SB Nation User Blog: CamIam

Griffey to Atlanta

CamIam — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 19:35:37 -0000

Because I'm bored at work and know that some people are not ESPN insiders I thought I'd post this tidbit from our friend Buster Olney:

"Heard a very interesting idea this week: The Reds could approach the Braves about a deal involving Ken Griffey Jr. -- Cincinnati could effectively hand Griffey to Atlanta, for a Grade B-plus prospect or two, while absorbing some of his salary. Junior could play right field for the Braves, with Jeff Francoeur moving to center fielder. This is something which Griffey might theoretically support, because he'd be only a short flight from his Orlando home, and it would help the Reds resolve their outfield glut."

http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?name=olney_buster

I would jump on this deal in a minute. We could try to jump on a hard throwing prospect or 2 for the bullpen and eat a little salary. Also, Jr has said in the past he would accept a trade to Atlanta and he would be going to a contending team. This would allow us to get Bruce into the lineup from day 1 and solidify out outfield defense. An outfield with a healthy Dunn in left, Bruce in center, and Hamilton and his gun in right would be very solid.

Bobby Livingston out

CamIam — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 20:06:02 -0000

Bobby Livingston has a torn labrum in his pitching shoulder and has been put on the DL. Coffey has been recalled from Louisville.

I think a torn labrum is pretty serious, no? I think this means no Bobby Livingston in the rotation next year. Also, why in the world are we calling up Coffey and not McBeth or Cooter? Every time I think about defending Wayne as a decent GM or begin to think he is learning from his mistakes he does something stupid.

http://frontier.cincinnati.com/blogs/redsinsider/2007/08/livingston-on-dl.asp

Bats Game 7/17/07

CamIam — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 14:46:58 -0000

Last night I went out to the Bats game to catch Homer's start and also see Jay Bruce in action for the first time. Watched Homers bullpen session and you could tell that he was going to have a good breaking ball, and that was the case.

Homers first 3 innings were rocky. He walked the lead off batter in the first 2 innings and also had a couple rockets hit off him deep into the outfield that were run down by Bruce and Dickerson. He was really struggling with his command and was throwing his fastball 87-91 mph and his curve 73-74 mph.

When the fourth came around he really seemed to hit his stride throwing his fastball on the corner at 93-95 consistently and throwing his curve at 73-74 range with really good bite. He never really was comfortable throwing the change and he probably only threw 2 or 3 for strikes all night.

In the 6th the wheels fell off. He walked the lead off batter, and then made an errant pickoff attempt. The next batter he fell behind on, and then Machado botched an easy groundball to 2nd. The next hitter hit a 3 run shot into deep right field. Homer then gave up 2 more hits before giving way to Brad Salmon, who did not record an out, allowing both of Homers runner to score and leaving 2 of his own on base.

After Salmon exited Bill Bray came on to pitch. He didn't pitch great but his fastball was at 91-91 consistently and he had a good curve and a really good change.

Also had a chance to see Medlock work and he did not have it working. He left a lot of fastballs over the plate, throwing 90-91, and hung a couple of curves. This is the 2nd time I've seen him in person. Even though he didn't throw well last night, he has a really nice breaking ball and think with some time in Louisville could be a solid middle relief option.

Finally on the offensive side of things. They were facing J. Seo, who has had success at the major league level.

Bruce looked outstanding at the plate, no need for him to go back to AA. He looked comfortable in every at bat. He hit a triple off the center field wall 405 feet away. He also hit a ball about 370 feet into the left field gap that would have been gone had the wind not been blowing in some last night. In the field he showed his rocket arm with a line drive thaw to the plate from center holding a runner at 3rd. I know 1 game is a very small sample size but I believe Bruce could come up to the Show right now and hit. Hess just a ballplayer and you can tell with the way he carries himself on the field.

Votto did not look comfortable in the box at all last night. He was hitting everything out on his front foot and his one hit of the night came on a broken bat bloop to right field. Although Seo was making most of the Bats hitters look bad all night.

Finally, Janish is the really deal at shortstop making 2 incredible plays and showing a rocket arm on a really throw to 3rd to cut down a runner.

Josh Hamilton in his own words

CamIam — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 18:29:10 -0000

I just read this article, its up on ESPN. Its a piece thats going to be in ESPN magazine next month. This is a little different from most of the other Hamilton articles Ive read since it is in Josh's own words. Thought you guys would enjoy it.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2926447

Santos DFA'd

CamIam — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 19:42:46 -0000

Was reading CTR blog he is reporting that Victor Santos has been DFA'd and the Reds have called up Ricky Stone.

Im not sure how this is really an improvement. I watched Medlock throw the other night in Lville and he looked really good. I think hes ready but I guess we'll have to wait until the end of the year to see our best arms called up from AAA.