Yardbarker: Homer Bailey

A Redleg answer?

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 06:44:54 -0500

Disgusted? Let me tell you about disgusted. I am in the Army. I spent all of last season in Iraq. I got to watch a total of two games last season. This season, I'm not in Iraq, but am stationed in Hawaii. I HAVE TO PAY FOR A SUBSCRIPTION on MLB.TV to watch the Reds games!!! That's disgust boys and girls. To race home from work to catch the last three innings, see a lead, only to watch that disgusting David Weathers throw each and every outing. Or see Dusty play his pal from his Chicago days Patterson who couldn't hit a softball off a tee. That is disgust. Dunn is not the problem. Yes, the guy strikes out a lot, but he gets on base and DOES drive in runs. National League: He is 13th in OPS at .900, tied for 4th with 21 home runs, is easily on pace to knock in over 100 RBI, has led more walks than anyone else at 67, has the 13th highest OBP at .389, top 20 with a slugging % of .516, and on a sidenote: His fielding percentage is .967. I repeat, Dunn is not the problem. As for Junior. How can you people turn on him like you have? The guy is much more valuable than anyone is admitting. Everyone knows, if not for the injuries, we have the best baseball player in the history of the game. And the injuries only affect the stats. We all know that he was, is, and always will be the best. And even if you don't agree, you have him in the top ten OF ALL TIME. Have we forgotten what that means for a young ball club, to have an EXTRA SEASONED veteran, if not the best, one of the best, just for advice, instruction, encouragement? We need him. He is still hungry. He is worth more than we can put a price tag on. And when we take our kids to the park, we can show them the best while he is still playing. Griffey IS NOT THE PROBLEM EITHER. We can win while keeping Junior. Trading him is not the answer. It is not the answer. Yeah, he's only batting .240, yeah, he's only hit 10 HR, yes, he's only driven in 36 RBI, yes, he's only got an OPS of .745, yes, he's only drew 46 BB...but compare that to Derek Jeter. Aside from Jeter's .279 AVG, Griffey is ahead of him in every category. You don't see the Yankees demanding his trade. Chicago's Fukodome is batting .290, and is just slightly ahead of Junior in OPS, but Junior betters him in every other category. and the Cubbies are in 1st place. Arizona's Justin Upton's stats are almost identical to Junior's. And guess what. They are winning and in 1st place. My point. WE CAN WIN WITH JUNIOR. GRIFF IS NOT THE PROBLEM. So I've given my two cents on what the problem ISN'T. So here's my two cents on what the problem IS. #1 - Pitching - The declining quality of decision-making on the mound from Harang, Arroyo, and Cueto. While we can and SHOULD expect Cueto to make bad decisions while on the mound, he's a rookie, we should not see the same mistakes out of our two veteran hurlers. But this does not fall solely on them, it is a combination of the catchers and the pitching coaches not taking control when needed. The majority of the time it comes down to either a bad pitch, or a bad scouting report. #2 - Pitching - The absence of a 5th spot on the rotation. Belisle was given too many opportunities to turn it around and should have been converted to a bullpen pitcher much sooner. Dusty hit the nail on the head. He's okay until he's facing batters for the 2nd and 3rd time. Homer Bailey is turning into a certified dud, and Daryl Thompson just isn't ready. #3 - Pitching/Managerial - DAVID WEATHERS. The guy is a bum who has pulled the shades over lots of peoples' eyes for 18 years too long. Reds fans have consistently watched him give wins away all season long. The guy will never save 33 games again. He'll never save 33 out of 39 opportunities again. He is a waste and a downer for the team. Why hasn't he been released or traded? Why is he being paid $3.3 MIL? To keep the team in the cellar? #4 - Patterson/Managerial - Bronson Arroyo has a higher OBP than Corey Patterson. He's hitting .188, the same as Jannish, which we expect from a rookie. Not from a guy who's been playing for 8 years. Since June 5th, after being recalled from AAA where he was sent to "find" his swing, he's 7 for 46. That's .152, and he's only accounted for 5 runs. Is that $3 MIL production? Is that what a MLB player is paid to do? CUT HIM. Bottom line: REDS 11th in NL scoring with 367. Which is descent, but could be much better. They're not hitting with RISP. For example, in the June 10th - June 19th homestand, they were 6-for-57 (.105) with runners in scoring position. They were 2 and 7 in that homestand and could have very easily won 3 of those games if not for choking with runners on the bags. And it's the same story of late, losing to the horrid Pirates now two straight. But, that also goes back to the pitching, since they gave up a total of 48 runs in those 7 games. But that's no excuse for hitting .105 with RISP. Those were games that could have been won. 5th in NL HR with 92. Out of the 4 teams who hit more: Florida, 1.5 games out of 1st place - Philadelphia, 1st place - Milwaulkee, 8.5 ahead of the Reds, and 4.5 out of 1st - and Chicago, 1st place. hmmm... Defense - 5th in NL in Errors committed with 58. But the Diamondbacks have committed one more and are in 1st place, so this can be overcome. So, in short. It's not because of Dunn or Junior. Trading them is not the answer. The answer is not just one statement, and it is not simple. But for starters, they can stop giving the ball to Weathers, take the bat out of Patterson's hands, strike fear in the heart of Dick Pole if his boys Arroyo and Harang aren't brought under control, maybe even look for a trade for one of them, if not both. With the offensive numbers put up by the team, if Arroyo and Harang can get their acts together, and Weathers (and Patterson) are cut/traded/assassinated, then the team can have a great second half and get within striking distance of the playoffs. But it has to start soon, and it has to begin with the pitching.

Reds To Trade Bailey?

Sat, 28 Jun 2008 19:57:11 -0500

Once top prospect Homer Bailey is back in the minors after posting an 0-3 record for the Reds with an 8.76 ERA. His fastball is reportedly looking like a batting practice ball and his curveball is inconsistent. The Reds have built up their pitching where they do not need to experiment with Bailey anymore, but could wait till his trade value is high to trade him. Several teams with above average prospects could package a good deal for the Reds. Better yet, they could package Bailey with Adam Dunn and land a plethora of prospects and maybe one solid player at the MLB level. Bailey is getting older, so the time is now if they are going to trade him.

Hopper Back, Bailey Down, Baker Is Starting To Get It

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 07:42:24 -0500

**Update** John Fay sucks and can't type down a line up correctly. Dunn is still 5th but my feelings are still the same. Two good moves, and one bad one in todays line up. 1. Joey Votto 1b 2. Jolbert Cabrera ss 3. Jay Bruce rf 4. Brandon Phillips 2b 5. Edwin Encarnacion 3b 6. Adam Dunn lf 7. Corey Patterson cf 8. David Ross c 9. Bronson Arroyo p Votto up in the order is great, Patterson down in the order is even better, but Dusty can't help himself as he drops Dunn down another spot. Someone needs to get a hold of Dusty and tell him how OBP is useful. Other things are Homer Bailey was sent down to AAA, Hopper is activated off the DL, and now we just sit back and wait to see who gets Saturdays start between Daryl Thompson and Josh Fogg.

Week 11 MLB Baseball Betting Odds

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 09:55:21 -0500

Inter league extravaganza! This should be a fun one. I found a couple match-ups with raw potential and back-story for days. Enjoy the show, these are my games of the week in the Major Leagues.

AccuScore: MLB Waiver Wire Wonders

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 14:24:07 -0500

You're not going to find any offensive studs on the waiver wire from here on out, but there's still a chance to get your hands on some reliable pitchers. AccuScore fantasy expert Tim Williams gives you a few batters who can fill your team's deeper slots, and some pitchers who can fill in for you if you wisely decided to pass up on guys like Justin Verlander and C.C. Sabathia.

Bailey To Start Thursday, Reds Sweep Braves

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 15:25:39 -0500

Hal McCoy reported today before the game that Homer Bailey is getting the call Thursday in Philadelphia. Manager Dusty Baker was coy about it, but it is finally Homer Bailey time. Bailey was scheduled to pitch for the Class AAA Louisville Bats tonight and will, but is expected to pitch only two innings and take the rest of the night off. This has to piss Hal McCoy off so badly, and I love that. continued...

Hal McCoy Is Trying Too Hard

Thu, 29 May 2008 08:09:29 -0500

According to Hal McCoy, Homer Bailey isn't in the majors because he's not a great kid. Paul Janish, a great kid, is here. Jay Bruce, a great kid, is here. Homer Bailey is not here. And notice I didn't use the word great. continued...

AccuScore: MLB Prospect Watch

Tue, 20 May 2008 07:45:01 -0500

How do Sean Gallagher or Chris Perez fit on your fantasy baseball team? When can we expect Clayton Kershaw or Jay Bruce? AccuScore fantasy expert Tim Williams takes a look at these questions and more in this edition of the Prospect Watch.

Minor League Report: Checking in With 2008's Top Prospects

Mon, 05 May 2008 01:24:37 -0500

With the Major League season now a little more than a month deep, I thought it would be a good time to check in with some of the league's notable prospects, Jay Bruce, Cameron Maybin and Homer Bailey, and see how they've fared in the early goings.

Surprises at the Quarter-Point

Thu, 01 May 2008 22:21:14 -0500

It's hard to believe, but we're already at the quarter point of the 2008 baseball season. So let's see where things stand...

Homer Bailey To The Reds Bullpen?

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 07:35:15 -0500

Could the fastest track to the big leagues be on the bullpen train for Homer Bailey? Cincinnati Reds brass are mulling the option over.

Get Your Waiver Priorities Ready

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 17:42:08 -0500

Plenty of teams with dreams of reaching the playoffs are already in need of a boost. Good thing help is literally only a phone call away. There are plenty of top prospects thriving down on the farm that could change the fortunes of both their major league and your fantasy teams.

Fantasy Baseball: Homer Bailey's Rise to the Majors

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:56:08 -0500

Bailey is an ace, pure and simple, theres no way to deny that. Homer was the youngest player in the National League when he made his debut against the Cleveland Indians and thats a testament to the pure and raw skill that he has. I was one of the people who foolishly said that there was nothing left for Bailey to learn in the minors, After listening to Ron darling during a spring training telecast I've changed my ways and no longer believe any pitcher should be promoted to the big leagues before he has at least 300 IP under his belt or all his mechanics refined.

AccuScore: MLB Prospect Watch

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 13:48:08 -0500

Whether it is the hot starts by Gavin Floyd and John Danks of the White Sox, the surprise hitting from John Bowker of the Giants, or the minor league progress of players like Jay Bruce, AccuScore fantasy baseball expert Tim Williams has it covered in this week's prospect watch.

Rookie Call-Ups to Watch

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 13:59:19 -0500

Read about how Adam Miller will try to be this year's Fausto Carmona; Jarrod Saltalamacchia wants Texas to forget about Mark Teixeira; and 7 other rookies who are destined to be called up this season and can make an impact on your fantasy team.