Dusty-like shenanigans (cont'd)

Reds manager Dusty Baker said Wednesday that the plan is for Aroldis Chapman to start "someday." (The inference being that it won't be happening anytime soon. Chapman has posted a dominant 0.00 ERA and 32/5 K/BB ratio in 18 1/3 innings of relief this season and deserves a long-form look. But Baker is as stubborn as they get and seems to think he has the Cuban left-hander pegged correctly as a setup man.)
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Edinson Volquez: a philosophical inquiry

Was it K-Mad? Or Dusty?

News item: Volquez (elbow, meteorite) underwent successful Tommy John surgery on Monday, the Reds' official site reports.

Spin: He could take as long as 12 months to recover, so Volquez may not be back in the rotation for Cincinnati until August of 2010. Beyond that, it sometimes takes even longer for a pitcher to regain his velocity and effectiveness, so Volquez may not return to form until 2011 -- if at all (assuming he lives).

The more things change, the more they are Dusty

Manager Dusty Baker confirmed Thursday that Willy Taveras will be the Reds' leadoff hitter.
Naturally, Baker focuses on Taveras' speed rather than his .331 career on-base percentage. "His role is he's our center fielder and our leadoff man," Baker said. "The fact that he's so young, he's going to get better. A lot of people talk about his on-base percentage. I like to think in terms of him getting into scoring position." If you're curious, the "so young" Taveras turned 27 last month.
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because he hasn't totally killed him off yet

Reds' Dusty Baker wants to manage Kerry Wootz again

"We have a closer already in [Francisco] Cordero, who we have under contract for a few more years," Baker said Monday. "But somebody can use Kerry Wootz. I am going to call him. I like Kerry Wootz as a person, not just as a ballplayer, but as a person. I will give him a call and see what's up... man"