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Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy is in his 36th year of covering the Cincinnati Reds, the longest tenure for any active writer covering one team. Counting spring training and postseason games, McCoy has covered more than 7,000 major-league baseball games, written close to 18,000 baseball stories and eaten enough hot dogs to give Babe Ruth indigestion.Home > Blogs > The Real McCoy | Cincinnati Reds baseball news > Archives > 2008 > March > 10 > Entry
This is MY team
The halfway point of spring training exhibition games is fast approaching and it is time to pick MY TEAM, the 25 guys to go north with the Cincinnati Reds, barring injuries, trades and defections to Guatemala.
This has nothing to do with General Manager Wayne Krivsky or Manager Dusty Baker. This is MY team as I see it now.
STARTING PITCHERS: Aaron Harang, Bronson Arroyo, Johnny Cueto, Homer Bailey, Matt Belisle.
BULLPEN: Francisco Cordero (closer), David Weathers, Edinson Volquez, Jeremy Affeldt, Jared Burton, Kent Mercker, Todd Coffey.
CATCHERS: Paul Bako, Javier Valentin.
INFIELDERS: Joey Votto, Scott Hatteberg, Brandon Phillips, Edwin Encarnacion, Jeff Keppinger.
OUTFIELDERS: Ken Griffey Jr., Adam Dunn, Jay Bruce, Norris Hopper, Corey Patterson.
INFIELDER-OUTFIELDER: Ryan Freel.
DISABLED LIST: Pitcher Bill Bray, pitcher Bobby Livingston, catcher David Ross, shortstop Alex Gonzalez, infielder Juan Castro.
Let’s discuss.
Baker said Sunday, “I’m tired of hearing about young and old.” Hopefully, he means that and won’t leave young players back.
Are we rushing 22-year-old Cueto? Maybe, maybe not. Based on what he has done so far, he deserves to be in the rotation. If he struggles, he can be sent to Louisville for more innings and fortunately, for once, the Reds do have some options.
Affeldt was promised a chance at the rotation and was given that chance. But he is more valuable in the bullpen, as he proved last year with Colorado, and he better serves the Reds in that role.
This, of course, means the team eats the $3 million it owes Mike Stanton. Pass the ketchup. And some would not include Todd Coffey, rightfully so, based on last season. But he has dropped excess poundage and has pitched well and might be back to where he was two seasons ago.
Freel might yet be traded, but not from MY team. He is too valuable at playing several positions and everybody knows a baseball season is full of injuries and slumps. Keppinger is the same thing. He’ll start the season at shortstop for the injured Gonzalez. When Gonzalez returns, Keppinger is a guy who can pinch-hit and fill in at short, second, third, left and maybe even first base.
Votto and Bruce are in the same canoe. Both appear determinedly ready, determinedly willing and determinedly able. They appear ready and have nothing to prove in the minors. If they flop — and it is doubtful that will happen — they can return to Louisville and get it together.
Now my Opening Day lineup to face the Arizona Diamondbacks and Brendan Webb, as of now:
CF Jay Bruce, SS Jeff Keppinger, RF Ken Griffey Jr., 2B Brandon Phillips, LF Adam Dunn, 3B Edwin Encarnacion, 1B Joey Votto, C Paul Bako, P Aaron Harang.
That leaves Hatteberg on the bench, for now, where he serves as an excellent pinch-hitter, plus he plays on days Votto takes off or moves into the lineup if Votto slumps or fails.
It’s the same with Bruce. He starts in center, with Patterson and Hopper in the dugout as excellent pinch-hitting weapons and plug-in players.
That leaves three excellent players out in the cold: outfielder Chris Dickerson, infielder-outfielder Jolbert Cabrera and infielder-outfielder Jerry Gil. Dickerson and Gil can be optioned to Louisville for later use and maybe Colbert will agree to go to Louisville and await his turn and his chance.
Am I right or am I right?
Comments
By chaz
March 16, 2008 3:09 AM | Link to this
march 15-Rotation looks like… 1) Harang 2) Arroyo 3) Fogg 4) Belise 5) Cueto or Volquez (one goes to pen)…with Cordero, Weathers, Bray, Burton, Majewski and Affelt. batting order cf-patterson ss-keppinger rf-junior 2b-phillips lf-dunn 3b-encarnation 1b-hatteberg c-bako *dusty will keep votto and bruce on the bench against webb on opening day, but they will get some starts and have a chance to grow into the roles they are obviously heading for. If Keppinger hits above .300 which I think he will, he could be our 3b if edwin falters. Bruce might have to wait. I think freel and hopper with patterson will be the cf this year. Bruce should backup all three of spots and get the day off starts in place of jr and dunn. hopper can backup patterson with freel as insurance. the only way to keep freel healthy for the entire season is in the infield. I think we should try to move bailey and freel to oakland for joe blanton. If Cueto and Volquez dont pan out as starters, I think they both have potential to become all-star closers. I think this reds team is going to win alot of games in the next few years…I have felt this brewing with the moves we have made since the new GM came in from the twins.By Justin
March 12, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this
@Heist: Votto is no slouch on the base paths. He has better steal numbers for his career than Bruce. Speed is also overrated for a lead off guy, give me a guy who gets on base. What good is speed if you aren’t getting on base enough? Not saying Bruce would be a bad choice, I just think Votto is a better choice right now with his patience at the plate and underrated speed.By jim
March 12, 2008 9:27 AM | Link to this
Hal I agree but with one small change. I wouldn’t carry 7 relief picthers. I would carry another infielder perferably one that can play shortstop until alex gets back. Castro, Janish or Rosalies take your pick. i like someone who can flash a little leather in the late inningsBy Tim
March 12, 2008 5:49 AM | Link to this
I would put Belisle 3, Volquez 4 and Cueto as 5th starter. Homer has seemed shaky … I think some more time in Louisville might be good, and while Cueto has been fantastic so far, I’d put him 5th primarily to save some innings on his arm. I’d replace Volquez in the pen with Majewski. I like the position players.By Tim
March 12, 2008 5:49 AM | Link to this
I would put Belisle 3, Volquez 4 and Cueto as 5th starter. Homer has seemed shaky … I think some more time in Louisville might be good, and while Cueto has been fantastic so far, I’d put him 5th primarily to save some innings on his arm. I’d replace Volquez in the pen with Majewski. I like the position players.By Heist
March 12, 2008 12:16 AM | Link to this
Are you people serious? Votto leadoff? He doesn’t have the speed to leadoff. For crap sake lets go back to the Bob Boone days and send Dunn up there to bat leadoff. I like this lineup better..Bruce,Kepp,Phillips, Jr., EE,Dunner,Votto,Catcher,Pitcher.. Phillips is too fast to bat behind Jr. And he will get better pitches because Jr is protecting him. It shouldnt be vice versa. Let Jr. stay behind phillips so phillips can steal, and hit for power, and see better pitches with the HOF’er behind him.By Heist
March 12, 2008 12:15 AM | Link to this
Are you people serious? Votto leadoff? He doesn’t have the speed to leadoff. For crap sake lets go back to the Bob Boone days and send Dunn up there to bat leadoff. I like this lineup better..Bruce,Kepp,Phillips, Jr., EE,Dunner,Votto,Catcher,Pitcher.. Phillips is too fast to bat behind Jr. And he will get better pitches because Jr is protecting him. It shouldnt be vice versa. Let Jr. stay behind phillips so phillips can steal, and hit for power, and see better pitches with the HOF’er behind him.By Chuck
March 11, 2008 9:14 PM | Link to this
Yes!By richard
March 11, 2008 6:06 PM | Link to this
I would like for the Reds to have a lefthanded starting pitcher,but dont know who that would be.By Brian
March 11, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this
The order should look like this. 1. Bruce 2. Keppinger 3. Dunn 4. Griffey 5. Phillips 6. Encarnacion 7. Votto 8. Valentine 9. Pitcher I could really care less about the back to back left handers. I think that the idea of breaking up your two best hitters is complete garbage. As far as starting pitchers go my line up would be… 1. Harang 2. Arroyo 3. Volquez 4. Belisle 5. Cueto Sorry Bailey but you are a cocky little bleep and need to learn how to locate you fastball and learn how to throw a changeup. Get your head out of you rear and start respecting yourself and the team. What do you guys think?By Don
March 11, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this
Bingo. It probably won’t happen though, because it makes too much sense.By Don
March 11, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this
Bingo. It probably won’t happen though, because it makes too much sense.By richie rich
March 11, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this
what about Josh Fogg, shouldn’t he be in the rotationBy Ken
March 11, 2008 2:53 PM | Link to this
Sorry, but I just do not see Matt Belisle as a starting pitcher. He has good stuff, but to me would be much more effective pitching out of the bullpen. I didn’t see any mention of Josh Fogg in this discussion. Does he fit on this team?By WOHBuckeye
March 11, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this
An almost assuredly better lineup then we will get opening day.By Voice of Reason
March 11, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this
Patterson is a good pinch hitting option? Maybe when you’re up by 10 and you just want to ensure that someone will make an out (more than 70% chance, career) and get the game over with. He should not be on the team. Hal, it’s time to learn about OBP.By broadway
March 11, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this
Sort of on the subject—How can anyone be certain of which pitchers to keep, when they are only asking them to pitch three innings? Last year Belisle, and others looked OK for THAT long—it was in the fourth, fifth and sixth that they imploded.By Justin
March 11, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this
I think Votto is a better option to lead off than Bruce. He has a higher OBP and seems to be better on the base paths. I also don’t like the idea of Dunn hitting 5th. He put up great numbers last season with only EdE protecting him. Put him in front of a guy like Griffey and he is going to see some better pitches. Phillips as a clean-up hitter also doesn’t thrill me due to his high DPs. My lineup would probably look something like this: 1. Votto 2. Keppinger 3. Dunn 4. Griff 5. Phillips 6. Bruce 7. EdE 8. Catcher 9. PitcherBy BroadawayBill
March 11, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this
I like your hat,too! Volquez deserves to be in the rotation, though.If we are going to humble Bailey,humble Belisle,also.Keep Bailey instead of Matt.What has Belisle done to deserve a rotation spot?By rob yontz
March 11, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this
Paul Bako? Yikes. He likely makes the team by default if Ross is DLed, but that shows the catching pool is as thin as the pitching. Tatum is on the 40 man I would rather see him until Ross is healthy.By Jeff
March 11, 2008 8:47 AM | Link to this
Fogg, will be in the rotation. My heart agrees with you but my business side sees Fogg. For One million dollars he is worth the risk plus come July if we are not in contention and he is 7-10 or better he will be an attratcive commodity. Once again buy low sell high. Fogg will start unless hurt.By Jim
March 11, 2008 8:27 AM | Link to this
Yes. As is,pack it up and take in northBy The Opinion Queen
March 11, 2008 7:39 AM | Link to this
You are right, and where were you when I had a fantasy team that finished last and finally folded due to managerial indifference/incompetence? My only reservation is Homer Bailey, but I’m the only person in America who didn’t like Catcher in the Rye or James Dean, either.By Adam
March 11, 2008 5:30 AM | Link to this
Hal- Who’s going to play shortstop if Keppinger needs a day off or turns an ankle? You don’t have a left side infielder who can play above average defense on the team. Castro or Janish will make the team simply because Keppinger and Encarnacion are below average defensive players. You are also essentially carrying six outfielders, and that won’t happen. All of your bench players are left handed hitters as well. Even more reason for a guy like Castro or Janish to be on the team.By Jon
March 11, 2008 3:16 AM | Link to this
You’re not right to have Belisle in the rotation.By Harry the Horse
March 10, 2008 10:55 PM | Link to this
Based on tonight’s performance… Insert Volquez demote Bailey. Dusty will start Norris Hopper in CF. Jay Bruce will get seasoned in Louisville along with Homer. I hope Paul Bako has a better arm than he showed tonight or else teams will run wild on the Reds.By PhilMan
March 10, 2008 8:30 PM | Link to this
Kent Mercker? You forgot Fogg. You can send Mike Stanton packing as well. I wish we really could come up with a top notch catcher.By Dan
March 10, 2008 6:05 PM | Link to this
Mercker?!? He doesn’t even have a 40 man spot. You freed up one 40 man spot by dumping Stanton. And Valenzuela gives you another. You need five: Mercker Cueto Bruce Patterson Bako How about giving us 3 more 40man players you’d dump. And what about Mc Beth? Wouldn’t he be better than Mercker?By Y-City Jim
March 10, 2008 5:48 PM | Link to this
I’m okay with it except for Patterson. He hasn’t even played yet and you’re penciling him on the roster. He needs to prove himself especially since he is going to ride the bench. I would rather see Dunn in the 2 spot but I understand breaking up the lefties. It’s just that Dunn is an OBP who has been productive in the spot in the past. Plus Keppinger seems more like a down in the order hitter.By Redbeard
March 10, 2008 5:39 PM | Link to this
Hal— I agree with 99% of your list. The only thing I’d change is I’d like to see Volquez and Belisle switch spots with Volquez starting. I’d also like to see Roenicke instead of Coffee. Let’s hope some of your other moves (such as Stanton off the list and Bruce on the list) come true. —RedbeardBy PaulySchaf
March 10, 2008 5:26 PM | Link to this
Overall, I like the team, with a couple changes. 1. Bailey needs humbling a bit. Send him to AAA until mid-May. 2. Put Cueto in the bullpen to start the season. I want keep his innings down a bit so he’s strong late in the season. Move him into rotation in mid-May. Fogg and Affeldt in rotation for first 6 weeks. 3. Griffey is NOT a good No. 3 hitter anymore. Flip-flop him with Dunn. While we’re at it, flip-flop Phillips with Edwin.By Mark
March 10, 2008 4:51 PM | Link to this
I like every bit of it except Patterson is going to be Baker’s CF on Opening Day. You know it, I know it … even Bob Dole knows it.By jarrod
March 10, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this
ive just got that feeling that belisle aint gonna make the rotation. so my tweak would be fogg in his place. just a feeling though.By Mr. Jake
March 10, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this
Hal, replace Hatteberg with Andy Phillips. Bailey has too cocky an attitude, and should be sent to Louisville for a wakeup call. Give Fogg a shot. Other than those three things, I would go in the same direction!By Dave
March 10, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this
This is a really good effort. I like it a lot. What happens to Fogg though? I would expect Fogg to be pushing Belisle right now but I have no problem sending Bailey a message and starting him in AAA. It seems he still has things that can be worked on in order to be a pitcher and not a thrower. I think the odds even out when anticipating possible permanent damage to his mental state by the demotion vs. a few long balls put out of Great American while he’d be on the mound. I wouldn’t mind establishing Fogg, then trading him for value once Homer comes up after acheiving some prearranged goals, even if those goals are based on things like first pitch strikes,mixing pitches, or just better command of the off-speed stuff.By Monroe
March 10, 2008 1:45 PM | Link to this
Excellent roster, Hal. Hope you’re right about Coffey getting back to where he was. And amen to Jay Bruce. If the Reds are serious about winning this year, the prohibitive favorite for rookie of the year should be on the field (“super 2” arbitration be damned).By redsfaninMontana
March 10, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this
I agree 100% as well. Would like to see Bray, Ross and Gonzalez as soon as they are healthy. Bako is easily gone but it will get complicated from there.By Trev
March 10, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this
I’ll take it! It varies just the tiniest bit from mine. I would flip/flop Bruce and Votto. I also agree that Kep is in there only because AGon is on the DL. If Kep wasn’t there I’d have BP in the 2nd spot and EE in the 4th spot. Your rotation has the names I’ve wanted since December. I would have Matt as the #3 though only because I want to hold Bailey & Cueto innings to under 180. When the postseason starts they can move up a notch, all the off days give extra rest. Yes, I said postseason! However the team must take on the flavor that you are suggesting to make it happen. I think enough Coffey has been spilled so I’ll take Fogg as the long man.By Silver Quill
March 10, 2008 12:45 PM | Link to this
That would be my lineup exactly. Can they still name you manager, Hal, or will Dusty Baker listen to you?By Steve
March 10, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this
I agree 100% Hal. I love that lineup and starting pitching. Hopefully Bray can get healthy and take Merker’s spot in the bullpen. If Dusty can keep everyone happy I like the experience coming off the bench. This is the year you go with the young guys to gain experience and look foward to 2009 and beyond. This could be 1969 all over again.