SB Nation User Blog: design28

Here comes the elephant in the room ...

design28 — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 14:03:35 -0000

Seriously, why not consider signing Dunn? I don't want to puke out all the stats about his production and foibles, but I'd simply like to consider a move that would make the Reds better, significantly better, for the next 3 years.

Let's hypothetically say his price tag is 3/$36 million ... the Dye move means, at some level, the Reds could absorb such a salary at this point. Granted I'd be terrified at making more of a commitment to Dunn than that, but what's the down side? We know almost exactly what we are getting at a (market) fair price ... $12/mill for 40HRs/100RBIs/100Runs is reasonable ...

Also, let's also assume Dunn would even come back; Arroyo comments and perceived bad blood and all ... but maybe the hope of a better team (if the offense can score runs) would actually be a plus at this point ...

Yes in a perfect world the Reds would want/need a right handed bat (unfortunately Burrell's a worse fielder than Dunn and is almost an duplicate of Dunn offensively) ...

I realize this is a move that won't happen, but if Mr Castellini is serious about winning now, why not make a move that makes sense ... Votto, EE and Bruce right now, would provide more protection/production than about any other Red team Dunn has been involved with ...

Sadness ...

design28 — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 22:26:14 -0000

Apparently Rick Porcello will not the remain perfect forever ... he allowed hits and even walked some hitters today. I'm REALLY discouraged by his development. I mean he was PERFECT just a few days ago. Clearly he's overrated ...

(I feel stupid for feeling the need to point out that this is sarcasm ... but it's also a pretty accurate portrayal of the crazy mood swings in the prospecting community) ... the barely out of high school pitcher is throwing to the best hitters in the known universe ... he MIGHT need a little time in A ball ....

Prospect List Theory

design28 — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 19:30:16 -0000

Stop me if you've heard this before: "<WRITER'S NAME WITHHELD> doesn't know what the hell he's talking about! Did you see his top 100 and where he put <INSERT PLAYER NAME>!!!"

I have a small theory I'd like to forward and see if the community can discuss. The top 100's and 50's are coming out and, as an avid fan/follower of prospecting, this year's lists seem to have been pretty, well, unpredictable. I don't recall previous years where so many recent draftees and teenagers have been SO high and plentiful ... is it just me or is minor prospect talent simply down/diluted right now? Beyond Longoria and Bruce how many slam dunks are out there? Granted we can't KNOW who will or who won't make it, but the difference between #25 and #125 this year doesn't seem as large as in past years ...

I guess the most interesting part would be the WHY not just IF this is true ...

I'm not sure this could be quantified (or if anyone else feels the same way), but just something I've noticed particularly this year ...

Thoughts?

Garza/Slowey/Terry Ryan

design28 — Mon, 28 May 2007 13:23:51 -0000

This has become a bizarre siuation ... first Garza was seemingly banished from the major league roster in Spring Training after simply OWNING hitters ... then his numbers are hurt in AAA b/c he was asked to work on his secondary stuff (and being disappointed) etc ...

Slowey comes out like a house on fire in '07 ... Garza spouts off on Saturday:

http://www.twincities.com/ci_5992669?source=most_viewed

Then today (Monday), Slowey is (most probably) promoted to take Ortiz's rotation job? Don't get me wrong, Slowey has been ACES this year, but doesn't this look at least a little punitive on the Twins' part? Sheesh, the Reds should call Ryan and see if they could take Garza off the Twins' hands for Dunn ...

Thoughts? Anyone else with some insight? Is Garza just being immature? Has Ryan acted like this before?

Of course, Silva and Bonser have been mediocre this year, too, so maybe Garza's time will be soon enough ...

Reid Brignac: what is happening?

design28 — Thu, 24 May 2007 14:10:03 -0000

There was no more believer in this guy than me before the season ...

Yeah he had flaws before (wicked K rate, defense) but a 668 OPS in AA? Never saw that coming ... with a guy who seemingly looked a lot closer to TB than the Mendoza line 6 weeks ago, I'm getting a little concerned. Has anyone seen him lately? Is he injured? He has seemed to cut down on his errors lately, but does that mean he's in the TB/BJ Upton school of "forget hitting/just learn to field" development?

Thoughts?

Andrew Miller up; Bonderman to DL

design28 — Wed, 16 May 2007 21:46:30 -0000

Wow. High A one week, Detroit the next. Hope he was just working on his secondary stuff and command in Lakeland since he was pretty mortal there ....

Seriously, is he ready? Seems a touch rushed unless he was just truly working on his stuff. I see a #2ish type SP ... thoughts?

Jason Hammel?

design28 — Tue, 15 May 2007 18:14:43 -0000

Is his work this year in Durham, wait for it, "for real?"

He certainly seems like he's turned things around after a mediocre-to-bad '06 after being looked at as a workhorse/#3 coming up in '05 ... anyone seen him this seaon or have any thoughts?

Worst GM in baseball?

design28 — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 16:19:47 -0000

Looking for the board's thoughts on who is the worst GM in baseball ... yes MLB talent matters, clearly minor league talent matters, Ws, Ls, available resources ... so who is at the bottom?

I'm not going to vote and skew the boards thoughts, but there is one in particular I find almost repulsive in his lack of vision/acumen. So who is it?

Healthiest Franchise (talent division)

design28 — Fri, 17 Nov 2006 14:59:17 -0000

Just curious what FRANCHISE, simply from a talent perspective, would you like to have today and why? Let's remove the concept of revenue from this execrise b/c the Yankees and Red Sox are off playing a different payroll game than everyone else ... but simply mlb and minor league talent combined, who would you want?

A few factors take into consideration:

How good can you be in the near future?

How good can you be in the long term?

Relative age of impact players and how long will their productive years last?

Make up your own criteria as you go along ... this is essay, not yes/no ... I'd love to hear "why" as much as "who" ...

Me? I'd probably go Marlins ... if finances aren't at play, their talent and youth is frightening ... although the Red Sox, Rockies, D'Backs and Twins can make great cases too ..

Thoughts?

NDRO New World Order

design28 — Sat, 29 Jul 2006 12:39:01 -0000

Ouch. This is the article in response to DYoung-Upton-Duke's spouting off to USA Today on Thursday ... and here I thought Upton would be getting a full time job in the next week in TB ...

http://sports.tbo.com/sports/MGBPZ5UF7QE.html

Who is still arguing that keeping these guys in AAA (or getting them there so quickly) isn't affecting there development/careers? This is going to get uglier through the years (esp for Delmon) ...