NewsInbox: Is Bailey ready for prime time?
Beat reporter Mark Sheldon answers fans' questions
By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com
11/03/09 6:58 PM EST
We're about a month into the offseason already and almost six weeks since the last installment of the Reds Inbox. Time to brush aside some of the rust and cobwebs and see what's on your mind. As a reminder, you can send questions and comments via my blog, "Mark My Word," and on my Twitter page (@m_sheldon). It has been hard seeing the Reds' top pitching prospect struggle for most of his three years in the big leagues, but it looks like Homer Bailey is finally MLB ready. Is this the real Homer or just a flash of greatness?-- Chris, Cincinnati I think it's the beginning of good things to come. Bailey was 6-1 with a 1.70 ERA over his last nine starts (8-5, 4.53 in 20 starts overall) and it would have been a better record without two blown saves. You could tell things were different way back in Spring Training. Bailey had a different demeanor, and he finally was starting to get it -- physically and mentally. He appeared more comfortable with himself and around others, and he pitched well. The right-hander didn't just live on his fastball. He wasn't afraid to mix in off-speed and developed a split-fingered pitch. Bailey also admitted that he didn't put in the work like he should have in the past. Last winter he stepped up his offseason workouts, and it showed down the stretch. Bailey seems committed to doing likewise this winter, and his confidence gained from his final nine starts should help him going forward. What do you think the chances are that the Reds will keep Bronson Arroyo considering their payroll?
-- Kathie C., Lewis Center, Ohio The chances should be pretty good that Arroyo will stay -- if the Reds are serious about wanting to win. Arroyo has won 15 games the past two seasons and pitched 200 innings each of the last five. He owned the lowest ERA in the Majors during the second half of 2009. No one else on the staff can say that, and the rotation isn't deep enough to do without Arroyo. I know Paul Janish's seasonal batting average wasn't good. But I'd like to know what it is since Alex Gonzalez was traded and Janish became the everyday shortstop? It seems like it's been quite a bit better -- with an inordinate number of doubles. Am I right?
-- Doug W., Auburn, Wash. Janish batted .211 in 90 games, but only .208 after Gonzalez was traded on Aug. 14 and Janish started 42 of the final 48 games. You were right about the doubles -- he had 17 of his 21 doubles after the trade, which is encouraging. Janish has the goods defensively. If the Reds can find a way to boost the offense in other parts of the lineup, he has a great chance to win the job next spring. If the front office isn't convinced they have enough hitting, they will look for a decent hitting shortstop, and Janish will take a seat.
|
Have a question about the Reds?
 E-mail your query to MLB.com Reds beat reporter Mark Sheldon for possible inclusion in a future Inbox column. Letters may be edited for brevity, length and/or content.
|
||||||||
I've noticed some Reds and Reds prospects are putting up incredible stats in the Winter Leagues -- do these numbers mean anything? How would you characterize the level of competition in the Winter Leagues? Is there a league that best predicts a player's big league performance?
-- Greg J., Maineville, Ohio
-- Jeff G., Ringgold, Ga. The Reds could really use some payroll flexibility, but it will be tough to get by shedding Cordero. Although he went from full no-trade clause to a partial no-trade, he is still owed $25 million over the next two years, and there aren't many teams that can go there. Now he just needs a better closer's entrance song that isn't an "homage" to Mariano Rivera's use of "Enter Sandman." But to answer the question, I'd expect Nick Masset and Jared Burton would probably get first dibs on the closer role. Could we get an update on shortstop prospect Chris Valaika? What has his progress been this season? What does it look like for next season?
-- Joe K. (no location given) Valaika finally heated up down the stretch for Triple-A Louisville after he endured a terrible offensive year overall in 2009 by batting only .235. He also missed time with a broken right hand suffered from punching a cooler. A .290 hitter over four Minor League seasons, the 24-year-old should be better than that, and indications are more time in the Minors might be needed before Valaika can convince the decision makers that he is ready. How do you feel about expanding replay in baseball? I've wanted it for years. Personally I'm for replay use by a fifth umpire upstairs who is able to review all fair/foul balls, plays at bases and force outs but not hit by pitches, catches, or balls and strikes. It is time for the game to evolve and at least make an effort to help umpires not look so terrible as they have this postseason. Your thoughts?
-- Jacob K., Lima, Ohio I know it's all the rage to scream for replay in baseball at the top of your lungs, but I'm going against the grain and saying I'm not for expanding it. Look, I want umpires to get calls right but I'd hate to see MLB go down the road of the NFL, which has overused replay to the point where it's become almost insufferable. I'm sick of pausing my emotions for 3 to 5 minutes after great football plays to see multiple-angle reviews of whether there was total possession by a receiver with both feet in-bounds. I get that 10 to 12 replays in high definition TV seen over several minutes will often conflict with the split-second decision with the human eye, but I can still live with the current system as imperfect as it is. To me, it would beat having regular season games stretched to four-plus hours and postseason games stretched to five hours.
Mark Sheldon is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
