By kingrichards

September 15, 2009 7:03 AM | Link to this

Hello just thought I’d say hello, this is my first time using any kind of forum. I’m 25 from Sydney Australia, been training for about 4 years, pretty hard for the past year and a half. I’m about 5’8 and weigh 101kg currently bulking and hoping to compete earliest May 2010 as a novice. My main aim is to come in as conditioned as possible, this will be hard as I have never done this and I’m pretty scared/nervous but I know I can do it. So yeah that’s a bit about me thanks for reading Quads

By fookyNorn

August 19, 2009 9:03 AM | Link to this

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By Joel

December 23, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this

News of Barry Larkin to MLB network brings up a very important topic. Is he a Hall of Famer? Barry Larkin was far and away my favorite Red of all time. Each and every summer, I would go to the ballpark with my Dad and sit wherever we could get seats, Red, Green, or Blue. In 2004, after his 19th season with the team, Barry Larkin retired. Five years have since passed, which means next year will be the first time Barry will be eligible to be voted into the Hall of Fame. Is he going to make it or is he destined to be sent to Cooperstown Shortstop Purgatory with Alan Trammell and our beloved Dave Concepcion? Let’s dive into the numbers: G: 2180 R: 1329 H: 2340 2B: 441 3B: 76 HR: 198 RBI: 960 BB:939 SO: 817 SB: 379 CS: 77 OBP: 371 SLG: .444 AVG: .295 Now maybe those numbers don’t jump off the page as a HOF shoe-in but this is a guy who led his team to a wire-to-wire season, upsetting the heavily favored Oakland A’s in the World Series, won an MVP award in 1995, had the first 30/30 season ever for a SS in 1996, went to the All Star game 11 times in 13 years, won nine Silver Slugger awards, and won 3 Gold Gloves. What? He only won 3 gold gloves? Impossible, he was the best defensive shortsop of his era! Unfortunately for Barry, a wizard named Ozzie was in the process of winning 13 consecutive gold gloves during the beginning of Larkin’s prime which also coincided with Ozzie’s twilight; by the end of the streak, most of the awards were given to him purely based on name. I have little faith that Larkin will be a first ballot HOFer, but in the era of steriods, free agency, and Marge Schott, we need to push for number 11 to be remembered in bronze. globalredsfans.blogspot.com

By JD

December 15, 2008 10:25 PM | Link to this

Good addition of veteran leadership. Reds don’t need to sell the whole team to get 1 guy. I think the best thing to do is develop the young guys and let them compete against each other so the best homegrown players play. That’s how Votto got here. Same for Jeter and the Yanks. Heck, the Yanks developed so many guys…posada, rivera, bernie williams, wang, cano, pettite, and joba chamberlain. The rays did the same thing. So do the marlins and the phillies. For the phillies, look at utley, rollins, hamel, howard, and victorino. Time for the reds to develop some other guys to go along with bruce and votto. Personally, I think getting rid of griffey and dunn took way too long and it was way past overdue. Reds don’t need players (like Dye or Burrell) that don’t want to be here. Let them go to the highest bidder by the super turd scott boras.

By Howiej

December 14, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this

I think the main problem isn’t the opinion, yet the way it is delivered. Let’s faces it, some people are flat out rude. If we didn’t have an opinion then these blogs and message boards wouldn’t work. As for the whole Gm, world series comment. Remember this, we live in a tech age. Jim just posted the online game. But don’t forget the hundred diffrent video games that feature GM career, or Dynasty mode. Some think it is as easy as that. Obviously it’s not. So I don’t think it’s fair to throw everyone under the bus that doesn’t agree with the moves made or has thier own little trade idea or ways they think would improve the team, no matter how crazy they may be. It goes back to the delivery, if all would just think before they post and lay off the cheap shots, we’d all have a lot more fun and we’d be able to say crazy things like, “How about we trade David Weathers for David Price.”

By mike cahill

December 14, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this

Just because we don’t go around bragging about the world series teams we assembled doesn’t mean we haven’t.

By Y-City Jim

December 14, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this

Here’s a game for all of us wannabe GMs: http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/cms/index.php?page=ootp-baseball

By Mike-Dayton

December 14, 2008 9:44 AM | Link to this

That’s right Gerald, nice logic, we’ve never done any of those things so we can’t possibly have an opinion or thought on the moves the Reds are making. Baseball is like physics, it’s just sooooo difficult to figure out … grow up Peter Pan … there’s probably a blog somewhere for you where you can post things like “good job boss” or “I agree cause you’re in charge” or “golly I’ve never owned a house before so I wouldn’t have a clue how to cut grass”. Ok big boy.

By Gerald Kinser

December 14, 2008 7:55 AM | Link to this

I’ve been wondering where all you whiners and negative people on here got your baseball degree. Every move made by the front office is critized to death here. My take is Jock and Baker have forgotten more about how to build and run a major League team than all you naysayers will ever know. Jock and Dusty both have track records as winners. McCoy has seen more baseball games and players than any 10 people on this blog combined. I’d trust Hal’s judgement more than any of yours.Some questions for all of you complainers. How many World Series teams have you assembled? How many games have you won as an MLB Manager? How many awards from your peers have you won as a Sports Reporter? The silence is deafening.

By howiej

December 13, 2008 4:37 PM | Link to this

Joel, I hope you’re right. I personally root for Kep, but I dunno. He might not have the range to start at SS.

By Joel

December 13, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this

Reasons why I love Jeff Keppinger and want him to start at SS this year: 1. His last name gives him a great baseball nickname - Keppy 2. He plays hurt. Last year he was not even close to 100% when he came back from his knee injury, but he knew that the team literally had no one else to turn to so he played through the pain. It led to him having a subpar season at the plate but he gave his all and never complained once. 3. His chemistry with BP is amazing. Watch some tape of those guys turning two, it is a thing of beauty. 4. I met his agent once, great guy who played ball at Texas and a rode the buses in the minors for a few years. Players who are represented by former players and not by scum like Scott Boras hold a special place in my heart. 5. He is only 28. He is just now entering the prime of his career and plays with a chip on his shoulder because he has never really been given a chance to start full time. Give him his shot and I guarantee no one will be disappointed. globalredsfans.blogspot.com

By Save america

December 13, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this

So far, the Reds have lost a lot more than they have replace. I would rather they go after talented young undeveloped players and build for the future. They keep going after players on the down side of their careers.It appears they can not afford a player proven, in their prime so why not stock pile numbers of young affordable players.

By Mike-Cinci

December 13, 2008 3:19 PM | Link to this

I agree Phillips needs to bat lower in order…probably 6th. His OBP was awful in 2008. He needs to be more selective and go more to the opposite field. The 30 HR’s in 2007 made him think he was a power guy. I still like Rivera for the right hand hitter outfield job. He has had injury problems the last couple of years. I think he still has some upside. He is 30 however so it is now or never.

By Mike-Dayton

December 13, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this

Stating that EE had his “second best offensive season ever” makes no sense at all. His has been a full-time player for only two seasons … in 2006 he only had around 400 AB … so even if you give him 2006 as a third year, to state he has his second best season ever is meaningless.

By Y-City Jim

December 13, 2008 2:08 PM | Link to this

EE is fine. He has his 2nd best season offensively as a MLB. It wasn’t his fault the Reds couldn’t get runners on in front of him (or anyone else for that matter). Phillips should be in the five spot. His weak OBP keeps from consideration to being higher in the order. Bailey should work in long relief so that Dick Pole can continue to work with him. Pole made some strides with helping him regain his velocity when he came up the 2nd time.

By howiej

December 13, 2008 1:15 PM | Link to this

Mike- agreed. Homer is a thrower not a pitcher. For anyone who thinks diffrent check out www.drivelinemechanics.com and peak at the Homer Baily anlysis.

By howiej

December 13, 2008 1:11 PM | Link to this

That is why we need to sign a big bat, to get BP out of the four hole and hopefully back to 07 form when he hit the ball to the other way. BP is not a four hole hitter on any team in the majors, except, for some odd reason, ours. He will go back hitting second and hopefully he will regain form and stop goin for 30/30.

By Rick

December 13, 2008 11:12 AM | Link to this

If we sign a big bat and put him in the #4 hole, what will the rest of the lineup look like. Where do you bat Phillips?

By Mike-Cinci

December 13, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this

Homer Bailey needs to learn how to throw a breaking ball for a strike and throw his fastball where he wants to. At this point he can do neither. Homer needs to work on his craft. Does he have the discipline and work ethic to do it? The jury is still out on this. We will find out this year or next. This is a key year for EE. He has good potential. History says players at his age with his experience either make a major step up or prove they can’t get any better. EE has a very quick bat. He should get better. We will soon see. He is worth holding onto to find out.

By Howiej

December 13, 2008 9:06 AM | Link to this

If Homer bailey pitches in the 8th inning, we better either be up or down by six runs. Are you serious? The guy can’t throw strikes. I would not trust him in any tight situation. Why do we still wear Homer blinders?

By Gary Maloy Jr.

December 13, 2008 2:37 AM | Link to this

Hal - I’m just wondering… Have the Reds considered converting Homer Bailey into reliever? With his fastball, he’d probably make a good closer in a couple years time. Let him close in Louisville this year. Next year, he can be one of the table setters for CoCo. Then he can take the 9th inning when the spot becomes available. We needn’t trade him if we can find room for him the Reds future. Right?

By Y-City Jim

December 12, 2008 10:11 PM | Link to this

I see the Reds are expected to non-tender Bellisle and Majewski.

By howiej

December 12, 2008 8:17 PM | Link to this

Just going by what I read, from Mcoys blog in April: Krivsky kept quiet about pitcher Rheal Cormier and it was thought the Reds had to eat his salary when they released him. But when the Reds traded outfielder Chris Denorfia to Oakland the A’s agreed to pay Cormier’s $2 million, “And, actually, with interest we got $2.08 million,” said Krivsky. Take it how you want…

By Justin

December 12, 2008 8:05 PM | Link to this

Howiej, Your comments really don’t make a lot of sense. The Reds ate Cormier’s contract, but in the Dino/McBeth trade they got the money to cover his contract, but I am pretty sure Krivksy didn’t say to Beane “You should really send me a couple million dollars so I can cover Cormier’s contract”. Also you guys over value batting average, and undervalue home runs and obp. Last season EE OBP was down a little, it was .340 but his career OBP is .346. He also had the highest slugging percentage of .466, compared to his career average of .455. He made up for his drop in OBP by making his hits more productive (more doubles, triples, home runs). He also had a career high 61 walks (in 146 games), compared to his previous career high of 39 walks in 2007 over the course of 139 games. That shows that he is becoming a more patient hitter, taking more pitches, working the count, and if he doesn’t see a pitch he likes he will take a walk (which is better than striking out or grounding out weakly to the shortstop). It also means that he is more likely to get a good pitch to hit, which will result in an increase in extra base hits, because he is getting better pitches, so he is more than likely hitting the ball harder. His average dropped, but what kind of measuring stick is batting average? Last season Phillips had a slightly better average of .261, but only had a .312 OBP. Phillips slugging percentage was still over .400, but I am guessing that will drop unless he learns to take a pitch, because if you are a pitcher, and you have a hitter who will swing at anything, why would you throw him a strike? Chances are if you throw balls slightly off the plate he will probably get himself out.

By howiej

December 12, 2008 6:54 PM | Link to this

If you go back in Archives you’ll find the Reds didn’t eat Cormier’s contract. Oakland paid it when we sent them Dino, according to WK. Plus I’m pretty sure lefties weren’t hitting .158 or somehwere around that when he came to Cincy. You need a mix of Vets and youngsters in the pen.

By Joel

December 12, 2008 5:47 PM | Link to this

With Arthur Rhodes passing his physical today, I would like to invoke the name of Rheal Cormier. A couple of years ago, we signed an aging Lefty specialist under the assumption that he could in fact get out Left Handed hitters, we were sadly mistaken. As it is we ended up eating his contract (which if I recall was approximately $2 mil per year) and he was never heard from again. I hope this time around ownership understands that if you are only going to put in a guy to basically pitch to at most one batter per game, you better be able to get that one guy out.

By Y-City Jim

December 12, 2008 5:17 PM | Link to this

In fact, the perception of EE having a down year offensively draws attention to the Reds biggest problem, which is getting people on base. The OBP was .321. The only only year this decade with a lower OBP was 2003 when the Reds went 69-93. The Reds need to be more patient at the plate. That will take a different philosophy than we saw last year, and if they are going to acquire players from outside the current organization be sure to get ones that have a reputation of plate discipline. I’m all for the big RBI guy but he can’t be a big RBI guy when he get scant opportunity to drive in runs.

By Y-City Jim

December 12, 2008 5:07 PM | Link to this

Edwin Encarnacion really didn’t have a down year. His OPS+ was the 2nd best of his MLB career. His RBI total was down because of significantly fewer RISP opportunities. Strike outs were up by 16 K’s but he play in 17 more games than 2007. The only big drop I saw was in his numbers against RHed pitching. He had a .905 OPS against lefties. They pretty much wouldn’t pitch to him.

By howiej

December 12, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this

I must have just been blinded by the homeruns, sorry fellas. Anyhow.. I’ll take .280, 20, 80 from EeE which I think is highly possible. If he would just balance out his offensive stats from 07 and 08 in 09, then he will be highly productive. To do that, he has to shorten up his swing, esp. with a pitchers count.

By Dyehard

December 12, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this

Yeah, off year offensively for EE. I expect improvements in all categories for him next year as long as he is not put in a platoon situation. The key will be how he starts the season. He is notoriously a slow starter.

By bobs

December 12, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this

What is Justin’s post about? Cant figure out who he is talking about. Howiej, EE’s numbers are actually going down, BA, down, RBI’s down, HR’s up, Strikeouts up.

By Y-City Jim

December 12, 2008 2:59 PM | Link to this

I think it is similar to a TrunkMonkey. :D

By Mo

December 12, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this

What the H* is a Shockmonkey?

By Y-City Jim

December 12, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this

I tend to agree that Dick Pole has done an adequate job. He even started to makes some strides with Homer Bailey. Bailey credits him with refining his delivery and regaining the 96 mph fastball.

By Dyehard

December 12, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this

Wow, so much to address. I’m not a fan of signing 40 yr olds, but when it comes to lefties, a 40 yr is equivilent to a 32 yr old righty. Old LH specialists can flourish, just look at Jesse Orosco. Yeah, the Reds have had some bad signings of older players, but have also had good ones…Weathers, and Mercker when healthy to name a few. As for addressing the Reds as “we,” well what’s wrong with that? Some fans, myself included, are die hards. We live and die, eat and breath the Reds. My mood has swung at times depending on the outcome of Reds games. So I will continue to say “we” when addressing the Reds. EE has lots of potential. Yeah he has an erratic arm, but he has been one of the Reds (our) best clutch hitters since he came up. Maybe Justin can look up his AVG with RISP. And Justin, just because you recently read “Moneyball” by Michael Lewis doesnt mean that the light switch was recently turned on and that these stats have magically appeared. BABIP is a very subjective stat. It involves estimating the likelyhood of a fielder catching a ball in the field. It’s like saying that from reading your post, there’s a 85% chance that you’re probably a jerk, but in actuallity you are not.

By Mike-Cinci

December 12, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this

Greg Maddux with 355 wins said Dick Pohl was the best pitching coach he ever had and was the most important influence on him over his career. Pohl seems to be doing a good job with Volquez, Burton, and Lincoln. Harang has blossomed under him. The Reds have more promising pitching today than any time over the last 20 years. Pohl was not part of lost years under Bowden. Pohl does not sign players. He coaches them when they get to the majors. Overall he is a solid coach. I’ll take the word of Greg Maddux who knows more about pitching and what it takes to succeed than any of us.

By Joel

December 12, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this

Off topic obviously, but one more OF has been taken off the market for the Reds. Not that we were going to sign a guy that was asking over $10 mil per year but the market has been set now. Ibanez got $30 mil over 3 years from the Phillies. Burrell’s connection with Philly has officially been severed but is probably looking for a similar deal that his former team gave his replacement. Now that the dominoes have started to fall, does Dunn now go to Washington for something like $36 mil/3 years? globalredsfans.blogspot.com

By Mike-Dayton

December 12, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this

Pete - I don’t know how many brain cells you have but I am confused as to what a “complete roundturn” is? Is it more of a roundturn than just a normal roundturn? Can one make an incompete roundturn? If so, which direction are they pointing relative to where they started? If you can access some of your remaining brain cells and clarify, it would be great. Thanks for the help.

By michael

December 12, 2008 8:13 AM | Link to this

Rhodes was good last year, but he is another “old” guy that will hold them over for another year. If we build a team that can compete this year, then he is a good pick- up. Otherwise, its another day at the office of the Cincinnati Reds.

By Dumbledore

December 12, 2008 7:46 AM | Link to this

Good signing. Not every signing has to be a home run…you just need to make solid contact, and this is a solid contact-type signing. A lefty-specialist fills an important role…we have a nice, talented mix in the ‘pen.

By Pete

December 12, 2008 7:38 AM | Link to this

Yo Dragon….Yeah, a wasted signing. Remember Cormier? Mercker? How’d they pan out, huh? Old, crafty situational lefties, specialists w/ proven track records. THEY WERE OLD & WASHED UP WHEN THE REDS BROUGHT THEM IN YOU IDIOT! & while Affeldt was a bit younger than those two hacks, he wasn’t much of a world beater, either. I’ll believe in Rhodes when I see it happen. Addressing the negativity from some….let’s get real, folks. This organization needs a complete roundturn & continually bringing in old, past their prime hacks liked they’ve done for so many years isn’t going to cut it. Go back & do your homework on some of the clowns the Reds gotten from have signed or traded for in the past 10-15 yrs, the veterans who had proven track records, blah, blah, blah. Then come back & tell me how many brain cells I don’t have.

By MAC

December 12, 2008 12:43 AM | Link to this

Well, I’m certainly no GM, but it appears to me the Reds are building the same team they had last yr? Maybe I’m wrong, but it really sours me as a fan to watch a team spend 2M on this old guy, 3.5 on another part time player, 8+M on an avg player…ect, ect and then say we don’t have the money to spend on a “real player” like Dye or Rios or even Ankiel next season. IMO, the Reds need a young proven player to play along side their young core. I don’t think Dye or Hernandez are that guy? IMO, the Reds keep Votto, Phillips, Cueto and Volquez and use any and everyone else to find another great young player to build around.

By SI and Ritter

December 11, 2008 10:12 PM | Link to this

We need more posters like Shockmonkey, Howie and Reds Fan. I agree too many neg’s posting. And Reds Fan, oh you hit my pet peeve, agree with you on the “we” crap. Must be a lot of people whoare owners of the Reds, ha ha

By DAVE

December 11, 2008 10:04 PM | Link to this

OMG! Hold your nose! Mr. Negative painful hemorrhoid is back from his hiding place under the toilet. Never anything good to say about ANYTHING! Constantly b*tches on every DDN blog. The guy’s a loser & a windbag!

By ShockMonkey

December 11, 2008 8:55 PM | Link to this

Last season for the Mariners and Marlins, the 39-year-old Rhodes was 4-1 with a 2.04 ERA in 61 games. After a July 31 trade to Florida, he posted a 0.68 ERA in 25 games. A situational lefty, Rhodes held left-handed hitters to a .157 (11-for-70) average…any more questions from the Village Idiots? He’ll face lefties. Get it? A good signing now quit your complaining and the next moron who gives Hal crap should be banned! Stop being so negative!

By howiej

December 11, 2008 8:17 PM | Link to this

61 innings, 4-1, 2.05 era, that is really all I need to know. Since he is a specialist I’ll assume he pitched in a lot of tight situtions. Why don’t all you people who think they know it all get a degree then your masters and apply for Walt Jocketty’s job. Until then offer some real baseball talk or take the first bus outta here.

By petes dragon

December 11, 2008 8:11 PM | Link to this

wasted signing? Pete has wasted too many brain cells, probably didnt have many to begin with.

By Justin

December 11, 2008 8:11 PM | Link to this

Since you don’t respond to comments… In your next blog entry please defend you last article. You still look at wins as if they are the only way to evaluate a pitcher. There are so many better stats, WHIP, ERA, ERA+, look at his BABIP to see if he had the fortune of good luck on batted balls in play, or if it seemed that he had bad luck with a lot of seeing eye singles. Wins don’t tell you anything about a pitcher accept his luck. Yeah a 300 game winner probably had more than luck working for him, but to look at any single season for a pitcher and judge it by wins is a terrible way to go about it. You have been covering baseball for 30 years. How many times have you seen a guy throw 8 great innings, of 2, 1, or 0 run baseball? To see the offense get shutout, resulting in a loss, or the closer come in and blow it in the 9th so the starter received a no decision? A pitchers win and loss record measure the defense that was behind him, the offense that was supposed to support him, the opposing pitcher, and his teams bullpen. Don’t try and say that some pitchers “pitch to the score”, or they “just know how to win”… Why not try to look at baseball in a new way? That is part of the reason your industry is dying. Blogs like Redreporter.com have modern analysis, where you still cling to your “old school” philosophy. Hal I used to think you wrote the gospel, until I found a new way to measure a players abilities. Do you even know what VORP is, or ERA+, OPS+ etc?

By red

December 11, 2008 8:09 PM | Link to this

So far so good - got rid of a dim texas alcoholic (Freel) and got a tough catcher and a solid lefty to eat some innings. ps-pop a vein in your foreheads arizona-loser and pete! lol!

By Howiej

December 11, 2008 8:00 PM | Link to this

Why are people so stuck on age? It’s pretty obvious the guy can still pitch, check out last years stats. Have you ever heard of Jamie Moyer or do you even watch baseball?

By Howiej

December 11, 2008 8:00 PM | Link to this

Why are people so stuck on age? It’s pretty obvious the guy can still pitch, check out last years stats. Have you ever heard of Jamie Moyer or do you even watch baseball.

By RedsFan

December 11, 2008 7:52 PM | Link to this

Too many negative post in this blog. All the neggies need to take their crap elsewhere. Another thing, so many people who post say “we need this or we should do that”. Unless you are employed by the reds it is not “we” it is the reds need this or should do that. Get it!

By painfultruth

December 11, 2008 7:50 PM | Link to this

The Reds? Wow, I didn’t know Cincinnati still had any professional sports teams. Amazing!

By Mike

December 11, 2008 7:42 PM | Link to this

Just what the Reds needed..a 39 year old..Pete’s right..wasted signing.

By DAVE

December 11, 2008 6:52 PM | Link to this

Steve Schulte? There can’t be more than one Steve Schulte in Dayton? I worked w/a guy by that name @ EFM.

By Howiej

December 11, 2008 6:05 PM | Link to this

I like the idea of Bradley, although he’s prone to injury- both physical and mental. But he did make strides in Texas last year with the mental part. Who would you rather have Dye or Bradley?

By Ridnaway

December 11, 2008 5:56 PM | Link to this

Good move after the loss of Affeldt and basically for the same money Affeldt was already getting. I bet San Francisco’s GM is scratching his head about now. Now lets go get Milton Bradley!

By Gary Maloy Jr.

December 11, 2008 5:50 PM | Link to this

doc, your man, Dick Pole has been here for two years. Certainly, you’re not blaming him for the Reds not developing pitchers since Tom Browning?! Seems like blame can be placed with Marge Schott, Ol’ Leatherpants and several others, but not Pole! Besides, what about “K”ueto? Seems like he was developed by the Reds. Uh?

By MJ

December 11, 2008 5:28 PM | Link to this

Arthur “The American/Red Dream” Rhodes should improve the bullpen unless he degresses. Nothing indicates that he will but I for one eagerly wait to see him in the spring. This is a good signing by Jocketty and I hope he’s still got more to come. Still need that OF depth and bat.

By Howiej

December 11, 2008 5:11 PM | Link to this

Kep replaces EE, seriousley? Say what you want about EE, but if he learned to cotrol that throw to 1st more then no one would say a thing bc the kid has got great range and his bat gets better every year.

By doc

December 11, 2008 4:53 PM | Link to this

I agree with Dave. Just like it makes no difference who the Bungles draft, play, release, post bond for, etc, as long as Mikey is running the team, it makes no difference what pitchers the Reds run out there as long as Dick Pole is coachin’ em up… We haven’t developed a pitcher here since Tom Browning….

By doc

December 11, 2008 4:52 PM | Link to this

I agree with Dave. Just like it makes no difference who the Bungles draft, play, release, post bond for, etc, as long as Mikey is running the team, it makes no difference what pitchers the Reds run out there as long as Dick Pole is coachin’ em up… We haven’t developed a pitcher here since Tom Browning….

By Mike-Cinci

December 11, 2008 4:49 PM | Link to this

Rhodes is a situational lefty who had a 2.04 ERA in 2008. This is very good and better than any ERA on the Reds staff in 2008. There are no lefty’s in the Reds system which the potential to deliver this kind of number. This is known as an upgrade. Improving the bullpen is a good idea. Good move by GM Jocketty.

By baffled

December 11, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this

the youth movement at the end of the season was great, now we are signing 35 and 40 yr old players?Let the young continue to progress, we finally got rid of Griffey, and Dunn which needed to be done 4 years earlier. feel like the time has come for EEE to go. (Edwin Error Encarn) play Kepp at 3rd if Gonzo is healthy….we have to focus on what we have because we are not going to make any blockbuster deals to make vast improvement(i.e. Yankees)and that is no guaruntee….BULLPEN,Bullpen, Bullpen…. i would love to know how many games we have blown after the 7th inning the past 2 seasons..in 08 we didnt have the lead often but 07 wwe blew a lot of games…….sorry kinda started rantin.

By baffled

December 11, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this

the youth movement at the end of the season was great, now we are signing 35 and 40 yr old players?Let the young continue to progress, we finally got rid of Griffey, and Dunn which needed to be done 4 years earlier. feel like the time has come for EEE to go. (Edwin Error Encarn) play Kepp at 3rd if Gonzo is healthy….we have to focus on what we have because we are not going to make any blockbuster deals to make vast improvement(i.e. Yankees)and that is no guaruntee….BULLPEN,Bullpen, Bullpen…. i would love to know how many games we have blown after the 7th inning the past 2 seasons..)* we didnt have the lead often but 07 wwe blew a lot of games…….sorry kinda started rantin.

By Gary Maloy Jr.

December 11, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this

Kevin, Dusty Rhodes played for the New York Giants in the (umm…) 1951 World Series (the one better known for Willie Mays’ incredible catch-and-throw from deep center at the Polo Grounds.) He was only a pinch hitter, but he homered a couple times. Hell, I’ll take Dusty Rhodes if he carries us to the Series. (Tongue firmly planted in left cheek.) My take on leftfield? Not Burrell, please. Actually, if we’re going with youth, let’s see what Yonder does against MLB pitching in the spring and start fazing him into the infield. If he can handle it, then we can ask the ultimate professional, Joey Votto, to take responsibility for leftfield. Pete Rose changed position 5 times and made the All-Star game from each position. Votto is employed by the Reds. It doesn’t mean he owns first base. If 1st base belongs to Votto, then let’s roll Yonder Alonzo over - trade him with a couple others for Alex Rios, for example. I mean, if 2010 is what we’re shooting for, let’s get the kids up and let them play. Thoughts? Oh, and dwr - the new bullpen addition may well be the Rhodes we need to take ;-)

By Kevin

December 11, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this

He`ll be Dustys favorite lefty this year….Dusty Rhodes. I know…that was weak at best!

By steve schulte

December 11, 2008 3:21 PM | Link to this

The Reds got exactly what they needed: an experienced left-handed relief specialist. I’m sure the deciding factor was the 2 year deal. Most clubs wouldn’t want to give a 38 year 2 years.

By Pete

December 11, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this

Wasted signing.

By Johnny Baugh

December 11, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this

Rhodes is a perfect “situational lefty” pick up! As I recall, Bray tended to walk the lefty more times than not when he was in those situations.

By DAVE

December 11, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this

If they get rid of the guy with the dreadful name (dare I speak it? Dick Pole) then you’d be hearing some boing boing boing…in my pants b’cause I’d be THAT excited for the Reds. They need new coaches as Pole and Jacoby are massive massive failures (the likes of which we ain’t seen since Bush./Cheney)

By BC Rockhead

December 11, 2008 2:46 PM | Link to this

C’mon Hal! I don’t hear the trampoline going ‘boing boing boing’ or the bell ringing! Frankly, I’d get more excited about the addition of a dynamic pitching coach. -BC ROCKHEAD

By Tony B

December 11, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this

Boo. Rhodes was washed up 3 years ago. 2 mil a year? Do not believe the hype … . .

By Craig

December 11, 2008 2:12 PM | Link to this

The Reds could sign last years Cy Young Award winner and find a way to screw him up.I mean c’mon look at the history of Red’s pitching.

By brian

December 11, 2008 2:12 PM | Link to this

Rhodes basically replaces Affeldt, who I wasn’t too fond of. I expect Rhodes will do a much better job.

By ac

December 11, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this

I think this is a good move because we need a hard throwing lefty in the bullpen and this is what he is. Him or Burton infront of CoCo will mean more wins for starters

By Howiej

December 11, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this

Yeah, what team needs a left handed specialist who pitched in 61 games and had an ERA under 2.50 anyways, lol. C’mon any addition like this is a good one.

By dwr

December 11, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this

Allow me to be the first to say, “Rhodes, where we’re going we don’t need Rhodes…”