FIRST, HIRE DAVEY JOHNSON:

Homer holds key to season (John Fay, 1/14/07, Cincinnati Enquirer)

It's going to come down to Homer.

For the Reds to have a chance to break through and leave the trail of losing seasons behind, Homer Bailey is going to have to be part of the rotation and pitch well. [...]

If Bailey can do for the Reds in 2007 what Justin Verlander did for the Detroit Tigers in 2006, the Reds can be contenders for the postseason. [...]

Verlander was 23 when the '06 season started. He pitched three years of college ball.

Bailey doesn't turn 21 until May 3.

Verlander's numbers in the minors in 2005 were better than Bailey's were in 2006, and Verlander was given two starts in the majors at end of '05.

So it may be a stretch to hope that Bailey can be close to having the success Verlander had.

But if I'm running the Reds, I take a shot on Bailey.

You'd think a Homer Bailey makes the team if for no other reason than marketing opportunities. But, the big question isn't whether he can get major leaguers out, but whether a manager who just rode Aaron Harang and Bronson Arroyo like red-headed rented mules -- Arroyo was first in pitches per start, Harang fourth; they were first and third in innings pitched; and only Livan Hernandez threw more pitches in a start than the 135 Harang was once left out for -- -- should be allowed anywhere near him. It'd be like trusting recent Cub managers with Kerry Wood.

Posted by Orrin Judd at January 15, 2007 10:25 AM