| 08 July 2010
Joining Votto in Reds uniforms will be the three original members of the team: second baseman Brandon Phillips, third baseman Scott Rolen and relief pitcher Arthur Rhodes. All of them are very deserving and it's great to see it all work out like it should. Phillips and the 40-year-old (non-virgin) Rhodes are making their first All-Star Game appearances and you have to especially feel good for the latter. He has been a godsend in the Reds' bullpen as the setup man.
As for Votto, honestly, I didn't have a big problem with Phillies manager Charlie Manuel taking "his guy" in Ryan Howard. Since Albert Pujols was voted in by the fans as a starter, that meant it came down to Votto vs. Adrian Gonzalez for the final first base spot on the original roster. Votto is clearly having a better season than Gonzalez, but Gonzalez's career has been better up to this point. So, it wasn't shocking to see Gonzalez get the benefit of the doubt from Manuel. In future seasons, it will be Votto who will likely get the "star treatment" from NL managers. It's just that, outside of Cincinnati, Votto wasn't a household name until this season. He was for diehard baseball fans (or anyone who plays fantasy baseball) but he wasn't on that "star" level like Pujols and Howard are.
However, all that has changed and the Reds simply have one of the best players in all of Major League Baseball. He's a treat to watch and the Reds have him locked up through at least the 2013 season (he will be eligible for arbitration each season beginning this winter). Some fans have wondered if the Reds will try and sign Votto to a long-term contract this offseason and "buy out" his first couple years of free agency. It's certainly a possibility and it will be interesting to see if the team pursues that idea this winter. However, it will be very costly given the type of season Votto is having and knowing what the going rate is for top first basemen. Right, Ryan Howard?
Anyway, kudos to all the Reds fans who took time to "vote Votto" and make sure the man who is arguably the first-half MVP in the NL got the credit he deserved. Reds Country really bonded together and were relentless in securing the vote for Votto. And I think people around the country (the few left with integrity who actually vote for the person who most deserves it) also helped the cause by voting for Votto.
For instance, on Colin Cowherd's show early last week on ESPN Radio, there was a caller from California vehemently defending Votto. Cowherd asked why this guy was such a big Reds fan if he lived in Cali. The guy said, "I'm actually not a big Reds fan, just a Joey Votto fan. He's one of the best players in baseball."
Yeah, that pretty much sums it up. And when you think about it, not originally making the team could have been the best thing to ever happen to Votto. Seriously. He ended up making the team anyway, and got a bunch of "free pub" in the meantime as loudmouths like Cowherd talked about his predicament all week.
Reds stay three games up on Cardinals for first place: Even with Thursday night's tough 4-3 loss at Philadelphia in 12 innings, the Reds remain a full three games up on the St. Louis Cardinals for first place in the National League Central division. It's a bit amazing given all the Reds have been through over the "lost decade" that they will definitely enter the All-Star break in first place. And by the way, I would be remiss if I didn't thank the Colorado Rockies for that nice three-game sweep over the Cardinals. Thanks, Rockies. Almost makes me forgive you for stealing the Reds' initials when you should have just gone by the name of "Denver Rockies." All the other major sports teams in that city go by "Denver." But I digress...
Just getting in the playoffs would make 2010 a tremendously-successful season in the eyes of Reds fans. It wouldn't even matter if the Reds got swept in the first round. Just making the postseason for the first time since 1995 (although the '99 Reds who won 96 games and lost a one-game playoff to the Mets will always have a soft spot in our hearts) would quench the thirst of this fanbase. Especially when you consider how bright the future looks with all of the quality young players in the system.
Lee deal in the works? Talks between the Reds and the Seattle Mariners about a possible Cliff Lee trade have commenced according to numerous reports. The M's apparently want the farm for Lee, but I don't see any team being willing to give up all that much more than the Phillies gave to the Indians for Lee last year before the deadline.
Therefore, if the Reds are willing to put a package together of Triple-A first baseman Yonder Alonso, Double-A catcher Devin Mesoraco (both former first-round picks) and one more prospect who isn't quite as good as the other two, the Reds might be in business. I just don't see another team being willing to give up more than that for Lee. So, don't be surprised to see the Reds make a huge splash and land the best pitcher by far on the trade market. I would still bet against it if you put a gun to my head (and then you would probably get arrested) but it's definitely a possibility at this point. I just like the fact that the Reds are in the hunt and appear to be willing to go full-bore after the playoffs (and maybe more) this year.
The one thing I want to be clear about here is that I hope Travis Wood is not included in any deal for a "rental." I could live with giving up Alonso and Mesoraco - because the Reds have Votto and just drafted a catcher in the first round this year. Wood, on the other hand, is a young (23) left-handed starting pitcher with a lot of promise. You just don't trade guys like that. If Alonso, Mesoraco and one more prospect isn't good enough for the M's, let them try and find a better deal.
Bray gives bullpen a different feel: The jury is still out on whether left-handed relief pitcher Bill Bray can stay healthy, but if he's able to, he will likely give the Reds' bullpen a nice boost. It's already been refreshing to see him as the No. 2 lefty in the pen (behind the ageless Rhodes of course) instead of Danny Herrera. Unlike Herrera, Bray actually has the potential to be tough on left-handed hitters. His fastball is as strong as ever and he certainly looks healthy right now. But the question is whether he will be able to withstand the grind of the season. Hopefully he can because Bray has the chance to be a big part of this bullpen and provide a bit of a missing piece for the Reds.
Speaking of the ‘pen, it's good to see Nick Masset begin to come around. (Thursday's outing not included as he allowed the go-ahead run at the time to score in the eighth inning.) He was extremely good the last year-and-a-half after coming over in exchange for a washed-up Ken Griffey Jr. Masset was terrible early in the season, but is showing signs of life lately.
Also, 6-foot-8 rookie Logan Ondrusek has been ultra-impressive since being sent down to the minors for a couple weeks after originally making the team out of spring training (and pitching like crap in April). But Ondrusek must have gotten himself straightened out in Louisville - or perhaps he's just more relaxed in his second go-around in the bigs - because he has looked very good over the last month-plus since being recalled. I still think the Reds will trade for a middle reliever this month, but it's encouraging to see some of the in-house options begin to pitch up to their capabilities.
Cabrera is so bad that it's time to give Janish a shot: I was so anti-Paul Janish this offseason (didn't want any part of him being the starting shortstop) that I was actually in favor of the Orlando Cabrera signing in January. However, Cabrera is a much-worse hitter than I thought and it appears his career is hanging by a thread at the age of 35. Just gives terrible ABs then goes flailing at the ball when he finally does make contact. Has really lost any pop that he used to have and is a very weak hitter.
I can't believe I am saying this, but Janish should be the everyday SS for a while. Not for the rest of the year, but the time has come to give him a chance to show what he can do. This team is winning in spite of Cabrera; there is no "lucky charm" BS at play. It's just that most of his teammates are having career years and they are making up for his horrible production at the plate. Plus, he's not very good defensively, which we all knew coming into the season.
The curse of Barry Larkin continues. Nah, it's not a curse since Lark wants what is best for the Reds. But man they continue to swing and miss when it comes to finding a quality shortstop since his retirement.
Maybe 24-year-old Zack Cozart who is having a solid year offensively at Louisville (and is very good defensively) will be the answer beginning next year. Cozart still needs to prove he can hit a little better, but he's not someone that is going to hurt you at the plate either. In fact, so far this season through a whopping 340 at-bats, he is batting .256 with 11 home runs and 41 RBIs. He also has an OPS of .755, 19 stolen bases, 20 doubles and three triples.
The more I think about it, Cozart - who was the team's second-round draft pick out of Ole Miss in 2007 - might very well be the Reds' starting SS next year because I don't see the team pursuing a big-time free agent SS or trading for one this offseason. I also don't think they will pick up Cabrera's option (good lord hopefully they don't) and Janish is nothing more than a backup (unless Cabrera happens to be the starter).
Back to the original point: There is no getting around the fact that Cabrera is one of the few major weaknesses on this team and something needs to be done about it if the Reds want to continue playing well in the second half of the season.
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