Comments on: Pirates Have Shown Interest in Shin-Soo Choo, Who May Be Going to the Reds

By: Matt Beam

Matt Beam — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 11:49:07 +0000

The Reds also won’t be shy about promoting Billy Hamilton in 2014 to play CF if he shows that he can continue to hit MiLB pitching this year while making the transition from SS

By: Matt Beam

Matt Beam — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 04:45:33 +0000

So for all those making a big deal out of Trevor Bauer beating Gerrit Cole to the big leagues, what do you make of the D-Backs shipping him to the Indians for a LH reliever and a couple of B/C level prospects?

By: Sean Matthews

Sean Matthews — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 04:12:21 +0000

Choo is gonna lead to a lot of 1st inning headaches for us fans for 13 games this year

By: Ecbucs

Ecbucs — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 02:30:15 +0000

the Reds were a strong team last year and have worked to make the team look better (at least on paper) for 2013. Someday the time will be right for the Bucs to make a bold move like this.

By: beatembuccos21

beatembuccos21 — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 01:53:48 +0000

I think the Reds are trading from strength. It might be giving up a lot, but Choo replaces Stubbs and they are in decent enough shape at SS with Cozart on the team and Sliding Billy Hamilton rising quickly (assuming he sticks at SS). Choo in CF would mean above average offensive players at six of eight starting spots with Heisey off the bench. If Choo plays well, I think Jocketty tries to sign him as an FA and if not, Ryan LaMarre might be ready by mid-2014. Plus I figure the catching tandem out of ST is Hanigan/Navarro which is better offensively than Hanigan/Mesoraco. IMHO if this happens, the Reds have to be considered a strong favorite to repeat as NL Central champs (which they might be already regardless).

By: beatembuccos21

beatembuccos21 — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 01:28:21 +0000

I agree with Tim 100%. Stubbs is a superior player compared to Tabata. The Bucs don’t have a Stubbs/Gregorius combo. If the Pirates had Gregorius, I think he’d be the starting SS and not Barmes.

By: Tim Williams

Tim Williams — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 21:56:31 +0000

You’re only looking at the offense. Stubbs can play CF and has good numbers there. Tabata is more of a corner outfielder. Looking at the overall picture, Tabata’s best year was a 2.2 WAR in 2010, and that’s been unmatched (he was 1.0 and -0.3 the next two years). The worst year for Stubbs was a 1.3 WAR last year.

By: jalcorn

jalcorn — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 21:30:02 +0000

Oh disagree, Stubbs is not good. The K rate is now over 30% with few walks, hiw wRC+ was 64 last year, that’s Barmes territory. He will not last long K’ing this much, particularly losing Great American Ballpark as a home field. Tabata’s wRC+ for his career is 99, Stubbs’ is 88.

By: Matthew Charles

Matthew Charles — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 21:25:41 +0000

Seems like the reds are giving up a lot for Choo, no?

By: Tim Williams

Tim Williams — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 21:16:56 +0000

That wouldn’t be the equivalent. I don’t think the Pirates have an equivalent to Gregorius. Mercer, d’Arnaud, and Harrison are more bench players than starting options. Stubbs is better than Tabata.