The Reds crushed six homers against the Reds? Was this an intra-squad game? Kewl. Vientos offers zero with his glove as he showed committing 2 errors at first base. If he can’t hit? Sometimes hard decisions need to get made and many were made this off season so why would anyone think that Stearns would keep him around just because he had a great season 2 years ago? Many players eek out careers after having monster seasons because every team that gets these players believes they might be the ones that catch lightning in a bottle and said player is going to revert back and do what they did during that one season. Vientos is now that player. I like the kid too but he isn’t automatic with the bat what worth is he to this team that has championship aspirations? Time to cut bait and let him play for Pittsburgh or whatever team where the pressure won’t be on him to field or hit at an elite level and maybe he gives them 30 HRs. Happy for him and them. I’ll take the trophy.
In my opinion, Mauricio needs to start the season in AAA with the express directive to refine his swing and learn to make better decisions at the plate. To me, he is by far the best pure athlete on the roster and if he can get consistent at the plate, will be an incredible difference maker at the major league level. Bruján can man SS to start the season if Lindor isn’t ready - they signed him knowing he was a defense first player and they should focus on that to start the season.
As for Vientos, assuming he has options, he should also start the season at AAA with the same directive as Mauricio - refine the swing and make better decisions at the plate. He could also use some serious instruction on footwork and reading the ball off the bat at 3B - he’s got a plus arm that would be wasted at 1B.
Given the option that Bo could opt-out after this season, I’d rather they kept both Mauricio and Vientos as depth pieces and continue to develop their tools so they can perform like Major Leaguers and not AAAA guys when called on.
Worst case scenario, they are killing it at AAA and increase their trade value.
Stearns is holding onto Vientos to try to build his value for a future trade. He's hoping Swaggy V impresses at the WBC, to increase his market.
Mauricio will be sent down to play everyday and again, rebuild his value after a lost season in 2025. Brujan will break north with the club because of his versatility and speed.
The numbers game definitely doesn't work in Swaggy's favor. Really, the only place he can play in the field would be first base, and he needs a lot of work there. He could end up being more than serviceable, and it would be great to have that cross-diamond cannon over there, but he would have to get the job now and book 140 GP this season to grab hold of it.
Hard to see that happening now. Maybe if Semien hadn't come over and locked down second base, Bichette could have been signed to play second, Baty could have started at third, and then Vientos would maybe have gotten his chance. But that's not where we are.
So, yeah — he sure looks like the odd man out right now. And as someone mentioned over on Amazin' Avenue yesterday, Baty could be the next John Olerud. If Stearns is thinking along the same lines, it's off to the Steel City you go.
I'm not sure what they have to offer in return, though. We might have to get creative with the ask to make it worth our while.
I didn’t see the Framber Valdez debut. Did he hit any of his teammates?
The Reds crushed six homers against the Reds? Was this an intra-squad game? Kewl. Vientos offers zero with his glove as he showed committing 2 errors at first base. If he can’t hit? Sometimes hard decisions need to get made and many were made this off season so why would anyone think that Stearns would keep him around just because he had a great season 2 years ago? Many players eek out careers after having monster seasons because every team that gets these players believes they might be the ones that catch lightning in a bottle and said player is going to revert back and do what they did during that one season. Vientos is now that player. I like the kid too but he isn’t automatic with the bat what worth is he to this team that has championship aspirations? Time to cut bait and let him play for Pittsburgh or whatever team where the pressure won’t be on him to field or hit at an elite level and maybe he gives them 30 HRs. Happy for him and them. I’ll take the trophy.
It was against the Cubs.
In my opinion, Mauricio needs to start the season in AAA with the express directive to refine his swing and learn to make better decisions at the plate. To me, he is by far the best pure athlete on the roster and if he can get consistent at the plate, will be an incredible difference maker at the major league level. Bruján can man SS to start the season if Lindor isn’t ready - they signed him knowing he was a defense first player and they should focus on that to start the season.
As for Vientos, assuming he has options, he should also start the season at AAA with the same directive as Mauricio - refine the swing and make better decisions at the plate. He could also use some serious instruction on footwork and reading the ball off the bat at 3B - he’s got a plus arm that would be wasted at 1B.
Given the option that Bo could opt-out after this season, I’d rather they kept both Mauricio and Vientos as depth pieces and continue to develop their tools so they can perform like Major Leaguers and not AAAA guys when called on.
Worst case scenario, they are killing it at AAA and increase their trade value.
If Lindor is ready, Mauricio goes down for sure
Vientos will stay
That leaves two spots
Taylor and Tauchman
Stearns is holding onto Vientos to try to build his value for a future trade. He's hoping Swaggy V impresses at the WBC, to increase his market.
Mauricio will be sent down to play everyday and again, rebuild his value after a lost season in 2025. Brujan will break north with the club because of his versatility and speed.
The numbers game definitely doesn't work in Swaggy's favor. Really, the only place he can play in the field would be first base, and he needs a lot of work there. He could end up being more than serviceable, and it would be great to have that cross-diamond cannon over there, but he would have to get the job now and book 140 GP this season to grab hold of it.
Hard to see that happening now. Maybe if Semien hadn't come over and locked down second base, Bichette could have been signed to play second, Baty could have started at third, and then Vientos would maybe have gotten his chance. But that's not where we are.
So, yeah — he sure looks like the odd man out right now. And as someone mentioned over on Amazin' Avenue yesterday, Baty could be the next John Olerud. If Stearns is thinking along the same lines, it's off to the Steel City you go.
I'm not sure what they have to offer in return, though. We might have to get creative with the ask to make it worth our while.