How would you rebuild/reload this team?

[Slyder]

First Trade Deadline:

Guys I would attempt to trade/get rid of:
Junior
Valentin
Hairston
Ross (if Fla wants him let him go for w/e)
Weathers
Lincoln
Fogg
Arroyo (if he's not dealt at the deadline he isnt going to be dealt)
Patterson (DFA)
Gonzo (retirement/DL)

I understand not all thats going to happen via trade but all of those guys dont have a real future for me minus Arroyo (if he's the Good Bronson). Feel free to bash me for wanting to trade Hairston, but he's 32 and could be having a career year see if someone would want to pay the piper for him. Valentin doesnt really serve a purpose on an NL roster IMO. He's hitting .255 vs RHP, isnt that great of a defensive guy, why is he here?

With pitching in such demand maybe a team like the Mets or Rays could use a vet with plenty of playoff experience like Weathers.

For the rest of the season see what you got in the AA/AAA guys. If you lose 90 games and get some pieces for trading off guys that arent the future its a step in the right direction and not some faux-pose attempt at "winning now".

Resign:
Affeldt (If he is happy here keep him, he's under 30 and a good guy to have when you need an innings eater with opportunity to earn a rotation spot)
Dunn (blah blah blah ba with risp, blah blah blah his obp, blah blah blah weve heard it all before but with Griffey gone I don't think we can afford to lose Dunn.)

If Dunn could become/is willing to become a 1b, I would look at possibly trading Joey Votto like the Twins/Rays did during Spring Training. Now is the time to trade Votto if youre going to do it. Get a #3 type starter and a couple spects.

So right now:
C= No one
1b= Dunn
2b= Phillips
ss= Keppinger
3b= Ed E
LF= Freel
CF= No one
RF= Bruce

Rotation:
Harang
Volquez
(Guy traded for Votto)
Arroyo
Cueto

Pen:
CL: F. Cordero
Bill Bray
Jeremy Affeldt
Jared Burton
Danny Herrera

Catcher:
Ryan Hannigan or Alvin Colina should be able to give you a backup catcher to keep the bench warm.
Rod Barajas will probably be the big time offensive name out there. Jason Kendall would be one I'd kick the tires on just with his ability to handle youngish pitching.

Middle Infield: Would I consider swapping Phillips and Keppinger? Of course, will the Reds is the big question: Answer so far a resounding NO. Felipe Lopez is a FA to be , we could passify "the Trade" critics and bring him back . I don't know if we "need" a starting caliber guy with Kepp and Phillips in the fold so I probably wouldnt go after Hudson (whos going to get way too much money on reputation).

David Eckstein or Adam Everett would probably be who I'd target to spot someone in the middle. Or allow us to move Kepp around to rest other guys.

First two names on my speed dial this offseason would be Pat Burrell and Milton Bradley. If one of those two came in I'd move Bruce to CF, granted not the long term solution people want but a lot of people say Hamilton isnt a CF either. Bradley would bring some fire to this team.

Kick the tires:
Rocco Baldelli Check out his condition and see if maybe get a MLC with an invite to ST.
Cesar Izturis- Another option for SS depth.
If you want to go after another high priced RF to replace Junior, then Vlad Guerrero is where I'd look. He's not hitting quite as well as we are use to seeing from Vlad but could you imagine the damage he could do in a hitters park like Great American? Plus imagine the absolute sick plays he'd make in the outfield with that cannon of his in RF.

Bullpen:
With the likes of Weathers, Lincoln, and Fogg gone you give Beilisle and Coffey one last chance to show they belong if they dont perform they are sent packing. You also give Josh Roenicke among others an opportunity to show they can contribute in the pen. About the only 2 I'd hold back would be Bailey and Maloney at this time.

Homer Bailey Looking at video doesnt look like the same mechanics with much worse results. I would send him to every arm, shoulder, leg, and head specialist the secretary can find. If he is healthy then my next step would be to allow him some freedom to find "his comfort zone" again. Put him on the DL for "tired arm" or something and let him work how he wants. If he wants to go back to being the mid 90s thrower maybe see if he would want to close for the rest of the season, limit his work a bit and maybe see some life restored to the arm.

Bench:
I dont really see much in the way of bench personel available who isnt so old that they remember when Brett Farve was a young gun qb that would be worth the cost. I would scour the waiver wire and supplement the bench with young guys largely that may have just not reached their peak yet. I dont really know enough about spects to really "suggest" possible trades but with the scouting information I'm sure Jocketty has start seeing what I could get for some of our duplicate spects that might not project as well or are just blcoked by other people.

Coaching Staff:
Dick Pole, Jacoby= Gone.
Duhhhsty= Debatable....

Lineup:
Freel LF
Keppinger SS
Dunn 1b
Bradley RF
Bruce CF
Phillips 2b
EE 3b
Kendall Ca
Pitcher

Rotation:

Thoughts?

[redsrbetter]

Good stuff man. This kind of talk just gets me giddy. Here is what I would do:

Trade deadline:

The Rockies may be looking to move Holliday. I would be in their ear as much as possible. Holliday would be that RH bat we all think we need and would definitely supplement the loss of Griffey. I would even consider trading Bailey and Encarnacion for him. but they don't need a 3B with Atkins holding it down and blocking Ian Stewart. So Bailey and Freel/Hairston? I want to keep Hairston, but if we could get Holliday, I would deal him in a heartbeat. I think we may have to offer a third piece as well. But I wonder who would offer more than that. I would even consider dealing Stubbs for him as well.

Next, I would trade Weathers to Florida for whatever. We are only likely to get a small return anyway, so I would try and find someone that is under the radar a bit. This is where we will miss Krivsky.

Junior to Tampa Bay? I would do it if they were inquiring about it. I don't trade Votto whatsoever.

Free agency:

The talk about Jocketty and Baker having interest in Sabathia is entertaining. But mission pointed out that having Sabathia and Dunn on the same team would mean a major upgrade to the team's payroll. But if we could drop Arroyo, Freel, and Griffey next year; things would be more affordable. I sign Sabathia as quick as possible.

Also, I would look for a catcher in free agency.

I agree with us keeping Dunn and Affeldt for sure. Resigning them would be very wise.

During spring training I would watch Frazier like a hawk. If he shows signs of brilliance, I would consider playing him in Louisville for a few months and see how he does before calling him up. Perhaps a June callup. The same goes for Stubbs if he is not traded.

Lineup:
Keppinger SS
Dunn LF
Holliday RF (traded for Bailey, Freel, and another little piece)
Votto 1B
Phillips 2B
Bruce CF
Encarnacion 3B
Bako/Ross/FA C

Rotation:
Sabathia
Volquez
Harang
Cueto
Thompson/Maloney/cheap FA

Bullpen:
Cordero
Burton
Affeldt
Bray
Herrera
Roenicke
Lincoln

Bench:
Hairston Util
Frazier IF/LF
Stubbs CF
Dickerson OF
Ross/Bako/Hanigan C

That was fun. And nearly impossible. But I like to dream the impossible dream.