2010 REDS

[fuzzhead]

So.... They still didn't pick up a sure thing at shortstop and they still have a very questionable outfield and middle relief..... I hope Jocketty can pull a rabbit out of his sleeve out of all this.

[Orange and Brown]

Orlando Cabrera will do fine at SS. They still have a few guys who can fill in there where needed to.
There outfield should be okay. It will be better than last year. Jay Bruce needs to get it together and Joey Votto needs to keep it together. I think the Reds will be improved over last year.

[ace63]

WE picked up some players and HOPE they will be good. If i was the reds manager. During an 8 hour practice, I would hold batting practice for 7 of those 8 hours . That was a big weak spot last year .

[oldtrojan]

Then you would get beat because your defense, and base running isn't ready!!! Got to work on all fazes.
However i do agree that hitting especially in the clutch was the Reds weakest point last year. That and I cant hit or read pitchers to steal a base Willie Taveras!!!
Thank Goodness he is gone.

[BBallin fool]

Taveras was released by Oakland!!!

[Orange and Brown]

5 Days 23 hours and 13 minutes until Pitchers and Catchers report!!!!!!!!

It's almost Spring!!!!!!!!!

GO REDS GO!!!!!!!!!!

[Orange and Brown]

2 more days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[BBallin fool]

GO REDS!!!

[Orange and Brown]

Ladies and Gentlemen When we wake up in the morning it will be the first day of Spring!!! Other teams reported today and the Reds Pitchers and Catchers will report tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!


BASEBALL!!

AINT IT GREAT



GO REDS GO!!!!!!!

Storming the Central in 2010!!!!!!!

[oldtrojan]

Finally.
Wife and I will be in Goodyear, Az; from march 16 thru the 24th. I can't wait. I will admit though, that I will miss our yearly spring trips to Sarasota, and tired old Ed Smith stadium. It was a great place to ago during the final days of a Northeast Pa., winter.

[Orange and Brown]

Finally.
Wife and I will be in Goodyear, Az; from march 16 thru the 24th. I can't wait. I will admit though, that I will miss our yearly spring trips to Sarasota, and tired old Ed Smith stadium. It was a great place to ago during the final days of a Northeast Pa., winter.

Your a lucky man!

[Orange and Brown]

REDS are close to resighning Johnny Gomes!!!!!! I think this would be a great move by the team. He is an outstanding platoon player.

[Orange and Brown]

Great reads on reds.com

Lincoln logs extra work in return to mound


By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com

02/20/10 4:48 PM EST

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Gradually, and for reasons that couldn't be explained at the time last season, Reds reliever Mike Lincoln was losing feeling and function in his right arm.

You think that just might be an issue for someone who depends on his right arm to throw a baseball and make a living?

After pitching only 19 games from the bullpen last season and posting an 8.22 ERA, Lincoln was placed on the disabled list with what was described as a bulging disk in his neck. There proved to be more to it than that.

"The vertebrae were basically collapsing on top of each other," Lincoln said. "The disk was basically gone and it was pinching the nerve off to my right arm and pressing on my spinal cord. I didn't know what was going on. It happened so slowly over time that I didn't really realize it was that severe. The good thing is I can say it wasn't a baseball-related injury. The doctor said whether I was playing baseball or had a different job, it was going to happen regardless."

In July, Lincoln had season-ending cervical disk replacement surgery. Not only is he back in camp and ready to pitch this spring, he is pursuing a lofty goal. The 34-year-old is competing for the fifth spot in the rotation.

Keep in mind that Lincoln's last 218 games pitched have been as a reliever. He hasn't started a big league game since 2000 with the Twins. That included a nearly four-year layoff while he recovered from two Tommy John surgeries on his right elbow from 2004-07.

"It's something I've always wanted to do. I love starting," Lincoln said. "I got out of the rotation when I left Minnesota. I always wanted to get the opportunity to start. They asked if I wanted to make a run for the fifth spot. I think I have just as good of a chance as anybody, if I'm healthy."

Obviously, health can't be something Lincoln and the Reds take for granted. And going from surgery to pitching again was far from an express lane experience.

Lincoln was well enough to make a 30-pitch bullpen session in September and throw in the fall instructional league in Goodyear. But there was still a long way to go.

"I tried to make it a normal offseason but stuff wasn't working as fast as I wanted," Lincoln said. "It was taking longer. It was more motor skills related and trying to get my scapula to move and function the way it was supposed to move. The nerve had been mildly shut down so long that it didn't function right.

"I had to do a lot of exercises of just moving my head around to get my range of motion back. I had to turn left and right. My whole right side was basically cut off. My scapula wasn't working. I lost a little bit of dexterity in my right hand. I lost touch in my index and middle finger and thumb. It took a while for it to come back. I'd stand up against the wall, put my thumbs straight out, rotate my arm in a way where I'm trying to get my scapula to rotate the same way. Simple motions you'd take for granted. Your body just does it, like walking. You don't think about walking."

When Lincoln returned from his four-year layoff in 2008, he made the Reds as a non-roster player out of camp and went on to a solid season. He threw a career-high 64 games, that included 21 appearances of over one inning and a personal-best 19-inning scoreless streak. The year earned him a two-year, $4 million contract.

In late January, manager Dusty Baker revealed that Lincoln was part of the large contingent seeking the fifth spot. Also in the battle are Aroldis Chapman, Micah Owings, Matt Maloney, Justin Lehr and Travis Wood.

"[Lincoln] is in a similar situation like [Nick] Masset was last year," Baker said.

Masset did not succeed when he tried for the fifth spot last spring but went back to a bullpen role and had a breakout season. When Lincoln last pitched for the Reds, he often entered in the seventh inning.

"I will do whatever and pitch wherever," Lincoln said. "If I'm healthy, my role will take care of itself. Do your job and get things done and they'll find a spot for you to play. It's the way it's always worked. I will concentrate on pitching the way I can pitch. If I'm healthy, I should be fine."



Chapman getting comfortable on mound
Rookie hurler works on command during second session

By Jesse Sanchez / MLB.com

02/20/10 3:31 PM EST

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Reds rookie Aroldis Chapman threw his second bullpen session of the week Saturday and said he is starting to feel more comfortable each time he goes out on the mound.

"Today was really good. It went fine," Chapman said. "I think the week is getting better as it goes."

Chapman primarily threw four-seam fastballs during his 10-minute session but also mixed in a few sliders, changeups and two-seam fastballs. Veteran catcher Corky Miller caught Chapman's session Saturday. Ramon Hernandez caught Chapman's first bullpen session Thursday.

Class A Dayton pitching coach Tony Fossas and Reds pitching coach Bryan Price stood behind Chapman during the session.

"Everybody knows about his power and everybody knows that he has to work on his command," Miller said. "Today was a command day, where he was going to try to throw it over the plate. I don't know how hard he is throwing. It's hard to tell when a guy is around the zone."

Overall, Chapman said he did not feel as strong as he felt Thursday but is pleased with the progress he is making. He is working on his mechanics, which is normal for pitchers at this point of the season.

"Nobody here is in midseason form," Price said. "He was missing down and away to the left-handed hitters because his shoulder would come open and he'd carry the ball to that side of the plate. But it's a quick adjustment and he understands right away what he needs to do. His aptitude is also what makes him special beyond just his ability to throw the ball."

Chapman will get another chance to show his stuff soon. He is scheduled to throw another bullpen Monday and face live hitters on Wednesday and Saturday. After facing live hitters, he'll likely throw at least one more bullpen before pitching in a game.

"What I'm looking forward to is watching him face live hitters and seeing how he goes about his business and the adjustments he makes when needed," Price said. "I want to see how he handles the running game and anything that happens in a game."

Chapman will be ready.

"I'm feeling a lot more comfortable here," he said. "I'm getting to know my teammates and getting closer to them."

Harang not assured Opening Day start
Starter of four straight Reds openers addressing mechanics

By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com

02/19/10 5:49 PM EST

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- For the last four years, there was no doubt or debate over who would be the Reds' No. 1 starter and the Opening Day pitcher.

It was always Aaron Harang, and his track record backed up the reasoning.

To manager Dusty Baker on Friday, that decision was still up in the air. He wasn't ready to name an ace of the rotation.

"I don't know," Baker said. "We have to talk about it -- what's best for him, what's best for us. He's big in our equation. We tried to keep everybody here because we feel they can still do the job."

The indecision is understandable this time around because Harang's track record has slipped off the tracks somewhat over the last two seasons.

"We're in a performance-based occupation, like most, but probably even more," Baker said. "It's a big responsibility being a No. 1, you know."

In both 2006 and 2007, Harang was under the radar to most nationally but won a team-leading 16 games each year while being among National League leaders in wins, innings, starts and strikeouts.

In 2008, Harang fell to 6-17 with a 4.78 ERA and was unable to reach 200 innings or 200 strikeouts with 184 1/3 innings and 153 strikeouts. He missed time on the disabled list with a right forearm injury. In 2009, he was 6-14 with a 4.21 ERA and was reduced to 162 1/3 innings and 142 K's because his season ended in August, when he needed to have his appendix removed. In 13 starts from May 30-Aug. 3, he suffered through a nine-game losing streak.

Had he not endured the season-ending surgery, Harang might have been able to salvage a better season. He was 1-2 with a 2.86 ERA in four August starts, which was his best month for all of 2009.

"The last two years have pretty much stunk for me," Harang said. "I've been out there trying to put up quality starts. I had some bad luck, got hurt two years ago and last year I had the appendix. I had stuff come up that was out of my control and shortened my season."

Not in Harang's control was a complete lack of run support from his lineup. In his 26 starts, the lineup averaged only 3.42 runs per game and scored two runs or fewer 12 times while twice being shut out.

But the lack of offense only answers a part of the question. Why did Harang experience such a drastic dropoff in performance?

"He's too good for that, No. 1. I think he lost some confidence, No. 2," Baker said. "If nothing is physically wrong, it's got to be mechanical or mental. That's where the confidence level comes in."

When it came to mechanics, new Reds pitching coach Bryan Price noticed some mechanical issues with Harang, and it was brought up during their initial phone call during the offseason.

It turned out both pitcher and coach were on the same page.

"The best possible thing happened," Price said. "I saw something, and when we talked, it was something he was already addressing.

"When I looked at his video, I noticed he was a short strider that didn't really get his legs involved a lot with his delivery. He was actually detached from the rubber. The ball was still in his hand, but his back foot was off the rubber. That's kind of his power source. When I called him this winter and asked what he was doing, he said he was working on his hip flexibility and mechanics and on being able to use his legs more to drive the ball through."

After being medically cleared to resume workouts at the end of the season, there were questions whether Harang would get to return to the Reds at all. Offseason rumors of a salary dump that prevailed in November mentioned that the contracts for Harang and Bronson Arroyo would be shed.

Harang, 31, is entering the final guaranteed season of his four-year, $36.5 million contract and is due to earn $12.5 million this year. There is a $12.75 million option for 2011 that carries a $2 million buyout.

"I know when you're headed to the last year of a contract, you get rumors flying around," Harang said. "It's going to be the same throughout this whole season. Until Aug. 31, anything can happen. I'm not worried about it. I am worried about trying to get us a win every fifth day and rooting our guys on the rest of the time."

Assuming Harang remains with the Reds for the whole season, Price was optimistic about the type of year he would have for Cincinnati.

"I know he is still physically capable of being an outstanding Major League starting pitcher," Price said. "I anticipate he will pitch very well this year. I always admired the way he goes about his business. He knows how to pitch and locate his fastball very well. He's a good competitor. I don't think any of that is gone. I think you might even see better stuff this year than in years past."

And just because Harang's name hasn't been written down in pen yet for Opening Day on April 5 vs. the Cardinals doesn't mean it won't be him in the end. Arroyo would be the most deserving option since he has led the team with 15 victories in each of the last two seasons. However, Arroyo has also made his preference known that he likes to pitch night games.

The other two possibilities, Johnny Cueto and Homer Bailey, likely haven't earned the honor yet because of their youth and lack of a track record. No Reds pitcher has started five straight Opening Days since Mario Soto from 1982-86.

While debate continues over who should be the ace and Opening Day starter, Harang isn't participating in the discussion.

"You know what? It's the last thing on my mind right now," Harang said. "It's up to Bake and Bryan. If that happens, great. It's an honor to get to start Opening Day. If I don't, it's not going to be the end of my world. I will leave that decision up to them."

[BBallin fool]

I Hope the Chapman move pays off!!!

[Orange and Brown]

I Hope the Chapman move pays off!!!

I think it will. I don't think you will see him in the rotation right off the bat, but I could see maybe by the all-star break.

[oldtrojan]

Finally.
Wife and I will be in Goodyear, Az; from march 16 thru the 24th. I can't wait. I will admit though, that I will miss our yearly spring trips to Sarasota, and tired old Ed Smith stadium. It was a great place to ago during the final days of a Northeast Pa., winter.

Your a lucky man!

Yes I am. This was my Christmas present from my wife!

[mhs95_06]

I like that Gomes is now signed.

[fuzzhead]

Yeah, I hope he can give some stability to the outfield. I also hope he can continue to pound lefties!

[BBallin fool]

Man I hope he's there before all star break???

[Orange and Brown]

If the pitching holds up we could have a good year. I don't think the Reds will vault to the top of the Central but I think they can hang in there this year.