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From: john smith on 27 Jun 2010 11:46
Sans Cordero and Herrera, the bullpen has shown a little sign of life
lately. Logan Odrusneck who has picked up 3 -4 mph on his fastball since
rejoining the team has helped out. Massett is even showing signs of
consistency over his last 6 starts. This is a good sign and with Bray
and possibly Chapman on the way, the bullpen might actually become a
positive in the near future.

The next 15 games are crucial to this team. The Reds must avoid the
cratering effect. They will have the Phillies seven times and the Mets
three times. If they can take care of business against the Tribe today,
I would be satisfied with an 8-7 over the next 15 games taking into
consideration the road games.

They must punish the Cubs on this road trip. This Cub team is playing
very bad baseball now and with the Zambrano suspension and fiasco in
effect, they are a team you can put right out of the race winning 3/4
from them. Then the Reds can just focus on battling one team the rest of
the way.

I like Baker playing Nix last night because Jonny Gomes isn't superman
and needs a breather once in awhile. JG needs to be spelled on a more
regular basis because this guy isn't used to playing everyday and the
more you play him without regular breaks will only eventually wear him
him down. Baker needs to give guys other than Rolen some time off too.
Dusty tends to play players into the ground, a definite negative in his
managing style.

Harang has been pitching okay as of late. He still scares me by putting
multiple runners on every inning but he seems to be wiggling out of a
lot of bad situations. His ERA has come down. I feel this is a mirage
and a perfect time for the Reds to move him for one decent reliever or
maybe a SS prospect or anything...

These next two weeks can be an exciting time to be a Red's fan. With
Volquez and Chapman due up shortly after this crucial road trip, things
could get quite interesting around here.

I sure hope this road trip doesn't crater them before the cavalry comes
calling! Lets hope there is meaningful baseball in Cincinnati past July
this year. That would be nice....

Oh, one last thing, how does a Zambrano trade grab you, if the Cubs were
willing to eat most of his salary? If you could have him for this year
and the next two at 6 or 7 million a year? Would you be willing to take
a take a flyer on him? The Cubs would probably be willing to give him
away at this point..... Carlos Z just might become a choir boy if he
came to the Reds and you just might catch lightning in the bottle? The
Cubs would have to eat a lot of the contract though. How does a Harang
and a prospect for Zambrano deal look? Not as farfetched as it would
have sounded a year ago...... Trades and moving players is all about
perception and timing. Zambrano has worn out his welcome in Chicago and
Harang could use a change in scenery.........

From: HTP on 27 Jun 2010 13:28
On Jun 27, 8:46 am, eddyg...(a)msn.com (john smith) wrote:
> Sans Cordero and Herrera, the bullpen has shown a little sign of life
> lately. Logan Odrusneck who has picked up 3 -4 mph on his fastball since
> rejoining the team has helped out. Massett is even showing signs of
> consistency over his last 6 starts. This is a good sign and with Bray
> and possibly Chapman on the way, the bullpen might actually become a
> positive in the near future.
>
> The next 15 games are crucial to this team. The Reds must avoid the
> cratering effect. They will have the Phillies seven times and the Mets
> three times. If they can take care of business against the Tribe today,
> I would be satisfied with an 8-7 over the next 15 games taking into
> consideration the road games.
>
> They must punish the Cubs on this road trip. This Cub team is playing
> very bad baseball now and with the Zambrano suspension and fiasco in
> effect, they are a team you can put right out of the race winning 3/4
> from them. Then the Reds can just focus on battling one team the rest of
> the way.  
>
> I like Baker playing Nix last night because Jonny Gomes isn't superman
> and needs a breather once in awhile. JG needs to be spelled on a more
> regular basis because this guy isn't used to playing everyday and the
> more you play him without regular breaks will only eventually wear him
> him down. Baker needs to give guys other than Rolen some time off too.
> Dusty tends to play players into the ground, a definite negative in his
> managing style.
>
> Harang has been pitching okay as of late. He still scares me by putting
> multiple runners on every inning but he seems to be wiggling out of a
> lot of bad situations. His ERA has come down. I feel this is a mirage
> and a perfect time for the Reds to move him for one decent reliever or
> maybe a SS prospect or anything...
>
> These next two weeks can be an exciting time to be a Red's fan. With
> Volquez and Chapman due up shortly after this crucial road trip, things
> could get quite interesting around here.
>
> I sure hope this road trip doesn't crater them before the cavalry comes
> calling! Lets hope there is meaningful baseball in Cincinnati past July
> this year. That would be nice....
>
> Oh, one last thing, how does a Zambrano trade grab you, if the Cubs were
> willing to eat most of his salary? If you could have him for this year
> and the next two at 6 or 7 million a year? Would you be willing to take
> a take a flyer on him? The Cubs would probably be willing to give him
> away at this point..... Carlos Z just might become a choir boy if he
> came to the Reds and you just might catch lightning in the bottle? The
> Cubs would have to eat a lot of the contract though. How does a Harang
> and a prospect for Zambrano deal look? Not as farfetched as it would
> have sounded a year ago...... Trades and moving players is all about
> perception and timing. Zambrano has worn out his welcome in Chicago and
> Harang could use a change in scenery.........

Do you realize how big Zambrano's contract is?

copied from Cots:

"
5 years/$91.5M (2008-12), plus 2013 vesting option

signed extension with Cubs 8/17/07
$5M signing bonus
08:$15M, 09:$17.75M, 10:$17.875M, 11:$17.875M, 12:$18M, 13:$19.25M
vesting player option

full no-trade clause
award bonus: $75,000 for All Star selection

Zambrano receives 2013 player option if he is first or second in 2011
Cy Young vote or if he finishes in top 4 in 2012 Cy Young vote and is
healthy at end of 2012
suspended indefinitely by Cubs 6/25/10
"

I dont think the Reds should pick up any part of that contract. We've
got some starting pitchers waiting at AAA and we're about to shed some
salary after this season. Then we have to start paying Votto, Bruce,
ect...

You really really hate Aaron Harang dont you.


From: Shawn on 27 Jun 2010 14:08
On Jun 27, 8:46 am, eddyg...(a)msn.com (john smith) wrote:
> Sans Cordero and Herrera, the bullpen has shown a little sign of life
> lately. Logan Odrusneck who has picked up 3 -4 mph on his fastball since
> rejoining the team has helped out. Massett is even showing signs of
> consistency over his last 6 starts. This is a good sign and with Bray
> and possibly Chapman on the way, the bullpen might actually become a
> positive in the near future.
>
> The next 15 games are crucial to this team. The Reds must avoid the
> cratering effect. They will have the Phillies seven times and the Mets
> three times. If they can take care of business against the Tribe today,
> I would be satisfied with an 8-7 over the next 15 games taking into
> consideration the road games.
>
> They must punish the Cubs on this road trip. This Cub team is playing
> very bad baseball now and with the Zambrano suspension and fiasco in
> effect, they are a team you can put right out of the race winning 3/4
> from them. Then the Reds can just focus on battling one team the rest of
> the way.  
>
> I like Baker playing Nix last night because Jonny Gomes isn't superman
> and needs a breather once in awhile. JG needs to be spelled on a more
> regular basis because this guy isn't used to playing everyday and the
> more you play him without regular breaks will only eventually wear him
> him down. Baker needs to give guys other than Rolen some time off too.
> Dusty tends to play players into the ground, a definite negative in his
> managing style.
>
> Harang has been pitching okay as of late. He still scares me by putting
> multiple runners on every inning but he seems to be wiggling out of a
> lot of bad situations. His ERA has come down. I feel this is a mirage
> and a perfect time for the Reds to move him for one decent reliever or
> maybe a SS prospect or anything...
>
> These next two weeks can be an exciting time to be a Red's fan. With
> Volquez and Chapman due up shortly after this crucial road trip, things
> could get quite interesting around here.
>
> I sure hope this road trip doesn't crater them before the cavalry comes
> calling! Lets hope there is meaningful baseball in Cincinnati past July
> this year. That would be nice....
>
> Oh, one last thing, how does a Zambrano trade grab you, if the Cubs were
> willing to eat most of his salary? If you could have him for this year
> and the next two at 6 or 7 million a year? Would you be willing to take
> a take a flyer on him? The Cubs would probably be willing to give him
> away at this point..... Carlos Z just might become a choir boy if he
> came to the Reds and you just might catch lightning in the bottle? The
> Cubs would have to eat a lot of the contract though. How does a Harang
> and a prospect for Zambrano deal look? Not as farfetched as it would
> have sounded a year ago...... Trades and moving players is all about
> perception and timing. Zambrano has worn out his welcome in Chicago and
> Harang could use a change in scenery.........

Zambrano has lost his stuff. if the reds could get him cheap for
bullpen help maybe, but harang is better right now.
From: john smith on 27 Jun 2010 14:16
It is not a matter of hating Harang. It is a business decision. At this
point in his career, he will never be more than a 5th starter on this
team considering his age, stuff, and the ballpark he pitches in. The
Reds are not going to pick up his option or sign him to a long term deal
at the end of the year.

So why not get something for him while you can? Considering he has
pitched relatively well over the past 5 weeks, why not take advantage
of this and deal him. It may benefit him as well, pitching in a more
spacious stadium? His trade value won't get any higher than it is now,
thanks to his recent surge.

From: tom dunne on 27 Jun 2010 14:37
On Jun 27, 2:16 pm, eddyg...(a)msn.com (john smith) wrote:
> It is not a matter of hating Harang. It is a business decision. At this
> point in his career, he will never be more than a 5th starter on this
> team considering his age, stuff, and the ballpark he pitches in. The
> Reds are not going to pick up his option or sign him to a long term deal
> at the end of the year.
>
> So why not get something for him while you can? Considering he has
> pitched relatively well over the past 5 weeks, why not take advantage
> of this and deal him. It may benefit him as well, pitching in a more
> spacious stadium? His trade value won't get any higher than it is now,
> thanks to his recent surge.

While I'm fine with trading Harang, I can't believe you'd rather have
a guy who starts fistfights in his own dugout. Are the Reds a better
team with Harang pitching every fifth day or with Zambrano punching
Votto in the face and getting suspended from the team?

Aside from adding a clubhouse cancer, have you looked at the numbers?
Harang is 6-7 with a 5.06 ERA, and Zambrano is 3-6 with a 5.66 ERA.
Chicago should be sending Cincy a prospect to take their problem
child, not the other way around.
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