Thoughts on Cincinnati Reds' Bronson Arroyo, Jay Bruce, and More

Bronson Arroyo & Aaron Harang

I think the Reds should let Arroyo & Harang go at the end of the season (assuming they can’t move them via trade).

That should clear up about $20 million from the payroll. With that, they should lock up Votto long-term and I think there's about 10 players who will be arbitration-eligible.

I like Arroyo as a solid No. 2-3 rotation guy, but for the salary he’ll be making and what we've got remaining to fill the rotation with, I think the Reds could use the money more wisely.

If they can keep the rest of the team fairly intact, we should be contending again next year, and if they upgrade at SS and CF, I’m thinking we’re a lock to win the division. If that does happen, I can live with a rotation from five of the following: Cueto, Volquez, Leake, Wood, Bailey, Maloney, or Chapman.

I’d like to see Arroyo in there, but I really don’t think the Reds will raise the payroll high enough to make that happen.

Jay Bruce

I’m starting to think that Jay Bruce is going to wind up being one of those guys who had “star” and “unlimited potential” written all over him, but then never could live up to the expectations.

This was a guy who at one time was rated the best prospect in baseball, hit for a .333 average and .374 OBP in AAA, but in almost three years at the MLB level has a career average of only .247 and a .316 OBP. Last year, everyone was hoping for a breakout season, as they are this season, and as I fear, next year and the next year and...

Dusty Baker

Dusty is a pretty good manager, and in fact, I think he’s done a strong job for the Reds so far, but he has a few tendencies that drive me crazy.

A couple, in particular, are that he focuses on one or two guys, and no matter how badly they perform, he’ll stick with them, to the detriment of the team (a la Corey Patterson ‘08, Willie Taveras ‘09, and this year, Orlando Cabrera).

The other thing is that he seems to equate someone with speed as someone who should be hitting leadoff or second. What good is a guy batting at the top of the order who can steal bases if he can’t hit .250 or produce an OBP much above .300?

Devin Mesoraco

I’m really kind of excited to see what catching prospect, and former Reds top draft pick out of high school, Devin Mesoraco, will do for us.

His combined numbers from high-A and AA this year: .319 AVG, 20 HR, 53 RBI, and .387 OBP.