As anyone here who is a baseball fan would know, the playoffs are approaching. Before the playoffs, an MLB team can call up to 40 men up to their roster during the month of September. Many do this so their young guys get a chance in a rebuilding year, or so their regulars can rest up one at a time for the impending playoffs. My favorite baseball team, the Cincinnati Reds, has a few dilemmas when it comes to trimming back down to 25 for the playoffs (and you know as well as I do that they're going to the playoffs, barring a 9-10 game losing streak and an equal winning streak for the Pirates or Cardinals. So. Here's what I think is going to happen:
They keep:
Pitchers:
SP- Johnny Cueto, Bronson Arroyo, Mike Leake, Homer Bailey, Mat Latos
This one is a big duh. This rotation has gotten them through a fantastic year. I've heard some groans about Leake but he's a big league pitcher, and I wouldn't rule out him being a reliever and using a four man playoff rotation.
RP- Jose Arredondo, Alfredo Simon, Aroldis Chapman, Jonathon Broxton, Sean Marshall, Sam LeCure, Logan Ondrusek
This core of relievers has been HUGE this year. Chapman is a great closer and Broxton was a great addition. This is a tough choice because of all the options they have, but only a few more guys are even eligible for postseason play, and this is their best group by far.
Catchers:
Ryan Hanigan, Dioner Navarro
Hanigan was obvious, but even Baker has now named Navarro number 2 catcher. Mesoraco is good but not playoff good. Not yet. Navarro has playoff experience that will prove invaluable.
Infielders:
Joey Votto, Scott Rolen, Zack Cozart, Todd Frazier, Wilson Valdez, Brandon Phillips
This is the perfect group. Votto (former MVP), Rolen (Veteran leader), Valdez (utilityman), Phillips (The Fun guy) and Frazier and Cozart bring a heap of youthful talent.
Outfielders:
Drew Stubbs, Chris Heisey, Xavier Paul, Jay Bruce, Ryan Ludwick
This last section is a big DUH. For the Reds to go without Bruce, Ludwick, or Heisey would be signing their own death warrant. They've been fantastic, and Bruce is an MVP (down the road, if not sooner). Stubbs is steadily improving and the more bases he steals, the more I'm sold on him, but his only issue has ever really been his confidence. He is a major league talent. And I was up in the air about Xavier Paul for awhile because he hadn't been with them for most of the year, but he is a left handed hitter off the bench, and really has been too good to get cut.
Swing Men:
These are a few names that could end up on the playoff roster, if my predictions are incorrect:
RP- Todd Redmond, solid pitcher, eligible for postseason. Could take a roster spot in event of any injury. Ondrusek will lose his if Bray comes back, though.
C- Devin Mesoraco- he is a good hitter and a good ball-player. He is young and I think Navarro is better, but if something were to happen, I'm confident Dusty would not have a problem going with Mesoraco in one of their places.
IF- Miguel Cairo- This is where I reserve the right to be the most wrong. If anyone deserves to go to a championship on the Reds bench, its this guy. I mean, really. He's a solid bench player for several years. I came down to Him, Valdez, and Paul for the last roster spot. I picked Valdez because he can play more positions, and between him and Frazier the infield is covered, and I picked Paul because he has out-performed Cairo and is another left-handed bat.
Most of the remainder of the Reds roster is ineligible for postseason play ( you have to be active prior to September to be eligible). I think you'll find my predictions remotely accurate, but looking forward to your thoughts! Much Love!!
NAH
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