"The problem with strikeouts isn't that they hurt your team, it's that they hurt your feelings..." --Rob Neyer
"The single most important thing for a hitter is to get a good pitch to hit. A good hitter can hit a pitch that’s over the plate three times better than a great hitter with a ball in a tough spot.”
--Ted Williams
“And when finally they sense that some position cannot be sustained, they do not re-examine their ideas. Instead, they simply change the subject.” Jamie Galbraith
The two best scenarios now?
1) They sign Hairston AND a bat for LF. Taveras sux so bad in ST they jettison him ala Womack
2) They limit Taveras' exposure by using him in a strict platoon with Dickerson - using Willy only vs. LHers and in late inning defensive switches with dickerson going to LF.
Past history and WJ's statements today make both pipedreams though. He'll most likely get every chance that Patterson got and more with even more damaging results. They should know better - if noting else,they learned nothing from the Ptteron disater and then they turn around a pull this. Horrible, horrendous signing and a black way to head into the New Year.
No, the 2009 Reds have NOT been DOA for some time. But they are headed that direction now. It's now not just the rather problematic replacing of Dunn's lost production, but it is also covering that AND making up for the suck that will be inserting Taveras' bat into the line-up. So, yeah, it's not good.
This is making my not renewing MLB Extra Innings decision a little easier.
“And when finally they sense that some position cannot be sustained, they do not re-examine their ideas. Instead, they simply change the subject.” Jamie Galbraith
“And when finally they sense that some position cannot be sustained, they do not re-examine their ideas. Instead, they simply change the subject.” Jamie Galbraith
So...who IS that answer then? Who out there on the free agent market is there this year that is the answer to our problems?
*waits patiently*
I fully agree with many here that Taveras should not be leading off. I think that's fairly obvious. But I've got no problem at all with his defense, his speed or his hitting for that matter. I'm not expecting him to be a slugger. Heck, I'm not even expecting him to be handed the CF starting job. The results of ST will determine that. Jocketty is in charge or acquiring the players...Baker is in charge of who plays and where. If Jocketty is going to be taking over who bats where and where players play...then he needs to dump the manager whoever he is. And to be clear, this isn't Dusty bashing either. Other than his batting orders and his choice of starters in the first half, I didn't really have much of a problem with Baker. But to be fair, he didn't have many other options did he?
I think too many people here are assuming that Taveras will start in CF and lead off simply because of what Walt said. If asked again, I bet he'll say it's Dusty's decision and that decision will be made after ST.
I still say sign Dunn and be done with it.... With out pitching staff and that line-up we would certainly compete in 09.... It's merely a dream to sign Dunn though.. Jock doesn't want him.... He'd rather sign Hairston Jr and focus on Small ball...
1. Willy Taveras- CF
2. Jay Bruce- RF
3. Joey Votto- 1st
4. Edwin Encarnacion-3rd
5. Adam Dunn-LF
6. Brandon Phillips-2nd
7. Ramon Hernandez-C
8. Alex Gonzalez-SS
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