http://donatelifeohio.org/
Brian Price didn't want to be quoted but allowed that Johnny Cueto would be the opening day starter.
"I think you would be safe in writing that without a quote from me," Price said as he looks to replace two starting pitchers from 2014, a season he doesn't want to talk about too much.
"We lost 86 games and everybody knows that," Price said. "Three teams finished ahead of us last year and the Cubs got better, so we're a candidate for finish in the second division but it doesn't matter where we're picked to finish. It matters where we do finish. We're enthusiastic about getting ready for 2015"
 |
| http://www.wiedemannbeer.com/ |
The Reds traded 15-game winning starter, Alfredo Simon, to Detroit over the winter. Mat Latos was dealt to the Miami Marlins. Homer Bailey is not yet throwing off the mound.
"It doesn't mean he won't be ready," Price said.
Price needs to fill those spots and has an abundance of choices.
"The exact number is a lot," Price quipped.
Anthony DeSclafani, who came to the Reds in the Latos trade, is among the choices. Tony Cingrani, who had injuries last season, is ready to compete. Cuban pitcher Raisel Iglesias is in the mix as are Dylan Axelrod, David Holmberg. Both of them made starts last season. Free agent signees, Jason Marquis and Paul Maholm have a chance to resume their careers.
"We have Cueto, (Mike) Leake and Homer. In deciding who will follow, we have to handicap a little bit. We won't have enough innings to get that many pitchers ready to start," Price said.
Those that don't end up in the starting five, will have another role to fill.
"I'm interested in finding someone to fill Alfredo Simon's role when he was a relief pitcher," Price said of the right-hander that was able to eat innings when starters had an off night.
Iglesias, if he doesn't make the starting rotation, could fill the role.
"In the short time he's been with us, we found that he has four quality pitches. He showed a quality change in the Arizona Fall League. He has two really good breaking balls and a quality fastball," Price said. "That usually translate into a starter but what a way to break into the big leagues."
Axelrod, Jumbo Diaz and the veterans Marquis and Maholm fit the same mold as possible long relievers.
The Reds bullpen let them down last season.
They signed Burke Badenhop, who is known for inducing ground balls to bolster that area of the team.
"He was our target in October," Price said. "We didn't know if we could even kick the tires to get him but somehow, miraculously, we have him. We wanted him for his performance and he's a great guy. We can use him in situations where we need a ground ball and he can pitch multiple innings."
The Reds also signed Kevin Gregg, who has been a closer with the Florida, Toronto, Baltimore and the Cubs.
"Kevin Gregg is not someone we see in that role at this stage of his career but he opens the door for the other guys," Price said.
No comments:
Post a Comment