Who is our future starting right fielder?
I think this is an important question to bring up. From all accounts, Jay Bruce was originally to replace Ken Griffey Jr. in right field after the 2008 season. I have no doubt the Reds will buy out his option year in 2009. We have now seen a trade of Josh Hamilton, who was our starting center fielder. Dunn may be re-signed, and Bruce may take Hamilton's spot, but that still leaves right field to be sorted out after 2008.
Norris Hopper and Ryan Freel are good reserve outfielders, but neither can be counted on to start in the outfield. Freel is too fragile, and Hopper does not take enough walks to be a legitimate lead-off hitter. Dickerson is a good defensive outfielder, but he is not a good hitter. Stubbs and Dorn are possibilities for the future, but right now neither is close to the major leagues.
You can attempt to find a right fielder in free agency, but the market for outfielders seems really inflated. In the end, it may very well be that the Reds have no choice but to pick up Griffey's option and sign him to an extension, unless there is another starting outfielder possibility I have missed.
Re: Who is our future starting right fielder?
Bruce and get a true CF via FA. The entire market is inflated, but that's the only way you win.
Re: Who is our future starting right fielder?
Center fielders
Mike Cameron (35) - Type B
Jason Lane (31)
Kenny Lofton (41) - Type B
Corey Patterson (28)
Here are the 2008 CF free agents.
Center fielders
Rocco Baldelli (27) - $6MM club option for '09 with a $4MM buyout
Jim Edmonds (39)
Jacque Jones (34)
Mark Kotsay (33)
Here are the 2009 CF free agents.
Re: Who is our future starting right fielder?
With any luck, Stubbs will make this question a lot easier to answer.
Even if he doesn't, our farm system is as fertile now as it has ever been. We'll find someone.
Re: Who is our future starting right fielder?
Re: Who is our future starting right fielder?
I think it is too early to anwser that question. If we make the playoffs money may not be an issue in next year's free agency, and if we miss the playoffs it most likely means we traded some of our vets and hopefully got another OF prospect...
Re: Who is our future starting right fielder?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Bip Roberts
Bruce
If Bruce plays right, who will be in center?
Re: Who is our future starting right fielder?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
AmarilloRed
If Bruce plays right, who will be in center?
Griffey
Re: Who is our future starting right fielder?
What if Griffey has a big year, hits 40 HRs, do the Reds try to keep him? It would be awesome to see him do it and keep doing it for about 4 more years and pass BBonds!
Re: Who is our future starting right fielder?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Bigredfan#1
What if Griffey has a big year, hits 40 HRs, do the Reds try to keep him? It would be awesome to see him do it and keep doing it for about 4 more years and pass BBonds!
I can't imagine he will be able to play the outfield, let alone stay healthy, in 4 years...
Re: Who is our future starting right fielder?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
AmarilloRed
If Bruce plays right, who will be in center?
Ill worry about that in a year or 2 from now. Its way to far into the future to even start to guess if Stubbs will improve or if who is going to be free agents.
Re: Who is our future starting right fielder?
When you have young power arms you can trade for anything you need.
For the first time I know of, the Reds have several of those to trade.
Re: Who is our future starting right fielder?
Just my opinion, but the Reds certainly dont need to trade young arms for OFers.
Re: Who is our future starting right fielder?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
lo ryder
Just my opinion, but the Reds certainly dont need to trade young arms for OFers.
I agree. This is a much better problem than trying to find pitchers...
Re: Who is our future starting right fielder?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Bigredfan#1
What if Griffey has a big year, hits 40 HRs, do the Reds try to keep him? It would be awesome to see him do it and keep doing it for about 4 more years and pass BBonds!
Yes they will keep him
40 put him at what 633, he is then closing in on Mays. The Reds will pick up the option and spin the advertising toward watching JR pass Mays the following year. Plus he would only be 129 behind Barroid