Reds August Game Thread 2024

[*bengalfan74*]

(08-07-2024, 11:50 AM)ochocincos Wrote: If I'm gonna pick up a bat, it's gonna be at one of the positions that usually has a strong bat - 1B, LF, DH.

1B is probably the position easiest to find a bat for and the Reds also have no one with any true proof of hitting ability there.
CES did well last year in 63 games played, but he was not doing well this year before getting HBP and out since April 27.

LF I think Steer is solid, but I also liked him at corner IF.

Looking at the roster next year, here is who I see as the starting lineup:
OF - Steer, Friedl, Fraley
1B - CES
2B - McLain
SS - EDLC
3B - Candelario
C - Stephenson
DH - Hinds/Marte

Hinds may not get promoted back at the beginning of the season and Marte has looked terrible since back from PED suspension.
There's definitely room to add 1 bat to help cover at DH, and then another for 1B/LF insurance would also help if CES doesn't get back to his 2023 form.
A DH/1B flex guy might be the best option if only adding 1 person. And it could be an older dude.

I agree a good bit, here's my run down:

Solid guys- part of future

Steer - The guy despite the average slipping a good bit is still our most solid position player. He leads the team in RBI's again this season. He has a solid swing and it's easy to see him being a part of the future. 

ELDC - Obvious reasons.

Stephenson - The guy doesn't blow you way at the plate, but he hits plenty well enough for a catcher. And he's good enough on Defense.

India - Man I just can't get off the fence with this guy. The six weeks out of the season he's on (at the plate) he's electric. The problem comes in because he has another six or eight weeks a season of being so-so. And then another six or eight weeks of being below average to just bad. The add in the fact that his defense isn't great and..... I'm ok keeping him or moving on.

Friedl**- Man he's a good un when he's healthy. But he's leaning very hard towards the fragile side and I'm just nervous about relying on him as starter. Hope he proves me wrong. 

Fraley/Espinal- I think both are worth keeping as bench players/spot starters. Fraley's power drop concerns me though. Espinal is just a Swiss army knife on defense.

Now is where it starts getting murky IMHO:

McClain - what's the deal with him? can he come back and be the same player? He was hands down one of my favorite Reds last season. Along with Elly and Steer.

CES- giant question mark for me? Most often this season despite his campaign last year, he looked lost at the plate this year. Just not sure what to make of his future?

Marte - just copy and paste above post.

Hinds_ just to small a sample size to say much. And most of the rest, same Herd of bees and so on.

Candelairo I just can't see being part of the future. Benson should have been sent down a month or two ago.

To me there's a ton of unanswered questions for this team and most aren't going to be answered with what's left. My main hope is new manager and coaches.