Going into 2008

[reds44]

Answers

• Jeff Keppinger has to play somewhere everyday
• Jared Burton is a great guy to have at the back of the pen, and maybe even closing.
• Bill Bray is a great guy to have at the back of the pen, and maybe even closing.
• David Weathers has another year in him, especially in middle relief.
• Josh Hamilton and Norris Hopper are a great platoon parter in CF.
• Adam Dunn needs to be re-signed long term.
• Am I mssing anything?

Questions

• How will Joey Votto do as an everyday 1st basemen?
• When do Bruce, Cueto and Homer come up?
• Does Pete McKanin come back?
• Who are your 3,4,5 starters?
• Can Brad Salmon, Jon Coutlangus, and Marcus McBeth fill spots in your bullpen?
• Do you trade Alex Gonzalez?
• Who do you go after in free agency?
• Am I missing anything?
• Can Javier Valentin catch vs. RHP?

How about this for an opening day lineup?
1. Josh Hamilton/Norris Hopper CF
2. Jeff Keppinger SS
3. Ken Griffey Jr. RF
4. Adam Dunn LF
5. Brandon Phillips 2B
6. Edwin Encarnacion 3B
7. Joey Votto 1B
8. Javier Valentin/David Ross C

Your thoughts.

[Muggerd]

How long term are we talking about here with dunn?

[Jim Fazio]

I think EE will be traded to make room for Keppinger. Dunn better be back with a 5 yr deal worth 55M, I guess. I think Mckannin will get a 2 yr deal after the season. Hamilton will not platoon, he's the every day CF.

[Mutaman]

Hamilton will not platoon, he's the every day CF.

Not if he doesn't start learning how to hit lefthanded pitching he isn't. Plus did you ever notice how the Reds seem to score a lot of runs when Hopper's in the lineup. I know a lot of folks here are obsessed by power but I like speed and aggressivness. Hopper could do for us what Chone Figgins does for LA.

[Muggerd]

Not if he doesn't start learning how to hit lefthanded pitching he isn't. Plus did you ever notice how the Reds seem to score a lot of runs when Hopper's in the lineup. I know a lot of folks here are obsessed by power but I like speed and aggressivness. Hopper could do for us what Chone Figgins does for LA.

Chone Figgens walks

[Mutaman]

Chone Figgens walks

Good point. But Hopper is still in his first year. I think he'll increase his OBP.

[jmac]

I think weathers can be beneficial. Bring Burton on along and maybe work him into closing with Weathers pitching another year of 8th inning ball (unless someone else steps up)

Keppinger, myself I would try to deal AG and play Kepp at ss.
Work Votto in 08 at 1st and Hatt gives good bench strength.

I would try like crazy to sign Dunn at a good deal.
Hamilton hopefully can develope vs lefties.
Then after Jr contract runs out, you would be looking at Bruce,Dunn and JH in the OF.

[Muggerd]

I wouldnt sign Dunn to anything more than a 3-4 year deal

[reds44]

Entering today

vs LHP:
Hamilton: .230/.319/.311
Hopper: .342/.373/.418

[SMcGavin]

Entering today

vs LHP:
Hamilton: .230/.319/.311
Hopper: .342/.373/.418

In 61 ABs for Hamilton and 79 ABs for Hopper. Small sample size anyone? No way I'm writing Josh off as a platoon player when he has faced lefties 61 times in his career, especially so a guy like Hopper can play instead (no offense to Hopper who is a serviceable backup OF).

Also the big question for me is how is Keppinger's defense at SS? I think his bat will cool to the point where it's a only average at 3B, but very good for a SS.

I do agree about the Dunn extension though!

[Chi-Town Red]

Dunn 3 yr...42-45 mill

[reds44]

Dunn 3 yr...42-45 mill

3 years?

4 years, 55 mil.

[Degenerate39]

Dunn 3 yr...42-45 mill

Agree with that

[Muggerd]

Dunn 3 yr...42-45 mill

If you can get a 27 year old to agree to that contract then great sign him up.

I really doubt he signs anything less than a 6 year deal.

[Chris Sabowned]

Going into 2008 this is what the team should look like...

1) Hamilton CF
2) Keppinger SS
3) Griffey RF
4) Phillips 2B
5) Dunn LF
6) Votto 1B
7) Edwin 3B
8) Ross C

SP
1) Harang
2) Arroyo
3) Free Agent
4) Bailey
5) Livingston

RP
Free Agent CL
Burton SU
Bray MR
Weathers MR
Coutlangous MR
Salmon MR
Gosling LR

Bench
Valentin
Hopper
Cantu
Lopez
Ellison

Any other suggestions?