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Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy has retired from the Dayton Daily News after covering the Cincinnati Reds for 37 years. Hal's blog, though, will continue to be a must-read for Reds fans. He'll share his thoughts on the team this season and will file updates from Great American Ball Park. You also can catch Hal in print every Sunday in his popular Ask Hal columnHome > Blogs > The Real McCoy | Cincinnati Reds baseball news > Archives > 2009 > April > 05 > Entry
Some surprises on a tumultuous day
Some surprises emerged from today’s workout, one day before the Cincinnati Reds meet the New York Mets on Opening Day tomorrow (dress warm - gloves and scarves recommended, and maybe snow goggles).
And not all the surprises are for the good.
Jonny Gomes did not make the team. That’s a surprise. Gomes started fast, hitting nearly .300 for half the spring, then hit an unfortunate dry spell and his average tumbled to the .220s. Yet, he led the team in home runs (four) and tied for the lead in RBIs with 12.
What hurt him is that he did not play well at first base and did not play well defensively in right field and left field.
Instead, the Reds kept 30-year-old Darnell McDonald (he is not a kid and is two years older than Gomes with far less major-league experience). McDonald, a No.1 draft pick by the Orioles in 1997, has speed and can chase down fly balls. He had a great spring hitting, but the back of his baseball card tells you why he has bounced around the minors his entire career, playing only 21 major-league games and hitting .143. His minor-league career average is .269 with 11 homers in 4,815 minor-league at-bats.
Gomes was designated for assignment, meaning he has 72 hours to decided if he will report to Class AAA Louisville or become a free agent and try to sign with another team. At this moment, the stunned Gomes is not certain of his immediate future.
THE OTHER surprise is that the Reds optioned infielder/outfielder Adam Rosales to Louisville, keeping shortstop Paul Janish instead. What does that say? That says the Reds are uncertain about shortstop Alex Gonzalez and Janish is back-up insurance.
IT IS NOT surprising that the Reds optioned Homer Bailey to Louisville, but the guess here is that he won’t stay there long. He may quickly replace Bronson Arroyo in the rotation. Arroyo is battling carpal tunnel syndrome and the Reds have moved him back from his scheduled Thursday start to Sunday. In his place Thursday Micah Owings will pitch. Owings pitched in a minor-league game today - five innings, one run, five hits, no walks, two strikeouts.
Nor is it surprsing that the Reds optioned both catcher/infielder Wilkin Castillo and lefthanded relief pitcher Bill Bray to Louisville. There was no room for Castillo and Bray was awful all spring, losing his lefthanded bullpen spot to Daniel Ray Herrerra, who won it fair and square by not giving up a run all spring.
LAYNCE NIX made it as the lefthanded bat off the bench and Nick Massat was a survivor in the bullpen because he has experience there and Bailey doesnt.
ANOTHER OMINOUS note is that Willy Taveras, acquired to bat leadoff and play center field, has the flu and won’t be in the Opening Day lineup against Mets lefthander Johan Santana, making it a difficult debut for the lefthanded McDonald if he plays center field. Of course, Chris Dickerson could be the center fielder on Opening Day, with Jerry Hairston Jr. playing left field.
That’s a lot of turmoil and tribulation for a team that desperately needs to get off to a fast start.
THE ROSTER:
Pitchers
RHP Aaron Harang RHP Edinson Volquez RHP Micah Owings RHP Johnny Cueto RHP Bronson Arroyo RHP Francisco Cordero RHP David Weathers RHP Jared Burton LHP Daniel Ray Herrera RHP Mike Lincoln LHP Arthur Rhodes RHP Nick Massat
Catchers
Ramon Hernandez Ryan Hanigan
Infielders
Joey Votto Brandon Phillips Alex Gonzalez Edwin Encarnacion Paul Janish
Outfielders Jay Bruce Willy Taveras Chris Dickerson Darnell McDonald
Infielders/Outfielders
Jerry Hairston Jr. Laynce Nix
MY PREDICTION FOR THE NL CENTRAL: 1. Cubs, 2. Brewers, 3. Cardinals, 4 Reds, 5, Astros, 6. Pirates.
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April 5, 2010 9:48 AM | Link to this
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By Buster
April 6, 2009 10:13 PM | Link to this
Jack - I did not mention Gomes being a superstar … not sure what you’re reading either … perhaps you should be sure what you’re reading before you comment.
By George Grande
April 6, 2009 1:06 PM | Link to this
Hi! Hello! Etc. It’s me, George Grande and my partner Chris Welch and welcome to opening day. Uh, say, I noticed since Chris shaved off his mustache how much he looks like Bernie Madoff! Geesh. I hope that’s not an omen for Dusty Baker and his crew.
By BrarHopper
April 6, 2009 12:18 PM | Link to this
Ahh, the signs of spring…Howie Feltersnatch is back with the best name on the blog! Love it!!! Also, I wonder if Sheffield will hurt the Reds today?
By Howie Feltersnatch
April 6, 2009 11:54 AM | Link to this
Spring is in the air(or is that snowflakes) and it is time for hope to spring from Red’s country. Forget all of the pundits and naysayers lets get behind this young team and hope for the best. This team has the potential to be competitive if not for the division at least for a wild-card. I am not ready to doom a team before thay have played a game and for the first time in a while I believe there is reason for excitement. So skip out of work early belly-up to the bar and watch the latest edition of sports “original pro-team” give it their all. GO REDS!!!!!
By Jack
April 6, 2009 11:41 AM | Link to this
Not sure what you are reading Buster, not sure anyone mentioned that Gomes was a superstar. I would take him over McDonald for the extra outfield position. By all accounts, he is a good teammate and good clubhouse guy. McDonald played well in Spring Training…how many times have we seen someone play well in Spring Training and that lasts. We do not need an extra good defensive outfielder. With Dickerson/Hairston, Tavares, and Bruce, your outfield is quite good defensively and will be playing the majority of the time. Who spells Votto? Not sure that question has been answered. Also, agree with Baily in Triple A. He is a starter and if there is not a place on the roster for him, he should be in Louisville (however, I would guess he takes Arroyo’s spot in a few days). Could be a real struggle today if Johan is on.
By The Hawk
April 6, 2009 11:35 AM | Link to this
What happened to Hopper? I thought he’d shown he knew how to play offense and defense at the big league level. Did he have a bad spring? I’ll take him over McDonald and Nix.
By Sal Monella
April 6, 2009 11:09 AM | Link to this
Dusty picks out lineups like I pick Lottery numbers. And like Dusty, I lose more than I win.
By Mark in Sun Valley
April 6, 2009 10:55 AM | Link to this
Dickerson average vs lefthanders =.286. Dusty is an idiot and clings to the lefty/righty mantra like a dog with a bone. Hey Dusty, Jay Bruce hit .190 against lefties, why not platoon him? Bruce still plays, let Dickerson hit as well. With this roster, the Reds are about 50 to 1 to be a winner. With Dusty mangaging, make it 1000 to 1.
By JIm T
April 6, 2009 10:37 AM | Link to this
Buster, excellent post. Dickerson not playing today is the right decision.Dusty did a great job of easing Votto into the lineup last year by putting him in situations he could suceede in thus allowing him to gain confidence. Having him take a 0-4 against Santana wouldn’t help him or the team. Secondly since when did Gomes become a superstar. 4 homers early in spring training when pitchers are of the minor league variety or haven’t found there groove isn’t a reason to keep him. Is MaDonald all that much better then him maybe not but in the field he is. While this club isn’t as talented as I would like it to be there is hope for the future and I see a plan being implemented. Either way I will enjoy watching a young enthusiastic team perform and hopefully grow into a winner. One other thing can all the comments about Dusty playing his buddies cease and disappear. Walt J has final say over this roster and that includes weather Dusty continues as manager or not.
By Buster
April 6, 2009 8:12 AM | Link to this
Perhaps Mark was referring to the fact that this blog takes every decision that the Reds make and explode that decision in the worst possible light and then conclude the Reds are going nowhere. Mark isn’t delusional to believe the Reds are going to win the World Series but he is also not a knee-jerk hillbilly who believes that dropping Gomes, and trading Keppinger and sending Bailey down (for now) are deal-breakers on the Reds success. This team has solid pitching and the starting eight is much improved from last year … perhaps they could play some games before the “end of the world” occurs and anyone who believes we should start Dickerson on Opening Day against the best Lefthanded pitcher in baseball has no business making any further comments on the Reds. There is a difference between critical thinking about the Reds and half-azz comments about them.
By Huron
April 6, 2009 2:34 AM | Link to this
McDonald in Centre doesn’t make sense. Dusty is over thinking. Tomorrow is a going to be a McDonald sombrero givaway at the ballpark.
By epsen
April 6, 2009 1:46 AM | Link to this
Dickerson did okay against lefty’s last year. Santana is one of the best and Dickerson is missing out on valuable experience. He should be in CF even if Willy wasn’t sick. Also, Gomes shouldn’t be docked because of mistakes at first base. He had no experience there. And why is Valaika in AA? Having Janish with the Reds, the Bats have no real SS or 2nd baseman.
By Thomas Faster
April 6, 2009 12:06 AM | Link to this
Castelinni, Caste-cheapie, Caste-clueless: “we’re just not gonna lose anymore”? Yeah, right. So, Taveras has the flu and cannot play…the flu??!! You have got to be kidding me. What respectable athlete can’t play with the flu on opening day? And why bench Dickerson against Santana? How will a player ever improve if they don’t face good pitching, lefty or righty? Heck, just bring up Stubbs to play center, he’ll hit better than McDonald or Taveras. Hairston is already injured and so is Gonzalez. What an awful coach Baker is, and Jocketty should be FIRED NOW for fielding such an awful team! Bring back Krivsky, O’Brien, or God-forbid even Bowden!!!
By Greg
April 6, 2009 12:04 AM | Link to this
I hope Gomes reports to Louisville. Could use his services sooner rather than later. Might be this year’s Jerry Hairston.
By isit'75?
April 5, 2009 11:19 PM | Link to this
Zach Park has a valid observation unlike 95% of the others
By Mark in Sun Valley
April 5, 2009 9:59 PM | Link to this
This team has me longing for the days of the “All Eric” outfield.
By jeff
April 5, 2009 9:49 PM | Link to this
To me the one thing that has been vastly overlooked is Francisco Cordero. He has been awful this year and to be honest he was not very good last year. Plus you got Arroyo already getting pushed back. However people need to step back and see that they are building this thing for 2010 or 2011. If we sneak in this year great if not then I will be happy about our future. Personally I think this team is between 75-80 wins this year. it all depends on April. Go redlegs!!!!!
By STEVE
April 5, 2009 9:33 PM | Link to this
Hal,Enjoyed your article on Sarasota. We live in Trenton, Oh, ,have been coming to Siesta Key for 30 years. Love the place. The man playing taps at sunset bought the bugle at a pawn shop. It’s a World War 1 bugle.
By jack
April 5, 2009 9:03 PM | Link to this
Sorry Mark, some of us dont live in a dream world where to be a reds fan, it means we think they have all the potential in the world and could maybe just contend for the world series. You as a Reds fan can have your opinion and I as a reds fan, can have mine. I give you three weeks before you start ripping this team.
By Mark
April 5, 2009 8:55 PM | Link to this
Wow why do you even comment and call yourself Reds fans if your ALREADY ripping the team apart before even playing their first game. Look at Kepp after his hot start, he declined quickly even though he was one of the “best contact hitters.” Gomes is streaky, but a backup to this team and platoon player. But I guess we should all just boycott games since they are 0-0 already and this is the best it gets. I applaud the people who make intelligent discussions about this team, but the people who just get on here to rip on the team should stay away and should NEVER call themselves Reds fans. Volquez, Cueto, Harang, Owings, Arroyo, Bailey… that right there keeps the Reds in most games if they play to potential especially if Homer becomes the starter we all loved a couple years ago. Votto, Bruce and Phillips should produce the runs, Taveras will get healthy and be the leadoff hitter he was 2 years ago and if EE can grow up and Gonzo stay healthy I agree with the ‘experts’ that this team can surprise. Janish plays solid defense, and look at the Rays, speed and defense rather than the long ball… hmm doesn’t sound too bad of formula to try and follow
By grandpa's swing
April 5, 2009 8:03 PM | Link to this
I remember sitting on grandpa’s swing and listening to the games as a boy. For the most part the reds have not been very good since. I have a 12 year old and all he knows is they have always been this way. I thought Bob Boone was a lame manager, but he looks good compared to DB. 75 wins MAX
By ShockMonkey
April 5, 2009 7:46 PM | Link to this
Hope springs eternal but this team looks average at best. Wow. Oh well, what we see in April will undoubtably go through many changes by May and June. The pressure is on the pitching because we sure as heck won’t be scoring many runs.
By Bret B
April 5, 2009 6:49 PM | Link to this
I guess we won’t be seeing Aaron at many Reds games this year. Somehow the last couple of moves regarding back-up players has caused people to hate this club again. Who’d a though Gomes and Keppinger were the make or break players …
By Aaron B.
April 5, 2009 6:41 PM | Link to this
I find it hard to believe this team couldn’t find better players than Laynce Nix and Darnell “Tyrone” McDonald to fill out the bench. I am assuming these are temporary stop gap measures, but still, how can they be serious about competing with this sorry excuse of a opening day roster? Baker is boasting about 6 centerfielders, meanwhile we have one first baseman and not one decent pinch hitter, and two light hitting infielders. Hal, keep ripping this management until they field a respectable ball club.
By Buster
April 5, 2009 6:34 PM | Link to this
The only player from the 2008 roster to be missed is Dunn … 2009 roster is a lot better than last year … Dusty is still managing which is a negative …
By hopfrog
April 5, 2009 6:21 PM | Link to this
So… there’s always next year.
By Jack
April 5, 2009 6:20 PM | Link to this
Umm…I will take the 2008 lineup, at least I know some of the players. After Bruce and Votto, I was looking forward to watching Johnny Gomes play this year. Seemed like a good kid, good teammate. This team sucks. Has any team been no-hit on opening day?
By Mike
April 5, 2009 6:07 PM | Link to this
2008 Opening Day Lineup: CF Corey Patterson SS Jeff Keppinger RF Ken Griffey Jr. 2B Brandon Phillips LF Adam Dunn 3B Edwin Encarnacion 1B Scott Hatteberg C Javier Valentin P Aaron Harang Remember that.
By jason
April 5, 2009 5:57 PM | Link to this
10 of the 15 espn “guru’s” pick reds to be dark horse in NL. one even picked the reds to go to the world series.
By Buster
April 5, 2009 5:23 PM | Link to this
Sheesh Max, calm down buddy … not sure what you’re moaning about … the only questionable move was Bailey down and Bronson on DL … since Bronson says he is fine, then Bailey to AAA. There was never any plan to play Keppinger at 3B and EE to Leftfield and Dickerson to CF - did you make that up recently? AG is fine as I watched him make two or three fine plays yesterday and hit a double. Perhaps Harrison is Hairston and he is not sick as I watched him hit a double yesterday. Taveres has the flu but I am pretty sure he will be back soon. The new catcher Hernandez has been with the team enough to call slider, fastball, slider for the Reds’s pitchers. EE will be EE does not mean anything as far as I can tell but you want him in Leftfield but he will be at 3B. Not sure who the other “pawns” are that are “falling” but they are just pawns (meaning backups) so the team is going to be fine. Your might want to get some new friends as this team will not lose 100 games this year.
By JAMESRSHOCKMAN
April 5, 2009 5:18 PM | Link to this
HAL, CAN’T BELIEVE YOU WENT THROUGH 6 WEEKS OF SPRING TRAINING AND DON’T KNOW THAT MCDONALD IS A RIGHT-HANDED HITTER. ONE LEFT-HANDED HITTER ON THE BENCH MAKES NO SENSE. CASTILLO SHOULD HAVE BEEN KEPT.
By max
April 5, 2009 5:00 PM | Link to this
This is a car wreck. I was stupidly feeling optimistic about two weeks ago, spring fever I guess. Some of the guys I chat with are predicting 100 losses. I thought that was nuts, especially with the weak teams in our division we play about every other day. But already I feel we have lost AG, Arroyo, the new centerfield. Harrison is stil sick, the new catcher has played about a week with the team. EE is going to be EE. The recent moves have just shot down any hope I had. I still think the move to make was put Keppinger at 3rd, move EE to LF and Dickerson to Center. Move EE to 4th, Keppinger to 6th. Now they move Kepp to the Astros and all of these other pawns are falling. My optimism has evaported. Somebody tell me there’s a reason for hope.
By joe
April 5, 2009 4:58 PM | Link to this
What a sorry team this Reds team is. And it has gotten worse since Dusty Baker’s arrival, much worse. I predict last place behind Pittsburgh and Houston!
By Doug
April 5, 2009 4:48 PM | Link to this
McDonald actually hits righty, so Santana is in deep merde tomorrow.
By Zack Park
April 5, 2009 4:41 PM | Link to this
I don’t get why they don’t start Bailey and DL Arroyo since he’s less than. It’s seems risky to start Bronson full-tilt when he’s obviously wounded. Why not rest him for two weeks and let Homer start in his place since Homer has been so hot? I just can’t figure out the Red’s thinking on this one. I guess their doctors are way smarter than the public, because on the surface this seems a wierd move. Or is it Bronson’s baseball ego that always lies and say “No I’m fine.” How many times have we seen guys say that and it turns out to be BS and then their injury gets worse and they lose more time. With both BA and HB, the Reds have the luxury of erring toward caution. What are your thoughts, guys?
By Kyle
April 5, 2009 4:05 PM | Link to this
Um, do you mean Nick Massett instead of Josh Roenicke?