Thursday, November 15, 2012

A Little Bit of Reds News

By Ryan Bramwell
 
 
 
 
Awards?  Nope, We Got Hosed.

Cy Young Award - Johnny Cueto was amazing all season long for the Reds.  He led the NL in a few categories including ERA+ which takes into account the ballparks you pitch in.  Here's a good story from ESPN about how Cueto got 'jobbed'.  I can understand if he was not the deemed the winner, but to not even make the final cut??

Manager of the Year - Well, I'm not too upset about this one.  Davey Johnson, a one-time Reds skipper, won the award and deservedly so.  It was down to him and Dusty in the end.  Baker had a more troubling year seeing as he had to deal with the stroke he suffered which, in turn, caused him to miss highlights like Homer Bailey's no-hitter and the Reds' clinching of the Central.  I think Baker should have got this one for pity's sake at least. 

Rookie of the Year - Todd Frazier is a hero.  He put up tremendous numbers all season despite being listed as the backup third baseman.  Frazier is my hero.  He played third and first base as though they were both his natural positions, not to mention he played a couple outfield spots too.  Todd Frazier should be a hero for all of us...but instead the award went to that overhyped, wretched little punk Bryce Harper. That's a clown decision, bro.  

Gold Gloves - Brandon Phillips?  Zack Cozart? Ryan Hanigan?  Anybody?  No.  None. 

Silver Sluggers - Jay Bruce!  Hey, we got one.  Jables snagged the only 'major' award for the Reds after their 97-win season.  What about the NL Silver Slugger for Pitchers?  Mike Leake you say?  No, Stephen Strasburg won that.  Mike Leake batted .295/.306/.443 with two homers and three RBIs. Strasburg batted .277/.333/.426 with one homer and seven RBIs.  Dumb. 

Needless to say, the baseball writers and folks who make the decisions for whom these awards are given were very much aroused by the team out in D.C.  I didn't mention that two other Washington Nationals also received Silver Slugger awards (LaRoche and Desmond).  They were one game better than the Reds and lost in the same round of the playoffs, right?  Ah, whatever.  I guess it's just one of those media driven love affairs for a bad team gone good.

In the end, I am most distraught over the NL Rookie of the Year.  I think I made that clear a couple paragraphs ago.  Although, Mike Leake not winning an award for the best hitting pitcher is absurd...it's the only thing he did better than the other four guys in the rotation.  Moreover, Johnny Cueto not making the final cut for the CYA is ridiculous.  Oh well, I'm over it.


What's Brewing?

Jocketty and the Reds are looking to make some moves this offseason, and I have to say that I feel these moves will be significant.  I'm not talking earth-shattering transactions here, but I am saying that the team is willing to do whatever it takes to get better once again.  Jocketty has already stated a couple of things: One, he is willing to trade Zack Cozart or Didi Gregorious if the return is solid.  Two, Aroldis Chapman will be getting a for-sure shot at cracking the rotation for 2013.  Three, the Reds will obtain a leadoff hitter (spelling the end of the Drew Stubbs era almost certainly).  Four, they will find a solid replacement for Ryan Ludwick if they cannot reach an agreement with him during the signing period.  And five, Jocketty is looking for a closer now that Chapman will be making the major transition to starter.  The Reds already have a couple of options for closer on the team now as it stands...but that's depends on how much cash money GM Jocketty is willing to throw around.

-Reds Needs-
  • Leadoff hitter/new center fielder
  • Replacement for Ryan Ludwick/new left fielder
  • Closer

-Possible Targets-

Outfielders/Leadoff Hitters
Closers
Re-Signable Position Players
  • Ryan Ludwick - Link
  • Scott Rolen - Link
No Thanks
  • Kevin Youkilis - Link

-Articles-




Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)