1 00:00:02,640 --> 00:00:07,520 Speaker 1: The following takes place between six pm and seven pm. 2 00:00:07,720 --> 00:00:10,879 Speaker 2: You want answers. I think I'm entitled. You lot answer 3 00:00:11,400 --> 00:00:11,840 Speaker 2: the truth. 4 00:00:12,160 --> 00:00:17,720 Speaker 1: You can't handle the truth. Truth, the truth, all right, 5 00:00:17,760 --> 00:00:20,360 Speaker 1: let's get to it. Six oh nine, seven hundred WLW 6 00:00:20,480 --> 00:00:23,720 Speaker 1: Welcome into RNAL Carrier Sports Talk presented by Kelsey Chevrolet. 7 00:00:23,880 --> 00:00:24,919 Speaker 1: I'm Lance macalister. 8 00:00:25,040 --> 00:00:25,200 Speaker 2: Man. 9 00:00:25,239 --> 00:00:26,200 Speaker 1: Am I glad you were here? 10 00:00:26,239 --> 00:00:26,439 Speaker 2: Man? 11 00:00:26,640 --> 00:00:29,400 Speaker 1: You have some Reds conversation to get to and who better? 12 00:00:29,440 --> 00:00:32,080 Speaker 1: When this news broke yesterday I said, I gotta get 13 00:00:32,120 --> 00:00:34,120 Speaker 1: him on and he's my leadoff hitter. 14 00:00:34,159 --> 00:00:34,440 Speaker 2: Tonight. 15 00:00:34,720 --> 00:00:37,519 Speaker 1: My first guesst covers the Redsand the Bengals with Charlie's chalkboard. 16 00:00:37,560 --> 00:00:40,280 Speaker 1: Get it emailed to you daily for free through substack, 17 00:00:40,520 --> 00:00:42,479 Speaker 1: or read it at Fox nineteen dot com. He's a 18 00:00:42,520 --> 00:00:45,800 Speaker 1: regular contributor for Fox nineteen now through digital shows. Be 19 00:00:45,880 --> 00:00:48,160 Speaker 1: sure and check out the latest in reaction to our 20 00:00:48,200 --> 00:00:50,199 Speaker 1: topic tonight about Auheo Suarez. 21 00:00:50,320 --> 00:00:51,239 Speaker 2: Let's go straight to. 22 00:00:51,200 --> 00:00:54,920 Speaker 1: The source and welcome in Charlie Goldsmith and Charlie nobody 23 00:00:55,000 --> 00:00:57,440 Speaker 1: signed this late in the game is going to be perfect, 24 00:00:57,480 --> 00:01:01,080 Speaker 1: But man, in terms of a need fill au Inio 25 00:01:01,120 --> 00:01:03,880 Speaker 1: Swerez certainly fills a big one for this team? Doesn't he. 26 00:01:05,360 --> 00:01:07,720 Speaker 2: The moments I keep going back to from the twenty 27 00:01:07,800 --> 00:01:10,960 Speaker 2: twenty five season, or all the games, especially early in 28 00:01:11,000 --> 00:01:13,040 Speaker 2: the season when they didn't have a single late game 29 00:01:13,080 --> 00:01:16,320 Speaker 2: comeback until the middle of June. And they had some 30 00:01:16,360 --> 00:01:18,039 Speaker 2: more of those during the second half of the year, 31 00:01:18,080 --> 00:01:19,959 Speaker 2: but not as many as you'd like. They were the 32 00:01:20,000 --> 00:01:23,600 Speaker 2: worst extra inning team in baseball. And then against the Dodgers, 33 00:01:23,600 --> 00:01:26,959 Speaker 2: they kept stranding the bases loaded. You win in those 34 00:01:27,040 --> 00:01:30,200 Speaker 2: moments with power threats. Who won out of every five 35 00:01:30,400 --> 00:01:33,640 Speaker 2: three ten times? Just give you that big hit. It 36 00:01:33,680 --> 00:01:36,320 Speaker 2: doesn't matter how to lead the picture you're facing. It 37 00:01:36,319 --> 00:01:40,039 Speaker 2: doesn't matter who you've got on deck. You've got that threat. 38 00:01:40,120 --> 00:01:43,399 Speaker 2: The pitchers are scared about. And Gino isn't perfect, but 39 00:01:43,480 --> 00:01:44,640 Speaker 2: boy does he fill that. 40 00:01:44,640 --> 00:01:47,960 Speaker 1: Need for the Reds surelye What are the flaws or 41 00:01:48,000 --> 00:01:50,360 Speaker 1: imperfections that jump out. 42 00:01:51,800 --> 00:01:53,120 Speaker 2: A lot of That is a big part of the 43 00:01:53,120 --> 00:01:55,840 Speaker 2: reason why his market was about half of what I 44 00:01:55,920 --> 00:02:00,360 Speaker 2: expected to be During the offseason. His defensive third really 45 00:02:00,440 --> 00:02:03,440 Speaker 2: dropped off. So there were teams around the league, including 46 00:02:03,440 --> 00:02:06,720 Speaker 2: the Mirrors until now, who really needed for or who 47 00:02:06,800 --> 00:02:10,360 Speaker 2: really needed third basement. That's not Suarez anymore and then 48 00:02:10,400 --> 00:02:12,600 Speaker 2: the strikeout rates. You know, teams that want to have 49 00:02:12,960 --> 00:02:16,720 Speaker 2: a more balanced, consistent lineup across the board and already 50 00:02:16,760 --> 00:02:19,960 Speaker 2: had power, they didn't need a guy like Geno either. 51 00:02:20,960 --> 00:02:23,840 Speaker 2: But Gino was still a fit for the Reds because 52 00:02:24,400 --> 00:02:27,959 Speaker 2: they had versatility. They had the versatility to move things 53 00:02:28,000 --> 00:02:33,639 Speaker 2: around and just make DH and then they can live 54 00:02:33,720 --> 00:02:36,760 Speaker 2: with the shrikeouts in the lineup that has a doctor Melly, 55 00:02:36,800 --> 00:02:40,280 Speaker 2: a lot of old school, more polished hitters, guys like 56 00:02:40,360 --> 00:02:43,000 Speaker 2: Fredol Steer, Stevenson, Maclain. 57 00:02:42,960 --> 00:02:47,400 Speaker 1: Surelie, with Auheo Suarez as mostly a DH. How did 58 00:02:47,400 --> 00:02:52,919 Speaker 1: the other dominoes fall positionally as a result, I'll start. 59 00:02:52,680 --> 00:02:55,080 Speaker 2: With it sounds like a Brian Hayes is still going 60 00:02:55,120 --> 00:02:57,680 Speaker 2: to be their primary third basement. Obviously, they made an 61 00:02:57,720 --> 00:03:01,760 Speaker 2: aggressive investment to get him, and they're not backing off 62 00:03:01,760 --> 00:03:04,600 Speaker 2: that he's the guy they've invested in. Sal Stewart I 63 00:03:04,639 --> 00:03:07,720 Speaker 2: still expect Or, I really do expect consistently to play 64 00:03:07,720 --> 00:03:10,680 Speaker 2: every day. He's going to get repped at first, third, 65 00:03:10,760 --> 00:03:13,800 Speaker 2: d H and a bit of second. I would expect 66 00:03:14,080 --> 00:03:17,520 Speaker 2: Fencer Steer now to play more left. Because the Reds 67 00:03:17,720 --> 00:03:21,560 Speaker 2: didn't get a true starting outfielder this offseason when you 68 00:03:21,560 --> 00:03:24,360 Speaker 2: look at bledat now shifting into more of a bench roll. 69 00:03:24,760 --> 00:03:29,080 Speaker 2: So if Steers in left Sala first, that's your best lineup, 70 00:03:29,600 --> 00:03:32,120 Speaker 2: your backup second base and is probably one of Steer 71 00:03:32,320 --> 00:03:35,520 Speaker 2: or Stewart, whoever plays the best there in spring. 72 00:03:35,320 --> 00:03:39,440 Speaker 1: Trading, everybody loves a good batting order debate. Where would 73 00:03:39,480 --> 00:03:42,240 Speaker 1: you see Suarez slotting in from that standpoint? 74 00:03:43,800 --> 00:03:47,720 Speaker 2: From what I think they'll do clean up the lineup 75 00:03:47,760 --> 00:03:49,880 Speaker 2: is Harry Francona's baby. I don't know that there's a 76 00:03:49,960 --> 00:03:54,880 Speaker 2: manager in baseball who is more directly who writes the 77 00:03:54,920 --> 00:03:57,920 Speaker 2: lineup quite the way that carry Francona does. It's a 78 00:03:58,040 --> 00:04:01,400 Speaker 2: fit and the thing that he mentioned the most last 79 00:04:01,440 --> 00:04:03,800 Speaker 2: year in terms of his lineup construction was just the 80 00:04:03,840 --> 00:04:06,560 Speaker 2: concept of the cleanup hitter. He talked about needing to 81 00:04:06,880 --> 00:04:10,360 Speaker 2: needing to get whoever was hottest behind Ellie, and he 82 00:04:10,480 --> 00:04:12,200 Speaker 2: talked a lot about how they were a different team. 83 00:04:12,240 --> 00:04:15,280 Speaker 2: Went Austin Hayes, formerly on the Reds was hot and 84 00:04:15,360 --> 00:04:19,280 Speaker 2: when he was healthy. So Suarez slots and is that 85 00:04:19,480 --> 00:04:21,200 Speaker 2: ideal guy. I think it will be a fun debate 86 00:04:21,320 --> 00:04:23,839 Speaker 2: to see who hits second. I kind of like the 87 00:04:23,880 --> 00:04:28,400 Speaker 2: Polish an old school approach and on base that Steer 88 00:04:28,440 --> 00:04:31,160 Speaker 2: brings to the table hitting seconds. If I were making 89 00:04:31,200 --> 00:04:33,840 Speaker 2: the lineup, because you're already left or you're already very 90 00:04:33,920 --> 00:04:36,640 Speaker 2: right handed heavy, I might just lead off with TJ 91 00:04:36,760 --> 00:04:39,440 Speaker 2: and Li del Cruz one two just because of the 92 00:04:39,480 --> 00:04:41,359 Speaker 2: three battle rule. It doesn't have a huge impact on 93 00:04:41,400 --> 00:04:44,080 Speaker 2: the cat and mouse game. Having Ellie's second verse third, 94 00:04:44,800 --> 00:04:47,880 Speaker 2: I might go TJ, Ellie Suarez, But what I could 95 00:04:47,920 --> 00:04:51,440 Speaker 2: see them doing is TJ, then somebody I guess Steer 96 00:04:52,000 --> 00:04:53,279 Speaker 2: Ellie and Swarz in the top. 97 00:04:53,160 --> 00:04:58,000 Speaker 1: Half Charlie in terms of clubhouse vibe his impact from 98 00:04:58,320 --> 00:05:01,280 Speaker 1: that standpoint, you have moment in previous years that are 99 00:05:01,279 --> 00:05:05,159 Speaker 1: burned in your mind about Auanio and his connection in 100 00:05:05,160 --> 00:05:08,120 Speaker 1: that clubhouse. Speak to those of you could well. 101 00:05:08,160 --> 00:05:09,720 Speaker 2: I remember Joey v Otto calling him one of his 102 00:05:09,720 --> 00:05:11,720 Speaker 2: favorite teammates of all time. There was a moment where 103 00:05:11,800 --> 00:05:15,080 Speaker 2: Jay Bruce retired and Botto called Bruce's favorite teammate. Then 104 00:05:15,080 --> 00:05:19,279 Speaker 2: he apologized to Suarez because she said Suarez might catch Bruce. 105 00:05:19,960 --> 00:05:23,880 Speaker 2: The most devastating scene I've ever witnessed in my in 106 00:05:23,920 --> 00:05:26,960 Speaker 2: my sixty years covering the Reds was the day they 107 00:05:27,000 --> 00:05:29,320 Speaker 2: traded Suarez, and it was a part of that trade too, 108 00:05:30,160 --> 00:05:33,279 Speaker 2: but the devastation of him to be leaving, the devastation 109 00:05:33,400 --> 00:05:37,360 Speaker 2: about having Suarez exit that clubhouse. I know too that 110 00:05:37,800 --> 00:05:41,080 Speaker 2: even though they weren't the Mariners organization together for very long, 111 00:05:41,480 --> 00:05:45,280 Speaker 2: SWAZ made a very positive impression on Noel Vie Marte 112 00:05:45,600 --> 00:05:48,920 Speaker 2: and Mariner's spring training in twenty twenty two, and they 113 00:05:48,920 --> 00:05:51,360 Speaker 2: were two guys who had a lot of conversations at 114 00:05:51,400 --> 00:05:54,920 Speaker 2: that point. Marque then joined the REDS organization in that July, 115 00:05:55,200 --> 00:05:58,960 Speaker 2: so some good connections. Frankly, Suarez is just one of 116 00:05:59,000 --> 00:06:03,159 Speaker 2: the most universally loved human beings in all of baseball. 117 00:06:03,640 --> 00:06:06,400 Speaker 1: Not to be lost at all, This is your fantastic 118 00:06:06,480 --> 00:06:09,680 Speaker 1: reporting in the story you wrote yesterday with the backstory 119 00:06:09,680 --> 00:06:12,520 Speaker 1: to payroll and what appears to be a change in 120 00:06:12,560 --> 00:06:13,680 Speaker 1: their payroll plans. 121 00:06:13,760 --> 00:06:18,120 Speaker 2: Explain, Yeah, that to me might even be kind of 122 00:06:18,120 --> 00:06:20,720 Speaker 2: the real story of this whole thing, because yes, the 123 00:06:20,839 --> 00:06:25,000 Speaker 2: read got a power hitter, but they went over or 124 00:06:25,040 --> 00:06:28,280 Speaker 2: they increased their budget from their payroll from what it 125 00:06:28,400 --> 00:06:31,320 Speaker 2: was last year, and they said from what they said 126 00:06:31,360 --> 00:06:33,640 Speaker 2: it was going to be in twenty twenty six. So 127 00:06:33,760 --> 00:06:36,680 Speaker 2: this is a red organization. Red ownership that saw a 128 00:06:36,760 --> 00:06:40,920 Speaker 2: chance to win and to land Suarez. Spent more than 129 00:06:41,240 --> 00:06:44,080 Speaker 2: they said they were initially going to and that's something 130 00:06:44,160 --> 00:06:46,640 Speaker 2: that all of us have been saying for years. When 131 00:06:46,680 --> 00:06:48,640 Speaker 2: are the Reds going to do this? My first question 132 00:06:49,040 --> 00:06:51,320 Speaker 2: when they signed Suarez was over, They're now going to 133 00:06:51,400 --> 00:06:53,919 Speaker 2: just trade Brady Singer and you kind of have some 134 00:06:54,000 --> 00:06:57,880 Speaker 2: addition by subtraction, needing to shed some salary to make 135 00:06:57,920 --> 00:07:01,640 Speaker 2: this deal work. But I've reported there shedding salary in 136 00:07:01,720 --> 00:07:04,160 Speaker 2: the aftermath of this deal. They have made the Swarez move, 137 00:07:04,480 --> 00:07:07,720 Speaker 2: and it's the type of aggressive move from a payroll 138 00:07:07,760 --> 00:07:10,000 Speaker 2: standpoint that can get a lot of fans excited. 139 00:07:10,400 --> 00:07:12,560 Speaker 1: Surely on the on the I don't know how to 140 00:07:12,600 --> 00:07:15,120 Speaker 1: ask this, and there's no right parameters, But on the 141 00:07:15,200 --> 00:07:19,760 Speaker 1: surprise scale, where does this register with you? I trade 142 00:07:19,760 --> 00:07:21,680 Speaker 1: a text with you yesterday and I said, holy cow, 143 00:07:21,760 --> 00:07:24,280 Speaker 1: And you said, holy cows. Right, where does this land 144 00:07:24,320 --> 00:07:25,800 Speaker 1: on that surprise scale in your mind? 145 00:07:27,080 --> 00:07:28,960 Speaker 2: So I knew all off season they were looking for 146 00:07:29,000 --> 00:07:31,240 Speaker 2: an impact power bat. I knew that was a big priority. 147 00:07:31,680 --> 00:07:33,440 Speaker 2: I knew that there were a lot of changes behind 148 00:07:33,440 --> 00:07:36,600 Speaker 2: the scenes across the roster where they were trying to 149 00:07:36,720 --> 00:07:39,960 Speaker 2: find and develop some more power internally, and then boltht 150 00:07:39,960 --> 00:07:41,360 Speaker 2: of that, and I knew there was a move left 151 00:07:41,400 --> 00:07:44,680 Speaker 2: to come, and well, I knew how much love the Reds, 152 00:07:44,680 --> 00:07:47,040 Speaker 2: and I knew how much the Reds loved swar At 153 00:07:47,080 --> 00:07:49,120 Speaker 2: the end of the day, it's it's an ownership question. 154 00:07:49,640 --> 00:07:52,840 Speaker 2: Are you willing to extend payroll in a way that 155 00:07:53,240 --> 00:07:54,880 Speaker 2: you know you haven't been a long time that you 156 00:07:55,200 --> 00:07:58,800 Speaker 2: evidently willing that you evidently were willing to do for 157 00:07:58,960 --> 00:08:01,760 Speaker 2: Kla Schwarber. But I kind of, you know, had to 158 00:08:02,120 --> 00:08:04,640 Speaker 2: see it to believe it. To see the Reds and 159 00:08:04,720 --> 00:08:06,720 Speaker 2: it's not like they they're now one of the tough 160 00:08:06,760 --> 00:08:09,640 Speaker 2: spending teams in baseball, but to see the red invest 161 00:08:09,720 --> 00:08:13,680 Speaker 2: to this degree was was different. And that made this 162 00:08:13,840 --> 00:08:16,320 Speaker 2: move something that you know, I was writing about and 163 00:08:16,400 --> 00:08:18,920 Speaker 2: talking about, but not necessarily was the move I would 164 00:08:18,960 --> 00:08:21,600 Speaker 2: have I would have bet money on. And it's another 165 00:08:21,680 --> 00:08:23,480 Speaker 2: testament to this being a good deal for the Reds. 166 00:08:23,800 --> 00:08:27,160 Speaker 1: Charlie, do they still need a utility infield or a 167 00:08:27,200 --> 00:08:28,480 Speaker 1: backup middle infielder. 168 00:08:29,800 --> 00:08:34,120 Speaker 2: I think they're set. The super utility stuff with Speer, 169 00:08:34,200 --> 00:08:36,280 Speaker 2: I think is going to cover that. And I think 170 00:08:36,320 --> 00:08:39,240 Speaker 2: you're going to see Salstor get a shot at second 171 00:08:39,240 --> 00:08:43,240 Speaker 2: base as well, And so now maybe you end up 172 00:08:43,280 --> 00:08:46,960 Speaker 2: having Benson and Boudet compete for a spot because they're 173 00:08:47,000 --> 00:08:50,640 Speaker 2: extremely similar players. And then maybe that's a right handed 174 00:08:50,679 --> 00:08:53,920 Speaker 2: hitting infielder who ends up making the roster anyway. But 175 00:08:53,920 --> 00:08:56,800 Speaker 2: but no, they feel covered enough with what they. 176 00:08:56,679 --> 00:08:59,480 Speaker 1: Have last question. Thirty six hours ago, I would have 177 00:08:59,480 --> 00:09:02,080 Speaker 1: never thought of posing this question. But thirty six hours later, 178 00:09:02,160 --> 00:09:04,640 Speaker 1: here we are. Based on this move and where we 179 00:09:04,720 --> 00:09:08,600 Speaker 1: stand on this date. Are they a legitimate contender for 180 00:09:08,640 --> 00:09:10,160 Speaker 1: the National League Central Division? 181 00:09:11,559 --> 00:09:14,560 Speaker 2: Yes? I really think they are. The fact that they 182 00:09:14,600 --> 00:09:17,640 Speaker 2: were able to have this successful of an off season 183 00:09:18,320 --> 00:09:21,079 Speaker 2: while not touching their starting pitching, and I expect they're 184 00:09:21,080 --> 00:09:24,000 Speaker 2: starting pitching to take a step forward in twenty twenty 185 00:09:24,000 --> 00:09:27,040 Speaker 2: six with another year of development of all of these 186 00:09:27,040 --> 00:09:31,680 Speaker 2: young guys. They have that pitching, they have really impact 187 00:09:32,160 --> 00:09:35,760 Speaker 2: impact defense at most of the premium spots on the field. 188 00:09:35,840 --> 00:09:39,240 Speaker 2: So that clear identity, plus the lineup that looks deep 189 00:09:39,280 --> 00:09:41,680 Speaker 2: enough to where you know, South Stewart's hitting seventh in 190 00:09:41,679 --> 00:09:45,439 Speaker 2: my lineup projection right now, and a really good bullpen, 191 00:09:45,480 --> 00:09:48,559 Speaker 2: maybe the best bullpen in the division right now. I 192 00:09:48,720 --> 00:09:52,360 Speaker 2: still pick the Cubs, and then the Brewers, but certainly 193 00:09:52,400 --> 00:09:55,040 Speaker 2: the Reds belong and are now in this conversation. 194 00:09:56,160 --> 00:09:58,920 Speaker 1: You are all over this, as you always are. Tell 195 00:09:59,000 --> 00:10:01,600 Speaker 1: listeners how they can read, watch and follow along. 196 00:10:03,240 --> 00:10:07,080 Speaker 2: It's there on Fox nineteen on Substack on Power Stack, 197 00:10:07,200 --> 00:10:09,480 Speaker 2: my podcast with Brian Deseness. While we're hitting the ground 198 00:10:09,559 --> 00:10:12,560 Speaker 2: running now and then I'm heading to spring training next week. 199 00:10:12,600 --> 00:10:14,560 Speaker 2: I'll be there all seven weeks. I'm fired up. I 200 00:10:14,600 --> 00:10:17,960 Speaker 2: love spring training. This team's fascinating and I couldn't be 201 00:10:17,960 --> 00:10:21,160 Speaker 2: more excited about the seven week coverage we've got leading 202 00:10:21,240 --> 00:10:21,800 Speaker 2: up to the season. 203 00:10:21,880 --> 00:10:24,120 Speaker 1: No, I'm very excited about that. The hairs now standing 204 00:10:24,200 --> 00:10:26,240 Speaker 1: up on my arms after you told me that. Enjoy 205 00:10:26,320 --> 00:10:28,280 Speaker 1: the trip. I have a safe trip. Thank you for 206 00:10:28,360 --> 00:10:30,440 Speaker 1: your time, and I look forward to bugging you during 207 00:10:30,440 --> 00:10:34,480 Speaker 1: spring training hopefully. Thanks all right, Thanks Charlie. There you go, 208 00:10:34,559 --> 00:10:37,800 Speaker 1: Charlie goldsmith Man. How good is that? To kick off 209 00:10:38,080 --> 00:10:41,760 Speaker 1: this show? Get you some headlines and more. It's RNL 210 00:10:41,800 --> 00:10:45,560 Speaker 1: Carrier Sports Talk, presented by Kelsey Chevallet seven hundred WLW