Ozuna for Stephenson. What could of been or Glad we didnt

Foul I am indifferent on this one. If we didn't have a top 10 offense I would react differently. I'd like to get a starting pitcher but can't think of how to do that and to whom. I have a couple of scenarios floating around the head but don't like any of em so not throwing them out there. Just in one of those maddening funks man.

Interesting discussion. Ozuna was so good during the 1st half, but burnt out, and had a terrible 2nd half. As you pointed out Foul, he's hot here again this season. My concern is for how long though. Does he burn out as the season extends? Having said all that, yes, in hindsight, I'd do that trade right away. At the very least, Ozuna is a huge trade chip to get pitching, as Rod pointed out, is a serious need. I'm really not sure though, if Ozuna is any better than what we currently have in our outfield. Yes, today this season so far, he's putting up better numbers, but will he by season end? Not sure.

Let me also add, I'm more impressed with Stephenson so far, than I am with Rookie Davis and Cody Reed. Again, that's not saying a whole lot though...Chris

This same thing about young guys, HS draftees that have the stuff but not the control, happen to all teams/fandoms. Not unlike HOMERUN Bailey. A yr. and a half ago I watched RobSteve dominate a AA allstar game, throwing 99 w/ crazy movement and a devastating split, change, and 79 mph Nolanlike curveball. He just turned 24 Feb 26th of this yr. And just like Bailey, whom I don't like but emphatically advocated for at the same age, has the same or better stuff. Both have problems from ear to ear, not shoulder or elbow ligament problems(Bailey does obviously) at this point and moreso than that, location. His BB/K has been low most of his minors career, jumped last season once his mistakes started needing stewardesses on them. Makes sense. I think his mechanics need work. Too much head/body movement than he used to have, more effort to hit 96 than  his delivery had when he was hitting 98+. You guys know I've advocated for drafting more guys that can hit but you need to develop at least a couple cheap guys that can go against the top 1-2 rotation guys or you're never going to win it all imho. He's got potential 1-2 stuff. I think you have to give him to 27'ish to realize whether he's Todd Coffee or Homer(hopefully more). Same w/ Peraza although obviously different position. Most of these guys peak 27-31, tough to throw them out the door at 23-24 etc.. It sucks, but if the reds are ever going back to the WS they have to produce another Cueto type #1 and 2 and have some luck w/ position guys. The economics won't work w/ out it.

His era is dogshit, but he's never been a reliever in his life.  Put his arse back in the rotation, where he did OK to pretty good last yr., and live with it.  If his BB rate doesn't get better, then you open the other options.  But putting a guy that's started his entire career in middle relief is a recipe for mental disaster.  He's not failed enough to have earned the lowly shitty mop up position, but I'd guess that's in his head.  Fire Price TODAY.  Bring in an old head w/ some Gravitas and rings of some sort and see if the new leadership can get this stud back to being what he was born to be.

Stephenson,Reed and either Mahle,or Castillo need to be in the rotation now. Enough of Adelman,Arroyo and Bonilla. None of the kids are probably ready and most will probably get drilled. But we aren't gonna compete this year anyway. Why not see if any of these kids can be part of the next good Reds team?
If they don't get them in the rotation now they never will. By July it looks like Bailey,Disco and Finnegan will be back to go with Garrett. That only leaves one spot and that is assumming Feldman is dealt in July.
Price does need to be fired now. He will not be the manager of the next winning team. Get whoever they feel is that guy now and let him start managing the club.
We keep hearing 2018 is the year to try and be competitve. Well it's not gonna be if they don't start finding out which of these kids will be the core of the pitching staff. If they keep running out Arroyo,Bonilla and Adelman it's gonna set back the competitve year to 2019.
Like I said Stephenson,Reed,Mahle,Castillo ETC. May very well get hammered but so what. I would rather see a guy pitch who has at least a ounce of upside vs. guys like Arroyo who has zero. At the very least give Asher Wojo guy a shot. I know he isn't a prospect but he has thrown the ball well at AAA and in his one relif outing. He in no way shape or form will be worse than Arroyo. Hell Marquis was even slightly better than Arroyo.

I think as the SP get healthy and more experience is when you'll see this team take off. Granted some are still in the minor leagues. It could take a couple years. The thing I've liked so far this year is we see the potential of this team for the future. In saying this, we've also seen what we were expecting too. Losing. As far as Price goes he looked in over his head at first. With a team in decline and need for change. There wasn't much to work with. I like Price and thought it was a good move to keep him. I think he's handled this roster solidly. I'd add another couple years to his contract. That way he can manage the way he wants without looking over his shoulder. Remember there's a plan. Stick to it.

Clinz and SoCal I pretty much agree. If we have a healthy rotation we are an instant contender. What has happened is just unfortunate. Really is. Been saying for weeks we are top 10 in every other aspect of the game-runs, bullpen, and defense. This was my offseason view also. Contention is so close to being realized. But we are at least well on our way. We almost came back and won last night after yet another pitching failure. Pretty tough knowing even a mediocre rotation likely puts us 10 games over .500.

Our 2011 first round pick Robert Stephenson is getting smoked again

He was a great pitching hope.

Should of dumped his ass years ago when the Reds had a real team