August 15, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this

I have asked this question before on another blog, but got no answer. Does any one know if this Castillo can field any of those positions well?

By pocketpool

August 15, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this

Don’t believe everything your read. Example, two competing headlines on Yahoo sports page: “Reds get C Castillo as part of Dunn trade” and this counterpoint: “Reds send C Castillo to D-Backs in Dunn trade” — HUH?

By Hank

August 15, 2008 11:31 AM | Link to this

Re: Dusty Baker Here’s what Jocketty and Castellini should be thinking. In 1993, Dusty Baker’s 1st year managing the Giants coincided with the arrival of one Barry Bonds. This was a very veteran team that included Will Clark, Matt Williams, Royce Clayton, and Willie McGee. During his 10-year tenure, they won a lot of games, including 2 division titles and 1 NL pennant; however, they always had veteran lineups. In 2003, Dusty arrived in Chicago to manage a very veteran team with a good (maybe great) pitching staff and one Sammy Sosa in the lineup. Over 4 years they went from winning the division to a 66-96 collapse in his final season as the team lost its veterans and had younger players on the roster. Conclusion: I should bring in a manager that knows how to manage a younger team and to help those younger players continue their development. Just my thoughts …

By Steven Ross

August 15, 2008 9:51 AM | Link to this

HuberTucky and I are in agreement. Good post! Last night was actually fun watching the Reds. They won with defense, speed, pitching and enthusiasm. Something lacking for years. Love watching Dickerson play and run the bases. His triple in the 9th was a thing of beauty. If Dunn or Griffey hits the same ball it’s a double at best and maybe even only a single. I’m so glad they’re both gone. As for Baker, who knows what Jocketty’s thinking but nothing would surprise me.

By 'Tucky

August 15, 2008 1:20 AM | Link to this

Votto is on bereavement leave and they are not divulging details. He requested privacy and they are honoring that (I guess he didn’t let Arroyo know any private information). Last I heard Votto’s back tomorrow or Saturday.

By wizard

August 15, 2008 12:30 AM | Link to this

Me too, Huber Tucky. I love watching Dickerson run the bases. What is up with Votto?

By HuberTucky

August 14, 2008 10:38 PM | Link to this

I know this is extremely premature, but I’ve enjoyed watching the Reds more the past few days with the influx of new energy. There actually seems to be some enthusiam (that, to me, was absent in prior games). But 2 out of 3? I’ll take that throughout the year. Oh, and I guess since Chris Dickerson had an awesome night he be “rested” tomorrow?

By wizard

August 14, 2008 8:50 PM | Link to this

excellent post Y-City Jim. I can’t see any coach getting away with that comment.And, it never is one persons fault.For example: we are all finding out right now what a mistake it has been by the mgr. in not playing Valentin{not as a catcher}, even with errors in 5th.

By Y-City Jim

August 14, 2008 8:19 PM | Link to this

From Jayson Stark’s column: • Seeing Red: We’ve heard some buzzing lately, among baseball men, scouts and players, about a recent Dusty Baker quote on the Reds’ troubles that sure looked like an attempt to absolve himself of all blame. “I have never wanted to win more than I do right here, and I will,” Baker told the Dayton Daily News’ Hal McCoy. “But this is Wayne Krivsky’s team, not Walt Jocketty’s and not mine. I just hope there is enough out there after the season that we can get to help us.” Maybe we’re not reading that right. But if we’re misinterpreting it, suffice it to say we’re not the only ones. And it appears Baker is saying that the Reds’ disappointing record is his players’ fault, and his former GM’s fault, but not his own or his current GM’s doing. Well, obviously, Jocketty is only now beginning to put his stamp on this roster. And the players haven’t exactly overachieved. But doesn’t the manager bear some responsibility for this mess, too? Scouts who have followed the Reds continually talk about their messy execution, their mediocre defense and their distinct lack of energy. There also has been plenty of second-guessing of Baker’s lineup choices (particularly those 242 at-bats Corey Patterson has gotten). And there is no shortage of people wondering whether Aaron Harang’s forearm injury — along with his 1-6, 8.49 slide in the past 2½ months — might be a direct result of Baker’s decision to allow him to throw 63 pitches in relief on two days’ rest in a May 25 18-inning game, then start him on three days’ rest immediately afterward. Dusty Baker has many admirable traits. And this is not an attempt to heap all the blame on him. We’re just saying that when teams like this fall apart, it’s everybody’s fault — including the manager’s.

By BIRDIE41

August 14, 2008 7:43 PM | Link to this

Mark in Sun Valley,I agree with you.Until Baker and some of his coaches are fired it will continue to be a zoo.

By Mark in Sun Valley

August 14, 2008 6:41 PM | Link to this

So the Reds take 2 starters from Louisville, which is in the hunt for a league title, and then play them “every other day” in the majors? Hanigan is not catching today because he has not caught Cueto before. Using that “Baker logic”, we will have Bako catching for a long time. And sorry Wilkin Castillo, since you have never caught anyone on the Reds, I guess you do not fit into Baker’s plans. Always good to see we are testing our young talent, like Bako Patterson and Valentin. Who is running this zoo?