Cold Pizza reports Jerry Narron names Ryan Freel starting CF

[Highlifeman21]

Jay Crawford just reported on Cold Pizza that according to Jerry Narron, Ryan Freel will be the team's starting CF, and Ken Griffey Jr will be the team's starting RF.

Crawford attributed Narron as saying "Ryan Freel makes us better up the middle."

Jerry Narron is clueless.

Chris Denorfia or Josh Hamilton make us better up the middle.

Ryan Freel is our biggest piece of trade bait, and is better suited as a super sub.

[Joseph]

I heard this last night on that Reds Season preview thing when Brantley made the same claim. I love Freel intensity, but it will not play out well over a full season, or at least thats my belief.

[dougdirt]

This was mentioned all over this board yesterday?

[flyer85]

It may be moot anyway because I am highly doubtful Jr is ready to go on opening day.

In addition, unless Jr is on the DL it seems like Denorfia has a ticket to AAA.

[TeamSelig]

Ryan Freel can't play a whole season: myth

[Razor Shines]

Jay Crawford just reported on Cold Pizza that according to Jerry Narron, Ryan Freel will be the team's starting CF, and Ken Griffey Jr will be the team's starting RF.

Crawford attributed Narron as saying "Ryan Freel makes us better up the middle."

Jerry Narron is clueless.

Chris Denorfia or Josh Hamilton make us better up the middle.

Ryan Freel is our biggest piece of trade bait, and is better suited as a super sub.

I like Freel as super sub also, but I really like Jr. in RF. It's not exactly what we wanted but it's a nice start. I am betting that if Hamilton continues to hit once the season starts he'll have a pretty good shot at starting in CF before too long. Of course he's going to have to get some ABs to do that, so maybe he'll get some starts against right handers early on.

[Highlifeman21]

I was probably out of the loop yesterday, and I read most of that thread about Griffey being the new RF, but I hadn't seen if Narron had named a starting CF until about 15 mins ago.

[Chip R]

Just cause he's starting doesn't mean he's going to play every day.

[Red Leader]

I like Freel as super sub also, but I really like Jr. in RF. It's not exactly what we wanted but it's a nice start. I am betting that if Hamilton continues to hit once the season starts he'll have a pretty good shot at starting in CF before too long. Of course he's going to have to get some ABs to do that, so maybe he'll get some starts against right handers early on.

My belief is that the Reds will open with Dunn in LF, Freel in CF, and Hamilton in RF.

When Jr. comes back in late April or May (and you can just bet he'll stay out until he's 100%), Hamilton might move to CF and Griffey to RF with Freel being the super-sub again. I wouldn't be suprised if Hamilton / Freel because L/R platoon partners if Griffey were healthy. Personally, if Hamilton's going well, I'd want to see him get exposure to lefties as well. That would further advance his development, but I doubt Hamilton starts everyday at least until the All-Star break.

[pedro]

I think Ryan Freel has earned the opportunity to be in CF on opening day.

Where it goes from there depends on how healthy everyone is and how they play.

[Razor Shines]

My belief is that the Reds will open with Dunn in LF, Freel in CF, and Hamilton in RF.

When Jr. comes back in late April or May (and you can just bet he'll stay out until he's 100%), Hamilton might move to CF and Griffey to RF with Freel being the super-sub again. I wouldn't be suprised if Hamilton / Freel because L/R platoon partners if Griffey were healthy. Personally, if Hamilton's going well, I'd want to see him get exposure to lefties as well. That would further advance his development, but I doubt Hamilton starts everyday at least until the All-Star break.

I agree, if Jr. isn't ready for opening day. And if it happens that way I really have no problem with it.

[rotnoid]

I think Ryan Freel has earned the opportunity to be in CF on opening day.

Where it goes from there depends on how healthy everyone is and how they play.

Namely Ryan Freel. While I like his intensity and grit, he has a tendency to rack up nagging injuries of his own. Not to mention that he trends toward slump when playing everyday. I'd like to see him buck the trend, but I'm not convinced he can run out there everyday.

[REDREAD]

I think Ryan Freel has earned the opportunity to be in CF on opening day.

Where it goes from there depends on how healthy everyone is and how they play.

I agree 100%. The job should be Freel's to lose.

If Freel stumbles, then you think about Hamilton or Deno.

I'm not Freel's biggest fan, but he's the best of the three options.

[Chip R]

I'd like to see him buck the trend, but I'm not convinced he can run out there everyday.

Maybe he should take a page from Dunn and Jr.'s book and walk out there. It'd save his energy.

[rotnoid]

Maybe he should take a page from Dunn and Jr.'s book and walk out there. It'd save his energy.

Note to self: edit posts for literal and sarcastic meaning before posting.