Stranded Cub
Posts : 13
Join date : 2011-10-19
Age : 34
Location : STL
 | | Subject: Reds to Change Things for 2012 Season? Fri 21 Oct 2011, 2:23 pm | |
| - Quote :
- The adage, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," certainly seemed to apply to the 2011 Cincinnati Reds after they won they 2010 National League Central championship.
General Manager Walt Jocketty and manager Dusty Baker figured a tweak here and a twist of the wrench there and the 2011 Reds would be ready to make it two titles in a row.
Somewhere along the way, early in the season, the team broke an axle and threw a rod and ended up in a ditch. By the time the tow truck arrived the Milwaukee Brewers had disappeared over the horizon.
So what needs to be done for 2012 to keep pace with the Brewers and the St. Louis Cardinals, or least to scramble back over .500? For the 10th time in the last 11 seasons, the Reds finished below .500 (79-83) and fell from first to third.
When 2011 began, it was believed the team's strongest asset was its starting pitchers.
That wasn't the case. The starters won only 50 games. And the bullpen might have been worse, losing 37 games while winning only 29.
The team staff's ERA was 4.16 and only 10 major league teams had higher ERAs. They issued 539 walks, sixth most in the majors and gave up 185 home runs, third most in the majors.
"Giving up a lot of walks and a lot of home runs is a bad combination," said manager Dusty Baker. "Those are two major things we have to cut down and we have to cut them way down."
Mike Leake, pitching in only his second major league season, won 12 games, the most on the staff.
Jocketty lists acquiring at least one starting pitching as his major objective, but that could be difficult.
Free agency is probably out of the question. Free agent pitchers are expensive and convincing pitchers to come to Cincinnati and the homer-friendly Great American Ball Park is difficult.
"Making a trade for a starting pitcher isn't easy," said Jocketty. "Starting pitchers are the No. 1 thing most teams look for so we'll have a lot of competition."
There are several legitimate candidates on the roster, starting with Leake and Johnny Cueto, who nearly won the NL ERA title, but fell six innings short of qualifying. And with Bronson Arroyo owning a large contract, it would seem he'll be back in the rotation.
Homer Bailey shows flashes of brilliance and only lacks consistency and is a solid contender. But the team must decide this winter what to do with Edinson Volquez, Travis Wood and Dontrelle Willis — all underachievers in 2010.
Jocketty says Aroldis Chapman will be plucked from the bullpen and plopped into the rotation next season, gobbling up another spot.
That, of course, leaves a large gap in the bullpen, but priority one is dealing with closer Coco Cordero. The club owns a $12 million option, but isn't expected to pick it up. But Cordero wants to return and the team could negotiate a new contract at lesser value after Cordero put together a solid season.
Jocketty and Baker must decide if the fixes they need are in the system or if they have to go searching elsewhere.
Left field was a vast wasteland last year with seven different players manning the position over the course of the season.
The plan for the offseason is for first baseman Yonder Alonso to shed some poundage and work on learning the nuances of left field, a move to get his potent bat into the lineup while Joey Votto continues to man first base.
If the Alonso Experiment fails, Chris Heisey and rookie Dave Sappelt, who displayed surprising proficiency in September, await their chances.
The other major hole last season was shortstop, a position Paul Janish failed to capture due to an anemis bat when given the chance. Edgar Renteria came alive the second half, but has limited range on defense.
Rookie Zack Cozart arrived in August and played extremely well, offensively and defensively, until a freak play at second base in late August ended his season with Tommy John elbow surgery on his non-throwing arm.
He is expected back for spring training and both Jocketty and Baker say the job is his to lose, meaning a solid spring training would work to his advantage.
Another decision must be made at the catching position. Ramon Hernandez and Ryan Hanigan have shared the position the last couple of years and shared it well.
But Hernandez is a free agent. Do the Reds try to re-sign him?
They brought up No. 1 draft pick Devin Mesoraco in September and while he showed he can be a future star, he also showed he has things to learn.
It is likely the team won't keep Hernandez and Jocketty and Baker believe Mesoraco is major-league ready so that he can be the main man next season with Hanigan as his back-up.
Third base is another position to be watched. Scott Rolen is an important piece and he has a year left on his contract. If he is healthy, and he hasn't been for two years, he'll be the regular. If not, Juan Francisco appears ready to step in.
So there are decisions to be made, pieces to be fitted, adjustments to be made. Jocketty says he plans to be active on his cell phone this winter, much more active than what he was last year.
http://www.foxsportsohio.com/10/05/11/Reds-to-make-changes-for-2012-season/landing_reds.html?blockID=575256&feedID=4017 | |
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