[nate]

Originally Posted by REDREAD

I can respect that opinion. I just have a different view. IMO, wasting resources is giving guys like Olmedo, Janish, etc playing time on the hope that somehow a light bulb goes off and they become ok players.

I disagree with your example of Janish. I think, given better bats in the lineup, he's a fine 8-spot hitter and excellent defender for cheap.

Most prospects wash out. Smart organizations don't waste a lot of ML playing time on marginal prospects. Brandon Larson is a good example. The Reds wasted a lot of playing time on him, and even moved Aaron Boone to accomodate him (which hurt Boone's production).

Maybe the Reds development system sucks?

Think in pure isolation. Who is likely to produce more in 2009, Taveraz or the next best option?

I have emerged from my sensory deprivation tank with the answer.

The answer is...

:drumroll emoticon:

...the next best option.

It's a hard question to answer because the roster is in flux.

I found it pretty easy to answer. YMMV.

Some people are convinced Stubbs would outproduce Taveras, but I don't think so.

I think that he'll at least equal Taveras and have the redeeming factor of being a cheap, excellent defender.

Remember Bill James lofty predictions for Jay Bruce last year? The guy didn't even OPS 800. That's because young players will struggle.

Oh well.

I completely acknowledge that Tavaraz is likely to be a below average player.

Yes.

He has some upside which we can debate.

I don't think it's debatable, myself. I've read a lot both here and elsewhere and find no argument to convince me that Willy Taveras is worth the Reds' money.

But the bottom line is that we need some OF depth to avoid rushing minor leaguers up before they are ready.

I agree that we need OF depth.

I'm not really pumped that right now Nix is looking to get significant playing time either.

I'm not really pumped that Walt is looking to sign Willy Taveras and insert him into the leadoff/CF spot every day.

I'd love to add a premium CF to this roster, I just don't see it realistically happening without trading Volquez or Ceuto.

I think we could have good CF production by platooning Dickerson and Bruce with Rocco Baldelli. Sign or trade for one of the bats out there and roll the dice. It's not a plan to win the WS next year, but it's a plan that will keep butts in seats, let the Reds hover around .500 and let our younger players mature.