Cordero, Reds Implode in Milwaukee

Nyjer Morgan killed the Reds all weekend.
AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps

In my short time in writing, I have created this little thing called the 24 hour rule. I only use it when a loss or moment has me upset to the point that I truly believe I cannot write unless it involves pounding out every single negative feeling that I have at that moment. Yesterday was a day when I had to implement such a rule. Now, I don't need it all the time. The Reds' collapse in the playoffs was stunningly sobering to me, and I was able to take it fairly well. However, the entire series against Milwaukee was not one where I could step back right away. And I hate to lead off by saying that I agree with former and part time Reds announcer George Grande on something, but it is true when he said, "You're never as good as you think, and you're never as bad as you think." I had to keep that in mind, because my initial reaction after yesterday was, this team stinks, the season is over. Granted, I've had the gut feeling that this season is going nowhere for a few weeks now. But, my confidence, and not my faith, in this team is what is shaken. I still believe in them. I just wouldn't bet on them right now, or pick them to win it.

It's time to drop the smile and get a little mean.
Associated Press/Jeffrey Phelps

I don't like to put a lot of blame on managers. That's one thing that I've slowly learned over the years. Of course I think that also means that a manager shouldn't get as much credit as they do, too. A lot of people may gripe over Dusty Baker's decisions, but a lot of that is hindsight. And we all know that is 20/20. Overall, I think Dusty is a pretty good manager. He isn't terrific, because he isn't always willing to shake things up when the team needs it. And this team needs it something bad. Riding with what you've got worked in 2010, when most everyone on the team was playing well. This, though, isn't 2010. And not everyone is having a great year. Some people need to go or find a spot on the pine. That's why I was excited to see the arrival of Zack Cozart and Dontrelle Willis. They are fresh blood and energy. They are new faces and something different than what we already had. That's important, because what we already had (Paul Janish and Edinson Volquez) wasn't getting it done.


Anyway, back to my original point. I don't like to put blame on a manager, but Sunday in Milwaukee can't be pinned solely on Francisco Cordero. Blame him for Friday's walk off loss, and I'll agree with you. Blame him for the blown save in St. Louis, and I'll agree with you. Blame him for Sunday's walk off loss, and I've got to shake my head. Cordero has been good all year, save for the last four appearances. He had blown only two save chances this season, until he blew three this past week. It's called a slump. He's still your closer, and you throw him out there. If he hadn't pitched on Saturday. That's the key. And that's where Dusty Baker has to be pinned with some blame. Francisco threw a combined 51 pitches between Friday and Saturday. He didn't look good in either, and he didn't look good in St. Louis. With a five run lead on Saturday, why is Cordero pitching? Why not Sam LeCure? Or Jose Arredondo? Don't burn your closer when you could need him on Sunday. Now, that being said, Dusty shouldn't have used Cordero then Sunday. If you make the decision to pitch him Saturday, then either Masset closes the game on Sunday, or he pitches the 7th and allows Chapman to pitch the final two innings. But just because Cordero has had a bad day four days in a row does not mean you remove him from his role or cut him. That's ridiculous. Like I said, it's a slump. Even Joey Votto has slumps. You don't bench him. He doesn't lose his job. Up until this most recent run, Cordero had allowed the fewest base runners in the National League among closers. His walks are down. His batting average against is down. He has been harder to hit than in his most recent years. Like him or not, he should be the closer.

Now would be the time to prove you truly are an All Star, Jay.
AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps

Now, it's the All Star break. And the Reds are desperately underachieving at 45-47 and 4 games back. They have the players to compete with Milwaukee, St. Louis, and Pittsburgh down the stretch. None of those teams are imposing enough, or scary enough, to make me think the Reds can't get hot and win the division. Of course, that's vice versa too. The Reds aren't all that scary. Would the Phillies or Braves fear this team in the playoffs? I don't know if Cincinnati will put it all together and come back. My heart says yes. My gut says no. So you're not going to get an answer from me, or a prediction. I will say that I think they are talented enough to do it, but inconsistent enough to fall apart. We saw a team that was on the brink so many times this first half. They were always so close. Two steps forward and one back. One step forward and two back. In many ways, this team will go as Jay Bruce goes. The day that he develops into a consistent ball player is the day the Reds will even out and play good ball all the way through. Is that this year? I don't know. It could be. But I'm not going to play out scenarios that get this team into the playoffs, or leave them out. John Fay of the Enquirer can do that for you.

Perhaps Dontrelle is the missing piece to the
rotation?
Associated Press/Jeffrey Phelps

I do, however, like the pieces on this team. I like everyone in the rotation, now, finally. Even Dontrelle Willis, who seemed to find a groove yesterday in pitching a very fine 6 innings and allowing just two runs. Homer Bailey and his proneness to lapses in concentration does scare me, though. I hope that Travis Wood can get it together and give them innings in the second half, if need be. I still love this bullpen. Aroldis Chapman being back lengthens it considerably. And with the run that Bray, Masset, and Ondrusek have been on, I think they can help keep this team in a lot of games. The offense bothers me some, though. One day I think Drew Stubbs is ready to turn it on, the next he looks lost. Heisey needs more playing time, and Gomes, less. Zack Cozart looks like a quality player in the field and at the plate, where he is worlds better than Janish. I worry less about Scott Rolen every day, knowing that, quite frankly, Miguel Cairo is a better offensive player than he is right now. Rolen going down shouldn't hurt this team. As long as he is present, I think that is what's important. The key to this whole thing lies with Jay Bruce. If he hits, they will win. If he slumps, they will lose. He and Joey Votto together are like Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder. Perhaps not at that caliber, but you understand my point. It's that presence in the lineup. One that strikes fear in the other team. If Bruce doesn't hit, why pitch to Votto?

However it plays out, I think it will be a very interesting second half for the Reds. I know that I will enjoy not watching this team play for a few days. Never thought I'd say that.