SB Nation User Blog: Brent Beck

The Reds World Series Winning Lineup

Brent Beck — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 17:40:22 -0000

C: Devin Mesoraco

1B: Yonder Alonso

2B: Brandon Phillips

3B: Edwin Encarnacion

SS: Neftali Soto

LF: Joey Votto

CF: Drew Stubbs

RF: Jay Bruce

Subs:

Jeff Keppinger

Juan Francisco

Paul Janish

Ryan Freel

Todd Frazier

David Ross

No. 1. Starter: C.C. Sabathia

No. 2 Starter: Aaron Harang

No. 3 Starter: Edinson Volquez

No. 4 Starter: Bronson Arroyo

No. 5 Starter: Johnny Cueto

Bullpen:

Middle Relief: Homer Bailey

No. 1: Jared Burton

No. 2: Bill Bray

No. 3: Mike Lincoln

No. 4: Danny Herrera

No. 5 Daryl Thompson

No. 6: Dallas Buck

Closer: Francisco Cordero

Whats with Yonder Alonso?

Brent Beck — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 16:14:31 -0000

Since the Reds drafted Alonso 7th overall in the first round of this years MLB Draft, I haven't heard much about him. All I knew is everyone was worried he would ask for too much money, but then others said he absolutely looked stellar with a wood bat this past summer in the Cape Cod League.

I read a few people saying if the Reds signed him he had a chance at making it to the bigs this season, obviously thats out of the question now. Still, does anyone know anything about Alonso or having any update on his current status with the Reds? I was and still am very excited about seeing him playing first for the Reds and Votto in the outfield. The only way were going to see that happen is if he gets in our farm system already, so whats the low down?

Let me know as soon as possible, it is vital to my life, I watched Yonder Alonso play in all his college World Series ESPN 2 games with the Miami Hurricanes and I don't want that aluminum bat watching boredom to be for nothing!

Biographical Data
Player Name:	Yonder Alonso
Position:	First Baseman
School:	University of Miami
School Type:	College
Academic Class:	Junior
Birthdate:	04/08/87
Height:	6'2"
Weight:	215 lbs.
Bats:	Left
Throws:	Right
Report Date(s):	03/07 - 03/09/08
Game(s):	Boston College

Focus Area	Comments
Hitting Ability:	Alonso looks like a professional hitter at the plate, a run producer with patience who's particularly good at going the other way.
Power:	He's got above-average power, the kind that could generate 25-30 homers annually in the future. Right now, it's mostly to center and left-center, but as he gets older, he'll be able to turn on and pull pitches on the inner half of the plate
Running Speed:	He's got below-average speed.
Base running:	He's not a base-clogger, with good instincts on the basepaths.
Arm Strength:	He's got a good arm at first.
Fielding:	He's adequate at first, with decent hands that allow him to catch what's right at him.
Range:	He has average range, fine for his position.
Physical Description:	Alongso has a medium frame with a thick build. He's barrel-chested and solid throughout, having worked hard to tighten up his body.
Medical Update:	Healthy.
Strengths:	He's the kind of guy who will simply hit, with great plate discpline and plenty of power
Weaknesses:	He's limited to first defensively and is only OK there.
Summary:	Alonso or Smoak? Smoak or Alonso? It can be quite a debate over which college first baseman should go first on Draft day. Alonso is a hitter, period, with a great approach and power, especially the other way right now. Defensively, he's no great shakes, but it's that bat that teams will dream about putting in the middle of their lineup to produce plenty of runs in the future.

Draft report courtesy of MLB.com

• 2008 Louisville Slugger Preseason Second Team All-American
• 2008 Preseason Watch List for Brooks Wallace Player of the Year Award
• 2008 Baseball America Preseason First Team All-American
• 2007 Louisville Slugger Third Team All-American
• 2007 Baseball America Second Team All-American
• 2007 All-Atlantic Coast Conference Second Team Selection

---

Apologies I haven't been on the Red Reporter in a few days, I just saw this on a front page article from a few days earlier:

Finally, Yonder Alonso -- the Reds' 1st-round pick who scouting director Chris Buckley thinks we'll sign by the August 15th deadline -- spoke with teenage brothers associated with the Miami Herald in a story published yesterday. Here are a few of his statements:

Poll

Yonder Alonso will be _____________.

better than Jim Thome

1 votes

more loved than Sean Casey

2 votes

skinnier than Prince Fielder

22 votes

Mark McGwire without steroids

2 votes

guzungas

7 votes

34 votes | Poll has closed

Griffeys Replacement, Nelson Cruz?

Brent Beck — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 18:54:47 -0000

According to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan, the Reds may pursue Rangers' outfielder Nelson Cruz to replace Ken Griffey Jr. in right field.

Cruz, 28, is hitting a ridiculous .345/.436/.716 with 37 home runs in 97 minor league games. Of course, this is his fourth shot at Triple A.

Rangers to to Marlins about Lairs, and Reds about Cruz
by T.R. Sullivan, MLB.com
If the Reds trade Ken Griffey Jr. to the White Sox then they could go after Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz, who is tearing up Triple A Oklahoma but is blocked at the big league level. The Rangers could also try to move outfielder Marlon Byrd and make room for Cruz. The Rangers are still talking to the Marlins about catcher Gerald Laird. The Reds are also interested. (posted at 1:49 pm)

Nelson Cruz I #17 I Right Field/Left Field

Height: 6-3
Weight: 230
Bats: R
Throws: R
Born: Jul 1, 1980 - Monte Cristi
College: None
Draft: None

This might make you feel better (it sure did so for me):

AL West and NL Central: Imbalanced and Unfair

Brent Beck — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:29:18 -0000

Hey Rangers fans, I wrote an article that I posted on Red Reporter about the uneven division sizes in Major League Baseball, a dilemma which effects NL Central fans the most by putting us at a disadvantage at the start of every season (in comparison to every other team in Major League Baseball). In my mind its an outrage but I would love for you guys to check it out, drop a vote in, or even make a comment! I would really love to hear Rangers fans take on this dilemma because in my opinion the only way to fix the imbalance is by moving the Houston Astros to the NL West and the Arizona Diamond Backs to the AL West, making every division in Major League Baseball have 5 teams.

Thanks!

AL West and NL Central: Imbalanced and Unfair

by Brent Beck

AL West and NL Central: Imbalanced and Unfair

Brent Beck — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:28:08 -0000

Hey Mariners fans, I wrote an article that I posted on Red Reporter about the uneven division sizes in Major League Baseball, a dilemma which effects NL Central fans the most by putting us at a disadvantage at the start of every season (in comparison to every other team in Major League Baseball). In my mind its an outrage but I would love for you guys to check it out, drop a vote in, or even make a comment! I would really love to hear Mariners fans take on this dilemma because in my opinion the only way to fix the imbalance is by moving the Houston Astros to the NL West and the Arizona Diamond Backs to the AL West, making every division in Major League Baseball have 5 teams.

Thanks!

AL West and NL Central: Imbalanced and Unfair

by Brent Beck

AL West and NL Central: Imbalanced and Unfair

Brent Beck — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:22:42 -0000

Hey D'Backs fans, I wrote an article that I posted on Red Reporter about the uneven division sizes in Major League Baseball, a dilemma which effects NL Central fans the most by putting us at a disadvantage at the start of every season (in comparison to every other team in Major League Baseball). In my mind its an outrage but I would love for you guys to check it out, drop a vote in, or even make a comment! I would love to hear the perspective of any Diamond Back fan on this matter because in my opinion, the only way to fix this imbalance and make it fair for the teams and fans in the NL Central is to move the Diamond Backs to the AL West.

Thanks!

AL West and NL Central: Imbalanced and Unfair

by Brent Beck

AL West and NL Central: Imbalanced and Unfair

Brent Beck — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:19:05 -0000

Hey Astros fans, I wrote an article that I posted on Red Reporter about the uneven division sizes in Major League Baseball, a dilemma which effects NL Central fans the most by putting us at a disadvantage at the start of every season (in comparison to every other team in Major League Baseball). In my mind its an outrage but I would love for you guys to check it out, drop a vote in, or even make a comment! I would really love to hear Astros fans take on this dilemma because in my opinion the only way to fix the imbalance is by moving the Houston Astros to the NL West and the Arizona Diamond Backs to the AL West.

Thanks!

AL West and NL Central: Imbalanced and Unfair

by Brent Beck

AL West and NL Central: Imbalanced and Unfair

Brent Beck — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:15:11 -0000

Hey Pirates fans, I wrote and article that I posted on Red Reporter about the uneven division sizes in Major League Baseball, a dilemma which effects NL Central fans the most by putting us at a disadvantage at the start of every season (in comparison to every other team in Major League Baseball). In my mind its an outrage but I would love for you guys to check it out, drop a vote in, or even make a comment!

Thanks!

AL West and NL Central: Imbalanced and Unfair

by Brent Beck

AL West and NL Central: Imbalanced and Unfair

Brent Beck — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 14:28:28 -0000

The American League West is one of three divisions in Major League Baseball's American League. The division currently has four teams, but it has had as many as seven teams before the 1994 realignment. Although its teams currently only reside along the west coast and in Texas, historically the division has had teams as far east as Chicago. It is the only division in Major League baseball to have only four teams in one division. The defending champion of the AL West Division is the Los Angeles Angels. Current members:

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim - Founding member (as California Angels)

Oakland Athletics - Founding member

Seattle Mariners - Joined in 1977 as an expansion team

Texas Rangers - Joined in 1972; formerly of AL East (Washington Senators)

The National League Central is one of three divisions in Major League Baseball's National League. The division currently has six teams. It was created in 1994, merging teams from the NL West (Cincinnati, and Houston) and NL East (Chicago, Pittsburgh, and St. Louis) divisions of the National League. In 1998 it became the largest division in Major League Baseball, with the addition of a sixth member (Milwaukee). The defending champion of the NL Central Division is the Chicago Cubs. Current members:

Chicago Cubs - Founding member; formerly of the NL East

Cincinnati Reds - Founding member; formerly of the NL West

Houston Astros - Founding member; formerly of the NL West

Milwaukee Brewers - Joined in 1998; formerly of the AL Central

Pittsburgh Pirates - Founding member; formerly of the NL East

St. Louis Cardinals - Founding member; formerly of the NL East

With every division in Major League Baseball (MLB) comprised of 5 teams, with the exceptions of the AL West and NL Central, the majority of teams in the MLB have a 20% (1/5) chance of making the playoffs at the start of every baseball season.

With Bud Selig and all the bureaucrats in charge of baseball so worried about the competitive balance in Major League Baseball, why don't they start by evening out the divisions so teams in the NL Central won't be at a innate disadvantage as they have been for the past ten years, NL Central teams have a 16.6% (1/6) chance to make the playoffs when the baseball season starts. On the other hand teams in the AL West have an innate advantage every season, having a 25% (1/4) chance to make the playoffs. How the hell is that fair and why the hell aren't people in Cincinnati, Chicago, Houston, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, and St. Louis complaining about this problem? At least Reds and Pirates fans should start complaining, the last time they were both in the playoffs was 1990 when they met in the NLCS.

Does any NFC or AFC teams in the NFL have imbalanced divisions? No, every team, every division, the AFC and NFC South, East, North, and West, all comprised of 4 teams in each division. Every team in professional football has a 25% chance to make the playoffs at the start of every regular season.

How about the NBA? No, the Eastern Conference has 15 teams and the Western Conference has 15 teams. Every team in the NBA has a 53.3% (8/15) chance of making the playoffs each season. The NHL, the MLS, even the WNBA, all have balanced divisions. Everybody is always talking about how great those AL West teams are, well they have one less team to compete with in their division in comparison to every other team in baseball, except those in the NL Central who they have two less teams in comparison. How they hell aren't people getting pissed about this?

My remedy, lets move the Houston Astros to the NL West, then move the Arizona Diamond Backs (D'Backs) to the AL West. Why? Because the Astros original division was the NL West and their franchises home city is farther west than any other NL Central team by geographical location. To the D'Backs, well they have only been in Major League Baseball for 10 years (founded in 1998), so seniority rules therefor it's not their decision to make or argue against. Why would baseball want to give the ten year old team based in Phoenix an innate advantage over the one hundred and twenty six year old, 5 time World Champion Cincinnati Reds in the first place (founded in 1882)? This who dilemma, in my opinion, makes no sense, especially with MLB Commissioner Bud Selig coming from Milwaukee and the Brewers organization, how about help out your hometown Bud!

In the end there should never be an answer to the question "What is the largest division in major league baseball?" In my mind it is absolutely outrageous this has been accepted since 1998 by the fans of teams in the NL Central. Fans in those cities need to start voicing their anger with baseballs imbalance and unfair set up. The only other way we could fix this problem other than moving the Astros to the NL West and the D'Backs to the AL West would be to add six expansion teams to Major League Baseball which would result in every division having an even six teams in , just as the current NL Central has.

The first option is much easier and more likely than the second, so people of Phoenix better live with it and Houston, your divisional away game travel will be shorter and you don't fit in with the Midwest cities anyway. As a Reds fan, I have traveled to watch the Reds in every other city in the NL Central but yours, its just too far. If Houston and Arizona refuse the change and won't allow competitive balance by those means then simply adjust the NL Wildcard to make it automatically go to the second place team in the NL Central (rather than the team with the best record among divisional second-place teams), that would give NL Central teams a 33% chance to make the playoffs, any complaints?

*Team playoff probabilities do not account in the AL and NL Wild Card.

Poll

The AL West having 4 teams and the NL Central having 6 teams is ______________.

pissing me off

39 votes

not bothering me

73 votes

something I never thought about

13 votes

125 votes | Poll has closed

Rockets Acquire Ron Artest

Brent Beck — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 01:13:12 -0000

Ron Artest set for deal to Rockets

Bobby Jackson, first-round pick to go to Sacramento

By JONATHAN FEIGEN
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle
July 29, 2008, 7:09PM

In what had been a quiet offseason, the Rockets are about to make a lot of noise.

In a stunning move designed to push the Rockets from solid playoff team toward legitimate NBA contenders, the Rockets reached agreement Tuesday with the Sacramento Kings to acquire gifted but controversial forward Ron Artest, according to an NBA executive with knowledge of the deal.

The Rockets will give up guard Bobby Jackson, a No. 1 draft pick next season and another player that the individual with knowledge of the trade could not name. Rockets general manager Daryl Morey could not be immediately reached for comment.

Because of contract considerations, the trade will not be announced until Aug. 14, though that would indicate the deal could include Rockets first round draft pick DonteM Greene. Greene is not permitted to be traded until then, one month from when he signed with the Rockets.

There could also be other players involved to make the money match but none that the Rockets would plan to keep. The Rockets will also send the Kings cash in excess of $1 million.

Artest, 28, is considered one of the NBAs most unpredictable characters and was the central figure in a 2004-05 brawl with fans in Auburn Hills, Mich. He is also considered among the leagues toughest lock-down defenders and sometimes, an unstoppable offensive force.

The 39 points he scored against the Rockets in 2006-07 season are his career high.

A 6-7, 248 pound forward, he had publicly lamented his decision last month not to opt out of the last season of his contract to become a free agent, renewing the Kings efforts to move him.

Artest played 40 games for Rockets coach Rick Adelman after he was traded by the Indiana Pacers to the Kings in the 2005-06 season, averaging 16.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and a career-high 4.2 assists. He was also a first-team NBA All-Defensive team selection. He offered to donate his salary if the Kings were willing to retain Adelman after that season.

In nine NBA seasons out of St. Johns, where he was a third-team All-American, Artest has averaged 16 points and 5.1 rebounds. He was the 2003-04 NBA Defensive Player of the Year. He averaged 20.5 points per game last season.

Artest, however, has been unable to stay clear from trouble. He was arrested in March 2007 and charged with domestic abuse and eventually sentenced to 20 days in jail and community service. That sentence was reduced to 10 days in a work release program. He had also been charged with animal neglect, though charges were not filed and Artest has since worked with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals on several campaigns.

In addition to his 73-game suspension after going into the stands in the Nov. 19, 2004 brawl (the longest suspension in NBA history other than for drug policy violations or gambling), he has been suspended for destroying a television camera in New York, for an altercation with then Heat coach Pat Riley in Miami and for numerous flagrant fouls.

Drafted by the Chicago Bulls in 1999, he was traded in 2002 to the Pacers, having some of his best seasons, including his one All Star season in 2003-04. Prior to the fight in 2004, he was suspended for two games for asking for a month off to promote an R&B album by a group on his production label.

After his return to the Pacers the season after the fight, he asked for a trade and was placed on the inactive roster.

Though Artest has been best used as a small forward, Rockets forward Shane Battier is also considered among the leagues best players at defending small forwards and shooting guards. But because Artest can defend players from small guards to power forwards, the Rockets could finish games with Artest and Battier on the court together, either with Tracy McGrady sliding over to point guard or with Artest matching up with power forwards.