Reds August Game Thread 2024

[*TheLeonardLeap*]

(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.

EDLC can't be the SS in 2025, he's going to have 30 errors this season. He needs to kick over to 3B. They desperately need to find a way to offload Candelario this offseason to make that space. McLain to SS and unless you have a significant upgrade, keep India at 2B.

Fraley they have firmly stuck into a platoon role, so he's not a starter on his own, he only has 260 PA so far this year compared to Steer and EDLC's 460-480 right now so only ~55%, so need someone to match with him. Maybe that's Hinds?

Friedl is such a weird one. I think he ultimately might be a 4th OF type for us in 2025 because he just keeps getting hurt, he's not hitting now, and he'll be in his age 29 season next year so there's not really anymore upwards for him. It's probably the start of the decline. I guess he could also be the vs LHP OF paired with Fraley as that's been his career split leaning.

Using the DH to let Marte be an offensive black hole just can't be allowed to happen. Doesn't have the same "juice" as last year.

- - - - - -

So I think we have potential full-time upgrade spots at... 
CF and DH.
Or 3B and DH if EDLC moves to CF instead of 3B.
Or 1B and DH if EDLC moves to CF instead of 3B and CES moves to 3B instead of 1B.

If we're talking a proper good signing and just going ahead and assuming we're not going to get Juan Soto (or realistically probably not anyone good, but going that far probably defeats the purpose/fun of discussion) some good/interesting options include...
Pete Alonso: 1B or DH
JD Martinez: DH
Tyler O'Neill: LF, moving Steer to DH
Teoscar Hernandez: RF, which lets you put Fraley at DH and then platoon him with Tyler Stephenson when he's not catching
Joc Pederson: DH

Assuming we're just talking FAs and not any trades I think you could go....
OF - Steer, EDLC, Teoscar Hernandez (Friedl and Hinds as 4th and 5th OF)

1B - Pete Alonso
2B - India
SS - McLain
3B - CES
C - Stephenson/Backup Catcher
DH - Fraley vs RHP/Stephenson vs LHP when not catching

And that sounds like a lineup that could be pretty decent.