Freel needs regular days off

[RedsManRick]

So glad you picked up on the sarcasm.

I'll make it easy. Freel. Leadoff.

And spend your time worrying how to relegate Phillips to the bench.

I decided to look at Freel by month since 2004 -- AB's and the standard 3 stats.

4/04: 67 AB, .254/.296/.403 - .699 OPS, 3 SB
5/04: 86 AB, .244/.381/.326 - .707, 5
6/04: 84 AB, .274/.408/.321 - .729, 6
7/04: 92 AB, .315/.394/.348 - .742, 6
8/04: 83 AB, .253/.354/.325 - .679, 8
9/04: 93 AB, .312/.390/.484 - .874, 9

4/05: 44 AB, .341/.453/.455 - .907, 5
5/05: 92 AB, .304/.418/.467 - .886, 8
6/05: 45 AB, .200/.333/.222 - .556, 8 (DL on 6/19)
7/05: 41 AB, .366/.409/.439 - .848, 8 (5 in LA) (off DL on 7/20)
8/05: 44 AB, .182/.234/.295 - .529, 0 (DL on 8/16)
9/05: 95 AB, .253/.355/.337 - .691, 7 (off DL on 9/4)

4/06: 76 AB, .263/.434/.329 - .763, 8
5/06: 39 AB, .179/.220/.205 - .425, 2

I'm not sure if there's anything to be made from this other than:
- his worst OPS month in 2004 came after a 92 AB month
- he was horrible and injured in May 05 after a 92 AB month
- he was initiatially good upon returning from DL in July, hit & ran his ass off for 2 weeks, then sucked again and went back on the DL in August
- he played all of Sept 05 and had an average month
- he played quite a bit in April (busiest April of his career) then tanked in May in '06

Now I'm am fully aware of all sample size considerations and the inherent performance variabilty of any major leaguer. Offensively speaking, I would much rather have Freel out there than a Womack or Phillips. However, if sitting Freel twice week means a day of Rich Aurilia or Scott Hatteberg and it means the .280/.400./.450 version of Freel when he's in there and keeping him off the DL, I'd take it.

[griffeyfreak4]

Freel is the best leadoff hitter we got, and should play the majority of the games. He is a great defensive centerfielder, and should also play there most of the time. I agree with you that he does need some rest, but he should play majority of the time.

This guy is great at creating things on the basepaths and scoring runs. He does make mistakes, but who doesn't? He is way better than Deno, and should play over him any day of the week.

Maybe it's just me, but a Freel, FeLo combo is a lot more dangerous than a Deno, FeLo combo, but I have been hearing a lot lately that Deno is more wanted than Freel.

[jimbo]

This guy is great at creating things on the basepaths and scoring runs. He does make mistakes, but who doesn't?

Freel makes a lot of mental mistakes on the basepaths and has been a rally killer twice in the last two weeks because of those mistakes. I like Freel, I just don't make him up to be what a lot of Reds fans do. I don't think he is a smart player and he has shown that he is not effective when he plays everyday. I like him in the utility role where he is now getting 3-4 starts a week.

[Falls City Beer]

I like him in the utility role where he is now getting 3-4 starts a week.

I wouldn't mind this if Freel were being platooned with another good-fielding, smart-hitting guy like Denorfia. But that's not how the team is currently operating, so I want Freel in there as often as humanly possible.

[jimbo]

I wouldn't mind this if Freel were being platooned with another good-fielding, smart-hitting guy like Denorfia. But that's not how the team is currently operating, so I want Freel in there as often as humanly possible.

With Phillips' numbers declining, a platoon at second base is becoming a possibility.

[Falls City Beer]

With Phillips' numbers declining, a platoon at second base is becoming a possibility.

If I'm the Reds' manager, Phillips is a pinch-runner, a la Dave Roberts.

[KronoRed]

I think Phillips' D is a little better then Dave Roberts

[Raisor]

I need a day off myself.

[KronoRed]

I need a day off myself.

You are not scrappy then.