Chris Sabo’s Goggles

Cincinnati Reds shortstop – and the guy that Dusty Baker called “one of the top shortstops in baseball to me” – Alex Gonzalez is out for at least three weeks with what doctors are calling a compression fracture of his left knee. 

Somewhere, Barry Larkin’s phone is ringing.

I’m no doctor, but if I was I’d totally be one of those cool doctors that wears the scrubs with all of those wacky designs on them.  Anyway… I’m no doctor, but a compression fracture doesn’t sound like something that’s going to get better in three weeks with some chicken noodle soup and JELL-O.

Expect Jeff Keppinger and possibly Jerry “I Hit a 3-Run HR the Other Day” Gil to get a good, long look at SS these next few weeks.

The Reds are no longer winless in ‘08!  I take back everything I said yesterday about rooting for the Bengals now, because the Reds’ 6-1 victory over the Minnesota Twins this afternoon convinced me that there’s still hope.

Non-roster invitee Jerry Gil hit an opposite field, three-run homer in the game, and Dusty Baker had this to say about the young man:

That young man has skillz.

I added the “z” in “skillz” because I like to think that Baker talks about his players that way.

Jerry Gil would later leave the game after pulling his hamstring while trying to beat out an infield hit, to which Baker added:

That young man has a sore hammy.

Okay, I made that last one up.

Kent Mercker, David Weathers, Francisco Cordero, Mike Stanton and Mike Lincoln all pitched late in the game and pitched well.  In fact, seven pitchers were on the mound today for the Reds (not at the same time, that would be cheating) and they held the Twins to one unearned run on five hits.  Now, I realize it’s only Spring Training, but I love to hear stuff like that about the Reds pitching. Let’s hope we continue to read comments like this until, oh… October.

Speaking of Francisco Cordero, I guess Stormy Weathers wasn’t too pleased when he heard the Reds signed a new closer.  I can understand that, especially after the season Weathers had, but you know the best way to get over it – pitch better than Cordero and you’ll win the closer’s job back. 

But if you manage to do that then the Reds will have $46 million invested in a set-up guy, and then I’ll be the one that isn’t pleased. 

Those of you hoping for a Reds perfect record in Spring Training might want to cover your eyes – the Reds lost their first game to the Phillies, 8-1.

Gary Majewski – one of the guys the Reds got in the Austin Kearns/Felipe Lopez trade – got shelled for six runs on six hits and only managed to get one out.  After one game this Spring, Majewski’s ERA is 162.00.  It appears that his shoulder is all better now.

How’s that grievance coming, Mr. Castellini?

We interrupt your regularly scheduled Cincinnati Reds news with this BREAKING NEWS story…

Last night the Spice Girls concluded their world tour with a tearful performance in Toronto. During the show, Posh Spice’s son (or David Beckham’s son… depending on your interests) came out on stage to do a break-dance routine.

Oh, how cute!

Wait, that’s not why I’m mentioning this. Take note of the baseball cap that Cruz Beckham is wearing.

If the Cincinnati Reds have Girl Power on their side, then anything is possible in 2008.

GO REDS!

A record crowd of 17 people saw the Johnny Cueto-led White team beat the Aaron Harang-led Gray team 8-2 in Reds intrasquad action this afternoon.  Drew Anderson (LF) was the MVP of the intrasquad game going 2-3 with a three-run homerun.  He later announced that he was going to Disney World.  

Dusty Baker had this to say:

No missed signs. That’s what I like.

We all like that, Dusty, it’s not just you. In fact, that’s why we baseball fans watch baseball.  For nine innings we watch the game and just hope, pray, that nobody misses any signs.  Homeruns, stolen bases, no-hitters – it’s all gravy.  Give me an afternoon at the ballpark with no missed signs and I’m in heaven.

It’s hard to believe that the words “intrasquad games” could get me excited, but they do.  Spring Training is barely a week old and I’m already tired of the non-comments coming out of Dusty Baker’s mouth.  If you believe him, every single pitcher in camp has a “really good arm” and has “good control.” 

World Series, here we come!

Well, except for Todd Coffey - I heard he got absolutely creamed in batting practice the other day. 

From John Fay’s column on Friday:

Norris Hopper took him out to opposite field. Adam Dunn hit balls out on back-to-back swing. And Ken Griffey Jr. hit one over the batter’s eye in center.  

That’s probably the only accurate assessment that’s come out of camp so far.

The intrasquad game will be held tomorrow at Ed Smith Stadium.  The following pitchers are scheduled to throw an inning each:

• RHP Aaron Harang
• RHP Bronson Arroyo
• RHP Josh Roenicke
• RHP Richie Gardner
• RHP Johnny Cueto
• LHP Alexander Smit
• LHP Matt Maloney
• RHP Daryl Thompson
• RHP Sergio Valenzuela
• LHP Tyler Pelland
• RHP Ramon Ramirez.

Which begs the question: should the Reds go to an 11-man rotation in ‘08?  

Chris Sabo’s Goggles believes the answer to that question is YES. 

On a side note, Sparky Anderson is too ill to accept an invitation from Dusty Baker to speak to the players at camp.  It makes me sad to hear that.

The Cincinnati Enquirer is reporting that the Reds have reached a deal with free-agent pitcher Josh Fogg.

2007 Stats

• 10-9
• 29 starts
• 4.94 ERA
• 165 2/3 innings
• 194 hits allowed
• 94 Ks
• 59 BBs

You know what, I’ll take it.  He did all of that in Colorado, so you have to figure his stats will be better in Cincinnati.  Well, if you ignore the fact that Great American Ball Park is one of the worst pitcher-friendly stadiums in the NL.

And let’s not forget the fact that Fogg is a free-agent, so we didn’t have to give anyone up to get the bum.

Let’s talk about Jay Bruce.

Drafted by the Reds with the 12th pick in the 2005 draft, the guy has been listed by pretty much every major sports publication as, not only the Reds’ top prospect, but one of the top prospects in the Minors.

There’s a reason why Josh Hamilton became expendable in CF, and that reason is Jay Bruce.

Bruce has won a number of awards during his short career in the Minors (Stud of the Year, Man Amongst Boys Award, etc.), but perhaps the biggest award that Bruce has won was last year’s Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year.  The same award won in previous years by:

• Joe Mauer
• Rocco Baldelli
• Josh Beckett
• Rick Ankiel
• Paul Konerko
• Andruw Jones
• Derek Jeter
• Manny Ramirez
• Jesus Christ

To name a few.

Now, I can’t be certain, but I think a couple of those guys have gone on to do something in the Majors.  

Hold your horses, though (No, Dusty… not your horses).  Should we really get excited about any minor leaguer until we see what he can do in the pros?  Let me give you an example of why we all need to relax:

Brandon Larson

Larson was the Reds’ first round pick in 1997 and supposed to be the eventual Great White Hope for the Reds at 3B.  By 2001 Larson had made it to the AAA club after being the All-Star 3B for the International League in 2002 and 2003.

Granted, he wasn’t praised as much as Bruce, but after four off-and-on years with the Reds (2001-2004), Brandon Larson ended up a career .179 hitter. 

Yes, you read that right: .179

.179?!

I mean, I hit over .200 once using Bo Diaz (R.I.P., buddy) on RBI Baseball for the original Nintendo with the difficulty level set at “Cagey Veteran.”

Now, some of Larson’s failures could be attributed to the long list of injuries he suffered while with the Reds (strained thigh, strained hamstring, sprained toe, hit on the elbow, crushed ego from only being a .179 hitter), but the fact remains he was supposed to be a stud and he wasn’t.  Which is precisely why I’ll temper my excitement about Jay Bruce until I can see what the guy can do in the Big Leagues.

However, all indications are that Bruce is the savior for the Reds… so GET EXCITED!!

One of the most startling things about Jay Bruce is that he was born in 1987.  1987!  I was a year away from seeing my first Van Halen concert in 1987.  The guy has a chance to be the Reds starting CF this season and he can’t even buy a beer.

I’m old.

ESPN has their pre-season look at the Reds, and it doesn’t sound like they expect much to have chanced since last year.

The only quote that really sticks out is this one:

The Reds don’t figure to challenge for the NL Central title this season; the team hasn’t changed much from last season, when they posted a 72-90 record.

We’re still talking about the NL Central, right?  The division that took only 85 games to win in 2007.  I don’t think any team in the NL Central has improved enough to make a significant impact in the standings, but I’d like to think that Reds have to be better than last year.  Good enough to win the NL Central?  Too early to tell, but I think they at least have a shot to compete.

I’m not ready to make my 2008 predictions for the Reds yet, but 13 games separated the division winners (Cubbies) from the Reds last year.  That seems like a lot – and it is – but when you think about how many games the Reds lost last season because of the brutal bullpen, well… let’s just say that we better not run into the same problem this year with $46 million invested in a closer.

I can count on one hand at least 13 games* the Reds lost last season because of their bullpen – a problem that has (apparently) been fixed with the edition of Cordero. 

*I have large hands 

Assuming Cordero does his job, it’s not crazy to think the Reds could win 80+ games this season.  Will that be enough to win the NL Central?  How should I know, I just work here.

The bullpen is always an unpredictable part of a team, so I’ll continue to hold my breath from the 6th or 7th inning on until they prove they can handle the job.

I’ll shut up, because like I said I’m not ready to give my ‘08 predictions until I see how the gang looks in Spring Training, and that all the key players make it to Opening Day without any injuries.

I’m looking at you Ken Griffey, Jr.

It has been a brutal winter in Chicago, so nothing sounds sweeter to me right now than pitchers & catchers report to spring training.  It was also nice to hear that Ken Griffey, Jr. walked into the locker room this year rather than driving in on a Rascal Scooter like he normally does.

It was a busy and fairly productive off-season for the Cincinnati Reds (for once) with the signing of Francisco ”I Will Never Call you CoCo” Cordero and last week’s Brandon Phillips contract extension being the highlights.  I say “fairly productive” because the Reds didn’t land the starting pitcher they so desperately need.  Oh, yeah… a lead-off hitter would be nice, too.

If you believe the rumors (which I rarely do), the Reds are working on a couple of potential deals even as we speak.  That’s good to hear, but when I hear names like Bailey and Votto being thrown around as possible trade bait, I get very nervous. 

Perhaps the biggest off-season news was Dusty Baker becoming the 53rd Reds manager in the last six years.  A few minutes later toothpick supplies in Cincinnati dwindled to dangerously low levels.

Living in Chicago I (unfortunately) had a front row seat for Baker’s tenure with the Cubs, and I can’t say I’m a big fan of the guy.  Regardless of how many laughs he provided me at the Cubs’ expense.

We’ve all heard about how he over-works his pitchers and babies the superstars, and I’m much more concerned about the former than the latter.  Griffey is in (probably) his last year with the Reds and he’s really the only “superstar” the team has.  With young arms like Homer Bailey, Johnny Cueto and Matt Maloney on the horizon, we can only hope that someone tells Baker to ease up on the kids.

Another thing Baker is guilty of is bringing his “horses” with him everywhere he goes. These horses have names like Paul Bako, Neifi Perez, and Kenny Lofton (among others).  Names that you wouldn’t normally associate with a four-legged creature known for its power and speed.  

I’d be okay with Lofton joining the team if we got him for a row of Oreos and a Diet Orange Fanta, but anything more than that would be unacceptable. The guy is, like, 62-years-old. Do we really want him as our every day center-fielder/lead-off guy? And what if Jay Bruce makes the club?  There’s your center-fielder, but you can’t bat him lead-off, can you?

The bottom line is that I’ll give Dusty Baker the benefit of the doubt until I have a reason not to.

The only other notable off-season move the Reds made was trading Josh Hamilton, which I’m still not happy about. The downside to Hamilton is that he showed he was injury prone, but the upside was that the guy was a freakin’ stud. Man, I loved watching that guy hit. Every time he came to the plate you knew something was going to happen. But I understand the team had a glut of outfielders and had to make a move, and all will be forgotten if Edinson Volquez ever develops into the pitcher he’s supposed to.

I’m just glad we don’t have to play the Texas Rangers too often.