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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 > 2010 > April > 21 > Entry
Suggestions for Harang? (No mayhem allowed)
What to do with Aaron Harang. Suggestions? And none of it can involve a gun, a knife, poison or a sniper.
What to do, what to do?
Once again, he was a human batting practice machine Wednesday when the Los Angeles Dodgers scored seven runs on 10 hits in 5 2/3 innings. Harang is now 0-3 and showing very signs of a pulse. He used 116 pitches to go the 5 2/3 innings in the 14-6 loss.
How long can the Cincinnati Reds send him out there every five days. There are options in the minors, but what do you do with a guy who is guaranteed $12 million.
Nobody will take him in a trade right now?
You can’t send him to the minors without putting him on options. Maybe it might be worth a try. Would anybody claim him and his salary. I doubt it.
He isn’t suited for the bullpen, so you can’t put him there.
What to do, what to do? Some help here, puh-leez.
ERIC DAVIS, A MAN who could steal a Rolex watch off somebody’s wrist while running past the victim without being detected (if Davis so desired, but he is no thief), watched Joey Votto run the bases the last couple of years and said, “That man should be stealing more bases.”
Well, Davis is a thief, or was one when he played for the Cincinnati Reds. Now he is a base-running coach, roaming the minor-league system, and his words are in Votto’s ears.
Last year, Votto stole four bases. All year. Caught once. All year. The 2010 season is only 14 games old and Votto has four steals. He has been caught twice.
MANAGER DUSTY BAKER was coy about it when asked, even though it is evident the Reds are running more.
Asked about Votto’s running propensity, Baker said, “That’s something I don’t want to expand upon, because the other teams might read it.”
Then he expanded on it.
“That’s something I encourage and something we’ve all been working on, especially in the spring,” Baker said. “We have guys here with the ability to steal. Last year Joey would slide too early and not get to the base, even when he had it stolen. He has worked hard on sliding, leads and jumps. Hopefully that’ll help us score some runs and put a little more pressure on the defense.
“You are going to get caught some times and Joey is still in the process of learning,” Baker added. “But if you don’t gamble sometimes you aren’t ever going to achieve anything.”
THROUGH ALL his early offensive miseries, right-fielder Jay Bruce has maintained a Gold Glove demeanor on defense, refusing to drag his sagging bat into the outfield with him to sulk. And for a 23-year-old player, that’s an admirable stance. As Bruce said, “I try to prevent on defense and produce on offense.”
So far, he has the prevent defense down pat. It’s the produce part that is lacking.
While Baker appreciates that, he also knows, “That’s his job, no matter what age. You can’t struggle at the plate and struggle in the field both or you won’t be playing. It’s like basketball. You can’t let your man score more because you aren’t scoring. If you aren’t scoring, you better play better defense.”
Baker does admit because of his age and his potential, Bruce is given longer latitude.
“He asks a lot of questions, pays attention, he’ll figure it out,” said Baker. “I realize his age and it’s why why I’ll stick longer with him and keep him out there because he is the youngest and probably one of the guys with the highest ceiling for a long time. Because of his age.
“His strength, his ability, his arm strength and he works hard to be a good right fielder and that all plays into it,” Baker added.
FOR THOSE who have heard about Joe Morgan joining the Reds and believe he’ll be in uniform showing the Reds how to steal bases and how to turn double plays, well, that’s not the case.
Morgan was brought on board as a special advisor to mostly do community work, dealing with African-Americans for the most part. If GM Walt Jocketty wants to ask him something, Morgan is available for that, too, but he’ll be in and out of town.
“The first thing I want to say is I’m not here to make baseball decisions, that’s Walt,” said Morgan. “I’m on the air a lot (ESPN) and I recognize the participation of African-Americans in baseball is going down. It’s very easy to sit on TV and talk about it, but I want to help try to change that. I feel I can help that.”
Morgan also said he wants to share the broadcast booth for a couple of innings at a time, as a guest, with Marty Brennaman on the radio and Thom Brennaman on TV.
“But my main job, well, it is easy to talk about not having African-American participation, but I want to be a part of the solution, not just a guy saying on TV that it is going down all the time,” Morgan added.
At one point during the press conference, Morgan pasued for nearly 30 seconds and tears were close, before he continued.
Why so emotional?
“Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, Tony Perez, George Foster, Dave Concepcion - I had some of the best times of my life here,” he said. “I’ve never really left Cincinnati. Just physically. But I’ve always been a Reds fan.”
NEED THOSE Ask Hal questions. You folks have been great keeping the e-mail box full and keep it up. Remember, though, I need them by Thursday morning for Sunday’s paper. I do the column Thursday afternoon. Ready? Write? Send to halmccoy@hotmail.com and see them in print Sunday.
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By Worn Cleat
April 29, 2010 4:41 PM | Link to this
Great post, Bob!
By forex robot
April 26, 2010 11:31 PM | Link to this
Great site. A lot of useful information here. I’m sending it to some friends!
By bob
April 24, 2010 12:32 PM | Link to this
I feel bad for Janish and Hanigan. They could very good starters on a team that had a decent manager. I know neither could continue at the high average they aare now, but their fielding is second to none. May be exaggeration, but very little.
By nafsder
April 24, 2010 9:36 AM | Link to this
While Harang has thrown harder he is still pitchinin the 90s consistently with his fastball. In his starts to date he has failed to get ahead of the hitter. How many first pitch strikes has he thrown this year? He is getting behind almost every hitter. If he can correct his control we will see improvement. For now the Reds need to stay on course and let him work on his control. It is a long season.
By MJ
April 23, 2010 8:45 PM | Link to this
Do you still have your condo on Siesta Key? We spoke with you in Sarasota a couple of years ago about winter homes there. Reds are tanking, Dusty may be looking for work.
By TC
April 23, 2010 3:28 PM | Link to this
Harang is just not that talented … his location is terrible … he falls behind hitters and gets the ball up in the zone … it’s simple, you hang breaking balls over the middle of the plate, you leave fastballs over the inner third, and you get lit up. Bullpen!!!
By luckypk24
April 23, 2010 12:49 PM | Link to this
the rule book states that the runner must beat the throw. ties are outs and most of you have been lied to for most of your life.
By luckypk24
April 23, 2010 12:49 PM | Link to this
the rule book states that the runner must beat the throw. ties are outs and most of you have been lied to for most of your life.
By JRed
April 22, 2010 7:22 PM | Link to this
AH must pitch inside with some authority. I’d rather see him hit 4 batters a night than give up all those HRs. His pronounced and predictable tendency towards outside nibbling requires a nearly perfect pitch every time—and when the pitch isn’t perfect, with his straight fastball good hitters hammer it. I’d continue him in the rotation—for now—but yank him at the first sign of trouble.
By Mike
April 22, 2010 5:17 PM | Link to this
Put him in the pen, and if that proves to be same mess that he makes now, give him a hang nail and put him on the DL for the REST of the season.
By Mike-Cinci
April 22, 2010 5:00 PM | Link to this
Reds have no choice but to keep sending Harang out there. Who knows he may just be in a “pitching slump” and break out of it soon. My guess is he will pitch better but he needs to find his control. It appears to me he has lost his command and doesn’t pitch to his spots like he did in the past. When he had his control and best stuff he was an impressive pitcher. It would be sad to see him finished as a front line starter.
By Kyle
April 22, 2010 4:57 PM | Link to this
Votto is clearly upset at the call and has too much class to argue. The announcers are questioning the call and talk about the ump being out of position to see it clearly. But anyway, he was called out, and that’s all that matters. But my question remains, what has happened to ties going to the runner?
By john
April 22, 2010 4:26 PM | Link to this
Start Owing and move Harang to long relief. Put him on waivers and pray for a miracle. Otherwise, let him try to fix himself in games that do not matter
By jeff
April 22, 2010 3:40 PM | Link to this
Kyle, I for sure thought he was safe too and I even yelled at the ump but the replay totally showed that he made the right call. As much as we all rag on the umps we have to give them props to when deserved. He made the right call…
By Jack
April 22, 2010 3:16 PM | Link to this
Kyle…Votto was out. No complaints from Votto, coaches, announcers. ??
By MAC
April 22, 2010 2:55 PM | Link to this
W/ trade being unlikely, I think long relief is the best alternative. AH has a decent ERA against RH hitters & w/ no one base. Likewise, I think? he’s been decent early in ball games…fresh w/ limited work? BP allows DB to bring him in w/ no one on base and a string of RH in a lineup. It’s not perfect, but it might help him regain some confidence & find something that works. If so, U keep building on that & try to bring him back. Rockies pitcher (no hitter) had problems throwing out of the wind-up & started pitching from the stretch the rest of that no-hit game. I thought this might help AH in that he wouldn’t be thinking about his “new” mechanics, but then I checked his ERA w/ runners on base…not pretty. Nevertheless, stretch only might allow him to take a shorter stride & get back “on top” of his slider; put some snap back into it? Best of luck AH; Reds need U & fans would love to see U regain your old form!
By RRF
April 22, 2010 2:28 PM | Link to this
We seem to all agree for the most part his pitching is no where like he was for a few years ago. I would entertain trade offers, and agree with Mr. Ed2, if you have to eat some of the salary so be it. When the late Darryl Kyle was not very good with the Rockies(admit the players at that time were not very good) and traded in 1999 to St. Louis, he won 20 games in 2000. Perhaps a change would do him some good and in return we can bring one of our up and coming pitchers up and give them a try. Just my thought on the situation.
By MrEd2
April 22, 2010 12:34 PM | Link to this
At $12.5 M, no team is going to take Harang in a trade. But, how about half that. The Reds should offer to pay half of Harang’s salary for this year. At least they will save $6.25 M. They, most likely, won’t get more than a lower minor leaguer in return. Addition by subtraction can work in some instances. Let’s go with some youth. They can’t lose anymore than what Harang has lost in the past two plus years.
By Brad
April 22, 2010 12:04 PM | Link to this
Do like the Cubs did to Zambraino. That that situation, no one would trade for him. Why not mix it up and put him in the pen. I know Dusty is a “players manager”, but a change would do some good for both parties
By Kyle
April 22, 2010 11:18 AM | Link to this
Joe L. Guess we’ll just have to agree to disagree. He was safe. Not sure how my umping credentials has anything to do with my eyesight. Tag was high on the far side of the thigh, away from the ump. He got excited that it was a close play and called him out because that’s more fun and exciting to call than safe, even though he couldn’t see clearly when the tag hit compared to the foot on the bag. Hence, he easily could have said tie, especially at regular speed, and given it to the runner like you’re supposed to in a tie.
By jeff
April 22, 2010 10:28 AM | Link to this
The good news of all this is that Baker and Jacoby will be gone after this season. This ownership group throws alot of big dollars at big names off the field without thought. Dusty was never the right fit for this team. He is a “veteran team” manager and this team bleeds youth. As for Harang, this team is not going to make the playoffs. Watch Philly, LA, Mets, Braves and St louis. We are nowhere near these teams. You have to try and get something for Harang, a move to the Bullpen ends any chance of any trade….
By Harry the Horse
April 22, 2010 10:19 AM | Link to this
Tony Larussa just went thru a 20 inning game and did not even come close to putting a starter on short rest to pitch some of those innings. He let his relief pitchers hit for themselves, even though he had a pinch hitter available. Tony lost the game in 20 innings but saved his starters. Dusty Baker blew out Aaron Harang and Edinson Volquez 3 innings a piece in a meaningless game against SanDiego.. Neither guy has ever been the same… St. Louis in first. Cincy near last… Wonder why??
By Brick
April 22, 2010 10:12 AM | Link to this
The fans owe Harang nothing. On the other hand, Harang owes the fans a lot! The guy is 12 - 34 since the start of the ‘08 season. That is simply awful. He is in the top two in terms of payroll on the team. He isn’t getting it done. 12 - 34! And on average he’s pitching 6 innings a start during that span. As a fan I’ve given him the benefit of the doubt during the past couple of years but I’m beginning to think, as a pitcher, he is what he is at this point. It’s time to makes changes…put him in the pen. If he turns it around there then you can think about reinserting him in the rotation. Letting him ‘pitch through it’ in the hopes of him getting hot so you can trade him hasn’t worked for the past 2+ years. In the meantime he’s getting shelled game-in and game-out.
By Brian A
April 22, 2010 9:37 AM | Link to this
After last night I don’t know what to say except the Reds stink in every conceivable way. It starts with pitching and right now that’s not getting done. I don’t know of 1 guy on the staff I trust. I would make changes get Wood,Maloney up here but here’s what’s going to happen. The Reds will wait til June and be 20 games out and rush Chapman up to keep the restless fans coming to the park. Between Burton being healthy and Wood and Maloney and whoever else please get someone who can protect a lead and maybe a SP who can get a win!!
By Zeke
April 22, 2010 9:17 AM | Link to this
The cubs just moved their $-man Zambrano to the pen. Why can’t we? Offense struggled weeks 1-2. Now they put up 11/6 runs, and 6 wasnt nearly enough. Besides, our pen stinks.
By jeff
April 22, 2010 8:59 AM | Link to this
The scariest part about yesterday was that harang said it was due to “bad luck”. And he said it has been “bad luck alot lately”. I love Harang and he has been a good pitcher minus the last 1.5 years but you can’t blame luck. That means every time a guy gets a broken bat hit mentally Harang will fold. The biggest problems for Harang our drive off the back leg and release point. 2 years ago he was untouchable because he could always paint that low and away corner and also have downward movement on his fastball. Plus he had a killer slider to go with it. Now his fast ball tails back across the plate. Sadly, he has just lost it. Sometimes that happens. I would maybe try the waiver claim process to see if someone would eat the salary but I cant fathom any team doing that right now. I would keep sending him out there and hope he gets hot and then trade him for anything you can get. Same for Arroyo. This team isnt going anywhere this season so they need to salvage what they can.
By redsfandownunder
April 22, 2010 8:48 AM | Link to this
Hal. Can you please explain why Harang is not suited for the bullpen? From where I sit (granted 7000 miles away) he can’t be any less qualified than Ondrusek and Lincoln. Thanks to those who have shown some class and continue to support Harang. He’s had 6 very strong seasons in a row for the Reds in terms of ERA and hasn’t always received the run support he deserved. I hope he at least continues to receive support from the fans. No way does he deserve to hear jeering from the crowd.
By Brick
April 22, 2010 8:20 AM | Link to this
Put him in the bullpen. It’s my biggest complaint about baseball contracts. Harang has a couple good years and the Reds back up the Brinks truck….now he’s making 12.5 to be awful! Put him in the pen and let Wood get in the rotation.
By DocGrumpy
April 22, 2010 8:10 AM | Link to this
Letting him go to the break is good for him personally but “working it out” doesn’t help the team. Taking extra bases? Hard to hold opponents to singles when the ball goes over the fence. Last night he gave up one double and homer, the rest were singles that clearly didn’t allow the extra base. Don’t blame defense or offense for TEN hits.
By Raoul
April 22, 2010 8:00 AM | Link to this
Hal, it would help if the Reds could stop letting runners get extra bases from sloppy fielding. But Harang, who is a class act all the way, just needs to get the ball down. He is tall and when he throws down in the zone, he is tough to hit. I would keep pitching him at least till the All Star break to work things out. If he is still struggling, he will need to think about his next career.
By jeff
April 22, 2010 8:00 AM | Link to this
I was thinking the same as a previous commenter who suggested Harang voluntarily demote himself to work on his pitching. And if I recall correctly, Welsh claimed on at least one telecast that Harang had been developing a variety of new pitches, but that he had yet to integrate those into his repetoire. Stands to reason, if that is the case, that he’s uncomfortable throwing those relatively experimental pitches to big-league hitters. So why not send himself down to where he can refine that change-up or knuckleball or whatever, against less-threatening competition in games that don’t count against his major-league win/loss numbers. Might even be the thing that prolongs a career that looks like its about to hit the rocks. On the other hand, perhaps the offense can just shut itself down when he pitches, ‘cause it appears he’s allergic to success. Seems every time he’s pitched well one inning and he then gets staked to a lead, he suddenly starts tossing batting practice fastballs.
By michael
April 22, 2010 7:54 AM | Link to this
I am an AH fan. He is a quiet professional, but it looks like he keeps throwing it right in the wheelhouse. Could it be that simple? No, but I hope he figures it out because I would like to see him stick around.
By Joe L
April 22, 2010 7:30 AM | Link to this
Trip to the dl to figure it out sounds good.Then, think things thru and make a choice where to put AH. Kyle,you never umped did you,Because Votto was out tag beat him. This is coming from a guy that umped for 30 years,while I will scream when they miss a call,will praise them when they get it right.
By DocGrumpy
April 22, 2010 7:02 AM | Link to this
Mr. Harang I appreciate all you’ve done for the city, the kids, and the organization. You’ve been a class act in every aspect. Now it’s time to do the tough part for a consumate professional. Voluntarily step aside to the DL and try to figure out the issue(s). The past 50 starts tell us that’s not going to happen during major league games. If it does (as it has) you’ll continue to lose, diminishing your tremendous contributions of the past and disrespecting those of us who have stood by you. Often, goodbye is the hardest word to say. You’ve made enough to support your family for generations. Now for the hard part, especially for a great competitor, of understanding the body can’t keep doing what the heart believes.
By Kyle
April 22, 2010 6:56 AM | Link to this
Even last year I would have been pretty confident that 5 or 6 runs would have been enough for Harrang. Booing him though? He’s a class act who has done a lot for Cincinnati. Classless Reds fans need to show their frustration with this team some other way. On another note…when did ties stop going to the runner? Besides being safe at third, Votto was at the very least tied with the tag. That happens a lot in little league when the dad umps get excited over a good throw and make the wrong call, but come on, this is the big leagues.
By MAC
April 22, 2010 6:50 AM | Link to this
AH is a big guy who never appeared to use his body (legs/back) much when he pitched. All ST we heard about him taking a longer stride & using his lower body more; he still looks like the same old stiff AH to me. And over the last couple of years, AH appears to have lost speed & bite on his pitches? IMO, his style epitomizes Reds’ pitchers & their pitching philosophy over the yrs..big guys who try to be power pitchers but don’t have enough off speed stuff to keep hitters off the FB…see Homer minus the split, Cueto now W/out the change up…dittos Volquez (2 many breaking balls lead to arm problems?). What the Reds need IMO R more “pitchers” who keep hitters off balance. Lehr was very good @ this & helped HB get better w/ the split. Volquez and Cueto rode the FB/Change to ML…what happened to their change ups…they don’t fit the Reds pitching philosophy?? T. Coffee complained about the Reds trying to change his style; funny he’s resonably successful since he left Cincy? Does it make sense to anyone else that a varied SP staff would require opponents to take a different approach each night? No LH SP doesn’t force opponents to make adjustments. All FB/power pitchers allow hitters 2 take same approach. I’m nos suggesting all breaking balls, but Travis Wood’s best pitch is his circle change; all spring long I saw nothing but FBs and cutters. Why doesn’t Homer use the split anymore; where is Cueto’s changeup? AH will have to change his style; he’s not the same pitcher. IMO a move to long relief (Zambrano?) would make sense @ least for awhile!
By Bill
April 22, 2010 3:51 AM | Link to this
I’d see if I could trade him for a dozen bats.
By Eliot
April 22, 2010 2:13 AM | Link to this
Hal, You know as well as I do that Harang will not accept a demotion to the minors. The only way Harang sees time in the minors is if he is sent out on a rehab. Simply let him pitch, Cueto, Bailey, and Arroyo suck too. It is tough to watch. Harang had a nice run. He deserves better than to be booed off the field. He is the first decent pitcher this organization has seen since Harnisch left, so he deserves some respect based on that. Booing him is without class.
By Tony
April 22, 2010 12:07 AM | Link to this
Hal, I don’t know the answer but the Reds need to do SOMETHING with his sorry butt. And continuing to put him on the mound is not acceptable!
By rob in stlouis
April 21, 2010 11:17 PM | Link to this
The Reds are stuck with Harang and his salary. Just run him out there at least 2 or 3 more times and if he doesn’t pitch well the club might have to stash him on the DL for awhile.
By Rlg
April 21, 2010 11:14 PM | Link to this
How long does this continue to go on? The only stretches I can remember that were this bad is a few years ago when the Reds went out to the West coast, got pummeled and played lifeless baseball like they are now. It is difficult to know where to place blame, pitching or hitting, they both feed off each other. The main fault lies with the offense that has struggled to put the ball in play and not strike out all the time. The early offensive woes carried over to the pitching staff and the added burden and innings have just piled up. What I don’t see if what adjustments the pitching and hitting coaches are making, or Dusty. Another couple of peformances like this last week and a half and it’s time to clean house.
By pat
April 21, 2010 11:10 PM | Link to this
I wonder if Harang heard about Zombrano before he pitched today? If they can trade Tavaras, they can move Harang and bring up Wood or Chapman.
By Aaron B.
April 21, 2010 11:03 PM | Link to this
Just keep trotting him out there. Its not like the rest of the staff is much better than him. He is far from the only weak link on this team. Pretty much everyone in the bullpen has blown leads and gotten pummeled at some point, pretty much every starting pitcher has gotten shelled and pretty much every position player is struggling except for Rolen and Votto. Its just plain ugly and sending Harang to the minors isn;t going to help things and will kill any trade down the road. If he gets it together at some point they can trade him to a team that needs a starter for their playoff run.
By Deaner
April 21, 2010 8:17 PM | Link to this
It’s great to see Morgan back with the Reds. Hal, when is Barry coming back?