Cliff Eastham

Cliff Eastham: Cincinnati Reds Claw Their Way Past Milwaukee Brewers into 2nd Place

Cliff Eastham: Cincinnati Reds Claw Their Way Past Milwaukee Brewers into 2nd Place

The Cincinnati Reds have been one of the National League’s top run-producing teams the past couple years. This year they started off like they were poured out of a molasses jar. Scott Rolen cracked his first home run last night as the Reds extended their win streak to three games and clinched their third series [...]

2012 Cincinnati Reds' Pre-Season Prognostications by Caesar Cliffius

2012 Cincinnati Reds’ Pre-Season Prognostications by Caesar Cliffius

It is still less than two weeks away from Ground Hog day but not too early for Caesar Cliffius to pop up out of the ground with his preseason predictions.

We will start with what will surely be the opening day lineup against the Miami Marlins on April 5.

I believe that catcher Devin Mesoraco [...]

Baseball Hall of Fame 2012: Only 6 on Ballot Are Worthy

Baseball Hall of Fame 2012: Only 6 on Ballot Are Worthy

Of all 27 players and pitchers on the 2012 ballot for the Hall of Fame, only six are suitable to be placed in that institution. The list is as watered down as it has ever been, especially since the ones who have the best credentials are linked in some fashion to the steroids disgrace. Should [...]

MLB Trade Rumors: Reds' Dave Sappelt Is Part of Sean Marshall-Travis Wood Deal

MLB Trade Rumors: Reds’ Dave Sappelt Is Part of Sean Marshall-Travis Wood Deal

One of the “minor league players” in the Travis Wood and Sean Marshall exchange turns out to be young outfielder Dave Sappelt, according to John Fay. This puts the trade in a new light, in my view.

Sending Travis Wood to the Chicago Cubs was an understandable trade. The Cubs needed a starter and the Cincinnati Reds [...]

MLB Trade Rumors: Cincinnati Reds to Trade Travis Wood to Cubs for Sean Marshall

MLB Trade Rumors: Cincinnati Reds to Trade Travis Wood to Cubs for Sean Marshall

Here we go again!

According to Bruce Levine of ESPN, the Cincinnati Reds are poised to hand over southpaw starter Travis Wood and two minor league pitchers to the Chicago Cubs for reliever Sean Marshall.

Apparently, Marshall would become part of an already crowded setup group [...]

MLB: Braves All-Franchise Team

MLB: Braves All-Franchise Team

This is now the seventh franchise I have compiled an ‘All-Time’ team for. I began this endeavor in July of 2009 and have worked on many different lists and composite articles since then. At this rate perhaps I will have it done by the end of the decade, if the Lord tarries.

The Braves are a storied franchise to be sure. They began as the Boston[...]

MLB Rumors: Ubaldo Jimenez of Rockies for Yonder Alonso, Volquez in Cincinnati?

MLB Rumors: Ubaldo Jimenez of Rockies for Yonder Alonso, Volquez in Cincinnati?

I was browsing the current state of trades in MLB this morning when I saw what the Colorado Rockies demanded from the Cincinnati Reds for their ace of the staff, Ubaldo Jimenez. According to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com, they want Yonder Alonso and a MLB starting pitcher.

Alonso was recently called up from [...]

MLB Power Rankings: Rating the National League Center Fielders

MLB Power Rankings: Rating the National League Center Fielders

The current crop of center fielders in the National League, actually the entire MLB, is fairly weak. At least that is what my findings reveal to me. Weak may be a strong term—but with the statistics they are producing right now—let’s just call them below average.

A quick gander at the stats supports my claim. [...]

Cleveland Indians All-Franchise Team

Cleveland Indians All-Franchise Team

I present to you the All-Franchise Team for the Cleveland Indians.

My rules are simple; a player must have played for a franchise for a minimum of five years. All statistics used are while the player was with the franchise.

There are many players I would have loved to use: Rocky Colavito, Sam McDowell, Luis Tiant, Shoeless Joe Jackson, [...]

Cliff Eastham: Cincinnati Reds: Can the NL Central Champs Repeat?

Cliff Eastham: Cincinnati Reds: Can the NL Central Champs Repeat?

Did the Reds do enough during the offseason to make one think they have the personnel to win the division for the second straight season?

I think so. They were fairly solid with what they had after the season was over. They led the league in BA, HR, RBI, H, SLG, OPS and OPS+. They led the league defensively in…