We all know this is should be a big offseason for the Reds. Jocketty has money spend and roster spots to fill, so use this thread to tell us how you would go about turning the Reds around in 2009.
I'll start:
(These are assuming that Adam Dunn is let go as it would be cost prohibitive to do some of these with Dunn still on the team)
EDIT: Now that Dunn IS gone
1. Sign 2b Orlando Hudson or Rafael Furcal
Either would be a good pick up and probably come at a reasonable price because of their injury history. Furcal could easily bat leadoff and Hudson is a good top of the order bat who could probably bat leadoff if given the chance, as he sports a pretty solid OBP. Both play outstanding defense at their respective positions. If you sign Hudson, Phillips moves to SS.
2. Give Dickerson the center field job and keep him there
By all accounts Dickerson plays a great CF and has some amount of pop in his bat. While he does strike out too often, he could be a good #7 hitter. Sort of a Mike Cameron player.
3. Sign Derek Lowe
A veteran pitcher with strong groundball tendencies would help in GABP and give the Reds their best starting five in recent memory. (Assuming Harang rebounds and Cueto progresses)
4. Let Ryan Hanigan start at catcher
He doesn't really have anything left to prove in the minors as he as a .381 career minor league OBP and a .291 avg. He plays a solid catcher and unless the Reds make a play for a young catcher there are no better options out there in FA. Sign a cheap backup like Johnny Estrada.
5. Move Keppinger or Encarnacion to left with the other guy playing 3b (If they don't want to get a big OF bat)
This move would at least maintain if not improve the defense in left. It also keeps Kepps bat in the lineup which I think is pretty important.
I think that these moves would be good steps in moving the Reds away from the slug it out team that they are now to a more defensive minded and fundamental team.
What do you guys think the Reds should do?
