From: rstimets@silver.ucs.indiana.edu (robert and stimets)
Subject: Re: Reds losses in Expansion Draft
Organization: Indiana University
Distribution: na
Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1992 14:22:33 GMT

In article <1992Nov19.002117.11579@leland.Stanford.EDU> myles@leland.Stanford.EDU (Myles Sussman) writes:
>I'm kind of amazed that the Reds managed to lose two pitchers in the
>expansion draft when they don't really have that much pitching talent.
>
>I can understand leaving Trevor Hoffman unprotected for round 1.  The
>only spot on the list of 15 that was questionable was used for Tim
>Pugh.  I'm not a big fan of Tim Pugh, but the Reds haven't got many
>prospects for the starting rotation.  Hoffman looked great until 1992,
>but the Reds expected more of him this season than he showed.  They
>tried to convert him to a starter and it didn't work.
>
>Losing Freddie Benavides in round 2 was no problem.
>
>I can't figure out what made the Reds completely give up on Mo Sanford
>and leave him unprotected in round 3.  I can't even think of six other 
>guys that I would put ahead of him.  Steve Foster?  Probably.  Bobby
Maybe.  Perhaps doubtful.  Mo showed a bit of talent in his few starts,
Steve went down in flames.  Mo was consistent (as you say) in Nashville
until a not-so-great 92, but even then he did lead the organization
in record.


>Ayala?  Probably.  Chris Hammond?  Maybe.  That's about it.  Sanford
^^^^^^                    ^^^^^^^^
He'll be fine.            Not.
Ayala should be on the rotation next year--I think he impressed the 
folks upstairs.  Oh course they're gone now so...

>is getting old for a "prospect", but until 1992 he was progressing
>nicely.  Lots of strikeouts, low ERA, many wins.  He had control
>problems.  His debut in 1991 was promising.  He couldn't make the cut
>this spring and had a miserable year in Nashville, and the Reds acted
>like he had fallen off the planet.  They didn't even invite him to
>Instructional League this year.
>
>The other big news of the day was a surprise.  By trading Charlton,
>the Reds leave their bullpen with a huge left-handed hole.  Ruskin,
>Cadaret, Bolton, and Matt Grott are the leading candidates.  Yikes!

There's going to have to be a trade, you're right.  But who's around
that anybody could want? It looks like Dibble's the man-so BigDog
better not be looking for someone who'll want to close or there
might just be some temper tantrum in the lockerroom.

>Mitchell is still above average offensively, but he's a huge risk for
>(among other things) the injury list.  I guess he fits in well with
>the other Reds.  :-)  I had been hoping that the Reds were serious
>about moving Willie Greene to left field next year, or that they would
>make room for Tim Costo.  Or that they would trade Charlton for Kent
>Mercker and Keith Mitchell.  :-)
>
You surprise me here.  You moaned during the year how Norm was 
stinking up the bullpen then notice that without him Scott Ruskin
runs the show.  No, they really didn't need to keep Charlton around,
he was only vaguely effective: leading off the eighth inning against
a right-hander was about his only true utility.  What they didn't
need was a 300 lb sloth taking "Little Debbie" breaks between pitches.
What they do need is a decent lefty starter and someone consistent
with the bat.  I don't see Mitchell filling that role.

>Overall, for a team that was closer to the top of the NL in runs
>scored and closer to the bottom in ERA, it is hard to understand why
>the Reds have been so concerned with their offense in the trades and
>in the expansion draft.  Plus, they got rid of two lefties (O'Neill

Disagree:  The Reds are dying for a number four batter.  The fact that
their shortstop led the team in RBI's has got to tell you something.
O'Neill wasn't working out, and other possibles like Morris and Sanders
didn't show much promise there.

But look:
Roberts
Sanders
Larkin
Mitchell
Morris
Sabo
Greene
Oliver

We are talking a very consistent lineup.  Everyone on this list will
average .265 or better-three or more will hit .300.  If folks stay
healthy and Mitchell bats like 1990 and Rijo/Belcher/Browning each
win 17 games then we may just have a baseball season.

RStimets



Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball