Boring...... Let's talk about......

[dogdaddy]

Ok. Not much to talk about in my opinion. Outfield is set... Choo, Bruce, and Luddy. Infield is set... Votto, Phillips, Cozart, and Fraizer. Catcher is set... Hanigan and Mez or whoever (not much to talk about). Pitching on the other hand is a question mark..

1. If Chapman is a starter, where does Leake fit in?
2. If Chapman goes to the Pen, Does Leake go to 5?
3. Can Prior contribute? Can he be 5?
4. Is Cueto stil the Ace?
5. Can Latos shake the April and May "slow start" delima?
6. Who else is in the mix?
7. Why the heck isn't Baker calling me? My fastball is up to 50 mph and my curveball is dipping about 2 cm. I work out once a month and I'm primed and ready. By the way, I got my 40 down to a 14.2,,,,, If I don't hear anything soon Im going look elswhere!!!

[stsparks72]

That's what happens when you have a really good team and are expected to win. If the Reds don't produce this season then there will be plenty to talk about. I have the answers to all your questions below.

1. Leake will spot start
2. Yes
3. Only if the team suffers major injuries
4. Yes
5. I think he will
6. I think JJ Hoover might beat Simon out for a bullpen spot
7. I think you should pitch for the Cardinals

[jlohm1]

1. If Chapman starts, then Leake will probably go to AAA to get regular starts, but I think Chapman will close
2. yes
3. maybe. can't hurt on a minor league deal though
4. yes
5. He should be fine, I think
6. I agree with sparks about jj. We'll see though.

[redsfan6794]

1. If Chapman is a starter, where does Leake fit in?

I see Leake as a long man/ spot starter this season.

2. If Chapman goes to the Pen, Does Leake go to 5?

Yes, unless Corcino is completely lights out at the end of spring. I like Leake a lot, he reminds me of Greg Maddux a bit. He is not overpowering and he can hit. He's what Michah Owings wished he could have been.

3. Can Prior contribute? Can he be 5?

Doubtful but who knows, maybe he can be a pen guy if he makes the big club, nothing is etched in stone about whether he will be on the opening day roster.

4. Is Cueto stil the Ace?

Yes. It's been great seeing his progress into what he has become. Elmer Dessens with more action and bite.

5. Can Latos shake the April and May "slow start" delima?

That's really up to him. I'd rather him suck at the beginning of the season than the end.

6. Who else is in the mix?

Our team seems pretty set. I hope Cozart doesn't see a sophomore slump this season, he was a doubles machine last year and the glove is pretty stellar for a guy with his experience.

7. Why the heck isn't Baker calling me? My fastball is up to 50 mph and my curveball is dipping about 2 cm. I work out once a month and I'm primed and ready. By the way, I got my 40 down to a 14.2,,,,, If I don't hear anything soon Im going look elswhere!!!

Get up to my level and throw that 75 mph gas. I hear the Pirates could use a starter, you might be just what they are looking for

[jlohm1]

I think Prior would be in the bullpen before he started

[Vottomatic19]

Position Players

1. Shin-Soo Choo
2. Brandon Phillips
3. Joey Votto
4. Ryan Ludwick
5. Jay Bruce
6. Todd Frazier
7. Zack Cozart
8. Ryan Hanigan
9. Devin Mesoraco (playing like he has a fire lit under his @$$)
10. Chris Heisey
11. Xavier Paul
12. Jack Hannahan
13. Jason Donald
14. Miguel Olivo

Pitchers

1. Johnny Cueto
2. Mat Latos
3. Homer Bailey
4. Bronson Arroyo
5. Aroldis Chapman
6. Jonathan Broxton
7. Sean Marshall
8. Jose Arredondo
9. Sam LeCure
10. Logan Ondrusek
11. JJ Hoover
12. Alfredo Simon
13. Nick Masset
14. Mike Leake
15. Tony Cingrani
16. Manny Parra

The way I see it is that there are 30 guys going for 25 spots...

Mes is outplaying Olivo big time...so I would say Olivo is off the 25 (He would have to be put on the 40 man anyways...)

If they take 12 pitchers then Jason Donald would probably be another bat off the bench. If they take 13, he is probably off the list. This leaves us with a great situation...2 RH and 2 LH bench bats...

As was stated before...the only question is what pitchers break camp in the right direction...I think that, obviously, Leake's situation revolves solely around Chapman. If he is moved back to Closer, Leake is #5...if Chapman Starts, I could see them using them both as a #4.5 type to start, allowing Chapman's innings to remain low...therefore eliminating the Strasburgesque dillema...don't ask me how that would work...! However...I could also see Leake being in AAA as a starter to be called up regularly to give Chapman reg. rest and to keep himself in more of a routine...

If taking 13 pitchers...I would take off Cingrani (needs to start in Lville), Parra, and Masset...If taking only 12...I would take either Simon or Ondrusek off...of course if Leake goes to Lville, that would mean that one of these would stay...

I know...long winded...but... what say you???

If i messed anything up mathematically, sorry in advance...

[stsparks72]

I know...long winded...but... what say you???

I agree with most everything. Masset won't be ready by Opening Day. Simon hasn't looked too good in ST, possibility that Leake or Parra could take his spot.

[dogdaddy]

Cincinnati Brass need to listen to Dusty and Price on Chapman remaining the best closer in baseball. How many pitchers can throw a baseball over 100 mph, not many. Why take an arm like that and make him an average starter. If the Reds are going to be a serious contender this year for the world series it needs to be Marshall, Broxton and Chapman in the later innings. Remember the Nasty boys!! I guess I was all for this move at the beginning but just not seeing it now. I was hoping he would be the next Randy Johnson as a starter.

[Gormans Mic]

Billy Hamilton is the 2nd coming.

agreed.

[JackB]

Hamilton isn't making much of a case for himself to be called up.