Reds manager David Bell told reporters (including Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer) that outfielder Harrison Bader won’t return to the field this year, and that the odds of right-hander Tejay Antone making it back before 2024 are “remote.” While both players were already known to be out for the remainder of the regular season due to their recent placements on the injured list, Bell’s comments pour cold water on hopes of either player making an impact for Cincinnati this postseason in the event the Reds are able to claim one of the NL Wild Card spots. Pending the end of tonight’s game against Pittsburgh, the Reds currently sit two games behind the Cubs for the final NL Wild Card spot. The club is also one game back of the Marlins, the top NL club currently outside the postseason picture.
Antone made just five appearances out of the bullpen for the Reds this year due to injuries, but was dominant in that limited action with a 1.59 ERA and a 33.3% strikeout rate in 5 2/3 innings of work. Given the right-hander’s strong track record in Cincinnati when healthy, he figures to feature prominently in the club’s plans next year even in the event he doesn’t return this season.
The same can’t be said for Bader, a pending free agent who joined the Reds after being placed on waivers by the Yankees at the end of August. Bader had struggled with the bat in New York, slashing just .240/.278/.365 in 84 games with the club, but more than made up for it with his superlative glovework in center field. Unfortunately, his time in Cincinnati saw his work with the bat deteriorate even more as he posted a brutal .161/.235/.194 slash line in 14 games that was good for a wRC+ of just 15. That said, between his strong defense in center field and a much more promising career wRC+ of 92, Bader figures to hit free agency after the season with a chance to land a healthy contract.
Today’s injury news for the Reds isn’t all bad, however. Rookie infielder Matt McLain, who went on the injured list with an oblique strain nearly a month ago, is on the verge of returning per MLB.com. As discussed by Bell, McLain is headed for a rehab assignment at the Triple-A level and figures to play two games there before returning to the major league club, with Tuesday’s game against the Guardians standing as the club’s current target for McLain’s return. Assuming he’s fully healthy, McLain should bolster the club’s lineup in a big way given his .290/.357/.507 slash line in 403 trips to the plate this year.
More from the NL Central…
- Cubs right-hander Marcus Stroman made his first start since July this afternoon, taking the ball against the Rockies at Wrigley Field. Stroman was activated from the injured list earlier this month to join the club’s bullpen and did well in that role, striking out four while allowing only an unearned run on two hits and a walk in three innings of work. Stroman’s return to the rotation left right-hander Javier Assad as the odd man out in the club’s starting plans. That being said, with Stroman not yet fully built up to a starter’s workload, Assad took the ball in relief of the veteran for four scoreless innings today, lowering the youngster’s ERA to 2.88 on the season. With Stroman back in the rotation, Assad figures to be a valuable multi-inning weapon for the Cubs out of the bullpen down the stretch. Chicago has plenty of high leverage opportunities available with Adbert Alzolay, Michael Fulmer, and Brad Boxberger all currently on the injured list.
- Brewers outfielder Tyrone Taylor hasn’t played since Wednesday and was once again held out of the lineup today, with manager Craig Counsell indicating to MLB.com that the 29-year-old was dealing with some hamstring tightness. The club has decided to act cautiously rather than risk losing Taylor to an injury that could keep him out of the postseason, though Counsell added that he hopes Taylor will be able to return to the lineup for tomorrow’s game against the Marlins. Taylor was ice cold to start the year, resulting in a lackluster season slash line of just .233/.270/.408 in 210 plate appearances, but he’s been one of Milwaukee’s strongest offensive contributors since the start of August with a scorching hot .291/.341/.581 slash line including 11 doubles, a triple, and seven homers in 126 trips to the plate. Blake Perkins has gotten additional reps in the outfield in recent days with Taylor temporarily shelved.
Bader gets a “healthy contract” will be interesting to watch. He’s a useful player, be he has to hit more than he does now to merit anything of size.
Bader is in danger of becoming the next Billy Hamilton/Raimel Tapia. No offense, great defense. Not sure about his speed on the bases.
He’s a slightly below average hitter for his career at 92. Hamilton has a career OPS+ of 66. Hamilton also had almost 400 steals. Neither Tapia or Bader have ever run at that pace. Bader has also won a gold glove. 12.2 WAR vs. 0.3 for Tapia. Bader has as many home runs as these 2 combined, in about 2500 less at bats. He is not in danger of becoming either player. Lol, Where did you come up with these comparisons???
after blowing a 9 run lead in last night’s game they should be thinking about pitching
Interesting off season approaching in Cincy’s FO. If everyone is healthy we have a very good rotation but we need a veteran ace to gel it. A few bullpen arms and a stud corner Of’er to bat middle of order would be my orders. Free agency and some wise trades can remedy it. Krall has done well to this point so let’s see if he can complete the job and deliver a balanced team.
By my estimation, they are going to have 29 million more payroll to play with figuring Joey’s buyout (with all due respect, they won’t do the 20 million option) and they only had 83 million payroll this year to start with, about 50 million short of their max. So there are no excuses not to get all that done.
He hits way too well against lefties to be Billy Hamilton. Even if he’s a platoon guy, his defense, speed, and lefty numbers make him a productive major league player
He’s not hitting well against lefties anymore.
“a much more promising career wRC+ of 92” I was going to describe that as a fine example of putting lipstick on a pig, but I changed my mind and will instead describe it as a fine example of charity.
I note also that Bader, at least as evidenced during his time with the Yankees, suffers from an apparent case of Robinson Cano Disease: jogging/walking to first base on ALL infield grounders. Not a “promising” career characteristic.
Only a fool will offer him more than a 1-year prove it contract after this rotten walk year. But rest assured some delusional team will offer him more. We just know it won’t be STL, NYY, or CIN.
Does that makes those three teams less delusional?
Tyrone Taylor played today. He Pinch Hit but still played.
Assad has been an absolute solid rock, in the Cubs rotation. Hopefully someone will take Taillon off the Cubs hands in this offseason. Would be nice to trade Taillon for a one year stopgap at 3B – or a dependable RP. I would think there is a team out there who needs SP depth. If I’m the Cubs I definitely pick up Hendricks option – and Hope Stroman decides to come back for his final season on the contract.
Keep dreaming Bone. Nobody’s taking that on. Except maybe the Yankees. I still say Tallion is a good candidate for a bounce back especially since he’ll be the 4th or 5th starter.
Chances always seem to be remote. They’re never in-person, or hybrid even!
Cubs should have interesting pitching options in 2024.
Starters
Stroman-Maybe
Hendricks – maybe( But I’d rather not)
Steele-Definitely
Tallion-definitely
Wicks-Probably
Assad- Maybe- but maybe long man
Brown-Control issues but maybe
Smyly-Rather not
Horton- Long odds
Killian- I guess I’m the only one who likes him
Powell- Longer shot
So no need for FA starters Imo
Bullpen
LH’s
Smyly- If he opts in might be expensive option
Hughes- Good odds
Luke Little- Good odds
Brendon Little- possible
Horn – also possible
Wieck- Big longshot
So no need for FA LH bullpen guys
RH’s
Merryweather- definitely
Palencia- probable
Leiter Jr- Definitely
Wesneski- yes
Keegan Thompson- Hope he’s back
Alzolay- Injury?
Fullmer-Injury?
Ethan Roberts-Injury longshot
Burdi-?
Bigge- Not that far fetched
Boxberger- Just say no
Scalzo Jr- Big longshot
I’d say there’s enough there but if a real good closer became available-
If it were me I wouldn’t say no
Seems to me the pitching should be more than competent.
If they spend big money on pitching the Cubs are stupid.
Oops forgot about Cuas
I assumed leaving Cuas out was intentional. I cringe every time he comes out to pitch. Got to done today though!
It will be good to see McLain return, but it is too little, too late, and he is not a pitcher which their GM failed to secure when they needed it. Their failure down the stretch can be laid at his feet, no on else’s. Bell and the players hung in longer than anyone theoretically would have and they should be commended for that.
reds….at least we were in it well into Sept..2023 is a major stepping stone. the future is ours!
I hope you are right, but the rest of the division won’t sit still. I hope Krall is as aggressive as he needs to be. We haven’t seen it yet.
At some point you stop beating a dead horse.
Maybe when it’s covered with flies
Devastating loss for the Reds yesterday vs. the supposedly hapless Pirates. Might be the L that costs them a spot in the playoffs.
Going forward, I like their young hitters and young SP. Probably need to add a bullpen arm or two, but I believe this team will be in the heart of the NL Central race for the next half dozen years or so.
Yes, pity they didn’t pick up a veteran SP at the trade deadline. Frankly, they didn’t need to sign Renfroe or Bader. Outfielders? The Reds have plenty of them.
Anyway, hope they get hot during the final week and sneak into that last WC slot. The odds, especially after yesterday, say, No. But stranger things have happened.
Yes, the Reds are in great shape for the next half dozen years or more. I agree that they need a couple of more solid relievers for next year.
The starting pitching at the trade deadline was wildly over priced. And most of the starters that moved did badly with their new teams. They probably dodged a bullet there. Bader and Renfroe were waiver claims, and as previously discussed the guardians scooped up all of the pitching at the waiver wire. Those pitching waiver adds for the guardians didn’t work out so well either.
The Reds could surprise and still sneak into the playoffs, but it’s a longshot. However at the beginning of the season, who thought the Reds would still be in the playoff hunt in mid-September? No one. It’s been a great season for our beloved Redlegs.
exactly armbrister….proper attitude
those supposed hapless Bucs have scored 48 runs in their last 4 games
If Teejay Antone can still figure into the Reds’ 2024 plans that would be great news for both him and the team.
Rough night for the Reds overworked relief corp. Another impressive outing by Connor Phillips. He is placing himself squarely in the conversation for the 2024 Reds rotation with Greene, Lodolo, Abbott, Ashcraft, & Williamson. Both Richardson and Spiers pitched multiple scoreless innings for Louisville last night and will supply sp depth next year. If Krall is going to add FA arms to Reds pitching staff, he shouild go big (Josh Hader, Sonny Gray)or stay home.
Let’s be honest, though. Greene and Lodolo have had a hard time staying on the field in MLB. Richardson and Spiers are good prospects but neither would have been in the bigs if not for the lack of starters due to injury and COVID. So the need for a veteran SP is imperative, especially to help guide the young pitchers, as is some more bullpen depth, especially at the backend getting to Diaz.
Did you read the part about Sonny Gray, Josh Hader.? that is honest enough, although signing the 25 year Japanese pitcher would work as well.
BTW, guys like Spiers and Richardson get Ml starts in a TRANSITION year. Krall has called it that since day 1.
Agreed on all of that. I think Gray would be the best add because they know how he would fit as opposed to someone new. The thing with Hader is would he take winning and a setup guy over being the closer. The Japanese pitcher would potentially be around much longer and have heard good things about him. Unfortunately the way the system is set up, probably a large market team gets him.
It was obvious when they were still 10 games over .500 at the break that it was much more than a transition year and they had a chance for something more. Plans change and great leaders change with the times.
Obvious to whom?Great leaders lead not follow..
Obvious to about anyone watching the team, both inside and outside the game.
A company who meets their yearly sales goals in the third quarter isn’t about to say they are going to stop trying to make money the rest of the year.
Just as those two million who saw the Reds for the first time since 2015 didn’t expect the front office’s inaction to improve the team during the past offseason and especially for the stretch run.
As I said before, there are no excuses this upcoming offseason.
concur, reds….100%
The only thing less surprising than Tyrone being hurt again would be Yelich being hurt, again.
It’s been a fun watch this season, they need more relief P and SP, counting on what we had was a pipe dream, I would still like to see India around, his presence is game changing, this is an explosive offense and will be a contender. The 3 game series with Atlanta this summer was a highlight of things to come, thanks