Maybe Henry Rodriguez at 3B is an option.

[rgslone]

It looks like Henry Rodriguez has recovered from his fractured hand and in Winter League play is again hitting well (the way he has at every level). If the Reds can't find a good, reasonably priced LF/3B option, then what about playing HRod at 3B and hitting him 2nd in the lineup. Fraizer could man LF and the Reds could try to find a CF lead-off hitter. This is obviously not an ideal situation, and HRod is still very young (22 I believe) - but my understanding is that his defense is good enough, he's a switch hitter, and he has always hit where ever he's been.

[MoneyInTheBank]

If they are able to make a significant upgrade elsewhere (CF, Starting Rotation, SS) then I could live with Rodriguez at 3B

[Alpha Zero]

I wouldn't really have a problem with HRod at 3B, but I'd still like to pick up a legitimate LF. That way we at least have a backup plan if Frazier struggles to replicate last year's numbers. There are a few too many question marks for my taste if we rely on unproven commodities to occupy two traditionally important offensive positions.

[rgslone]

I wouldn't really have a problem with HRod at 3B, but I'd still like to pick up a legitimate LF. That way we at least have a backup plan if Frazier struggles to replicate last year's numbers. There are a few too many question marks for my taste if we rely on unproven commodities to occupy two traditionally important offensive positions.

I agree about not wanting to have too many question marks. I throw the HRod at 3B option out there more for discussion, because he would obviously have to really prove himself during spring training and the Reds aren't going gamble like that. But to me HRod is exciting to speculate about because he's a switch-hitter who can really handle the bat and get on base. So, in my mind the minor league version of HRod (assuming, of course, that the production carried over) would be a great fit batting 2nd in the lineup in front of Votto.

[swaisuc]

I wouldn't really have a problem with HRod at 3B, but I'd still like to pick up a legitimate LF. That way we at least have a backup plan if Frazier struggles to replicate last year's numbers. There are a few too many question marks for my taste if we rely on unproven commodities to occupy two traditionally important offensive positions.

Good post. I am interested in this idea mostly in a part time role or as a plan B. I would be cool going into the season with a good LF and Frazier/HRod at 3rd. If Frazier struggles, we might have something with HRod. If Frazier builds on last year, HRod is someone I'm ok using in a part time role. I think he can play, but I don't think he's some kind of stud that we need to really cater to and make sure he gets ABs. That type of player gives you more options.

[rgslone]

Good post. I am interested in this idea mostly in a part time role or as a plan B. I would be cool going into the season with a good LF and Frazier/HRod at 3rd. If Frazier struggles, we might have something with HRod. If Frazier builds on last year, HRod is someone I'm ok using in a part time role. I think he can play, but I don't think he's some kind of stud that we need to really cater to and make sure he gets ABs. That type of player gives you more options.

I don't disagree with you. I think HRod would be a role player. But I think his potential value is that his skill set really fits a role the Reds need. His offensive skills provide something different than Frazier. Fraizer is more of a thumper (although late in the season it seemed he was using a different approach with 2 strikes - e.g., Votto), while HRod projects to possibly be that pesky hitter early in a lineup who fouls off a ton of pitches and just seems to find a way to get on base. If he could do that for the Reds in front of Votto, then I think that's the kind of role player you need to get at bats.

[vin19]

I believe Hrod is a little small for an everyday 3B but if his bat is above average I think we could live with it

[Hondo]

If the Reds get Bourn to Lead Off or a Legit Lead-Off Hitter...

Henry at 3B and Frazier in Left makes this one potent offense...

H-Rod in the 2 hole and you have a .320/.360/.450 guy in the 2 hole who's perfect for 2 hole...

Bourn
Rodriguez
Votto
Phillips
Bruce
Frazier
Cozart
Hanigan/Mesoraco

[MoneyInTheBank]

If the Reds get Bourn to Lead Off or a Legit Lead-Off Hitter...

Henry at 3B and Frazier in Left makes this one potent offense...

H-Rod in the 2 hole and you have a .320/.360/.450 guy in the 2 hole who's perfect for 2 hole...

Bourn
Rodriguez
Votto
Phillips
Bruce
Frazier
Cozart
Hanigan/Mesoraco

Whoa, pump the brakes a bit on Rodriguez. Don't get me wrong, the guy can hit but he's a 22 years old with only 51 games above the AA level.

[Hondo]

Whoa, pump the brakes a bit on Rodriguez. Don't get me wrong, the guy can hit but he's a 22 years old with only 51 games above the AA level.

I am just going off his track record in the minors and what it will most likely translate to in the majors...

The Guy is going to hit .300+ with 40 Doubles if he plays 150 games in the Majors.

[MoneyInTheBank]

I am just going off his track record in the minors and what it will most likely translate to in the majors...

The Guy is going to hit .300+ with 40 Doubles if he plays 150 games in the Majors.

In his 51 AAA games last year he hit .244/.264/.333. I'm not saying he'll never be a major leaguer but he's got a lot of work to do before hitting .300 in the majors.

[Eric the Red]

I think HRod will have an impact on the 2013 Reds. He can hit and I truly believe the Reds brass thinks he'll hit in the majors. Remember he would've most likely been called up in May instead of Mike Costanzo if he wasn't injured. If Ludwick isn't resigned I could see him getting 100+ starts at 3b.

[rgslone]

I'm starting to sound like a broken record, but the more I look at it the more I'm convinced that the Reds CF/lead-off answer is clearly in the Twins organization. They have two great options - Span and Revere - that I would be very happy with heading into next season. Plus it's not like they have to be conviced to make a trade. After the dismissal season they just had the Twins are intent on make multiple trades this off-season, because, like the Reds, they often have a difficult time getting what they need via free-agency due to payroll constraints. Also, the Twins have CFs stacked on top of each other. They absolutely want to trade (and will in fact) trade at least one them. In fact, the Twins are already looking ahead to 2014 and beyond and therefore could even trade both Span and Revere because they have I believe 3 other CF options very close to being ready. One such option in particular is considered a stud CF prospect (Aaron Hicks).

[MoneyInTheBank]

I'm starting to sound like a broken record, but the more I look at it the more I'm convinced that the Reds CF/lead-off answer is clearly in the Twins organization. They have two great options - Span and Revere - that I would be very happy with heading into next season. Plus it's not like they have to be conviced to make a trade. After the dismissal season they just had the Twins are intent on make multiple trades this off-season, because, like the Reds, they often have a difficult time getting what they need via free-agency due to payroll constraints. Also, the Twins have CFs stacked on top of each other. They absolutely want to trade (and will in fact) trade at least one them. In fact, the Twins are already looking ahead to 2014 and beyond and therefore could even trade both Span and Revere because they have I believe 3 other CF options very close to being ready. One such option in particular is considered a stud CF prospect (Aaron Hicks).

They certainly do have pieces we (and many other teams) want. So, the fact that they haven't made a deal yet leads me to believe they are asking for the moon. Rumor has it Minnesota wants to restock it's farm system with young pitching. So, it's likely they are asking for at least 2 of Corcino, Cingrani, Stephenson, Lotzkar, Travieso plus more. Is Span worth that?

[rgslone]

They certainly do have pieces we (and many other teams) want. So, the fact that they haven't made a deal yet leads me to believe they are asking for the moon. Rumor has it Minnesota wants to restock it's farm system with young pitching. So, it's likely they are asking for at least 2 of Corcino, Cingrani, Stephenson, Lotzkar, Travieso plus more. Is Span worth that?

For the Reds purposes, I would have to say that Span is not worth 2 of our top pitching prospects. If the Reds didn't have Hamilton in the wings, then it would be a tougher call. Span is a good all around CF, and he's only 28. The Twins view him and Willingham as their top trade bait, so they certainly do want to leverage those players for maximum return. And a team like Atlanta, who would be looking at Span as a longer-term option in CF, would probably pay a higher trade price for Span than the Reds. On the other hand, I'm confident that the Twins would also trade Ben Revere (a Juan Pierre type with better defense) and maybe even keep Span until the trading deadline in 2013. Regardless, I think the Twins expect to move both Span and Revere by 2014, if not before, due to Aaron Hicks (similar situation for them as Hamilton is for us).

You are also right that the Twins want pitching (actually they are starving for it), and they're pretty desperate for a SS also. Homer Bailey would probably be the Ace of their staff, and Mike Leake a #3 (heck maybe a #2). That's why I think something like Homer Bailey and little more than a throw-in, or Cozart & Cingrani, or Coazrt & Leake & a lower tier pitching prosect could net Willingham (who's not in their long-term plans) and Revere (expendable). I'm not saying the Reds should do that - that's another discussion, but I think it could be done if the Reds think it improves them.