The Cincinnati Reds need changes
There is a saying that goes “in order to be a good winner, you must learn how to be a good loser.” Athletes have to acquire the tools needed to be successful. When they learn from their mistakes, it can elevate them into being successful players.
In Major League Baseball, teams are entering the second half of the 162 game season. Teams are assessing what their flaws are and making plans for the 2016 season. Other teams are assessing what areas they would like to bolster by taking a shot at a playoff competition. There are embarrassed teams playing out the string of 162 games with no realistic shot at a playoff spot. One of these teams are the Cincinnati Reds.
The Reds are a mess.
More from Call to the Pen
- Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
- Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
- Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
- Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
- 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals
Cincinnati just completed a weekend series against the Milwaukee Brewers. They lost all three games against the team from Wisconsin. As of July 6, both teams have 36 wins and are in the basement of the National League Central. The Reds are 16.5 games behind the St. Louis Cardinals and eight games behind a Wild Card position. Milwaukee is 18.5 games behind St. Louis and 10 games out of the Wild Card.
Reds General Manager Walt Jocketty was documented over the weekend as stating that the team “could go either way, but we’re not throwing in the towel” with regards to the trade deadline. He was letting people know that any roster moves or trades that may occur will not happen before the All-Star Game.
This year the All-Star Game is at the Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati. Trading top superstars prior to the Midsummer Classic would be a huge slap to the face of fans. What Jocketty needs to do is sell some hope that, while the team is currently sitting second last in the NL Central, things can change. Players can return healthy, play together as a team and somehow go on a glorious winning streak and catch up to the heavily favored Cardinals pacing themselves ahead of the Pittsburgh Pirates Chicago Cubs.
Catching the Cardinals or Pirates might be a long shot. However, to get into discussions about a wild card spot is not too far-fetched. Winning a weekend series against the Brewers would have pushed the playoff opportunity as more of a thought. However, the sweep did not help their cause. The Brewers had their big sticks out and clobbered the Reds by a combined weekend score of 25-5.
Cincinnati Reds
Manager Bryan Price should get more credit for his work with the Cincinnati Reds. The team has had a string of injuries this year but could still make a run for a Wild Card. The pitching staff has used nine different starters this year. During this weekend series against Milwaukee, Price tried to work his magic with his pitching staff but nothing seemed to work and Milwaukee had little difficulty hitting the pitches thrown.
Robert Stephenson, Reydel Medina and Jesse Winker are three prized future Cincinnati players within the Reds organization. They are projected to make the Major League roster either in 2016 or the following season.
With each passing loss that comes between now and the All-Star Game on July 14, one would have to think that trading veterans for more prospects is the way to go. Send pitchers Aroldis Chapman and Johnny Cueto to playoff bound teams. There have been rumors already that Chapman and Cueto have been talked about by the other MLB teams. Telephone calls have been placed to inquire about their services.
It has not been a happy ride for the Reds and their fans in a year that puts Cincinnati in the spotlight of the baseball world. The 2015 season is so far one that they would love to forget.
The Reds should keep the soon -to-be-irrelevant veterans until after the All-Star Game. However, right after the game, they should start throwing veterans overboard in favor of prospects. Changes need to commence sooner rather than later in the Queen City.