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Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy is in his 36th year of covering the Cincinnati Reds, the longest tenure for any active writer covering one team. Counting spring training and postseason games, McCoy has covered more than 7,000 major-league baseball games, written close to 18,000 baseball stories and eaten enough hot dogs to give Babe Ruth indigestion.Home > Blogs > The Real McCoy | Cincinnati Reds baseball news > Archives > 2008 > December > 27 > Entry
Taveras believes he can do better
Willy Taveras didn’t have a spectacular season with the 2008 Colorado Rockies, hitting only .251 with an on base average of .308.
Those are not glossy numbers for a leadoff hitter. And it makes the fact that he stole 68 bases in 75 tries just short of spectacular.
As the new center fielder and leadoff hitter for the Cincinnati Reds, signed to a two-year contract Saturday, Taveras believes he can do better.
And so does Jamie Quirk, a new member of the Reds front office who watched Taveras last year while Quirk was a bench coach for the Rockies.
In fact, it was Quirk who pushed Reds general manager Walt Jocketty toward acquiring the 27-year-old Dominican.
“We tried to do a trade with Colorado for Taveras earlier, but it didn’t work out,” said Jocketty. “When the Rockies didn’t tender him (offer him a contract after the season), we called his agent and got this done.”
About his fallen batting average and on base percentage in 2008, Jocketty said, “Jamie Quirk believes Willy got away from his game plan. He needs to bunt more and keep the ball on the ground and get some infield hits. I don’t know if he tried to hit home runs, or what, but Jamie think he changed his approach and that we can get him back to where he was in 2007 (.320 batting average in 2007 over 97 games with a .367 on base average 33 stolen bases in 42 attempts).”
Taveras doesn’t believe playing in Coors Field changed his game, “Just that things didn’t work out and I know I can do better and will do better.”
He likes the fact Quirk is with the Reds on his side.
“Jamie knows me and knows my game and he worked a lot with me,” said Taveras. “We get along real well and he helped me a lot. He kept after me to stay on top of my game.”
Of more import to Taveras is the fact he’ll be playing for manager Dusty Baker, who called him to consider signing with the Reds.
“I’ve heard from plenty of guys about how good it is to play for Dusty,” said Taveras. “You know he is in charge and he lets you do what you do best. And I’m told he never has any problems with his players. I’m really looking forward to playing for the Reds and for Dusty Baker.
“I’ll play hard and do what I can do to help the team win and I know it is a young team and I believe I can help it.”
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Comments
By Wayne Lackey
January 23, 2009 3:54 AM | Link to this
Same old story-Promises then Broken Promises-For the past 15 years the promise of getting the “right” players in to put a winning team on the field. And it doesn’t/hasn’t happened, that’s the way it is and will stay for the Cincinnati Reds.AWFUL!By michael
January 3, 2009 10:43 AM | Link to this
Scott, I agree that they are a long way from contending, but they don’t have to be. As long as they continue to pick up players like Tavares, and stick with mediocre at best Gonzo at SS they won’t compete. We need some excitement and clutch players. If you look at Cory Patterson’s career stats, he wasn’t that bad. He was not the answer and he did have a terrible year, but I don’t think Tavares will make much of a difference.By scott in Cincy
January 2, 2009 3:01 PM | Link to this
I think that looking at this signing as some means to get the Reds to be division winners, is the wrong way to look at it. I think it is still WAY too early, and let’s face it, the Reds are running out of options. Getting rid of Freel for a catcher better than Valentin and Bako was a good move. Picking up anyone who can add speed and defense in CF is good—especially if they end up getting Hairston too. With Hairston, they have three who can play CF, three who can play SS, and they have improved the catching position. I think Walt is plodding along nicely. These are the Reds—remember—not the Cubs or Yankees. They aren’t going to get Matt Holiday or Rafael Furcal.By scott in Cincy
January 2, 2009 3:01 PM | Link to this
I think that looking at this signing as some means to get the Reds to be division winners, is the wrong way to look at it. I think it is still WAY too early, and let’s face it, the Reds are running out of options. Getting rid of Freel for a catcher better than Valentin and Bako was a good move. Picking up anyone who can add speed and defense in CF is good—especially if they end up getting Hairston too. With Hairston, they have three who can play CF, three who can play SS, and they have improved the catching position. I think Walt is plodding along nicely. These are the Reds—remember—not the Cubs or Yankees. They aren’t going to get Matt Holiday or Rafael Furcal.By michael
January 1, 2009 3:31 PM | Link to this
Here we go again. I don’t think you contend with this guy in CF unless you shore up all of the other weaknesses. The Reds still seem to think Gonzo is the answer at SS, and we now have a mediocre Catcher. Its going to be another long year.By Matthew
December 31, 2008 5:31 PM | Link to this
Wizard, I’ve got one blog entry on that link that talks about Owings being a hitter. I don’t think it will happen, go on and check it out though.By Matthew
December 31, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this
Read more thoughts on the Taveras signing here - http://www.cincinnatiredsnews.com/mattdeitner/weblogBy Wizard
December 31, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this
Well, I thought my question was at least interesting enough to get SOME response!By Y-City Jim
December 31, 2008 12:17 PM | Link to this
Contract figures for Taveras are $2.25 million this year and $4 million next year. A pay raise over his salary of last year. Not bad for a guy coming off his worst season as a pro.By MAC
December 31, 2008 1:44 AM | Link to this
Also realize Harriston Jr. had his best #’s as a pro in some categories and certainly his best year in the last 5 last season and only stayed healthy enough to play in 80? games. What’s the probability that he repetes or does better than that in 09? Hernandez only had 10/15 HRs and 62/65 RBIs the last 2 yrs and only cost us how much in 09; 6/8M? He has played 1st base a couple of times over his career; can he give Votto a rest @ 1st; allow Hannigan a chance to play when Votto needs a rest? Also, what’s the likelyhood that Votto doesn’t have a sophomore slump this season; I like the kid a lot, but he’s no A. Pujols yet!By MAC
December 31, 2008 12:07 AM | Link to this
Guys I hear what many R saying on some of these older players; there R always negitives. But, I can’t see just repeting what the team has done for the last several yrs either? Harange & Arroyo R only avg as it is and Volquez and Cuteo most likely will only have 4 or 5 good yrs; the “AVG” ML pitcher doesn’t last much longer than that. So how long do U wait for all the young guys to develop; when do U take a chance on a Sexson ect? None of those older guys R going to cost a lot to sign & the Reds R looking for pop, pop off the bench and leadership for the young guys right? What many of U R suggesting is nothing more than what they did last year and that resulted in a team that was out of contention by 1 June? How exciting; makes me want to run down to the ticket both right now…NOT!By Wizard
December 29, 2008 11:48 PM | Link to this
I don’t know—just a thought/question: How good an athlete is Owings? Could he do what the St. Louis pitcher did, and play left field? I hear everyone raving about his hitting ability—is that even in the realm of possibility? I’m thinking his defense couldn’t be much worse than some recent LF’ers we have run out there.I agree with your first sentence, especially, Mike-Cinci. But, in order for Dickerson to do that, he has to be given the opportunity!By Y-City Jim
December 29, 2008 5:55 PM | Link to this
Because Aaron Harang has an impressive track record. Taveras has a mediocre one at best.By Mike
December 29, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this
Everyone is clamoring for a right handed power hitter. Which free agent will it be? As for Tavares, he had a bad year last year. So did Aaron Harang. Why don’t we get rid of him?By Mike-Cinci
December 29, 2008 3:17 PM | Link to this
Since 2004 Sean Casey has done the following: Cin 2005, 9 HR, 58 RBI: Pit/Det 2006, 9 HR, 59 RBI: Det 2007, 4 HR, 54 RBI: Bos 2008, 0 HR, 17 RBI (in 199 AB’s). Sean is the nicest guy in baseball but he can’t play anymore. That’s why he looking for another team to play for this year. Too bad he can’t play more than one position or had more speed.By mike cahill
December 29, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this
I think it’s a very good move to get a lead off speed guy who can hit and score runs. I don’t know how good Casey is today, but I hated losing him before. He was a plus with the bat and the attitude—both needed and I don’t care that he’s slow , many first basemen are. We need a big bopper from the right side and we need him now so that should be before Casey or anything else.By Pete
December 29, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this
I’ve no problem w/ this signing — not great, not disaterous. He sure as hell isn’t CP. I’d like to see Dickerson get a legit shot to prove himself over a stretch of a season. Interesting names are cropping up for some reason…. Dunce, Casey, Sexton. Uhhh… NO! NO! & NO! & I continually see the praises of Alonzo being sung, counting on him to be the next coming of the BRM, & he’s not even done anything in the minors as of yet. Is he even playing winter ball? He’s not even gotten to Homer Bailey’s level yet (i.e. come out smokin’ in the minors then fall face first w/ his attitude). Those folks relying on Alonzo to be the next messiah…. how about letting him PROVE something first?By Mark
December 29, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this
Sean Casey? You have got to be freaking kidding! Case is a great clubhouse guy, but moving Votto (our Pujols) off first base to make room for an aging first baseman who is the slowest runner in the major leagues is insane. Let’s move forward instead of looking backward. Also, only in Cincinnati would fans beg for the hometown team to re-sign Jerry Hairston Jr. Again, a real nice guy but the kind of player who are a dime a dozen in the majors. I’d rather see the Reds give one of their youngsters the utility role played by Hairston/Ryan Freel/Chris Stynes/etc.By RRF
December 29, 2008 12:02 PM | Link to this
I live in Colorado attend 15 Rockie games and watch all the rest and trust me, Willie will not be our answer. He is to injury prone and will probably end up out of on the IR more than in the games. We could do much better.By Votto 4 Pres.
December 29, 2008 11:58 AM | Link to this
Throw in a big bat for the outfeild, and the lineup actually does get me a little excited. If everyone plays to their potential starting early in the season, I feel they can do great things. Our pitching needs to be more consistent, look at the pitching around the league, i.e. the Cubs. I am interested to see how the team uses Micah Owings… I don’t mind the Taveras signing either. How can one be upset with signing the league leader in steals, and who’s average is slightly lower than the rest of the reds last year.By MAC
December 28, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this
Looks about right Joel. Does that roster get U excited about the Reds; does it make U want to buy season tickets/attend more Reds’ games?By Joel
December 28, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this
Here is what our 25 man roster could look like coming out of Spring Training. Catchers: Ramon Hernandez Ryan Hanigan Infielders: Joey Votto Brandon Phillips Alex Gonzalez Edwin Encarnacion Jeff Keppinger Outfielders: Jay Bruce Willy Taveras Chris Dickerson Norris Hopper Jerry Hairston Jr. * Pitchers: Aaron Harang Bronson Arroyo Edison Volquez Johnny Cueto Micah Owings ** Bill Bray Arthur Rhodes Mike Lincoln David Weathers Jared Burton Fransisco Cordero If Jerry Hairson Jr. chooses to sign with another team, the Reds will have to go another direction to fill their outfield, especially with Hopper coming back from elbow surgery. If the Reds sign Hairston and also sign a big bat, I would imagine that either Hopper or Dickerson will be the odd man out and will end up spending part of their summer in Louisville. The competition down in Florida will be interesting to watch. ** Barring injury, the bullpen has been set. I fully supported bringing back Weathers and Lincoln, and the addition of Rhodes should make this bullpen one of the best in the league. That only leaves one roster spot open for a pitcher and whoever grabs it will end up being the 5th starter. The frontrunners are Micah Owings and Homer Bailey but don’t discount Ramon Ramirez, Matt Maloney, or Daryl Thompson. globalredsfans.blogspot.comBy MAC
December 28, 2008 1:02 PM | Link to this
One has to wonder how the Nix kid feels…every time Walt talks about the OF, he never mentions the guy. Likewise, Walt continues to say they R looking for a RH hitter w/ pop. I’m sure EE has to see that as a slap in his face and makes him obvious trade bait IMO. If they were going to keep EE, U would think the emphasis would be to go out & get the best hitter U could get no matter which side of the plate he lines up on? W/ Fracisco and Rosales waiting in the wings and Valaika and Frazier now being projected more to 3B or LF, one would think EE’s time in Cincy might be short?By MAC
December 28, 2008 12:35 PM | Link to this
More on Casey: he posted 134 hits in 07 w/ the Tigers for a 299 avg…see last post. Likewise, remember the Sawx have Youk and Ortiz playing in front of him in Boston and the AL has more quality pitchers & he’s still hit 299 and 322 the last two years. Now, I dobut Casey would make us playoff contenders, but I don’t think he’d hurt us any either. He has great intangibles, still productive, wouldn’t cost a lot and wouldn’t cause any problems in the clubhouse if he’s not playing everyday; what more do U want in Cincy?By MAC
December 28, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this
I don’t know Mike… Many people want to move our GG 2B to SS, yet can’t fathom an avg. 1B (Votto) to LF? Votto did play some LF in AAA for a reason. Casey hit 322 in 69G for Red Sox last year; who’s to say he couldn’t hit 300 in 120G this year…isn’t that what they’re hoping for at just about every position on this team? Likewise, don’t forget Alonso has been drafted and looks to be a pretty quick study…it looks like Votto @ 1st base is going to be an issue sooner or later so why not look at it in ST since the team isn’t poised to compete for a championship yet anyway? More importantly, I don’t see “management” going out and spending enough cash to bring a quality LF every one of us is hoping for. My guess is they’ll rest after Harriston unless something crazy happens to fall to them…more of the same in Cincy….sign a bunch of retreads and hope for the best….consider additional moves IF they R somehow still in it at the break? Lastly, it’s not like Casey has to play every day or that Votto couldn’t use a break every now and then. Casey adds a lot of positive intangibles and could help ALL the Reds hitters IMO.By Mike-Cinci
December 28, 2008 11:49 AM | Link to this
I like Dickerson but let’s see if he can hit MLB pitching the second time around. He also needs to say healthy. He could be a late bloomer and a special player. MAC is usually right on the money but bringing Casey back to play 1B and putting Votto in LF would be a mistake. Casey has not been a starting player for 3 yrs. He is done. The Reds should hire him and put him in the public relations depaetment but not on the field. Let ‘s leave Votto at first base. Votto does hit to all fields and is the best opposite field hitter I’ve seen with the Reds since Barry Larkin.Someone also suggested bringing back Dunn. I thought we had moved on. My guess is Dunn ends up with Jom Bowden in Washington. The Reds traded Junior and Dunn for good reason. They never had a winning season when they were here and they covered no ground in the outfield. Getting younger is the right move for the Reds.By Don Carpenter
December 28, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this
The dynamics of a qualified lead off hitter is what stirs the straw in the drink. I like the move and I think that this additon will amplify the ability to play small ball and manufacture more runs. All that is missing is that right handed thumper who will balance out the lineup.By BrarHopper
December 28, 2008 10:17 AM | Link to this
Greetings from sunny southern California! Hey, based PURELY on the #s, Willy smells a lot like Corey. And that gives me great pause. This signing seems a real crap shoot as it is based on some prior performance. Last year WT stunk it up. And the Reds are HOPING he turns things around. Uh, how does a highly paid professional manage to be so clueless and have such a bad year? Just curious. He even looks like CP. Scary.By MAC
December 28, 2008 10:01 AM | Link to this
I agree Wiz; I like Dickerson a lot and Hopper showed many of the same positive abilities 1 yr ago, yet Reds’ brass don’t seem to like them and look to add additional OFs? Why not consider Votto for LF; Casey could be another inexpensive & quality proven option for 1st base? What a great attitude he would bring in for all the young guys to emulate? Likewise, what a great hitter to help Votto & Bruce learn how to hit the ball the other way, have more disciplined ABs, handle LH pitching, K less and overall become better hitters! God knows this organization could use a heavy dose of that to go around!!!By Wizard
December 28, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this
I would agree, MAC, with your stated observations; however, I cannot understand why Dickerson is so underestimated. Injuries I can see, are a problem—but, damn—the guy played well last year. He did well as a leadoff hitter, also.Can run. Can field.Can hit. Can throw.What else is there?By MAC
December 28, 2008 9:23 AM | Link to this
It will be interesting to see how DB handles the lefty/righty lineup issue w/ Taveras. Based on Jocketty’s comments, it sounds as though WT will get the lions’ share of playing time regardless who’s pitching and that Dickerson nor Hopper figure much into the teams plans considering they’re looking to add more OFs? I still say let’s consider Votto in LF and bring in a Sexton or Dunn again @ minimum pay to play 1st until Alonso? might be ready; I think that’s going to give them a much stronger lineup overall?By hopfrog
December 28, 2008 7:40 AM | Link to this
One last thing… Tavares ranked a 1.8 VORP last year… in Colorado. Jeez. A WS of +7. Better than Patters who was near last in the league in both, but having yet another .250 hitter that does not get on base and has no power is not going to help the team. On average for his career he gets on base less than EE did last year - .337 Guh.By hopfrog
December 28, 2008 7:27 AM | Link to this
Oh, and we still don’t have a player anywhere near as good as Dunn. His price was too much, but he was completely undervalued in the tied and failed 1970s Player Evaluation Strategy.By hopfrog
December 28, 2008 7:24 AM | Link to this
Srsly? Plug a speedster in the leadoff spot is so old school (and ineffective). Get a guy that get get on base, Dusty… worry about if they clog or not later. TERRIBLE signing. I would love for the BRM to find someone with some progressive views and a slight handle, at least a little, on winning baseball in the 21st Century. This would be a decent signing if WT was slotted to bat 8th and play CF. And was signed for 2.2MY.By boxter
December 28, 2008 7:16 AM | Link to this
This is a 75 win team with or without speed. The Red’s #1 SP wouldn’t be a #4 on a good team. Pitching wins, not some guy off the trash heap that can’t steal 1st base.By HuberTucky
December 27, 2008 11:52 PM | Link to this
Jacoby? Heaven help us. Maybe to make Dusty happy the Reds will make Corey Patterson the hitting coach.By Y-City Jim
December 27, 2008 8:47 PM | Link to this
and we are counting on Brook Jacoby to correct his offensive flaws.