66 replies to this topic

[Tyler M]

Can you believe it? We are only a couple months away until we start up another MLB season. The off season has already been big, especially with the Angels acquiring Pujols and Wilson. Fielder still has yet to find a team however.

My Chicago Cubs have made some smart moves since Theo took over the club a few months ago. They have traded/removed some older and expensive players and have added decent prospects and young talent via trade. The player I'm most looking forward to is how Anthony Rizzo will play at Wrigley. We have a lot to look forward to, but won't be fully rebuilt for a few more seasons.

We can use this topic to finish out the offseason and throughout the 2012 baseball season. What team are you looking forward to this year?

[The BeastFan]

The Reds area definitely set up to win the NL Central for the next few years. With Puljols gone from St Louis and Fielder gone from the Brewers plus the pieces aquired recently by the Reds (particularly in relief pitching), they are perfectly set up to make some post-season runs, especially because we still have Joey Votto for a few years.

I'm kind of cringing at the prospect of Aroldis Chapman starting. He was awfully questionable at the end of last year with control issues, and he had an arm injury issue earlier last year. I like him more as middle relief or maybe...a closer.

Also, its awesome that Barry Larkin will be going to Cooperstown in July! Definitely one of the best shortstops to ever play the game.

[Tyler M]

Well, it's official. The Detroit Tigers got Prince Fielder. Hope he is worth $215 million and doesn't injure himself!

[The BeastFan]

^...and more applause comes from Cincy. One less all-star first baseman we have to deal with in our division.

[Tyler M]

It also helps the Cubbies out in a few years once they have the talent they need. For some reason I think the Pirates will gather quit a bit of wins this year but fall short of the playoffs once again. It's like once they gain some momentum, everything just goes down hill.

[Tyler Carlton]

The Tigers are set up pretty well for the next for years in their division too. The Twins, White Sox, and Indians aren't really going to be that great. With Verlander on the mound and Cabrera and Fielder swinging the bat this team could make some noise in the playoffs.

[The BeastFan]

Did anyone else notice the Marlins changed their affiliation to Miami instead of Florida (they're now the Miami Marlins)? Also, it seems the Astros may change their name as well (part of moving to the AL in 2013 I suppose).

[The BeastFan]

I think the Reds have FINALLY solved the issue of needing a decent left fielder. Just picked up Ryan Ludwick.

[The BeastFan]

As of this post, Reds pitchers and catchers report tomorrow! A little over a month until Opening Day vs Miami!

[The BeastFan]

Now for a nice reminder of a certain important rule in baseball with Opening Day 2 weeks away...

NOTE- Video contains mild profanity.

Edited by The BeastFan, 23 March 2012 - 04:59 PM.

[The BeastFan]

This spring training hasn't been without some twists for the Reds. Ryan Madson, our would-be closer, is out for the season with a torn ligament in his pitching elbow. He needs TJ surgery, thus will be out for the year.

However, some good has shown in Aroldis Chapman. He's definitely shown more control so far and is starting to look like a good starting pitcher. I just hope he has some endurance. Pitching 100+ mph for 6+ innings can't be easy.

[Ryan Shrout]

ITS BASEBALL SEASON! And the Mariners start it off with a 3-1 win over the A's in 11 innings. In other exciting news, the Dodgers finally have a real owner again, so hopefully we start actually trying to makes some moves to improve the team and put all that young talent we have to use.

[The BeastFan]

Jeez...more bad news for Reds pitching. Mat Latos had to leave a game early for pulling a muscle in his left leg, and Nick Masset, one of our better set up guys/closers is now on the DL. So much for all that pitching we picked up this off season.

[Thunderhead]

This spring training hasn't been without some twists for the Reds. Ryan Madson, our would-be closer, is out for the season with a torn ligament in his pitching elbow. He needs TJ surgery, thus will be out for the year.

That's tough to come back from 100%. Best of Luck to him.

[The BeastFan]

Best. News. Ever.

Link

I was kind of worried that the Reds would only have Votto for a few more years, but now they have him for 12. Unfortunately, I don't see Brandon Phillips sticking around because of this, which is all and good since he's getting older, and the style of 2nd base defense he goes for doesn't age well.

[The BeastFan]

A few notes for opening day for the Reds...

1. I'm digging the Marlins' new look.
2. Cueto was great for 7 innings, pitching out of a few jams later in the game
3. Why isn't Chapman a starter?
4. BRUUUUUUCE!!!
5. I hope Marshall can be as good as that as a closer all year
6. Despite the error, Scott Rolen did alright, another one I hope can grind it out this year
7. Most importantly, REDS WIN!

[The BeastFan]

I've been looking along the Reds schedule and came across something potentially bad. In year's past, the MLB would schedule us to have these massive west coast trips where we hit the most of the NL West in one swoop. Most years, they never end well, in fact, we usually get swept. This year's schedule has something along those lines right before the All Star break. 4 at the Giants, 3 at the Dodgers, and 4 at the Padres. Yikes.

[Thunderhead]

You should be more worried about Giants and Diamondbacks then Dodgers and Padres.

[The BeastFan]

Its not so much who we play but where we play. We could be playing the Orioles out in LA and still get swept. Prior to 2010, those trips have resulted in season ending skids.

[Tyler Carlton]

So um yeah, go Tigers. 4-0 and looking good.

[The BeastFan]

Well, mark down Brandon Philips as a Red for the next 6 years at $72.5 million. A tad more years and money than I would have given him, but at least we have a core of players we can work around.

I'm now starting to really wonder why Homer Bailey is a starter and Aroldis Chapman isn't. Homer got lit up vs the Cardinals.

[The BeastFan]

The Reds are looking pretty good a month and a half into the season. They did have a pretty rough start, but now they've clawed their way back to 1.5 down on St Louis. They're winning series, and are especially good on the last days of each series. Third base and left field are still big question marks, and spots 4 and 5 in the rotation have a combined 2 wins on the season. Not good if we want to play in October.

Also, Votto has finally seen some light in his offense after a disappointing April. Hopefully, the 3 blasts (including a sweet walk off grand slam) against he had against Washington will spark a nice hitting streak. I also hope Jay Bruce can keep up his hitting as well. He had an outstanding April. Drew Stubbs seems to have found some ways to put the bat on the ball. When he's on base, he's a real menace to the opposition in base stealing.

Edited by Mike Strobel, 15 May 2012 - 11:41 AM.

[The BeastFan]

Is it me or are there a lot of games this year with either perfect games, no hitters, complete games and the like.

[The BeastFan]

Ok, this thread NEEDS reviving. The 2nd half looks to be great. Who'd of thought there'd be a 3 team race in the NL Central? The Pirates kind of came out of nowhere. O.o I still like the Reds chances all things considered. The Pirates are young and the Cardinals have an inconsistent bullpen.

For other divisions, the NL East is flip-flopped from where I thought. Phillies in last? I have to give Washington some credit though. They're doing a lot of the right things. I'm sure Ryan is more concerned about the Dodgers now that the Giants caught up to them after their really good start of the season. I don't see Arizona coming back unless a lot of things go their way at the same time (sorry T-head).

In the AL, the Yankees are just running away with the AL East. They decided to finally get hot and they've left the rest of the division in the dust. The AL Central is as close as its NL counterpart to a degree, and the White Sox acquisition of Kevin Youkilis seems to have come at the right time. I'm jealous they've seemed to make Adam Dunn work out when the Reds couldn't. I do think the Angels have a shot at catching the Rangers in the AL West, but as with any other of the divisions, its still only just half way with a lot of baseball left.

As for my team, I'm thinking its time to give up on Scott Rolen. He's old, he's been dead weight, and Todd Frazier has proven he can be an everyday 3rd baseman. Drew Stubbs has been a concern as well in not getting on base. Our 1st and 2nd in the line up have awful batting average and its a waste in front of Joey Votto's efforts. Finally, we've been lucky and only have had to use 5 starters so far and no injuries now coming out of the All Star break.

[MorganFan]

Rangers, all the way, again. And we might actually win the championship if we get lucky with the matchup.