Yeah I was about to say our #2 might actually be Guthrie. Duffy will get over that hump if he continues to pitch consistently, but he has to do it first. If things get rocky Ned could legitimately go Volquez/Guthrie/Duffy/Ventura. If the Astros win the wild card game with Keuchel, we'd face Kazmir/McHugh/Keuchel/McCullers/Kazmir with Keuchel probably able to come out of the bullpen in game 5. Who knows with baseball, but most people probably wouldn't favor our rotation in that scenario.

This would be great, but what options do we have with the roster spots? Seems like we would lose somebody we don't want to lose right now. To over load the BP with starters and relievers ( protecting pitchers ), leaves your bench none existence.

I'd like to see us get one good rental starter before I start dreaming on a 2nd, especially since that is probably more realistic

I'll be really dissaponited if they don't go grab a number 1 starter. I don't give a **** what prospects you give up. Push your chips in! Let's go!

Define "#1 starter". I think that's limited to one pitcher for us, Cueto. We haven't been tied to Hamels, most likely because he's still owed $100M. We probably don't get Price for a number of reasons. I don't think there's truly a number 1 beyond those 3. Kazmir perhaps was at the bottom of that group, but he's gone. Other guys like Gallardo, Haren, Leake, etc. would be useful, but not guys that are going to start the first game of a playoff series (Eddy would get that task IMO).

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Define "#1 starter". I think that's limited to one pitcher for us, Cueto. We haven't been tied to Hamels, most likely because he's still owed $100M. We probably don't get Price for a number of reasons. I don't think there's truly a number 1 beyond those 3. Kazmir perhaps was at tNJhe bottom of that group, but he's gone. Other guys like Gallardo, Haren, Leake, etc. would be useful, but not guys that are going to start the first game of a playoff series (Eddy would get that task IMO).

Go get Cueto or 2 of your next tier guys. The window is small and I'd rather burn a bit of the future.

Does anyone think the Reds would do Cueto, Bruce and Chapman for say Mondesei and Holland? Would it take more?

What about Leake and Bruce? I think that is attainable.

I'm good with Volquez starting in the playoffs. Then we have a few that I think could show up.

I'd much rather grab a guy now like Cueto. Cueto, Volquez and Duffy/Ventura I could live with. I'd rather guys like Young and Medlen be pitching long relief.

I'd be OK with that as well. I'd like to get another starter in a separate deal in that case. Leake is steady. I'd be happy adding him.

I like Chris Young as a playoff pitcher. My worry is we need a pitcher that will shut down shit. Because I'm still bitter about bumgardner. I don't want to fall in the same trap like last year.

If you've got Cueto, Volquez and Duffy/Ventura for games 1-3, I'd feel really good that we could find another good starter between Ventura, Young, Medlen and Guthrie. One of those guys is bound to be hot. I really think Medlen will be a factor by September. I like easing him back in now, but he's got good stuff and he's a bulldog who has playoff experience.

The problem with counting on Medlen as a starter is that I'm not sure how many folks have been decent starters after 2, not 1 but 2, TJ's. Currently I want to say it's only Chris Capuano who has hardly been Ron Guidry. I know Daniel Hudson had 2 and he was a pretty up and coming pitcher, but 2 years later he's still a middle relief guy

Does anyone else notice anything unusual about this post?

Why would they be interested in Holland, after seeing that monster they trotted out in the All Star Game?:rolleyes::rolleyes:

Would love Shields but can't justify the salaries he's due.