The Paddock

Be positive. You swept the Cards. That's good for you. As the great Tommy Lasorda said... every team will have a bad streak at some point in the year. Just look at it as you got your bad streak over early.

Jay Bruce is becoming l33t.

THAT is how you start a month on the right foot!

Jay Bruce =

Wow, I was arguing w/my brother a couple of days ago about batting Bruce and Votto 3/4 in the lineup. I was all for it and he was agin it. Two 2-run dongs in back to back innings and this one belongs to the Reds. Votto's power numbers will increase w/protection in the 4 hole. Rolen ain't getting it done!

It's really exciting to think we get to watch Bruce for the next 6 seasons guaranteed, going to be a lot of fun to watch him develop. He's got the talent to turn into one of the best in the game

I picked up 2 great seats for the Reds vs. Dodgers on Saturday at GABP. Gametime is 4 p.m., and I may not be able to go. They are directly behind home plate in section 124. If anyone is interested, drop me a note. They're $70 tickets, but I'd be willing to part with them for less (provided you're not an LA fan).

It really is a shame we cant play the Cubs about 60 times a year

Dang. The Cubs are sure good for what ails you! Can we get them on retainer?

Regarding Rolen, he's earned his shot and fine as long as he doesn't bat 4th.

I'd like to see Cozart get a shot at SS, but Janish is hitting for the moment. Wouldn't hurt to have him up instead of Renteria though. No need to play shorthanded when Edgar can't go or give you much when he does.

I fear the same thing Jeff, very nervous about this next week.

If you had to make a move what would you do? I would trade Hernandez and see if you could get a right handed bat to play left field. Call up Messoraco who has nothing left to prove in Louisville. I would shop Renteria and then when no one bites I would dfa him and call up Cozart who just like Devin has earned a shot with the big club

Unless and until the Reds get their starting pitching on track, they are going to struggle. What pitchers are out there that we'd be willing to part with some of our young talent?????

I see a lot of ideas about bring up Cozart, Alonoso etc but the fact of the matter is offense isn't really the Reds problem. They are still in the top 2 or 3 in the NL in most offensive categories. Their starting pitching is at or near to bottom in ERA and the only reason Volquez, Leake, Wood, and Arroyo have 4 to 5 wins is the offensive production has been very kind to them. They are all at or above 5.00 in ERA and they've been extremely inconsistent. That's why they can't get on a prolonged winning streak.

Bailey is made of porcelain, Voquez is a head case, Cueto has pitched well since he's been back in the rotation and Wood, Leake and Arroyo are wildly inconsistent. The under performance of the starting staff compared to pre season expectations is killing them. The question is do you double down and hope Arroyo, a notoriously slow starter, heats up in the summer? Additionally, has Volquez ironed out his problems and will he be the number 1 starter the Reds expected out of him. Will Bailey be able to last the rest of the season?? Will either Leake or Wood become consistent or reliable? For all these looming questions, if the Reds need anything it is a proven veteran starter who can provide some stability in the rotation.

Big win by the Reds last night...if they can somehow have a good road trip, they'll still be in it. I won't be holding my breath for that though.

I think the Sappelt kid down at Louisville will be the LF starting in 2012 and he'll bat leadoff. That will allow Stubbs to go back to the 6-7 hole where he excelled late last year. That leaves us with holes at SS and 3B. This year our most glaring problem is the lack of a true ace, but I think in time our young pitching staff will develop into a great staff.

Going forward, things look great. This year, we may just have too many holes to try to plug. Hopefully I'm wrong because waiting for football with the Reds out of it will make for a long summer.

They've also got the SS prospect, Hamilton, in Dayton. He's stealing bases like it's going out of style. Gotta get that AVG and OBP up, but he's going to be a good one down the road.