All Things Bubba

The Reds are in 4th place in their division, with basically no chance at the wild card. The Yankees are in second place in theirs, and still in the wild card race. But Cincinnati is filled with improbable hope, while Yankees fans are in deep despair.

Part of it, of course, is "what have you done for me lately" syndrome. The Reds are on a hell of a roll, the Yankees have recently fallen off one. It's a lot easier to be optimistic when your team is winning, and the Reds are. They've got a 6-game winning streak, amazingly.

Only a little while ago, the Yanks were only four games back. Now, having lost 2 of 3 to the Tiggers, while Boston beat Chicago like a red-headed stepchild, they are 7.5 games back. Ouch.

Cincinnati, OTOH, was 14 games back not too long ago, and is now "only" 6.5 games back. Yes, that's right: they are closer to first place in the division than the Yanks are.

And of course, Yankee fans have far higher expectations. Anything less than a World Series championship is a disappointment, and missing the post-season is unthinkable. Reds fans have a proud and storied franchise, but they've endured years of losing. At this point, they'd be happy to have a winning season, and ecstatic at making the post-season.

At this point, it's looking like a long shot for either team to make the playoffs. When the Yankees were making up ground on the Sox, they were playing weak teams while the Sox were playing tougher ones. Now it's reversed. The Yanks have had some tough opponents, while the Sox had some patsies. You can never rule the Yanks out, especially with so many games against Boston still to play, but it's not looking good.

The Reds are playing in a weak division, and they've played well since Mackanin took over, but they're in a deep hole. Logically, it's silly to think of making a run. If they make it, it would be among the most improbable come from behind surges ever. But...many fans are now dreaming of making a run, and I think the Reds are, too. There's an optimism in the air that hasn't been there since spring training. It's insane. It's probably just setting everyone up for heartbreak. But if they make it...wow, what a comeback it would be.

Labels: Reds, Yankees

Trent reports that Jorge Cantu is being called up to Cincinnati from Louisville. At first people thought Bellhorn was being DFA'd, but no, he's in the lineup tonight. It's a trade. Conine to the Mets for a couple of A-level prospects.

Good news all around, I guess. The Mets get a veteran bat that might help them down the stretch. Conine gets to play for a contender. And the Reds get something for Conine, whom they would lose anyway at the end of the season (he's already said he's going to retire). Everyone's happy - except maybe Joey Votto.

Votto has played well in Louisville, even learning to play outfield a bit. Many fans are disappointed that he wasn't called up. He probably will be, when rosters expand in a couple of weeks. The Reds are overloaded with lefties and needed a right-handed bat to replace the right-handed Conine, which is probably why Cantu was called up instead of Votto.

There have been hints dropped, though, that the Reds are disenchanted with Votto. They can't be unhappy with his hitting. His defense isn't all that great, and probably never will be. So perhaps that's a strike against him for a team that desperately needs to improve their defense.

Or it could be his personality. I know, you can't believe everything you read on the internet. Everyone has bad days now and then, and fans really can be annoying. And a lot of athletes are rather full of themselves. (Cantu isn't exactly known for his humility, either.) But so many people have said that Votto is a self-centered jerk, and you hardly ever see anyone saying he was nice to them. After awhile, you figure when there's smoke, there's fire. Maybe he's as charming to the front office as he is to fans and acquaintances, and it's coming back to bite him.

Should be interesting to see what they do with Votto. I imagine they'll either trade him in the off-season, or put him on the 25-man roster next year.

Meanwhile, on the hurricane front...


Dean is a Category 4 now, and may become a Category 5 soon. His path has shifted south, and it's pretty certain he'll make landfall in Mexico, not the U.S. That probably means no gas shortages, though there could be price spikes. Pemex has basically shut down Cantarell, their largest oil field, as well as the associated ports and refineries. Even if there's no damage, it will take them awhile to get everything back running.


A photo of Dean's eye, taken from the space shuttle.

Labels: Reds

Reds center fielder Ryan Freel had knee surgery today, and is out for the season. In a related move, the Reds claimed Seattle outfielder Jason Ellison off waivers. He will report tomorrow, and wear #16. (Bubba's number. Sigh.)

It's really too bad Bubba's season was lost to the DL this year. The Reds would have called him up if he were healthy.

The other day, Bats radio announcer Jim Kelch said that Bubba's problem was "shoulder tendinitis." That's the first time they said anything more specific than "shoulder pain."

It's good news, I guess. I assume that means his shoulder surgery was impingement surgery (acromioplasty), which is not as serious as other kinds of shoulder surgery. It has a relatively quick recovery time. Not quick enough that he can come back this season - there's only two months left, and only one month for AAA - but he should be back in the saddle well before spring training.

Labels: Reds

The Reds have already done some dealing, and may not be done. Relief pitchers Brian Shackelford and Calvin Medlock were traded to the Rays for Jorge Cantu. The Bats were playing the Bulls the other night, so the three players just switched dugouts. Cantu was in the lineup for the Bulls, but ended up playing for the Bats.

Today, they announced that starting pitcher Kyle Lohse has been traded to the Phillies, for an AA lefty pitching prospect. There are rumors of all kinds of other trades - Arroyo, Hatteberg, Conine, Freel, even Griffey - but nothing solid yet. Stay tuned.

Labels: Reds

Hurricanes.

Okay, Barry isn't a hurricane. It was a tropical storm, and is now a tropical depression. But it sounds like it rained out Sarasota's extended spring training game today. And it's now moving up the east coast, and will likely rain out the Bats in Durham tomorrow.

Speaking of Durham...there's an article in the Durham paper about Josh Hamilton today:

Hamilton's journey of peaks and valleys

(Free registration required. Or use BugMeNot.)

It has a sort-of explanation of why he was DLed.

Give Krivsky credit for being wise.

"If it wasn't the second time he had something similar, it might have been a different story," Krivsky said on the Reds' Web site. "But this is the second time in a month. If you consider everything Josh has gone through since Feb. 1 - and probably back to the winter - to prepare to come into the big leagues, he's been getting after it pretty good. I'm sure it has been a shock to his system, like it would be to anybody."

Common sense said it's a good idea to take a step back and see how Hamilton feels and plays.

Makes sense, I guess. But I can't help thinking that it would also make sense if the drinking rumors are true. Drinking is not illegal, and would not cause him to fail a drug test. But it is certainly not advisable for someone with his history. Maybe Krivsky decided a trip home to North Carolina, where his family is, was in order. (Hamilton will be with the Bats only while they are in North Carolina, playing series against Durham and Charlotte.)

Jim Kelch said again today that Bubba is close to being ready to play. He expects Bubba to play in extended spring training games, and then with the Sarasota Reds. He hasn't seen live pitching in six weeks, so he'll have to work on his timing. Once he's ready, he'll rejoin the Bats.

Labels: Reds

Trent reports that Todd Coffey has been sent down to Louisville, and Gary Majewski has been called up. Bob Hunter called it.

I know most fans wanted Stanton cut instead, but he's a veteran, and he's got a big contract. I expected it to be Coffey sent down. He's still got options left. And he can probably still learn a few things in Triple-A.

And in Trent's blog yesterday, a couple of the commenters reported that Josh Hamilton is off the wagon. They said they've seen him hanging out at bars at all hours, boozing it up with women not his wife. It's not a crime - he's of legal age - but drinking when you've got an addictive personality like he does seems unwise. Hamilton himself said he'd given up drinking because drinking made him want to do drugs.

I know, you can't believe everything you read on the net. And I don't. But Hamilton has also been put in the DL, supposedly with gastroenteritis. That seems rather odd. That's not an ailment players are usually DL'd for. And he's played well enough; I don't think this is an excuse to get him off the roster. Something seems out of kilter here.

I hope the rumors of his drinking are not true. If they are, he's playing with fire.

Labels: Reds

Spring training is winding down, and teams have until 3pm Sunday to get their active rosters down to 25 players. Most of the decisions appear to be made, for both the Yankees and the Reds.

Trent reports that third catcher Chad Moeller will get the last roster spot in Cincinnati. I was expecting that. I was expecting it even before Hopper and Deno got hurt. Deno, Hopper - and Bubba - never really had a chance with Hamilton in the picture. A lot of teams carry only four outfielders; no way were the Reds going to carry six.

And the Yankees have announced some roster moves as well. Carl Pavano will be the opening day starter. (Who'd have thunk it last season?) Rule 5 pick Josh Phelps has won the 1B spot over Andy Phillips.

Andy was classy as always at being cut. I haven't heard what he's planning to do, if he's cleared waivers, etc. Phelps over Phillips was the obvious choice. (I'm surprised the Orioles didn't protect Phelps, because they were planning to use him.) Heck, I thought Andy should have been cut before Bubba last season. Aside from a brief hot streak when he hit like crazy, he was dead weight on the roster. Below average on defense, not a very good hitter, slow on the basepaths and a poor base runner. Bubba was at least a defensive upgrade and excellent pinch-runner, even if the Yanks didn't trust his bat.

But I always liked Andy. He seemed like a really nice guy. I wanted him to do well; he just never did. I hope he latches on with another team. Maybe one that can fix that hole in his swing.

No double-header for Bubba today. The Bats and the Reds play at the same time (the Bats on the road), so unless he's been cloned, he can't play in both games. Dunno which game he'll play in.

UPDATE: I guess Bubba's with the Reds today. He just entered the game, pinch-running for Dunn.

Labels: Reds, Yankees

If I were the superstitious type, I would think that this is not going to be the Yankees' year. They were attacked by bees in Sarasota last week. It happened again, in Lakeland. This time, there were thousands of them.

Hat-Man thinks the Yankees next year will be missing a lot of familiar faces. Mo, Moose, Jorgie, A-Rod...all could be gone at the end of this season. It's hard to think about, but he's probably right. Cashman has shown that he's not the sentimental type.

I do think Celizic underestimates what Mo brings to the team. A good closer is key in the post-season, or so the stat-heads tell us (and I believe it). And Mo is the best. He'll be hard to replace.

WaPo declares: Thanks to Yanks, the Sugar Daddy System Is Over

In the offseason, almost imperceptibly, the very foundation of baseball's talent-flow system -- the means by which rich and poor teams amass players and move them among each other -- was jolted by a tectonic shift. When the New York Yankees not only held onto their best pitching prospect, right-hander Philip Hughes, but also traded away two potential Hall of Fame veterans, Randy Johnson and Gary Sheffield, for six prospects, it may have marked the end of an era -- one that we shall call what?

"We're not going to be anybody's sugar daddy anymore," Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman said this spring, when asked about this shift.

Actually, I think this shift occurred earlier - during the regular season, when they refused to trade prospects for a star outfielder, even when Godzilla and Sheff went down with what looked like season-ending injuries. No one believed it, and they kept asking for Hughes, Duncan, Cox, even Cano, Wang, and Melky. Looks like it's finally sinking in.

I must say, I was impressed with Matsuzaka the other day. He wasn't at his best, and was pretty bummed about it afterwards. But jeez, he held the Reds' first string lineup hitless for five innings. True, he gave up five walks, but still...if that's a bad day for him, the Sox got a steal.

Former Major League baseball pitcher Ugueth Urbina was sentenced to 14 years for attempted murder. Prosecutors say he attacked a bunch of his employees with a machete and poured gasoline on them. He was angry because they swam in his pool without permission.

The Bats played Indianapolis in Sarasota today, winning 8-4. Bellhorn hit a homerun. Dunno if Bubba played, or how he did. They don't seem to have box scores.

Shawn has this to say about Bubba going to the minors:

Mark Bellhorn and Bubba Crosby both accepted assignment to the minor leagues. That's a minor surprise, but given that this is roster crunch time of year, not a big one. The Reds may have promised to pursue trades for each if an avenue opens. I find it hard to believe that the Nationals weren't interested in Crosby, as he would be better than what they have in center field now.

I find it hard to believe the Nationals weren't interested in both of them, because they seem to be assembling a collection of former Reds. Maybe Bubba and Bellhorn weren't Reds long enough.

Labels: MLB, Reds, Yankees

Bubba is still in a Reds uniform

As expected, the Reds trimmed the roster today. Joey Votto was optioned to Triple-A Louisville. Homer Bailey, Michael Gosling, Dan Conway, and Ryan Hanigan were reassigned to the minor league camp. Kerry Ligtenberg and Brian Meadows were released:

"By doing it with both of those guys, at least it gives them two weeks and maybe someone can [sign them]," Krivsky said. "We just felt like there were other people ahead of them. Let's do it earlier than later and be fair to them. They've both been around and we respect their status."

Cincinnati now has 43 active players remaining in camp.

So Bubba has survived the second round of cuts.

Labels: Reds

March 15, 2007: Pittsburgh Pirates 13, Cincinnati Reds 1

This was the first game of a day-night, home-away, split-squad double-header. And boy, was it ugly. The wind was blowing out again...but somehow, it didn't help the Reds hitters. The Reds had only six hits...two of them by pitchers, and one of them by the catcher.

I don't think Bubba even went to Bradenton. That makes this the first game he hasn't played in this spring training. He will be playing in the second game in Sarasota tonight. He's even starting. He was originally listed as the right fielder, but was moved to center field when Josh Hamilton was scratched. (Shin splints again.)

The starting pitcher for the Bucs will be former Yankee Shawn Chacon again.

The Enquirer has yet another article on the outfield situation:

Denorfia and Hopper are competing with Bubba Crosby for an extra outfield spot. Crosby would be the fourth left-handed-hitting outfielder.

Denorfia and Hopper are similar players in that they are very solid fundamentally with limited power.

Hopper won the International League batting title, hitting .347 in 383 at-bats for Louisville.

Denorfia would have edged Hopper for the title if Denorfia had had enough at-bats to quality. He hit .349 in 312 at-bats.

Denorfia has more power - seven homers at Louisville to none for Hopper. Hopper has more speed - 25 steals at Louisville to 15 for Denorfia. Both can play all three outfield positions.

Both Denorfia and Hopper have options. Crosby doesn't. Crosby hit .276 in 98 at-bats for the New York Yankees in 2005 but slipped to .207 in 87 at-bats last year. He is considered a very good defensive outfielder.

I can't but wonder if tonight is the last time Bubba will wear a Reds uniform. The Reds are expected to make big cuts after today's double header. And Bubba did say that if he's going to be cut, he wants it to be early, so he has time to hook up with another team.

Labels: Reds

March 14, 2007: Cincinnati Reds 2, Tampa Bay Devil Rays 1

The Rays are now the proud owners of 12-game losing streak. I wasn't expecting a pitcher's duel last night, but that's what we got. With a lot of pitchers...

As you might expect from the score, there were not a lot of hits. Bubba went 0 for 3, and even Roy Hobbs was only 1 for 3, with an infield single.

Strangely, despite the tight score, the game was never really exciting. Perhaps because of that losing streak, I never really felt the Reds were in danger of losing this one.

Bubba stayed in the entire game, but only came to the plate three times. A reflection of how the Rays' pitchers were mowing 'em down, I guess.

His first at-bat was in the 2nd. One out, one on. On the 0-1 pitch, he scorched a liner to right center, but was robbed by a diving Rocco Baldelli. Baldelli dug up such a large divot making the play that the announcers thought he had lost his glove. No, it was big clod of dirt and grass that went flying.

Bubba came to the plate again in the 4th. Two outs, runner on 3B. He worked the count full, then hit a checkswing grounder to 3B. Prompting the Tampa announcers to say something like, "Wow, he doesn't run like a Bubba!" (I guess they expect someone named "Bubba" to weigh about 300 lbs., and waddle down the first base line, no doubt slowed by the pants hanging halfway off his butt.) He made it close, but didn't beat the throw.

Bubba led off the 7th. On a 1-1 count, he hit a broken-bat grounder to 1B. The flying pieces of lumber made it interesting, but once again, the throw was in time.

The Devil Rays had a lot of their prime time lineup in, and they were making the kind of defensive plays that have made them so pesky to the Yanks the last couple of years.

Bubba is now hitting .296 / .387 / .519.

He should get more playing time today. The Reds are playing two games against the Pirates: a split-squad, day-night doubleheader.

Labels: Reds

Bubba gets only his second start of spring training today (and the only reason he got the first one is Ryan Freel was a late scratch in one game).

Today's lineup, courtesy of Trent:

27 Chris Denorfia ..................RF
21 Scott Hatteberg ................ 1B
4 Brandon Phillips ............... 2B
19 Jeff Conine .......................DH
17 Javier Valentin .................... C
46 Mark Bellhorn ................ 3B
9 Juan Castro .........................SS
16 Bubba Crosby ...................LF
34 Jerry Gil ............................CF
40 Paul Wilson ........................ P

The game will be televised in parts of Ohio. Which means it will be on MLB.TV, not just Gameday Audio. So if Bubba does anything amazing, we should have video. :-)

In other news, former Yankee and Red Tony Womack has been cut by the Nationals. He was 0 for 7 in spring training, and they decided to let him go early, to give him a chance to hook up with another team.

Andy Phillips has rejoined the Yankees. I was wondering why I hadn't seen his name in the lineup. His mother was in a serious car crash back home in Alabama. T-boned by an 18-wheeler that ran a red light. Sheesh. Poor Andy has lousy luck. Anyway, his mom is doing better now, though she's still hospitalized.

Ron Villone signed a minor league deal with the Yankees. He got offers from other teams, but they weren't as lucrative as he'd hoped. His family is in the NY area, so he decided to sign a minor league contract with the Yanks rather than a major league deal elsewhere. He's pitching so well in spring training that he's pretty much guaranteed himself a spot on the 25-man roster. This likely means Bruney will be booted down to Scranton.

Labels: Reds, Yankees

March 5, 2007: Cincinnati Reds 9, Philadelphia Phillies 8

Bubba didn't play much today. Perhaps because he played a lot yesterday - 6-1/2 innings, coming to the plate five times. (The announcers even commented on it, saying "Crosby's been in this game since the beginning!" in a tone of disbelief.)

Today, our hero had only one at-bat, as a pinch-hitter. But boy, did he make the most of it.

It was a real thriller. Everyone's rooting for Paul Wilson, but he had a really rough start. I fear his chances have dimmed considerably. It seemed the Reds' undefeated record would fall today, as they were down 0-5 by the middle of the 3rd. They started to chip their way back, getting to 4-5, only to see the Phillies surge ahead, 4-8. But again, they chipped their way back into it.

By the bottom of 8th, the score was 7-8 Phillies. Chris Dickerson, ankle apparently healed, led off against righty John Ennis. He struck out swinging. Jerry Gil came to the plate, while Bubba entered the game for the first time, on-deck for the pitcher. (I'd been wondering if he'd get to play at all.) Gil hit a home run. Game tied!

Bubba up next. He worked a walk in five pitches. The pitcher threw to 1B repeatedly, holding Bubba close - to no avail. He stole 2B anyway. Denorfia hit a high chopper to 2B - infield single. Bubba was safe on 3B. With Moeller at the plate, Narron called for the suicide squeeze. Bubba put his blazing speed to good use, and Moeller laid down a perfect bunt. Moeller was out, but Bubba scored the go-ahead (and eventual game-winning) run. 9-8 Reds!

Bubba's now hitting .364 / .500 / .455.

For awhile, it looked like the Reds might be the only undefeated team left, as the Yankees were trailing the Tigers. But with two outs in the bottom of the 9th, Bronson Sardinha (brother of Louisville Bats catcher Dane Sardinha) hit a two-run walkoff homer. So the Yankees and the Reds are both 5-0. They're headed for a showdown the day after tomorrow, when the Reds go to Legends Field, and Bubba faces his former team for the first time.

Labels: Reds

March 3, 2007: Cincinnati Reds 14, Minnesota Twins 1

Well, this one was a blowout almost from the beginning. The Reds scored three runs in the first inning, and never looked back.

Bubba was not in the starting lineup, but he entered the game in the 2nd inning, pinch-running for the DH, Hatteberg. (Yes, the DH. It's a spring training game; the rules are relaxed.) He was stranded in that inning, but ended up getting three at-bats in the game, before being pulled in the 8th.

His first at-bat was in the 3rd. One out, David Ross on 2B. Bubba grounded out to 2B on a 2-1 pitch, moving Ross to 3B. But Casto flew out to end the inning.

In the 5th, Bubba came to the plate with one on, one out. He put down a nice bunt. The third baseman threw it away, and Bubba not only reached, he ended up on 3B. Hopper scored from first. (I think it was scored a hit and an error.) Next up was Denorfia. He lined out to left; Bubba scored easily. The announcers commented on Bubba's great baserunning there; he read the ball off the bat nicely, and waited to see if it would be caught before leaving the base.

The throw is way too late to get the speedy Bubba.
(Looks like he's got the long pants on this time. With extra dirt, as usual! )

Bubba at bat once again in the bottom of the 6th. He hit a bloop single down the left field line, got to 2B on a walk, then scored from 2B on a Keppinger single.

In the 8th, he was due up again, but Narron subbed Conway in. Bubba's day was done. His line: 2 for 3, with two runs scored. He's now batting .500 / .625 / .500.

The Cincinnati announcers had some nice things to say about Bubba. They talked to him before the game, and he told them that he's happier than he's been in a long time, finally getting regular at-bats. They were amazed that he never got more than 180 at-bats in a season since he came up, considering that he was a first-round draft pick and hit .279 in his minor league career. They also pointed out that since he was used mostly as a LIDR, when he did get an at-bat, it was often against the closer. They thought he and Denorfia would make a good pair: one lefty, one righty, both great on defense and able to handle a bat. (Though how to keep Denorfia, Crosby, and Hamilton is another question.)

The Reds play two games tomorrow against the Pirates. Arroyo will start the "B" game at 10am. Homer Bailey will start the "A" game at 1:00pm. I will unfortunately be at work tomorrow morning. I hope to catch at least the end of the "A" game. (Wish I could follow the first game live, though. Former Yankee Shawn Chacon will be starting for the Pirates. I've always been fond of "Obi Shawn," even though he drove me crazy sometimes.)

UPDATE: Well, I got a reprieve. Got to the office, and found the computer network down. No one was around to fix it, since it's Sunday, so they sent us home.

Unfortunately, it looks like Gameday isn't covering the early game. We have to hope Trent comes through for us, I guess.

UPDATE #2: Trent posted the lineup for the later game, and Bubba is starting in RF and batting leadoff. We should have Gameday coverage of that one.

Labels: Reds

I'm still not entirely sure what happened in this game; hopefully there will be some articles about it tonight or tomorrow. But I gather it was not a great day for our hero. Bubba's team lost - and he had a hand it.

In the third inning, he misplayed a line drive to right, letting it get past him. It was originally reported as a three-base error, but it looks like they ruled it a double and an error. The speedy Dickerson, a cousin of running back Eric Dickerson, would later score from third - the only run of the game. But it came at a cost; Dickerson turned his ankle as he hit home plate, and had to leave the game.

The run was unearned, because of Bubba's error. Not sure how our boy did at the plate, but he didn't get a hit. There weren't many hits, which is pretty much to be expected in early spring training.

Hey, it's only an intrasquad scrimmage. Tomorrow is another day.

Labels: Reds

This article, about Ryan Freel, has more about the comments Narron made about the outfield yesterday.

Narron said Monday the Reds might consider keeping as many as six outfielders - including players like Freel and Jeff Conine, who can play the infield and outfield - on the Opening Day roster.

And the Dayton Daily News has this story: Final Reds outfield spots up for grabs

The candidates are many and the available spots are few in the Cincinnati Reds outfield.

Manager Jerry Narron says there are four for-sures, "And it is going to be interesting for the fifth spot."

The anointed four are Ken Griffey Jr., Adam Dunn, Ryan Freel and Jeff Conine. The fifth spot is to be determined among Josh Hamilton, Chris Denorfia, Norris Hopper, Bubba Crosby and anybody who walks in off the street swinging a potent bat and carrying a magnetized glove.

He also had this to say, about Freel:

Narron's answer to a question about Ryan Freel being a part-time starter and a plug-in player: "Ryan Freel is a starter. He just doesn't always start at the same spot. But this year he'll mostly start in center and right and won't be seen much in the infield."

The article also had a funny story about Adam Dunn being carded when he tried to buy two tickets for 23. The other ticket was for Griffey, but the cashier apparently thought it was for a child. Griffey thought it was hilarious.

And someone sent me this photo:


From someone who made it down to Sarasota for spring training, I guess. No, I don't know what kind of car that is. It reminds me of my old Ford Taurus, though, so I'd guess it's a Ford. My friend L. would probably know. She's a major car geek. One of those people who remembers movies by what cars were used in the car chases. And who'll rush off to the window in mid-conversation when she hears an unfamiliar engine passing by. Anyway, don't get too het up; it's probably just a rental anyway.

Labels: outfield, Reds

Bubba actually is in this photo: #16, on the right.

Bubba worked with hitting coach Brook Jacoby yesterday.

Today, Narron talked a bit about the outfield situation:

Narron plans on carrying five outfielders and at the moment, already has four of those spots locked up for Ken Griffey Jr., Adam Dunn, Ryan Freel and Jeff Conine. Hamilton is vying against Chris Denorfia, Norris Hopper and Bubba Crosby for consideration at the fifth spot. Narron also didn't rule out carrying a sixth outfielder if Freel was moved to the infield.

Because of his layoff and his past, Hamilton can be considered a long shot to break camp with the Reds. A lot will depend on if the Reds carry 11 or 12 pitchers, two or three catchers and injuries. Not wanting to risk losing someone with Hamilton's ability, Cincinnati will likely give him every opportunity to make the team.

Six outfielders sounds ridiculous, but Conine and Freel are infielders as well as outfielders, so I guess you could count them as 1/2 an outfielder each.

I still think it's a mistake to carry only Conine and Hamilton as reserve outfielders. With Dunn, Freel, and Griffey as the starters, you're going to need a solid backup - someone who is a defensive upgrade, and who can step in in case of injury.

Interesting that Narron is considering moving Freel back to the infield, though. Who would be the starter in RF then? Conine?

I still think the Reds should try to work a trade with Tampa so they can send Hamilton to the minors. Even if they can carry him all season on the 25-man roster, it wouldn't be good for him. He wouldn't get much playing time, and what he needs most is lots of at-bats. Warming the bench for a whole year would stunt his development. Yes, I know they did something similar with Wily Mo, but that was different. Hamilton has already missed four years. He'll be 26 years old in a couple of months. He really can't afford another year without playing.

Speaking of which...Joe Torre won't commit to giving Melky Cabrera three games a week. Last year, he said he'd rest one outfielder a day so Melky could play every day. Now he won't even commit to three games a week. Why am I not surprised?

Bobby Abreu will be out a couple of weeks with an oblique strain. And of course, the first question is whether this means an opening for Bernie. (Answer: no.)

Labels: outfield, Reds, Yankees

Arroyo at Reds Rally

Not much news yesterday because everyone left early for a fan event called Reds Rally. The image above, of Bronson Arroyo, is the only photo I've found. I think that's Chris Denorfia next to Arroyo; looks like a DE on the jersey, and first number looks like a 2. (He's wearing 27 now.) The next guy over might be Bubba; looks like it might be a CR on the jersey. But it's so low-res, you can't really tell.

The Reds have announced the starting rotation for the first four exhibition games: LHP Eric Milton on Thursday at Pittsburgh, RHP Kyle Lohse on Friday at Minnesota, RHP Aaron Harang on Saturday vs. Minnesota and RHP Bronson Arroyo on Sunday at Pittsburgh.

Meanwhile, the Yankees soap opera continues. Bernie's mom says she's praying her son accepts that his Yankee career is over. Oy. I hope when the time comes for Jeter, Jorgie, and Mo to hang up their pinstripes, that they just make a clean break. Sign with another team, or retire in glory. Don't hang around like Bernie. The last couple of years, fans have been calling him GOB (for "Ghost of Bernie," referring to his faded skills). It seems even more appropriate this year.

Meanwhile, Ted Robinson wonders why the Yanks didn't trade A-Rod during the off-season:

...Rodriguez should have known the end began on that day last October in Detroit when Joe Torre batted him eighth. It may have been the prudent move on that day for the Yankees' playoff hopes, but it left Rodriguez marooned on an island of embarrassment from which there is no return.

I'm kind of surprised the Yankees didn't trade A-Rod. Lots of teams would have been interested, and A-Rod would probably have agreed to almost any team that could afford him. Now the opt-out clause looms - a further distraction to a man who doesn't handle distraction well.

Then there's Carl "Glass-@$$" Pavano. He got hit on the foot by a line drive, and had to go for an MRI. Unbelievable.

I dunno, for some reason I am more pessimistic about the Yankees' chances this season than I have ever been. The starting rotation seems shaky, especially compared to Boston's. The A-Rod/Jeter thing seems to be getting worse, not better. An already old team is a year older; in particular, Giambi as an everyday DH seems like a bad idea on a team where there so many aging veterans who might need a half day off now and then. (Though Giambi playing 1B is an even worse idea.)

Ah, well. I'm not giving up, by any means. If Jeff Weaver can pitch the Cards to a World Series championship, anything's possible.

Labels: Reds, Yankees

Reds.com has updated their depth chart. (Hat tip to smartelf.) Check it out. Bubba is listed as the #2 center fielder, behind only Griffey. Ahead of Denorfia and Freel. He's also the third backup in right field (behind Freel and Conine) and the fourth backup in left field (behind Dunn, Conine, and Freel). Hopper and Hamilton are listed as the fifth and sixth backups for corner OF.

Not that I think is any kind of a guarantee or anything, but it suggests that the Reds will be giving him a fair shot. It's up to Bubba. If he plays well in spring training, he'll make the roster.

Labels: Reds

It's now the Year of the Pig. (FWIW, Bubba was born in the Year of the Dragon. Fire Dragon, specifically. The only reason I know this is my sister was born in the Year of the Dragon. The Dragon is by far the coolest sign of the Chinese zodiac. Or so she told me. Repeatedly. :-)

Spring training is gearing up. In Sarasota, Griffey has been cleared to play. But Gary Majewski's shoulder is still hurting.

Yahoo has some new spring training photos from Sarasota. None of Bubba yet, alas, but position players don't officially report until Wednesday. Most of the coverage is on pitchers and catchers, not surprisingly.

The Yankees soap opera continues. Bernie has not turned up in Tampa, though Torre, Jeter, and others are begging him to give it a shot. Position players report today for the Yanks, and he has not reported. If he's not there tomorrow for a physical, I guess that's the end of his Yankees career.

The Rockies are interested in Pavano. Though the Yanks just might be keeping him. Supposedly, his workouts have been impressive. And it's not like the Yanks have a lot of spare starting pitching, especially if Clemens really does retire, as he says he will.

The Red Sox are drooling at the idea of signing Mariano Rivera. I think Mo will remain in pinstripes, despite the tough talk on both sides, but jeez. If there's one player I don't want to see in a Boston uniform, it's Mo.

Labels: Reds, Yankees