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Braun officially back in left field to pave the way for Domingo to start in right. Just need someone to take hold of that starting CF spot. Broxton, Neiwenhuis, or Rymer.

[tweet]https://twitter.com/AdamMcCalvy/status/701487932952207360[/tweet]

Neiwenhuis is more of a vet at this point isn't he? I kinda hope Liriano or Broxton take hold of it.

We definitely have some interesting battles this spring.

Wake me up in 2018.

Hill more or less named starting 3B. If that holds up really only leaves CF up for grabs. Guessing Hill plays 2B against Lefties & then Middlebrooks or Cecchini get some 3B starts.

Assuming no surprises, the position players/starters are somewhat easy to project.

C - Lucroy
1B - Carter
2B - Gennett (platooned)
3B - Hill (platooned)
SS - Villar

Bench - Walsh, Cecchini, Maldonado, Rivera (the AAAA utility defense/backup SS guy)

LF - Braun
CF - Broxton (for now)
RF - Santana

Bench - Liriano, Nieuwenhuis

When Flores returns, unless Nieuwenhuis is setting the world on fire, Flores probably takes his spot. There's probably going to be somebody on the DL by then, though.

Middlebrooks I believe has a minor league deal so he can start in AAA. The only interesting thing is whether Cecchini can or will start in the majors. Do we go with only 11 pitchers? Only 4 OF and have Carter as an emergency corner OF and can Nieuwenhuis?

Everyone else on the roster is there by necessity. Walsh is rule 5, has to be on MLB. Liriano and Flores (when healthy) are out of options. Rivera or somebody like that has to be available as a backup SS. Seems like there will have to be one odd man out.

Who can backup 1B? I know Lucroy played a little 1B.

I thought I read today that Flores was cleared to return.

Are both the Rule 5 guys expected to stick? Thought I saw Walsh was more likely.

We get Sean Nolin on waivers. Essentially an add on to Khris trade. Takes open 40 man spot.


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Kerb Hohl wrote:Assuming no surprises, the position players/starters are somewhat easy to project.

C - Lucroy
1B - Carter
2B - Gennett (platooned)
3B - Hill (platooned)
SS - Villar

Bench - Walsh, Cecchini, Maldonado, Rivera (the AAAA utility defense/backup SS guy)

LF - Braun
CF - Broxton (for now)
RF - Santana

Bench - Liriano, Nieuwenhuis

When Flores returns, unless Nieuwenhuis is setting the world on fire, Flores probably takes his spot. There's probably going to be somebody on the DL by then, though.

Middlebrooks I believe has a minor league deal so he can start in AAA. The only interesting thing is whether Cecchini can or will start in the majors. Do we go with only 11 pitchers? Only 4 OF and have Carter as an emergency corner OF and can Nieuwenhuis?

Everyone else on the roster is there by necessity. Walsh is rule 5, has to be on MLB. Liriano and Flores (when healthy) are out of options. Rivera or somebody like that has to be available as a backup SS. Seems like there will have to be one odd man out.

Probably an unpopular sentiment but Rymer does have an option remaining.



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wichmae wrote:

Kerb Hohl wrote:Assuming no surprises, the position players/starters are somewhat easy to project.

C - Lucroy
1B - Carter
2B - Gennett (platooned)
3B - Hill (platooned)
SS - Villar

Bench - Walsh, Cecchini, Maldonado, Rivera (the AAAA utility defense/backup SS guy)

LF - Braun
CF - Broxton (for now)
RF - Santana

Bench - Liriano, Nieuwenhuis

When Flores returns, unless Nieuwenhuis is setting the world on fire, Flores probably takes his spot. There's probably going to be somebody on the DL by then, though.

Middlebrooks I believe has a minor league deal so he can start in AAA. The only interesting thing is whether Cecchini can or will start in the majors. Do we go with only 11 pitchers? Only 4 OF and have Carter as an emergency corner OF and can Nieuwenhuis?

Everyone else on the roster is there by necessity. Walsh is rule 5, has to be on MLB. Liriano and Flores (when healthy) are out of options. Rivera or somebody like that has to be available as a backup SS. Seems like there will have to be one odd man out.

Probably an unpopular sentiment but Rymer does have an option remaining.



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Well if that's the case, that opens up plenty. Was under the impression that we had to keep him MLB due to not having any options. Nice.

He can still have some time to make his mark in the MLB but can be in AAA to work out the logjam for stretches as well.

To answer someone else's question from before about backup 1B: Santana and Cecchini can play 1B. Middlebrooks, Luc, and even Maldondado can play there. Normally I'd feel Luc is wasted there and Maldy is a terrible option...but it's a long season and we suck.

Wich - I think Liriano is out of options. Might want to check that.

I think Cecchini has some, so he's probably going to start in AAA. Flores, Walsh, and Liriano - unless they are complete disasters, will have to remain on the MLB roster all year. Middlebrooks, Cecchini, and a few others can be brought up for an audition when injuries hit.

Kerb Hohl wrote:Wich - I think Liriano is out of options. Might want to check that.

I think Cecchini has some, so he's probably going to start in AAA. Flores, Walsh, and Liriano - unless they are complete disasters, will have to remain on the MLB roster all year. Middlebrooks, Cecchini, and a few others can be brought up for an audition when injuries hit.

You are correct. For some reason I thought he was just a 40 dfa. He is out of MiLB options. Middlebrooks I believe has to on the 25 man by June or he can declare free agency. Thought I read that somewhere. Walsh is a rule 5 and I'm not sure Flores is back healthy yet. Maybe we can stash him on the 60 for a little while.



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There's the answer

https://twitter.com/adammccalvy/status/701806291694411776


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Flores is kind in intriguing too. I like that we have a couple option of guys that have the tools & maybe if given a full opportunity it clicks. Kind of like a Scott Podsednik about a decade back. But we have a couple lottery tickets in Flores, Liriano, Broxton and maybe even EY Jr.

So Wiretap had something up that the Astros were interested in Lucroy...anyone know if that was recent? What would we want from them yet if we did do a deal?

Found the Rosenthal (and others) article saying that the Astros called about Lucroy about a month ago and they couldn't find any common ground. That is probably the wiretap report's source.

Kerb Hohl wrote:Found the Rosenthal (and others) article saying that the Astros called about Lucroy about a month ago and they couldn't find any common ground. That is probably the wiretap report's source.

Okay, I thought that could be the case, but was hoping that was fresh news.

Well officially the top 30 for Central teams were released on pipeline but naturally we aren't out yet since they're counting down the top 10.
It's kinda entertaining though to read through the Twitter responses. Reds fans confused why they don't have top system in Central. They aren't even top 3. They came in at 13 with the Cubs at 11. I can't find where STL came in at. Def not top 10.


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I'm going to guess we're #3


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Seems like other places have been in that 5 to 9 range, I'll split the difference and say 7th. With Lucroy and possibly Will Smith to be moved at some point, that could jump up even further in the near future.