I haven't read through all of this thread so some of what I will say has probably been said.
I think signing a CF to bat leadoff was one of the least of the Reds needs. To me Dickerson was just fine although I know he had just short stay last season. I hope Taveras works out but I'm very skeptical. His numbers dropped a lot last season. Usually when this type of players numbers start dropping it turns into a sharp decline. Also it doesn't matter how much he gets on base if the Reds don't have anyone to drive him in on a consistent basis. Where's that big bat to play LF? If the Reds don't get that then 2009 will be very much like 2008. There's still some bats available out there but I'm starting to sense the Reds are out of the loop on getting any of them.
Reds Fan Since 1971
Votto over Hatteberg
Hanigan over Bako/Javy/Ross
Bruce over Junior
Dickerson, Janish, Rosales and a few others also got shots.
With the pitching staff he handled the kids quite well IMO and he didn't favor the vets over the kids. Cueto, Volquez, Ramirez, Herrera, Roenicke, Thompson and several others all got thier fair share of time on the bump. And other than that one SD 18 inning game, I didn't see him abuse any pitcher.
Other than a few complaints, I was happy with how Dusty handled things with what he had to work with.
How so? Where did YOU see Walt state that Taveras is being handed the starting CF/leadoff job? When did you see Walt make out the lineup? When did you see Walt make a statement of anything but support for Dusty? And lastly, when did you see Walt make a statement that this was his last move of the offseason?
I'm sure Jocketty has some influence and input on the starting positions but I'm also sure that he'll leave the final decision in Dusty's hands.
I take it you disagree?
I will say 2 good things about Willie Taveras:
1. He has led the majors in infield hits since 2005
2. He led the majors in SB and SB Pct.(68 of 75) last year.
All that being said, it is a terrible signing. He simply is not good at scoring runs, which is what you need out of a leadoff man. We only gave Patterson 1 year. I don't think it is a given that he will be given 600 ABs, however. If he turns out to be the 2009 version of Patterson, he will lose the starting job the way Patterson did. I won't jump off the bridge just yet, but I am not pleased at all.
No, I don't disagree---I vehemently disagree. Throughout this whole thread you've been presented with evidence that your position is not likely to prevail. Now, you turn a blind eye to what has been said by Jockety and what Baker has done in the past. (famous shrug) You continue to ignore both. That is the definition of a naive person.
You're certainly welcome to continue on this path but don't be surprised if no one gives creadence to your opinion.
Rem
I'm aware of those things. But other than Rosales, I certainly didn't see any hesitation on Dusty's part to play the kids and to even start them. Hanigan was getting starts over Bako/Javy. Regardless of what time of the year it was, he did. Same for several others. I didn't see any kids languishing on the bench under Dusty (except Rosales for some unknown reason).
From Walt Jocketty 12.27
Saturday, December 27, 2008, 05:12 PM EST [Reds]
Just got off the phone with Walt Jocketty about Taveras and some other things.
On whether this signifies a change in the Reds' philosophy, going with a speed guy and not really replacing some of the big bats that left: "It’s more of what was available for us and what we had to do to improve the club. Our goal was to build on our pitching and improve our defense which helps our pitching. We feel if we had some offense with speed and it’ll generate enough runs to win some games."
On Taveras' terrible 07: "I think last year was the aberration, I base that a lot on Jamie Quirk who was with Willy the last two years. He saw him in ‘07 and he changed his approach. He has to use his speed to get on base and create havoc."
Jocketty said he thought Taveras "was trying to change his approach in Coors Field. He did not bunt as much last year."
With Bruce in right, Taveras in center, what about left: "At the present it’s Dickerson and Hopper and whatever else we end up doing."
As for those other things...
Jerry Hairston: "I talked to them before Christmas." Jocketty said he still would hope to sign Hairston, and he could be in the left field mix -- "We’re still trying to get Hairston, we’ll have a different look on our club, but we still have guys like Votto, Bruce, Phillips, Encarnacion and even Hernandez with power."
Pat Burrell: "We haven’t talked to them at all for a while. We’re going to hold back and see what else happens."
Rocco Baldelli: "The health is a big issue, his durability and how much he’ll play. We’ll continue to look."
The Yankees outfield glut (Nick Swisher and Xavier Nady): "We’ve had some discussions, I wouldn’t say anything's close."
Barry Bonds/Sammy Sosa: "I don't think so."
http://www.thelotd.com/ctrent/blog
From the Reds.com article:How so? Where did YOU see Walt state that Taveras is being handed the starting CF/leadoff job? When did you see Walt make out the lineup?
The Reds now have four outfielders on their 40-man roster in Taveras, right fielder Jay Bruce, Chris Dickerson and Norris Hopper. If they can't add the power hitter they're looking for, Dickerson and Hopper could platoon in left field.To me, these excerpts offer all but direct evidence that Willy Taveras is the starting CF and leadoff hitter on your 2009 Cincinnati Reds. What's more, if Walt doesn't sign another OF, we can look forward to a Hopper-Dickerson platoon in left!"With Bruce and Taveras, we have two of our outfield spots filled," Jocketty said. "We'd like to add another hitter, but if we don't, we have good pitching and defense and speed. We could find ways to manufacture runs without a big RBI guy."
Awe. some.
“Every level he goes to, he is going to compete. They will know who he is at every level he goes to.” -- ED on EDLC
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