corkedbat
06-24-2012, 06:38 PM
Not hitting the panic button, but I believe there are several changes that could be made that could turn this offense into a Juggernaut. While JV is having a fantastic season, I believe (through no fault of his own), it may not be as good as it could have. It's a crime to put guys two guys OBPing around .300 or less ahead of him when higher OBP guys (even .340+) would give JV so many more run-producing opportunities. At the same time, someone who can hit cleanup and give Joey protection to make pitcher's think twice about pitching around him, would do wonders also.
It's kind of odd (and sad) that the one part of the lineup that seems to be hitting on all cylinders may be as capable of upgrading production as any. That this circumstance has existed for two or three years now is downright pitiful.
Top of the order (1st & 2nd):
I would give anything to see Joey hit with a legitimate .360 OBP leaoff hitter ahead of him and someone who could adequately protect him hitting fifth. As for the leadoff spot? A speedy CF who can defend and get on base at a respectable clip would be ideal. Guys like Denard and Spann from Minny or Dexter Fowler from the Rox (even a rental of Victorino from the Phils) would be my top targets I could live with a LH CF spliting time with either Stubbs or Heisey, but I'd be done with the two of them in the lineup at the same time.
If I was successful in landing a CF who can leadoff, I'd bat Brandon behind them. He's only gonna OBP in the .320-.340 range (max), but on this team that is virtually astronomical and he isn't going to be moved further down the lineup than fourth. If I'm wasn't successful, I'd lead Brandon off and bat Hanny second (but that's not happening, so anytime that Stubbs/Heisey is in the lineup, Id hit Cozart 2nd (Heisey/Stubbs would be permanently entrenched in the 7 hole).
Middle of the order (3rd-5th):
Joey in the three hole is a no-brainer. as perfect a fit for that spot as any player in MLB. I'm fine with leaving Bruce and his Jeckyl and Hyde ups and downs in the 5th spot (possibly moving him up a notch when he's one fire). I want someone with more consistency and respect from pitchers behind Joey though. There aren't too many guys who might be available than Josh Willingham, It probably would not be an easy deal to make and maybe even a tougher payroll fit, but I think the payoff would be worth it. There are several other targets who would be lesser fits, but I'd still go after one. I'd talk to the Yanks about Nick Swicher for one and a darkhorse might be Nick Markakis from the O's. I'd get so serious that I'd consider including at least one of Chapman, Hamilton or Corcino for the right guy.
If they can land a cleanup hitter, my in-house solution would be Todd Frazier, but this is a much stronger lineup with Todd hitting sixth.
Bottom of the order (6th-8th):
IMO, Frazier is very strong as a sixth hitter behimd Bruce. He is my 3B form here out with Rolen getting a start or two at the most each week and being a top PH the rest of the time. If Heisey or stubbs is in the lineup they hit seventh. Hopefully they aren't that often and Hannigan/Mesaraco would hit seventh with Cozart eighth. Zach may be able to hit at the top of the order in the near future, but for now, I'm fine with taking the pressure off and batting him eighth.
If they cannot land a cleanup hitter and Frazier moves there, I'd hit Hannigan/Mess sixth ahead of Stubbs/Heisey.
Bench:
No five man bench should ever have three members as anemic as Harris, Cairo and Valdez. Actually though, the Reds bench is more like 4.5 guys because the backup catcher is really only going to be used as a pinch hitter on rare occaisions. The biggest change I would make to the bench would be adding a sixth member. The staff is going deep in most games and the pen as a who;e is pitching well (some really need more work). I think you could go with an 11 man staff and add the extra bat. If you really need another arm you can always make a move with Lousiville just a short drive down I-71. I know it wouldn't be populr, but Chapman would be the odd man out. I either deal him for a big bat or send him to Louisville and put him on the Starter Express.
The reserve SS is probably going to be D-first so I can live with Valdez (as long as he NEVER bats 2nd), although I wouldn't mind giving Janish a shot either. Rolen would takeover Cairo's spot. Whoever remains of Stubbs/Heisey/Ludwick would be the primary RH bat off the bench. The fifth bench spot would be the backup catcher (Hanny/Mes). That leaves one spot. I'd try to land a fifth OF who can hit LH to be the prime LH bat off the bench. Failing that, I'd take a long look at bringing up Navarro as a third C/LH bat. Maybe Beau Miller down the road. Another option might be Danny Dorn (probably not - but I've got a softspot for DD and I think he might be OK as a 5th OF/LH bat).
It's kind of odd (and sad) that the one part of the lineup that seems to be hitting on all cylinders may be as capable of upgrading production as any. That this circumstance has existed for two or three years now is downright pitiful.
Top of the order (1st & 2nd):
I would give anything to see Joey hit with a legitimate .360 OBP leaoff hitter ahead of him and someone who could adequately protect him hitting fifth. As for the leadoff spot? A speedy CF who can defend and get on base at a respectable clip would be ideal. Guys like Denard and Spann from Minny or Dexter Fowler from the Rox (even a rental of Victorino from the Phils) would be my top targets I could live with a LH CF spliting time with either Stubbs or Heisey, but I'd be done with the two of them in the lineup at the same time.
If I was successful in landing a CF who can leadoff, I'd bat Brandon behind them. He's only gonna OBP in the .320-.340 range (max), but on this team that is virtually astronomical and he isn't going to be moved further down the lineup than fourth. If I'm wasn't successful, I'd lead Brandon off and bat Hanny second (but that's not happening, so anytime that Stubbs/Heisey is in the lineup, Id hit Cozart 2nd (Heisey/Stubbs would be permanently entrenched in the 7 hole).
Middle of the order (3rd-5th):
Joey in the three hole is a no-brainer. as perfect a fit for that spot as any player in MLB. I'm fine with leaving Bruce and his Jeckyl and Hyde ups and downs in the 5th spot (possibly moving him up a notch when he's one fire). I want someone with more consistency and respect from pitchers behind Joey though. There aren't too many guys who might be available than Josh Willingham, It probably would not be an easy deal to make and maybe even a tougher payroll fit, but I think the payoff would be worth it. There are several other targets who would be lesser fits, but I'd still go after one. I'd talk to the Yanks about Nick Swicher for one and a darkhorse might be Nick Markakis from the O's. I'd get so serious that I'd consider including at least one of Chapman, Hamilton or Corcino for the right guy.
If they can land a cleanup hitter, my in-house solution would be Todd Frazier, but this is a much stronger lineup with Todd hitting sixth.
Bottom of the order (6th-8th):
IMO, Frazier is very strong as a sixth hitter behimd Bruce. He is my 3B form here out with Rolen getting a start or two at the most each week and being a top PH the rest of the time. If Heisey or stubbs is in the lineup they hit seventh. Hopefully they aren't that often and Hannigan/Mesaraco would hit seventh with Cozart eighth. Zach may be able to hit at the top of the order in the near future, but for now, I'm fine with taking the pressure off and batting him eighth.
If they cannot land a cleanup hitter and Frazier moves there, I'd hit Hannigan/Mess sixth ahead of Stubbs/Heisey.
Bench:
No five man bench should ever have three members as anemic as Harris, Cairo and Valdez. Actually though, the Reds bench is more like 4.5 guys because the backup catcher is really only going to be used as a pinch hitter on rare occaisions. The biggest change I would make to the bench would be adding a sixth member. The staff is going deep in most games and the pen as a who;e is pitching well (some really need more work). I think you could go with an 11 man staff and add the extra bat. If you really need another arm you can always make a move with Lousiville just a short drive down I-71. I know it wouldn't be populr, but Chapman would be the odd man out. I either deal him for a big bat or send him to Louisville and put him on the Starter Express.
The reserve SS is probably going to be D-first so I can live with Valdez (as long as he NEVER bats 2nd), although I wouldn't mind giving Janish a shot either. Rolen would takeover Cairo's spot. Whoever remains of Stubbs/Heisey/Ludwick would be the primary RH bat off the bench. The fifth bench spot would be the backup catcher (Hanny/Mes). That leaves one spot. I'd try to land a fifth OF who can hit LH to be the prime LH bat off the bench. Failing that, I'd take a long look at bringing up Navarro as a third C/LH bat. Maybe Beau Miller down the road. Another option might be Danny Dorn (probably not - but I've got a softspot for DD and I think he might be OK as a 5th OF/LH bat).