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Choo needs reps in CF now if he's going to be in CF come playoff time -- and he's going to be in CF come playoff time, because LF is either going to be Ryan Ludwick or a bat that Walt acquires at the deadline. I'd be shocked if the team allows Chris Heisey to be it's long-term solution in LF if Ludwick can't come back this season.
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RiverRat13 (04-09-2013)
I admit it's pretty strange to have a RF in center and a decent CF in left. However, it's consistent with their line of thinking from day 1. The only factor is what makes this team best in October. I think the answer to that is Choo figuring out CF and Ludwick in left.
I'll have to say, I'm nearing the conclusion that Choo might be better off in a corner spot. A couple of times last night in Pittsburgh he took bad routes and generally looked outsized by the task of center field. He has average speed. Just dead average. I'm in the process of talking myself into Hamilton getting up here by late May, and meanwhile swapping Heisey and Choo in center and left.
Edit: I'm not counting on Ludwick at all, and besides July is a lifetime away.
Last edited by mdccclxix; 04-14-2013 at 11:39 AM.
I'm not seeing it. We're 2 weeks into the season and he has had one very bad game so far. If those types of games become more regular, then maybe CF is not the spot for him. For now though I see a decent center fielder and an offensive upgrade that's more than worth it. Having him move over to RF after working him into a center fielder for all this time seems ridiculous.
They'll stick with it longer, but I'm just not sure it's going to work out now. He's just not natural out there at all.
Depending on 2 things, Ludwick's health and Hamilton's progress, I think he will force their hand, or at least cause a lot of internal pressure, to make a change. The best case scenario rests in Hamilton's progress.
If he really ascends to play well in Cincinnati's CF, I think it's potentially a much stronger team.
Sending Choo to LF is a last resort, but I'm saying he may need to go there and that he'll likely handle it fine.
He still has more rope to figure this out, but to me, he's about the bottom 5 starting CF's in baseball defensively.
I thought he'd be alright out there, but I also said when the trade went down that Bruce should move to CF.
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