My opening day Roster and why, 1/29/03
Asuuming no major trades are yet to happen and the 25 man roster will have to come from players currently uunder the Reds control here is who I see go north,
Pitching--- Rotation---
Graves, will be opening day pitcher.
Dempster, Will be the number two man in spite of a poor spring
Haynes, the Reds are committed to him with that dumb players option.
Wilson equally dumb back loaded contract.
Harnish--- This years Portugal but will make it out of Spring Training.
BULLPEN
Williamson--- will be named closer and will keep it as long as he finds the plate.
Reidling--- Will give Willy run for his money, but will be the set up man unless willy's can't keep the plate
Reitsma---Not enough consistancy to start will flurish in the Pen, might become an excellen closer.
Rijo--- Will make it as the long-mop up man
Chen-- One of two lefty's will be used in longer situations.
Heridia-- Will be the Lefty specialist.
The Reds IMHO will carry just 11 pitchers out of ST, however will probablly go to 12 early.
CATCHER
Larue Will be the starter
Stinnet--- His contract makes him Unlikely to be traded.
Infield
Casey--- If healthy the everyday first baseman.
Boone--Will suprise everyone with his fielding at second, also will get off to a good start.
Larkin--- I think has one last all star year in him will have excellent season.
Larson--- the Reds are committed to him as opening day third baseman.
Castro--- Untradable, will be the back up middle infielder.
Dawkins-- Out of options, will stick as second back up infielder and speed off the bench.
Backup corner infielder,,, This has me stumped Ideally this spot calls for some one who can play first and third both. Which would be Branyon, However he will start out on the DL. The Reds might Keep Lopez, but I think he is best served but playing everyday. Danny Leon signed elsewhere. This is the Spot that might be sacrified if we carry 12 pitchers. This Blanco that we picked up from Boston might fill this role if he comes out hot in ST.
OUTFIELD.
Griffey--If healthy he is the everyday Center fielder.
Kearns--Another no Brainer.
Dunn-- Is Starting Left fielder unless Casey was traded.
Taylor--- Better then alot think, If he learned to bunt in the instructional league could of great value as number four OF. Also the only true centerfield back up.
Mateo-- Out of Options will be #5 OF unless included in a trade.
Notable Missing men---
Popokec--- DL
Davis-AAA standing by for a failuer in lefty relief or rotation.
Acevado---AAA-- First callup when starter fails
Basham---Top big a jump from A to the majors.
Merker--Nothing left
White---Too expensive for too little, will be traded.
Sullivan---see White
Miller--Has options doomed to AAA. Will see time when injury happens.
Sardinha---AA-- Hopefully willl do well, will be out of options next year, which might doom Miller to AAA again.
Lopez. See above will be best serve by starting every day in AAA, If Larkin goes down or Boone goes back to third look for Lopes to start.
Branyon DL. Will be on DL first month of season and rehab. If Larson doing well he might end up being traded, other wise platoon with Brandon.
Pena--- DL until the Augest, rehab until the end of the month Active for only September.
Guelian-- Non Garenteed contract seals his fait, will be cut at the end of the spring.
