AGRI Biz

Most Reds' fans who visit this site are already well aware of Friday evening's nail biter victory vs. the Chicago Cubs. Let's start with Homer Bailey. Bailey struggled through four tough innings.  His fifth and final inning of work was a rather simple one, even though he did plunk the first batter, Xavier Nady. When all was said and done, Bailey's line read: 5 IP, 7 H (all singles), 3 ER, 2 BB, ...

In his first spring training ever—and with last year's Arizona Fall League listed as the only professional fodder on his Major League résumé—Mike Leake snagged the role of fifth starter for the Cincinnati Reds on Friday. The move makes Leake only the 13th pitcher to completely skip the minor leagues since the amateur draft was introduced in the mid '60s.  It's been 16 years since the last one, Ariel Prieto. He ...

Seems like every year at about this time in the season, Reds' fans and their "Pro-Pete Cooperstown" articles pop-up more than Miley Cyrus television appearances—and with equal annoyance. Pete Rose deserves a plaque less than Billy Ripken. Anyone who is the least bit familiar with my writings knows that to deny my love for the Cincinnati Reds is akin to a rock 'n roll fan saying, "Yeah, that John Lennon, he sorta ...

Aroldis Chapman was forced to leave an exhibition game on Monday, March 22, versus the Colorado Rockies with what my best friend and mentor, Hal McCoy, described as, "a twinge in his back, or stiffness in his back, or tightness in his back." Either way, the Cuban flame thrower has a sore back.  The band Alkaline Trio once sang, "When you're only 23 it's not attractive to complain about your sore back." For ...

When Richard Henry "Dick" Pole was sacked from his post as the Cincinnati Reds' pitching coach and Bryan Price was brought in to replace him, it easily ranked as the team's biggest offseason move—well, maybe besides that signing of some 6'4" lefty kid from Cuba.  It's a fine trait to be loyal.  But Reds' manager Dusty Baker has proven more than a few times of being loyal to a fault.  That ...

There's a smoldering question in Reds' country.  Who will be the No. 5 guy in the rotation?  Coming back from Goodyear to the Queen City, the first four are set.  We've got Bronson Arroyo, Homer Bailey, Johnny Cueto, and Aaron Harang.   Sorry traditionalists, but modern ball dictates that teams need a fifth.  Check the rule book. It's just under the "keep all pitch counts under 100" section. The Reds dilemma is far ...

Grabbed with the seventh overall pick in the 2008 amateur draft, Yonder Alonso is the face of the Reds minor league system.á And for good reason.á The kid can flat-out hit a baseball. Alonso isáanother left-handed bat hoping to make an already lefty laden lineup.á His 6'3", 215 pound frame is reminiscent of another Reds' first baseman...fan favorite, Sean "The Mayor" Casey. Alonso committed to play for head coach, Jim Morris atáperennial ...

When a baseball team drafts a player who rejects a full-ride scholarship to play wide receiver for a major college football team, it's safe to assume the kid is fast.á When that football team is from the best conference in the country (SEC), it's safe to say the kid can flat-out boot scoot as well as any major leaguer.á That's exactly what the Cincinnati Reds did with their second round (57th ...

A couple of days ago the Cincinnati Reds dumped $8.5 million by not picking up the option year of catcher Ramon Martinez.á Now let's say that the Reds don't go all nutters and start trading like a stockbroker on crack. What do we do with this new cash? Here is a novel ideaùone that Reds' owner, Bob Castellini may wish to consider:á Tuck it under the mattress and save it for a ...

Reds' fans should be digging the offseason so far.á First, Diamond Dick Pole was sackedùwell, that was during the last weekáof playá(the unofficial start of Reds offseason).á Anybody would be better than Pole.á While many Reds' faithful were clamoring for Ted Power or Mario Soto, Bryan Priceáis aáswell hire. Priceáis aáformeráCoach of the Year and Pitching Coach of the year for both the Mariners and Diamondbacks.á At 47, he's got some experience, but isn't ...