Quote:
Originally Posted by Captain Hook
A lot of different things could happen that would make having Rolen more then worth while. It's very possible that a couple of those guys you mentioned could be in Louisville just a phone call away.
My favorite and probably most unlikely scenario is that Billy Hamilton makes the team. He could serve as the teams fourth outfielder as well as backup SS.
Either way, if you exclude Donald, Izturis and Burriss from the team all you're really doing is putting a roster out there that's lacking a true backup SS that has the glove to play there every day. Cozart is the everyday SS so I don't see a problem with that.
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I think the Reds will have a problem with it.
The Reds have always had a backup middle infielder. Cozart is not a machine. He needs rest. He might need to come out of a game early. He may miss a couple games with a minor injury. It's a long season.
The bench should cover all positions. The idea that the Reds will reach down to AAA every time they need a shortstop other than Cozart is, in my view, unrealistic. And a backup middle infielder also protects Phillips.
I don't see a lot of things happening to open a spot for Rolen. Maybe an injury, sure. Or a trade, sure. But I think the strong likelihood is that Scott won't be with the club this year.
In addition, I don't see the Reds and Rolen agreeing on compensation for what would be a limited role.