Ok, so there really is no truth at all to the title. Walt Jocketty has even denied any interest in offering Sosa a contract. But a recent story this week ( http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3793001) made me think about all the "what-ifs." It's been no secret that the Reds have wanted to add a right handed bat in the outfield to the starting lineup this off season, preferably a power bat to replace Adam Dunn. Pat Burrell was the first name on the list, but it looks like he would be too expensive and in my opinion too much like Dunn. The strikeouts are lower, the average is higher, the defense is about the same, and the walks are lower: so it's not a carbon copy. But there was a reason the team traded Dunn, simply because that's not the kind of bat (or defense) we need. The deal with the White Sox for Jermaine Dye fell through, presumably because of the money. What other options are out there?

Continue reading "Sammy Sosa to the Reds?"

I was just sitting here watching the Holiday bowl (I’m rooting for the Ducks by the way - Can’t get much more intimidating than that) and my mind drifted (as it sometimes does) to the Reds starting rotation for 2009. And the thought hit me: I’m not as nervous about the pitching as I have been in recent years. Now, in the era since I started following the Reds I’ve been introduced to the likes of Greg Vaughn, Dante Bichette, Ken Griffey Jr, and Adam Dunn, among other prolific hitters. Never in recent memory have the Reds had a pitching staff that is shaping up to be as good as what they have for 2009. I’m not saying that they will be as dominating as the Yankees look like they will be with CC Sabathia and AJ Burnett. But they will most definitely be better.

Continue reading "The starting 5"

Yes, I know I'm late to the party with this one, writing about something that happened last week. But I figured I'd throw my two cents out there since the news about the financial details just came out today. It turns out thathe two year deal is only worth $6.25 million: $2.25 in 2009 and $4 million in 2010. If he does here what he is capable of doing then I think that's a pretty good signing.

      Firstly, let me say this: a major weakness of the Reds has been the leadoff spot. As I've mentioned before I grew up in an era where the Reds brought in many good hitters, but they never really had a run producer to complement them. Norris Hopper and Ryan Freel weren't bad fill-ins, but they were never everyday players, although I do like both of them and would be very happy if Hopper proved himself capable of handling it. We've had Dunn, Hatteberg, Reese and who knows how many others fill that leadoff spot, but nobody really stood out. I'm not sure yet if Taveras is the answer here, but at least they're trying now.

Continue reading "Thoughts on the Willy Taveras signing"