Tuesday, August 10, 2004
Lidle For Who?
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It seems that the Reds should have been able to get more. What did they get? Well, there's certainly at least some potential there. For all the weight that A ball stats carry (a very nice way to say basically no weight at all), Moran has 41 SB in the South Atlantic League this year, which is 4th in the league. Looking at his stats reminds me of an undeveloped Ryan Freel. Only Freel can play anywhere. Do the Reds need another young OF right now? Wilson looks to be a little less impressive--at least so far. The only stat that was eye-catching from Lakewood was his ability to keep the ball in the park (0.2 HR/9). But, he's a lefty and O'Brien says maybe he could start one day. Maybe I could too. I'll let you know what Danny Boy says. Deal grade from the first glance for CIN: C.
Acevedo Needs Relief; Goes to Pen Himself
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Reds and the Red Cross
Griffey is supposed to start on Tuesday against the Dodgers. As I said before, he has a history of easing back into the lineup once activated and this time will be no different. I wouldn't start him until he plays back-to-back days. Larkin still hasn't started since July 24. Both he and Junior got treatment on Monday and Barry hopes to see his name in the starting lineup as well Tuesday. Barry's days of playing regularly are probably over, but if you're strapped at SS, he has played well when he's been in there. Finally, Kearns has taken the last two nights off for the AAA Bats but he's gone 6-16 with 6 R and 2 RBI thus far in his rehab assignment. He'll be ready to go when he comes back in about a week. Will he play every day? It's not a lock, that's for sure.
Cooling Off?
Has Mr. Pena, who dropped from being hot property (93% owned) to this week's 61%, cooled off as much as his ESPN fantasy leaguers suggest? Not exactly. His contact % in August is still awful (62%), but his SLG is .528 and OPS is .854. To expect some slumps when his BB/K is 0.22 is wise, especially when combined with his contact %, but he's also capable of having 5 RBI days like he did on Sunday. Wily Mo is high-risk, high-reward right now. It would be silly to suggest that a player with 429 career ABs could keep up the pace he was setting, so what might be considered a little lull now could be an opportunity for you to pick him up. Like I said, it is quite the risk, but for a guy who could be an every day player next year at 23, it might be worth the roster spot in a keeper.
The Save: A Fickle, Fickle Statistic
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Fun With Numbers
The Reds are 27th (.220) in MLB in AVG with runners in scoring position and two outs. Only SF, MIN, and MIL are worse. Reds' leadoff hitters are hitting .249 this season but at least their OBP is .367. The 2 hole has an OBP of .302 though--not exactly setting up the heart of the order. The Reds are hitting .244 against the NL Central, which they're up against in 33 of their final 51 games. Their record against the Central? 25-32. They're above .500 against the other two divisions. The Reds are 2-11 against the Redbirds in '04, but then no one plays the Cards well. Adam Dunn has had 112 chances to hit into a DP and has only done so 3 times. Impressive. Of course, his G/F is 0.56. That helps. I'm Matt Allen, and this one belongs to The Red Letters.