[14Red]

Originally Posted by bird

I understand that Stubbs' value on the market is low...there is not a lot of demand for a guy that hit .215 and had the worst on-base percentage in the majors.

It would definitely require a team to see potential in him, and value his defense.

But if he stays with the Reds next year and hits the way he did this year, he's going to wind up in Louisville.

Possibly, but if the Reds are in first place, playing well, he's playing his usual great centerfield and hitting 8th in the lineup, we can over look it. I don't think we have another guy on the team that can be an everyday centerfielder.

[bird]

Interesting thoughts from Jon Erardi regarding the leadoff spot and the closer role:

http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs...1080802&Ref=PH

It's hard to disagree with him.

I'm certainly a proponent of moving Chapman into the lineup. The closer role is overrated, and Chapman is not making as much of a difference there as he would as a starter.

I'm also a proponent of making a centerfield leadoff hitter the Reds' top priority in the offseason. I'm not exactly alone in that regard.

[lmavcch3]

Congrats to Bruce for his silver slugger award.

[14Red]

Originally Posted by bird

Interesting thoughts from Jon Erardi regarding the leadoff spot and the closer role:

http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs...1080802&Ref=PH

It's hard to disagree with him.

I'm certainly a proponent of moving Chapman into the lineup. The closer role is overrated, and Chapman is not making as much of a difference there as he would as a starter.

I'm also a proponent of making a centerfield leadoff hitter the Reds' top priority in the offseason. I'm not exactly alone in that regard.

It may be hard, but I'm going to disagree. Just because guys cover baseball doesn't mean they know everything about it. Erardi is missing one very big component of moving Chapman to the rotation. He's a power arm, he's young and what does that mean kids....

He's going to be on an innings count. I certainly hope you don't want to see us "Strasberg" Chapman next season, shutting him down in August during a pennant race??? Unless you are going to go with a 6 man rotation to keep his innings down, it's just a bad idea. Like last season, I'd like to have our best pitcher involved in 50-60 games next season rather than 30. Our rotation is good enough, we don't NEED him in the rotation. Yes, Lecure or Hoover could close..but why weaken yourself in that spot?? LeCure is good in his role, I'd be real worried if he's my closer. He's too hittable in that spot.

I actually envision Chapman being a Mariano Rivera type, he could be the Reds closer for the next 10 years if you use him right, and he'd be worth every penny you pay him.

Our leadoff spot will take care of itself, you can put 4-5 different people in that spot if you don't like Stubbs, but it will be fine. We won 97 games with horrendous production from the #1 and #2 spot, it CAN'T be worse.

[bird]

The Reds can win a lot of games with little production from their leadoff spot. That's not the issue. If you want to win a bunch of games then keep the lineup the way it is. If you want to give yourself a better chance in the playoffs then the lineup has got to change.

I don't agree Erardi because I think he's smarter because he covers the Reds. In this case, I'm agreeing with him because he's right.

I have no idea how the Reds would handle Chapman. There are lots of younger starters in the league, not all of them are on an inning count like Strasberg was.

Chapman would not be worth every penny as a closer. The closer's role is drastically overrated in baseball. Important? Yes. Worth putting a guy who has been a starter his whole career and would probably be the Reds' best starter in that role? Not a chance.

[14Red]

Originally Posted by bird

The Reds can win a lot of games with little production from their leadoff spot. That's not the issue. If you want to win a bunch of games then keep the lineup the way it is. If you want to give yourself a better chance in the playoffs then the lineup has got to change.

I don't agree Erardi because I think he's smarter because he covers the Reds. In this case, I'm agreeing with him because he's right.

I have no idea how the Reds would handle Chapman. There are lots of younger starters in the league, not all of them are on an inning count like Strasberg was.

Chapman would not be worth every penny as a closer. The closer's role is drastically overrated in baseball. Important? Yes. Worth putting a guy who has been a starter his whole career and would probably be the Reds' best starter in that role? Not a chance.

Here are the facts...
- you have a guy who is at least in the top 3 of closers in baseball, RIGHT NOW, why put him in a different role? CAN he be a great starter, yes, will he be, lots of questions, first and foremost, can he handle the innings.
-Mariano Rivera, Yankees, I rest my case.

[bird]

Todd Frazier finishes third in NL Rookie of the Year voting.