Phillips was not healthy all year. He sat out three straight games in April because he was banged up and five straight games at the start of August. If not for that he starts 150+ for Dusty just like he did the previous three seasons. And Cozart would have started 150+ but he got a DL stint in September.
2011 - Votto, Phillips, Bruce and Stubbs got 150
2010 - Same 4, Gomes got 148
2009 - Only Phillips, Votto on DL
2008 - Only Votto, Phillips on DL, Encarnacion got 146, Dunn was on track for 150+ until he got traded
Basically, give Dusty a healthy every day player and he'll trot the guy out for 150+.
The shorter the bench, the more opportunity. Point is Donald offers some versatility. Extra inning game, tight game, blowout game - he's got his uses. That's in addition to spot starts (might even give him some OF starts vs. tough lefties). The top five bench players on the Reds got 150+ PA last season. No way I want that kind of work going to Izturis instead of Donald, absolutely no way.
[QUOTE=Edd Roush;2796281]I agree Izturis doesn't have much use on the bench./quote]
Which is why you stash him in the minors unless/until you need a guy to start regularly at SS.
Again, short bench, nowhere to hide. You need players. The only reason to keep Izturis on a short bench is as a defensive replacement and the Reds don't need that.
Did you see Izturis play last year? He's getting ricketty, not to mention he could stand to drop 15-20 pounds. Also, during the past three seasons Donald has a +4 Rbaser while Izturis is a -5.