Saturday, July 2, 2011

Indians Provide Fireworks

Reds fans can certainly identify with their counterparts from Cleveland.  It's been a little while since the Tribe have been in a pennant race this late in the season.  It's the same type of excitement the Reds generated last year at Great American Ball Park, providing fans with a refreshing change from the haze of 9-straight losing seasons.  I don't know how long the Indians will stay in the AL Central division hunt -- or even if they're legitimate contenders -- but the fans in Cleveland certainly deserve something to cheer about for a change.

For whatever the reason this Cincinnati team doesn't have the same magic from a year ago and nothing seems to seems to ignite a winning streak.  Not a last at-bat victory, not a 5-2 West coast road trip and not winning their first series in the last four.  No, whatever magic this Reds team had to win the division last year they can't reproduce so far in 2011.

Diehard fans are growing restless.  They either want to call up Zack Cozart, Yonder Alonso or Jeremy Hermida to solve the short stop/left field issues; or they want to trade the farm for Mets short stop Mets Jose Reyes.  Calling up Cozart would seem the easiest and most logical move for this team, but Walt Jocketty seems willing to wait until the All-Star break or perhaps the end of the month to make a move.  Something I think the team should consider is trading for someone like the Dodgers Jamey Carroll (.301 AVG., 35 R, .372 OBP.).  He solves two problems.  He can hit leadoff and play either SS or 2B.  Personally, I would move Brandon Phillips to short and play Carroll at second but moving Brandon is something the Reds have ruled out in the past.  Plus, Carroll is relatively cheap and Cincinnati wouldn't have to give up a top level prospect to obtain him, unlike Reyes.

The real problem for the Reds and mid to small market teams like them is they don't have a lot of maneuverability financially and a blockbuster trade wipes out the farm system depth they've worked so hard to build up.  No this team was relying on the personnel that won them 91 games a season ago and I'm not just talking about Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips, Jay Bruce or Johnny Cueto.  No they needed better performances from Drew Stubbs, Paul Janish, Travis Wood, Edinson Volquez and, especially, Bronson Arroyo.

Truthfully I don't know why anyone is surprised by the years Stubbs and Janish are having.  Look at their minor league career numbers.  Anybody can have a fluke season.  Stubbs, like Arizona's Chris Young, will always have jaw-dropping speed and power but he continue to strike out too much and have a low on-base percentage until he learns how to bunt or just makes more consistent contact.  Janish is just a victim of the times. He's a classic good glove, no hit short stop. Perfect for teams 20 or 30 years ago, but not in this day and age.

The Reds front office is banking that those mentioned above will turn things around.  The question becomes, "What price is a team willing to pay for championship?"  Not an easy answer when you're not the Yankees, Red Sox or Phillies.

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