Do you really want Jay Bruce sitting on the bench next year, or even the year after?

[Eric_Davis]

Then why would you want Dunn on the team?

Hamilton is your starter in Center the next 2 years if Dunn is on the team.

Griffey is your starter in Right and he's not going anywhere the next two years.

Why would you want to pay $13M more next year for Dunn when you can get almost equal play from Bruce.

$13M is much more wisely spent.

....and to suggest that Bruce would be the 4th outfielder is a good way to ruin a Bruce's career. The Mariner's did it last year with Adam Jones, and they're doing it again this year with him.

Now, I could see Dunn playing the first half of the year with the REDS, so they could take the time to trade him, and Bruce could stay in AAA for the first half of the year playing every day, but he's going to have to start for the REDS eventually, and that means taking Dunn's spot, not Hamilton's or Griffey's.

Griffey puts people in the seats. Dunn doesn't.

$13M could be much better spent, and I doubt if John Allen will allow it to be wasted on the difference between Bruce and Dunn.

[kaldaniels]

Then why would you want Dunn on the team?

Hamilton is your starter in Center the next 2 years if Dunn is on the team.

Griffey is your starter in Right and he's not going anywhere the next two years.

Why would you want to pay $13M more next year for Dunn when you can get almost equal play from Bruce.

$13M is much more wisely spent.

....and to suggest that Bruce would be the 4th outfielder is a good way to ruin a Bruce's career. The Mariner's did it last year with Adam Jones, and they're doing it again this year with him.

Now, I could see Dunn playing the first half of the year with the REDS, so they could take the time to trade him, and Bruce could stay in AAA for the first half of the year playing every day, but he's going to have to start for the REDS eventually, and that means taking Dunn's spot, not Hamilton's or Griffey's.

Griffey puts people in the seats. Dunn doesn't.

$13M could be much better spent, and I doubt if John Allen will allow it to be wasted on the difference between Bruce and Dunn.

One thing...you have Jr. and Hamilton penciled in as OF next year. What are some objective odds that both are healthy a whole year.

If it plays out perfectly, you have a good point. But, a betting man would say the 4th OF for the Reds will be very important player next year.

[Blue]

Well, you could always try him at 1B again.

Also, I don't think its a forgone conclusion that Griffey will be here the next two years.

And, I'm not sure you can find better value in a free agent than $13 million for Dunn.

[KronoRed]

Griffey is your starter in Right and he's not going anywhere the next two years.

No he's gone after 2008, and expecting Hamilton and JR to stay healthy all next year is asking for trouble.

[Eric_Davis]

No he's gone after 2009, and expecting Hamilton and JR to stay healthy all next year is asking for trouble.

That's what I said. Griffey is the starter the next 2 years, 2008 and 2009. Why would you trade Griffey, when no one's going to give up much for him. and he'll be heading past Willie Mays in 2009? ...and if you've had him as a RED for that long, then why not keep him for 2010 as he heads towards #700? Griffey puts people in the stands.

Why would you have Bruce sitting on the bench with spot starts, pinch-hits, and defensive replacement and waiting for someone to get hurt? They have that in Hopper and Votto (not the defense).

I don't see Hamilton getting hurt next year. I expected it this year as it was his first full year back, but I expect him to not see the DL next year at all. A healthy Junior will still miss 25 games, but that time can be adequately subbed by Hopper, not Bruce.

[KronoRed]

My mistake, JR is actually gone after 2008, the Reds won't pick up the 2009 option.

And really if Dunn isn't here the Reds will just go out and get a Hat/Conine OF type of guy, they certainly won't just give Bruce the job.

[Blue]

Griffey is my favorite player, but I don't think he is exclusively responsible for many ticket sales. I guess we could look at pre-Griffey numbers for proof.

[dougdirt]

Firstly, Jay Bruce won't be called up to sit on the bench. If he isn't going to be starting, he will be playing in Louisville.

Secondly, I have a good feeling Dunn or Griffey one will not be on the Reds next season. I also wouldn't be playing Hamilton in CF over Jay Bruce when that time comes that they are both in the OF.

John Allen spends none of the Reds money on players. So I have no clue what you are talking about with the whole he wont allow them to do this or that....

[reds44]

Or you could trade Griffey and have an outfield of Dunn/Bruce/Hamilton. Griffey's last year will be next year, so you could just trade him in the offseason.

Or is that too easy?

Hamilton
Phillips
Dunn
Bruce
Edwin
Votto
Gonzalez
Ross

Winner.

[toledodan]

griffey will be a red as long as he wants to be a red. i wouldn't be shocked to see them pick up his option for 2009.

[Eric_Davis]

Firstly, Jay Bruce won't be called up to sit on the bench. If he isn't going to be starting, he will be playing in Louisville.

Secondly, I have a good feeling Dunn or Griffey one will not be on the Reds next season. I also wouldn't be playing Hamilton in CF over Jay Bruce when that time comes that they are both in the OF.

John Allen spends none of the Reds money on players. So I have no clue what you are talking about with the whole he wont allow them to do this or that....

With a decision regarding $13M, John Allen has a major influence in the decision.

[camisadelgolf]

I'd be shocked to see the Reds pick up Griffey's option, but I wouldn't be shocked to see them work out a two- or three-year extension that incorporates the 2009 buyout as part of his lowered salary.

[Screwball]

Or you could trade Griffey and have an outfield of Dunn/Bruce/Hamilton. Griffey's last year will be next year, so you could just trade him in the offseason.

Or is that too easy?

Hamilton
Phillips
Dunn
Bruce
Edwin
Votto
Gonzalez
Ross

Winner.

I like it, although Bruce batting cleanup already is a bit premature.

[AmarilloRed]

We have an option for Dunn in 2008. We have Griffey for 2008 and an option for 2009. So, we could easily have 2 open spots in the outfield after 2008. I would think Bruce would fill one of the starting outfield spots, but I am unsure who would start in the third outfield spot. I created a thread on this subject earlier.

[KronoRed]

I'd be shocked to see the Reds pick up Griffey's option, but I wouldn't be shocked to see them work out a two- or three-year extension that incorporates the 2009 buyout as part of his lowered salary.

JR is my favortie player but I want no part of him being on the Reds past next year, he should go back to Seattle or to a team that might have an actual shot at a title.