It would decrease his value as whoever the new team is that gets him will have to transition him back to first base.
It would decrease his value as whoever the new team is that gets him will have to transition him back to first base.
How does it decrease his value? Its not like he would have to relearn how to play first base. If he CAN play outfield it only increases his value to the reds and as a tradable player. Like Ponyboy said, everyone already thinks he can't play the outfield. So theres no way it can hurt his value it all.
If they have a chance to trade Alonso I think they should. Even if they trade Votto it would probably be in his final contract year. That way they would have him for two years and then get something for him in return before he walks away as afree agent and they get nothing. I guess they could put Alonso in AAA for two more years with a few games in the majors mixes in. But he is almost 24 now and only needs at most half a season in AAA. If someone wants him and is willing to offer a high level prospect at a position the Reds need (3B, LF, or SS) then they should do it. Or it is possible that they would use Alonso as part of a package with Cordero to sweeten the deal.
In my opinion this is a bad time to trade Alonso as his value is low, but could skyrocket in the next few months:
First, the Reds need to see how much he has improved in LF over the winter. If he can be a Gomes-level defender or better out there then the Reds should keep him and make him the every day LF.
If he can't play LF, then the Reds need to send him to Louisville to play 1B and hope that he mashes for the first half of the season. If Alonso is OPSing .950+ in June his value will go through the roof. He will be one of the most sought after prospects in baseball. I think that the chances of this happening are pretty good.
So? I played drums most of my life up until three years ago and haven't played since. If I wanted to pick it up again, it would take a little bit for me to get back to where I was before. He would be able to play 1B, but he would have to transition back. This isn't MLB 2K11, guys don't have some set of numbers attached to them that they immediately fulfill when they switch position.
If we can get a #1 or 2 pitcher in a deal with Yonder and other prospects I say take it.
I like that the Reds are trying him somewhere besides 1st. Pujols 1st year in the Majors he was considered a Utility player, Big Mac had 1st. ( I think I remember him playing some 3rd, too). Then I believe the next two yrs. (maybe one) he played LF, (Big Mac, and/or Martinez at 1st). This is one reason I can't help but admire Pujols. He wanted to play, and he was fine with wherever there was a spot. Alonzo could do likewise, biding his time to take over 1st, because if Votto continues to play like he did in '10, in 3 yrs. there is no way the Reds could afford to keep him.
I wonder what other MLB scouts think of him. Anyone have any links?
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