Haha, well I'm back, now you have two nut jobs.

Great to get back to some good talk and stop seeing the hundreds of back and forth panty bunches among posters the last two weekends cluttering up the threads.

Like another poster said, I am also (trying) backing off the ledge (that we gave up twice as much as needed basically) in both trades. Never having heard of Latos, guess I need to visit other teams sites some! ha ha.

I havent seen anyone take Ryan Hanigan so I will take him and as a backup Cozart at short.

I like you Pog, hope that Rolen does however or one of the younger replacements for him at 3rd.

I follow the padres almost as much as I follow the reds. Latos is a talent, throws a heavey sinking fastball. Sometimes he gets flustered like any young pitcher. I think he could win 18-20 this year, optimistic projection.

I think Stubbs is going to break out this year. I think his K rate will go down and he will batting 280+. I know wishful thinking,lol.

Majors: Mike Leake, Ryan Ludwick (I think getting out of PetCo will really help him), Zack Cozart.

Minors: Dennis Phipps, Billy Hamilton (can he swipe 100 bases above Single A?)

I think Ludwick will be a big addition as well. Definitely getting out of Petco I think will help him. lets just hope now he is in a hitters park that its not swing for the fences constantly,lol.

Majors:

Homer Bailey
Juan Francisco

Minors:

Andrew Brackman
Kyle Lotzkar
J.C Sulbaran

Yea I was making a crack at Leake and his weird shopping habits.

Well If we don't have to stay limited to the Reds, I'd say that the only breakout player in baseball will be Yoenis Cepedes.

No, I agree with you. That is my player for having a breakout year.

My pick is Chris Heise. He'll have a super spring and take over in LF.

Ludwick is the right pick. I am absolutely confident that he winds up a very good signing. Heisey as I have said many, many times is a fourth outfielder who is going to push Stubbs for playing time if Stubbs repeats last years performance. Heisey will see plenty AB's but will not be a regular unless injuries force this scenaro

What makes you think Ludwick will bounce back?

He is excited to come here, and will be hitting in a good park with some lineup protection. I wanted this guy last summer at the break. I just feel he meshes well here.

I think he will end up getting the bulk of playing time, the more AB's he gets the better he does historically. I'm with you, Ludwick is going to be valuable.

I agree regarding LUDWICK.

I think WALT J . made a great move signing him.

There should be aprox. 1900 plate appearances spread among the 3 outfield positions.

Assuming BRUCE has 550 + - appearances , with days off , injuries etc. that leaves 1350 + - appearances.

LUDWICK , HEISEY and STUBBS can battle over the 1350 .

This could pressure STUBBS to improve his offensive game.

If he doesn't he sits and HEISEY plays center and LUDWICK is in left.

That said I hope DUSTY plays the " hot hand " or hands who ever it is.

The CARDS are not going to roll over and die and the REDS I believe end the season in ST. LOUIS.

I hope and want the REDS to go into ST. L already clinched or up by 2.

Winning the central in front of a sell out ST. L crowd would make 2012 GREAT !

Also the PIRATES and BREWERS can't be written off either.

But it all comes down to PITCHING and HEALTH.

Hopefully the REDS have both and just enough hitting to win 90 +.