Dusty Baker announced Edinson Volquez as the 2011 Opening Day starter for the Redlegs. Not only does it indicate that Spring Training is underway but also that decisions (although possibly too early) are being made to move forward into the glorious time of year that we all know as baseball season. To be honest, I'm surprised with the decision. I just assumed that it was a forgone conclusion that Bronson Arroyo would take the mound in the Queen City on March 31. Of course Arroyo is no "ace" but he has been the Reds most consistent pitcher and he's cemented in Cincy for a few more years with a new contract (but we all know that he'd rather be in Boston).
What's nice about this is, in ways, it symbolizes a new era with the Reds. Maybe not as much as Jay Bruce's homer to clinch the 2010 NL Central division title for the Reds but still it's the first time in a long time that the Reds will begin a season with everyone expecting them to win. Aaron Harang started five straight openers in Cincinnati, all of which lead to losing seasons (as did many other guys before him). Bronson is not the future of the Reds put a solid, #3-ish guy to build a rotation around. Volquez has the stuff to be an ace, so does Cueto, heck, so does Wood.
Dusty's explanation for starting Volquez is to mix up the hard and soft tossers; Bronson will start game 2. Followed by Cueto? ...Wood? ...Homer? ... Leake? ... who knows, but it's a nice situation to have.
I am, however, a traditionalist and think that Dusty should have waited a little longer. Let Volquez "earn it." Chris Sabo's Googles is with me on this one. I am also annoyed that we have a PED user (also mentioned by CSG) representing the Reds on a very important day. One more thing, the hair and the hat and combination thereof... I can let Bronson get away with the hair because he looks stylish is a 1993 sort of way but where is Marge Schott when you need her!?
Here are the thoughts of Red Hot Mama, Blog Red Machine, and Redleg Nation on this on Dusty's decision 2011.
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3 comments:
I wish we had some of those arms over in pinstripe land! I don't know who will be at the back end of the red's rotation but I love the arms on Leake and Bailey. Volquez and Cueto are absolute filth when they are on and Corn Rows can do some good stuff. I'm not a reds fan but I love to see them do well. I think the brew crew will be a tough team to beat but Votto and Bruce have the red's young core looking good
Thanks for the comment Dave. To be honest, Leake is my favorite of the Reds arms. I know this isn't a justified comparison, but he's got some Greg Maddux-like qualities.
The Brewers do scare me a little. They are a team that has nothing to lose and they're going for it. Picking up Marcum and Greinke was huge and lord knows that they can score runs. This will most likely be Fielder's last year in Milwaukee so I think it was a very smart move to pick up some much needed pieces for their rotation.
Yeah I'm pretty sure Fielder is moving, perhaps to St. Louis if the Cards can't hold on to Pujols? Either way I think its going to be a lot of fun to watch the N.L. Central this year. I'm previewing each division on my blog and tomorrow im doing the N.L. Central. I'm excited.
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