This is how you build a team. You don't sign players that are older than the game itself. Jason Marquis, Ted Lilly, Andy Petitte, Roger Clemens? That's not how you build a winning team. This is.
The Reds are building a team through their farm system and good moves for budding superstars. The Red Sox last year were led by these players. They got David Ortiz for nothing before he was the best DH in the game. Jonathan Papelbon, Clay Buchholz, and Jon Lester all have had their time in Pawtucket. Jacoby Ellsbury has been a Sox since his minor league days. That's how you build a winning team. The Reds are doing this as well.
We all know Johnny Cueto. The media has declared him the next Nolan Ryan after his first start. Frankly, I don't blame them. He won his first game like no other current pitcher has. In seven innings, Cueto had 10 strikeouts, and only one earned run, a Justin Upton homer. He shut down the powerful lineup of the Diamondbacks and led the Reds to victory.
Right now, Rangers fans are about to riot in Arlington. That's because a former Ranger, Edinson Volquez, is tearing up the Phillies. Through 5 and a third innings, he has threw 8 strikeouts and only allowed 1 earned run. The Reds traded Josh Hamilton for Edinson Volquez this offseason. Volquez and Cueto are looking like future aces. Remember the Reds already have Aaron Harang at the top of the rotation and Bronson Arroyo, who had a 4.23 ERA last season. I'd say the staff is looking good.
As I previously mentioned, the Reds traded former number one pick Josh Hamilton to the Rangers this past year. Hamilton was a fan favorite and revived his career after a battle with drug and alcohol addiction. So why would the Reds trade a player like that? Because of a left fielder in Louisville named Jay Bruce. Jay Bruce was drafted 12th in 2005, and he's making 11 teams questioned their scouts. Last year, Jay Bruce destroyed pitchers in A, AA, and AAA. He hit 26 homer runs, 89 RBI, and had a .319 batting average in 133 games in the minors. Now, he's not on the team right now. That's mostly because if he plays another month in the minors, his arbitration is held off for a year. Adam Dunn(g) is in his final year of his contract, and he isn't resigning. Bruce will take over the duties in left field maybe even this year. He was the Baseball America Minor League Baseball Player of the Year last year, and he could be winning more awards for the Reds in a few years.
Guess what (chicken butt)? This isn't it. Remember Homer Bailey? The future ace of the staff. The guy who went 4-2 in the majors last year and struck out 77 batters in 68 innings in his stay in AA. He's being overshadowed now. Think of the pitching staff next year. Aaron Harang, Johnny Cueto, Bronson Arroyo, Homer Bailey, and Edinson Volquez. All of those guys are potential 15 game winners, and Cueto and Volquez will end this year with some major media attention.
And guess what again (chicken butt again)? There are some good young batters as well. Joey Votto has taken Scott Hatteberg's spot at first base and is a blossoming power hitter. The Kansas City Royals traded Jeff Keppinger, a shortstop they designated to AAA to the Reds for pitcher Russ Haltiwanger. In 6 games so far this year, he has 2 home runs. Good trade, Royals. Russ Haltiwanger doesn't even have a Wikipedia page.
With all of these young players, this is why I think the Cincinnati Reds will be the World Series champs in 2009. Their team should look like this:
Lineup
1-CF Corey Patterson
2-SS Jeff Keppinger
3-RF Ken Griffey, Jr.
4-2B Brandon Phillips
5-LF Jay Bruce
6-1B Joey Votto
7-3B Edwin Encarnacion
8-C Dave Ross
9-Pitcher
Bench
SS Alex Gonzalez
OF Norris Hopper
OF Ryan Freel
C David Ross
1B Tony Gutierrez (currently in AA)
Rotation
1. Aaron Harang
2. Johnny Cueto
3. Bronson Arroyo
4. Edinson Volquez
5. Homer Bailey
Bullpen
CL-Fransisco Cordero
SU-David Weathers
SU-Mike Lincoln
ML-Kent Mercker
ML-Jeremy Affeldt
ML-Todd Coffey
LR-Matt Belisle
I'm not overlooking this year. The Reds are 4-2 if they hold on today. They will win the NL Central easily and make it in the playoffs, where they could do some damage. However, whatever they do this year, it will be considered a down year by fans in 10 years when the next Big Red Machine takes control of the NL. The future is bright, all because they built through the organization. Are you listening, Cubbies? How about you Bombers? This is how you do it.
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Comments (19) Add A Comment
Good blog. I don't know much about the Reds, but they seem to do things like the Twins do.
0x NBA/NFL Champion
Saint Paul, MN
Total Comments (5072)
I really think the Reds are overlooked as a contender in the Central. There minor league program is doing great. Good blog.
Denis24
Total Comments (2679)
Yeah...um...how many big name signings did the Yankees make this offseason? That's right, el zilcho. Our starting rotation right now has two prospects, and that will be 3 once Joba joins in. Our oldest players are guys that have been on the Yankees their whole careers (Jeter, Rivera, Posada). So...what's your point?
Lifer: Metallica…
Total Comments (9689)
The Reds will contend, no doubt, but I really don't see them winning the NL Central.
Bronson Arroyo isn't a good pitcher. Bailey hasn't shown he can be one in the majors yet. Too early to say who will win the Central.
RHATER is Gone.
Total Comments (3468)
This is over a period of time. Kevin Brown is a notable. Carl Pavano wasn't old, but he was a crappy signing. What I'm saying is that the Yanks and Cubs try to buy their players and the Reds develop their talent.
RHater-Arroyo is a good pitcher. Last year he had no run support. With Keppinger, Votto, and Patterson, he does now. Arroyo would be a good fifth pitcher. Bailey is going to be a good starter. He's very young (I think 21), so a few more months in the minors will do him good. The Reds will win the division because the other 5 teams are mediocre at best. The Cubs and Brewers have no pitching or bullpen. The Cardinals are one of the least talented teams in the league right now. The Astros and Pirates just suck. The Reds are the most complete team in the division.
IrishR#1
Total Comments (8517)
LIFER-They made a big resigning, offering A-Rod all the money the US Mint will print next year, and they gave Mariano a way too big contract as well.
IrishR#1
Total Comments (8517)
So locking up their best players is, according to you, a bad move? Please don't ever become the Yankees GM.
Lifer: Metallica…
Total Comments (9689)
With all of these young players, this is why I think the Cincinnati Reds will be the World Series champs in 2009.
Just a little bit homer,lol.Go reds!
(Cincy)
Jamestown, OH
Total Comments (10951)
Good blog Irish
(Cincy)
Jamestown, OH
Total Comments (10951)
No. There is nothing wrong with locking them up, but the money was too much. Rivera's contract also should have been shorter. You don't have to worry about me becoming the Yanks GM. I would not work for Hank Steinbrenner. There's a reason the Reds are 4-2 against two playoff teams last year and the Yankees are 3-3 against the Jays and the Rays. The Reds are a better team than the Yankees because of young talent. Besides Cano and Cabrera, the fielding is older. The pitching staff will be pretty good when Pettitte and Mussina are gone to make room for Hughes and Joba. The Yankees will not make the playoffs this year because of bad contracts to Pettitte and Mussina.
IrishR#1
Total Comments (8517)
The Reds have the best young players in the league. Young players have won the past few WS besides the Cards.
IrishR#1
Total Comments (8517)
Excuse me, but lets not crown the Reds the model franchise of baseball just yet because they are currently 2 games over .500.
Coletrain
Total Comments (10830)
Agree with Cole.
And you think that the Reds have a good pitching rotation. And the Rays have the best young players in the league, by far. Keppinger, Votto, and Patterson will make the offense the best in the Central? Did you see how much depth the Brewers offense has? Hart, Braun, Hall, Fielder, Hardy, Weeks, etc.!
The Cardinals' group of young players is better so far than the Reds group. Cardinals are 5-1, Reds are 4-2. Kyle Lohse threw a shut out today! And had no earned runs in his other game! Wainwright went 8 innings yesterday, gave up 2 runs. Wellemeyer shut out the Rockies. WHAT HAS CINCY DONE SO FAR IN 2008 TO ALREADY CROWN THEM 2008 NL CENTRAL CHAMPS?
RHATER is Gone.
Total Comments (3468)
Good blog. I agree with Coletrain though.
The Reds aren't going to be champions of the NL Central this year, or next year. Look at the Brewers. They have so many great, young players. Hardy, Weeks, Hall, Bruan, Hart, Fielder, Gwynn Jr, Mike Rivera, and Matt LaPorta (currently in the minors). This team will do really well this year, and for years to come.
Dyhard
Germantown, WI
Total Comments (77832)
I'm not crowning them the model franchise. I'm crowning their scouts the model scouts and using them as an example. Notice I also mentioned the Red Sox. I'd say the Sawks are the model franchise, which is hard for me to say. The Reds are just doing it the right and successful way.
dyhard-The Brewers have some good young players, but I'm not convinced with their pitching.
This is a prediction. I say the Red Sox, Indians, Angels, Mariners, Braves, Reds, and D'backs are going to be in the playoffs with the D'backs winning it all. This is just one of my many outrageous predictions.
IrishR#1
Total Comments (8517)
Anyways the main part of this blog was just talking about the good young players the Reds have. The title was meant to be an attention getter drawing fans of the Cubs and Yankees. I guess it worked.
IrishR#1
Total Comments (8517)
This is complete nonsense. You contradict yourself throughout your entire blog. The main point of your blog as stated in the beginning was "building a team through the farm system", right? But out of the line-up you propose for 2009 you have 2 everyday players from your farm system, you have them as the Reds' 5 and 6 hitters. And you have 2 of 5 pitchers in your rotation from your farm system. So 4 players that you see making a huge impact and that is cause for celebration and praise of scouts. Everyone else was either traded for or picked up in free agency.
Now lets look at the Cubs. No doubt they have made some big signings and trades like the Reds. Picking up names like: Lee, Ramirez, Fukudome and Soriano. But look at what there farm system has produced, big names like Wood and Zambrano. Pitchers: Marmol, Hill, and Hart. Everyday players: Soto, Pie, Cedeno, and Theriot.
Cubs scouts are doing just fine right now, they have done a great job of bringing talent up over the past 8 years.
gocubsgo100
Charleston, SC
Total Comments (2)
All I say is, Dusty will overuse these young pitchers (can I say Wood & Prior!!)
bongski
Total Comments (7)
Yeah, thanks for that Dusty.
I would also argue that the Brewers, Rockies, and D'Backs have better young talent than the Reds. And in the case of D'Backs and Rockies, their young talent has helped produce playoff series wins.
gocubsgo100
Charleston, SC
Total Comments (2)
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