Reds - playoffs or no ?

[*ochocincos*]

(08-19-2024, 05:57 PM)bengalfan74 Wrote: Any fairy tale chance the Reds may have had at making the playoffs is 100% over. And it was at best an extreme longshot.

The Reds, if they intend to challenge for the post season next year are going to have to retool their lineup. Benson has to go. They need to do some deep thinking on who of India, CES, Marte, McClain, Friedl and so on are long term parts of this team? 

And they have to get a real "ACE" starter. Greene may be a good uun. But after that it's a lot of questions. Lodolo, Abbott, and Ashcraft all seem to be lower end #4 #5 starters at best. Can Lowder come up next year?

I still believe they have to get a real top shelf starter and a real RH bat in the outfield. Or we're just going to go thru another year of kinda close but no cigar.

I'm willing to say Abbott could be a solid #3.
His ERA's been under 4 last season and this season.

Lodolo's fallen off a cliff.
Dude has given up 23 earned runs in his last 5 outings.
Until he's pitching consistently like he was the first half of the year, he's #4 or #5.

Ashcraft is probably what he is at this point after coming up on the end of his 3rd MLB season and being demoted. #4 best case.

To me though, the more frequent problem during the season has been the quiet bats. The drubbings happened, but not nearly as often as the hitters going MIA.
Reds need to learn to better hit against uncommon opponents.

I think if going into next season as-is, the starting rotation should be:
Greene (assuming he actually only has to miss part/rest of this season and not more)
Martinez (if he signs his player-option)
Abbott
Lodolo
Call-up/Ashcraft/Williamson

Reds should have some $$ available with Montas not going to be here next year, so they could add another arm if the wanted. Even more if Martinez declines his player option.

For bats, they NEED to bring up Hinds.

As you said, Benson is done.
Let Hinds have his roster spot.
Roll with Steer, Friedl, Fraley, Hinds, and one more in the OF. Either Fairchild, a FA, or even try EDLC out there.
For IF, Candelario is ok but not the bat you want for corner IF.
If McLain plays like he did last season, slot him as a long-term SS/2B.
India is serviceable and the fans like him, so I'm ok if he's the 2B.

If keeping EDLC in the INF, I'm putting him at 3B and having an INF of EDLC, McLain, India, and CES/Candelario.

With that said, there's room to add 1-2 bats because of the DH, so I'd look to get someone who can do DH and play corner IF/OF periodically.
Reds should have $30+ mill they can pay out to ARB+FA for 2025, if not close to $50 mill.