February 24, 2008...4:53 am
Foggy Past Becomes Present
The Reds reverted back to some bad habits last week by adding Josh Fogg to the roster.
Thankfully though, it’s not exactly Eric Milton money (3-yr-$25.5 mil) that they’ve signed Fogg for in 2008. Try one year at $1 million buckaroos.
However, I think the Reds simply could have and should have done better than Fogg.
Certainly, this is not the worst off season signing by Cincinnati this year (Scott Sauerbeck) but, this is merely a temporary solution for some shortcomings on the bump.
Or, this is the unfortunate second-coming of Paul Wilson.
Basically, the starting rotation needs a four and five after Harang, Arroyo and Belisle. It’s expected that Bailey will earn one of the spots and predicted that Johnny Cueto could become the fifth. That being said, Fogg’s presence will be a useful insurance plan should Homer or Cuetro fizzle out.
Fogg posted a 10-9 record with a 4.94 ERA for the NL Champs
Personally, I would rather see Jeremy Affeldt in the rotation over Fogg but, his left-handedness will keep him in the bullpen as Bill Bray is recently battling some arm troubles.
I looked up Fogg’s career numbers and found he’s statistically comparable to pitchers such as Kyle Lohse, Brett Tomko, Brian Anderson and Pete Schourek. Sound familiar Reds fans?
From 1997-’99 Tomko managed a 29-26 record for the Reds before being dealt to Seattle as part of the Jr. trade
On the other hand, I wish the Reds would have made a stronger push for Oakland’s Joe Blanton. The A’s right-hander is 27-years-old and still arbitration eligible, meaning Cincinnati could keep him for three more seasons.
Plus, in Blanton’s first three seasons he’s made no less than 31 starts while averaging 208 innings and holds a record of eight games above .500 (42-34). Also, he’s due around $400,000 this year. He’s both very solid and very affordable indeed.
Well, affordable in greenbacks anyway. Obviously, Blanton’s numbers aren’t hiding from Oakland’s GM Billy Beane. Beane is famous for dealing quality players for prospects including two already this off season (Dan Haren to Arizona and Nick Swisher to Chicago).
Both of Beane’s recent deals brought back a total of nine prospects. So, guess what Beane is requesting from teams interested in Blanton.
To get Blanton, the Reds would probably have to part with a Homer Bailey, Joey Votto or Johnny Cueto. Perhaps, even two of the three might be included in such a deal.
And, because this deal isn’t hinging on dollar signs, the Reds diverse collection of talented prospects allows them the flexibility to act like big spenders for once.
Sure, this would be a lot to give up but, the return value is enough to win the Central Division this year! Now, wouldn’t that be something.
Bullpen Session
- Of course, I was disappointed to see Joe Nuxhall fall short on joining the broadcasters’ wing in the HOF. Actually, Joe’s death was very timely this year and I thought that might give him an extra boost from the voters.
Some Reds fans I’ve spoke with are obviously upset that Joe didn’t make it in. That’s ok but, the guy who did – Dave Niehaus - is equally deserving of such an honor as Joe.
- Had Joe been voted as the Ford C. Frick Award winner, Marty Brennaman was ready to accept the honor on Joe’s behalf.
- On the flip side, I’m truly excited for former Reds broadcaster Steve Stewart. He’s now in K.C. and I think he’ll be a perfect fit in the nation’s bread basket. Also, I always enjoyed reading the Bad Boy’s blog when he was working for the Reds.
- Here’s another Reds’ employee who was handed a tough break but managed to land on his feet.
- The Reds reported to spring training last Saturday. And, already the Dusty Baker haters are at full force.
- Another reason why I admire Griffey Jr.
Dusty Baker: “You know, I talked to Hank Aaron the other day. I guess he and Junior are on the board of the Boys & Girls Club. Hank said what a pleasure it was for him to be around Junior and his wife, and he could tell what kind of guy he was. Hank doesn’t give compliments like that very often. So that meant a lot to me. He’s met most of the superstars in the game, and this is the first time he’s really raved about meeting one.”
- I’m particularly interested in watching Reds prospect Adam Rosales this spring. I covered “Rosey” when he was playing at Western Michigan and I was broadcasting for the Ohio Bobcats.
Adam was brilliant at SS in the MAC (All-MAC first team and All-MAC academic team). Plus, I always wondered what more he could have done if had played his college ball at a warm weather school.
That inquiry peak my interest further after Rosales climbed through the Reds’ Florida and Arizona minor league teams this past season.
In fact, Adam earned the organization’s Minor League Hitter of the Year Award and a Florida State league All Star appearance. Plus, following the season Rosales blossomed even more in the prestigious Arizona Fall League batting .292, with 1HR and 10 RBIs in just 14 games.
- I’m not surprised that many Reds fans don’t want to see the team move its spring training home to Arizona.
5 Comments
February 28, 2008 at 11:42 pm
Hey Brian, your blog has been added to my website reading rotation so expect some comments in the future.
I believe Nuxhall will get it next year or the year after.
I agree on Affeldt in the rotation.
I cringed when I read the names Eric Milton and Kyle Lohse. I am hoping Fogg goes above and beyond his past numbers, but then they may sign him long term and that also makes me cringe.
February 29, 2008 at 3:45 am
Hi,
Thanks for adding me to your starting rotation!
I think you may be right about Nuxie reaching the HOF in the coming years.
However, it would have been so rewarding to see Joe accept the honor while he was still living.
And, I wouldn’t worry about Fogg being signed long term.
The Reds are trying to catch lightning in a bottle with Josh during this season but, his future with Cincy will be year-to-year.
Besides, I would be surprised if Krivsky went more than two years for the 30 year-old Fogg who has never won more than 12 games in a season and has also never lost less than 9 games in a season.
Opening Day is so close, I can’t wait!!!
March 20, 2008 at 1:56 am
Hey Brian,
Love your blog–the insight and your comprehensive knowledge of sports.
I am looking forward to the Reds’ Opening Day here in Cincinnati. But it is hard for me to enjoy baseball as much as other sports in a smaller market town. I prefer football, where the Bengals cannot be so drastically out-spent. Only out-managed and out-performed.
Can you give some encouragement to a smaller market town fan for a sport with such a large initial disparity?
April 9, 2008 at 4:26 am
Wil,
Unfortunately, the same discouraged feelings you have towards MLB are shared by thousands of baseball fans living outside the New York, L.A. and Chicago markets.
This small market epidemic has baseball fans believing there’s nothing else to root for because the team is broke financially, they can’t even afford to pay a high draft pick and the term “rebuilding” has been used by the organization for more than a decade.
It’s a sad state for any fan and it’s easy to succumb to such bitterness when you see A-Rod makes more money than the entire Tampa Bay roster. Geez.
However, there’s still a reason to look up as a baseball fan. Yes, all is not lost.
Be proud of your hometown team, its glorious colors and even its newest ballpark, for new ownership has arrived in Cincinnati, Kansas City and Tampa Bay.
Now, think for a moment about the makeup of a successful business. What are its foundations? Typically, great businesses are molded out of quality leadership, efficiency and yes, money too. Baseball, my friend, is no different.
Similarly, we understand life is much easier when we have “enough” money. And, when we’re without “enough” dough we tend to find ways in which to be more efficient with our cash.
So, while it seems the result of making more money is an easier lifestyle, P. Diddy reminds us “mo money, mo problems.” And again, the same for baseball.
So, what’s this have to do with a small market franchise? Simple, there’s no guarantee that the richest clubs earn the most victories on the diamond. This is proven every year.
That being what it is, there’s something to be said for the NFL’s salary cap system, which, helps financially balance the large and small markets on a level playing field.
A similar system needs to be applied to baseball but, as usual, MLB is the caboose on the forward thinking express.
Conversely, don’t be lured into thinking the salary cap will turn the fortunes around of a perennial loser like the Reds, Royals and Rays. Just look to your Cincinnati Bengals as proof.
Wil, let the Bullpen help you open your eyes to a different look at the game of baseball. Learn what exactly a small market is by definition compared to how it’s labeled in MLB, and learn why it’s much better to root for an efficient club than to root for a spoiled one.
Read these Bullpen articles and be enlightened!!!
(Found on the right hand side of the page under “Choose a Bullpen” and then select baseball)
-The Large-Market Florida Marlins
-Survival of the fittest
-Hamilton brings back pitching
-Developing Major-League talent
April 17, 2008 at 4:29 am
[...] further explained in this previous post why the Reds should have done better this winter than signing [...]
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