World Series Champions

I sent a recent email to some that had a couple of AWESOME links to articles about the Reds playoff chances.

• Cincinnati Reds: 5 Moves That Would Push the Reds into October
• MLB Trade Rumors: PlayersCincinnati Could Move to Acquire Trade Deadline Help

So after letting it sink in, I have figured out a way that we can win the World Series this year, and be primed for another run next year. 3 big roster moves is all it takes. These are doable.

1) Trade for Josh Willingham
Just suck it up. We should have signed him as a free agent. He is under contract for 2 years at $7M, with an option in the 3rd year for the same amount. The Twins are awful, and would let him go for prospects. He would instantly slot into LF and hit cleanup. The deal: Trade Bill Bray (inconsistent but MLB ready), JC Sulbaran (high ceiling RHP prospect) and Pedro Villarreal (a low level pitching prospect). The Twins would take it, and we take on about $5.5M in extra salary (less because the season is half over). Supposedly, the Padres are looking to move Carlos Quentin, who is much better than Willingham and a perfect fit for us, but he is a free agent after this year. I'd rather not get a half season rental.

2) Move Chapman to the rotation
I know, it's unlikely this year. However, EVERYTHING you read about the Reds talks about how his talents are WASTED as a closer. I really like Sean Marshall as closer. Stretch out Chapman in middle relief or the minors. Get him ready for the stretch run and playoffs. Can yo imagine a 1-2-3 of Cueto, Latos and Chapman in the playoffs? That would be awesome. As a result, we are now down 2 relievers with Bray traded above. So you promote Donnie Joseph to the bullpen as a replacement lefty.This move costs nothing.

3) Trade for a reliever
Grant Balfour is the guy I target. Move him into the setup role. The A's will deal, and the price seems to be one we could afford: Trade Didi Gregarious (top SS, blocked by Cozart) and Chris Heisey . Ryan LaMarre (speedy OF with little power) would be a backup option if they don't like Heisey. He is due $4M (which will be less) this year and under contract for next year at $4.5M.

So we have added Willingham, Joseph and Balfour, while losing Bray and Heisey. We will have to let go of another reliever, and eventually move a starter into the bullpen - I vote for Bailey. Here's our revised batting order and rotation:

2B Phillips
SS Cozart
1B Votto
LF Willingham
RF Bruce
C Hanigan
3B Frazier
CF Stubbs
Pitcher spot

Cueto
Latos
Chapman
Arroyo
Leake

Setup Balfour
Closer Marshall

With those moves, our lineup and starting rotation would be ABSOLUTELY SICK! I think we are able to challenge the big boys in the AL West, and the pitching in the NL West and East. We are also locked in for this year and next, and add less than $10M to the payroll. I think we can make that up with back to back World Series visits!!!

*Spoiler Alert* - Prometheus Species Origin

I Am Done With The Reds

The Reds are in 1st place, 7 games over .500 - and I'm done with them. I refuse to get my heart ripped out this season. As the team is currently constructed, we cannot win the division.

I took the girls to the game today and watched Chapman blow yet another save opportunity. When are the Reds going to realize that Chapman is a starting pitcher. He is not a closer!!! I don't care how fast you throw it. If you throw 100 mph fastball after 100 mph fastball, major league hitters are going to hit it. As a closer, Chapman has all but abandoned his slider, and rarely throws any off-speed stuff. He can offer this team so much more.

He has now blown 2 straight saves, and blown 4 of his last 7 opportunities. Even worse, the Reds are so worried about him that they rarely even use him. Before today, the last time he pitched was Tuesday. Not really adding much to the team there.

The Reds need to put Marshall back into the closer role. He blew 1 game and was yanked. He is so much better suited to close. They need to stretch out Chapman and make him a starter for the late season and maybe playoffs. They also need a bat. I don't even care. Either a true leadoff man or a real cleanup hitter.

Without that, we lose this season - again. I refuse to attend another game or watch on TV until they make some changes.

We Came From Them. They Will Come For Us.

The following post is spoiler free!!!

Above is the free poster I got from attending the midnight opening show for Prometheus last Thursday night in IMAX 3D. After walking out of the movie, my 1st thought was, "Damn, it's 2:30am and I have to be at work in 4 and a half hours!" My 2nd thought was, "Holy hell, that was the most unbelievably good-looking film I have ever seen," (from a special effects standpoint). Just beautiful to look at. My 3rd thought was, "What the hell just happened?"

Without giving any spoilers, I told Dad that I was giving the film a rating of "I" for incomplete, fully expecting a sequel (or two).

5 days after seeing it, my head is now reeling. I am forced to reevaluate my original impression, and I find myself being sucked in further to Ridley Scott's crazy world. On further review, I am upgrading my rating to an "A-" without even seeing it again.

Tom Rench emailed me a link to a rather in depth discussion (DO NOT READ UNTIL VIEWING PROMETHEUS) of the film that points out the finer points of the movie. After reading that, I clearly see that the "finer points" weren't so fine, and that Ridley has a clear message in his film. I won't go so far as to agree with everything this guy says, but his argument is rock solid and supported by quotes from Ridley himself. The 1st thing you should do after watching Prometheus is read the above link. The next thing you should do is go see it again, which I will be doing next week.

If that isn't enough, there is a bonus clip at the end of the movie credits that I have embedded above. Don't worry, it has nothing to do with the plot and can be safely viewed. Ridley Scott is not even close to subtle in trying to show us that this is HIS very own sci-fi epic... Know any other movies that use themes from Nietzsche? Maybe one that has a classic score using a certain piece by the same name????

Let's go even further down the rabbit hole... You are probably aware there was a viral marketing campaign that led up to Prometheus. There is now a new website associated with the movie:

http://www.whatis101112.com/

Not much else there yet, but there are some REALLY COOL things if you click the Weyland logo at the top and explore the Weyland Industries website. However, it is clear that Ridley still has some tricks up his sleeve. Clearly, something is significant about 10-11-12. It is the fictional date of Weyland Industries being incorporated, but it's more than coincidence that the date is this year in reality.

I have no idea where this is going, but it's starting to really suck me in. I'm thinking that date could be anything from the Blu-ray release date, to a new website, to a major announcement about a sequel.

You don't think Ridley pulled the ULTIMATE fast one and did a LOTR style double shoot without letting us know do you?

Comments are NOT spoiler free below! Colin let the cat out of the bag!

Game of Thrones

I'm 99% sure Kevin has read them, but is anyone else into the HBO series Game of Thrones? The 2nd season finale was Sunday, and let me just say... WOW!

If you guys aren't watching this, you are missing perhaps the greatest spectacle on TV. This is like an Oscar-caliber movie that just goes on and on every week. The 1st season starts out strong, but just builds bigger and better every week. The final scene of season one is one of the most jawdropping, iconic scenes in TV history. Season two remarkably ups the ante.

Granted, this is a grandiose plot, with MANY characters and locations. However, HBO has done a good job helping viewers keep it all straight. They even have some good online interactive content to help novice viewers. I have made it a habit to read an episode summary each week to make sure I understand the names and places, and any subtle plot points I may have missed.

If you haven't watched this, download, rent or Netflix the series immediately! It is so good, I may even buy the season blu-rays. My only problem is waiting for the next season. I may break down and read the book series, even though it will spoil the surprises that the series has thrown me early and often so far.