Quote:
Originally Posted by OGB
At this point, with his age and spotty health, I see zero upside for Rolen when you already have a bench player who plays 1B/3B exclusively. I don't care that Frazier can play (only) LF if they had Rolen over Paul. Frazier can still do that if Rolen isn't on the team. It isn't an example of how Scott contributes.
I realize he has practically no track record, but Paul was an excellent pinch hitter last year, has speed, can play 3 OF spots, and is young and healthy; all things that can't be said of Rolen.
Name me one team in baseball history with 2 bench players who could only play first or third.
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Agreed. I don't see why the Reds should suddenly drop a guy who hit .867 OPS against righties as a lefty bench bat last year. XPaul may slide back, but why drop a guy who did so well last year?
The argument that Rolen platoons if Frazier moves off third due to major injury seems pretty thin to me. With Hannahan, the Reds are in pretty good shape if Frazier moves. Yes, a platooner may well be needed, but the righty platoon hitter plays infrequently.
On the other hand, there is almost no backup for so many other positions. What if Cozart or Phillips goes down? Choo (unless you like Heisey starting)? So we should worry about the righty platoon if, as and when Frazier has to move to first or LF? Not compelling to me.