Q's Successor?

[Guacarock]

Keep your eyes peeled on DeWayne Wise, the non-roster invitee this spring who nearly succeeded in becoming the Reds' fifth outfielder instead of the Mighty Q.

The 28-year-old Wise from Columbia, S.C., was originally drafted by the Reds in 1997, then lost to Toronto, who lifted him from us as a Rule V pickup. He played parts of two seasons -- 2000 and 2002 -- with the Blue Jays, and also resurfaced in 2004 with the Atlanta Braves.

He never hit above .240 during any of those ML stints, but he proved to be a versatile and reliable fielder, playing 635 innings in LF, CF and RF without committing a single error. Although relatively small in stature, he has a rifle of an arm, and considerable speed, collecting 12 SB in 13 attempts with the Blue Jays and Braves.

What's appealing about him is that he now appears to be putting together some solid offensive numbers to complement his superior defensive skills.

This spring, he hit .298 for the Reds with a .377 OBP, including 4 HR, 7 RBI and 14 runs in 47 AB. He's now poised for a promotion to Louisville after hitting .420 with a 1.238 OPS, including another 3 HR, 6 RBI and 9 runs in 45 AB, for Chattanooga.

If you ask me, we made a mistake in selecting McCracken over the lefthand-hitting Wise to flesh out our 2006 roster. I don't know how much mad money Krivsky can afford to burn, and how many guys he can DFA before the season runs its course.

But if McCracken keeps hovering well below the Mendoza line and Wise keeps up this flashy display of offense at Louisville, we'd be wise to give DeWayne a belated promotion. He's exactly the kind of fifth outfielder we ought to have in place moving forward -- speedy, a plus defender, some pop, vastly improving as opposed to deteriorating batting skills, enough experience to handle the Big Show, yet not a player whose career is going to be ruined by being the low man on the totem pole.

[Gainesville Red]

I remember being disappointed, but not suprised that Wise didn't make the squad.

I'm in quasi-disbelief that Q's still with the team. He's been a real asset.

[oneupper]

Originally Posted by Gainesville Red

I remember being disappointed, but not suprised that Wise didn't make the squad.

I'm in quasi-disbelief that Q's still with the team. He's been a real asset.

I think Wise got injured just at the end of spring.

[Redhook]

Originally Posted by oneupper

I think Wise got injured just at the end of spring.

You're right, Wise severely hurt his ankle in late Spring Training, missing the last 7 games. Otherwise, he likely would have been on the Opening Day roster. I believe Q's days are just about over here.

[Strikes Out Looking]

I saw Wise play in spring training. He had a lot of energy both on defense and offense. That is something this team needs right now...badly.

[Jpup]

Denorfia should be the next outfielder promoted to the 25 man roster.

[Jpup]

Originally Posted by Centralchamps05

I saw Wise play in spring training. He had a lot of energy both on defense and offense. That is something this team needs right now...badly.

some pitching is needed before "energy".

[Gainesville Red]

Completely forgot about the ankle, woke up to early, makes me forget stuff.

[Guacarock]

Originally Posted by Jpup

Denorfia should be the next outfielder promoted to the 25 man roster.

If you trade Dunn, Griffey, Kearns or Freel, then Denorfia gets the callup. But if Q is cut, you wouldn't want to replace him with Denorfia. Should be a guy like Wise whose career or trade value isn't going to suffer from extended bench duty.

[remdog]

Originally Posted by Guacarock

If you trade Dunn, Griffey, Kearns or Freel, then Denorfia gets the callup. But if Q is cut, you wouldn't want to replace him with Denorfia. Should be a guy like Wise whose career or trade value isn't going to suffer from extended bench duty.

That's exactly correct. Wise would be an upgrade in the outfield even if he didn't match Q's bat (which would be hard not to do). Meanwhile, Denorfia gets regular playing time and stays sharp. That 'trading deadline' is approaching, ya' know....

Rem

[flyer85]

perfect successor, Wise has never shown any ability to hit either.

[dabvu2498]

So we DFA Q and pay the rest of his salary and then call up Wise and pay him major league minimum to do the same thing as Q?

[remdog]

Please try to pay attention to the premis people: i.e., you can upgrade the OF 'D', if you can/want to spend the money, with Wise with virtually no downside for the 'O'. Meanwhile, your main candidate for regular OF playing time in the Bigs stays sharp if a trade does happen in the next five weeks or so. Not a bad idea, IMO but .......

Rem

[Guacarock]

Originally Posted by dabvu2498

So we DFA Q and pay the rest of his salary and then call up Wise and pay him major league minimum to do the same thing as Q?

If that's what it takes to get the job done, yes.

Perhaps a waste of money, but a lot less sunken cost than paying Larue $3.7 million and then burying him on the bench. Of course, we don't have a lot of options there. Ross has earned an extended look-see, and Larue hasn't exactly made himself an enticing trade commodity.

Hopefully, Jason will heat up with the arrival of summer (as he usually does), and we'll find a taker.

[dabvu2498]

Originally Posted by Guacarock

If that's what it takes to get the job done, yes.

Perhaps a waste of money, but a lot less sunken cost than paying Larue $3.7 million and then burying him on the bench. Of course, we don't have a lot of options there. Ross has earned an extended look-see, and Larue hasn't exactly made himself an enticing trade commodity.

Hopefully, Jason will heat up with the arrival of summer (as he usually does), and we'll find a taker.

I don't think altering the composition of the 5th outfield spot is going to make a whole lot of difference. It's easy for us to complain about Q, but does it REALLY matter???

I agree 100% on Larue.