First base - RedsZone.com - Cincinnati Reds Fans' Home for Baseball Discussion

Kc61 · 11-22-2006, 01:22 PM

Assuming that the Reds keep Dunn, Griffey, and EE, these are the only real offensive threats in the lineup. With this mix of players, Hatteberg at first base is not ideal. I admire him as a player and don't mean to be negative about him, but it seems they need a middle-of-the-order guy at that position.

Absent a major reshuffling, I assume that Freel, Deno, or some new speedster (or a combo of them) will ultimately wind up in center field. I assume Dunn will be in left and, likely, Griff in right. With Krivsky's emphasis on defense, I would be surprised if Griff is in center next year.

I know about Votto but would be surprised if he is the regular first baseman next year. Some folks have posted about a righty platoon guy, like Craig Wilson. Frankly, in a "win in 2007 scenario" this is not ideal.

If the Reds really want to contend, they should sign or trade for an older first baseman, probably a righty bat, with power. Not a platoon player but a regular. Hatteberg would spell him on occasion and be more of a bench presence next year. This would round out the lineup nicely and, with a short-term deal, leave things for Mr. Votto for the future.

I don't know who this would be, but perhaps others have ideas. Nevin? Millar? Someone via trade?

RedsManRick · 11-22-2006, 01:34 PM

Part of the problem is that Votto doesn't exactly tear it up vL either. He basically has shown little power against lefties. Even if Hatty was traded and Votto came up, we'd still likely want a righty platoon guy. Looking at the market, there aren't a ton of world beaters out there and Wilson is actually one of the more balanced hitters (.875 vL, .795 vR).

Kc61 · 11-22-2006, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedsManRick

Part of the problem is that Votto doesn't exactly tear it up vL either. He basically has shown little power against lefties. Even if Hatty was traded and Votto came up, we'd still likely want a righty platoon guy. Looking at the market, there aren't a ton of world beaters out there and Wilson is actually one of the more balanced hitters (.875 vL, .795 vR).

Nothing against Wilson, but even the Bucs weren't willing to make him a regular. He strikes out a ton (I know, some people like that) and seems more of a platoon type. Maybe he can start, but it seems a stretch.

Frankly, I had in mind a much more proficient hitter, just can't think of a name. But a starter. (Is Orlando Cepeda available?)

For the middle of the order, I would like to see Griffey, EE, Dunn and X. I would like to see X be someone with a very potent bat. Then you can have Freel/Deno, Phillips, Ross/Javy and Gonzalez in support.

RedsManRick · 11-22-2006, 01:47 PM

Well, here's the list of FA 1B from ESPN.com

Code:

Player			Age	Status		Old Team	New Team	Years	Dollars		Rank
Jeff Bagwell		38	Free Agent	Houston		--					NR
Sean Casey		32	Signed		Detroit		Detroit		1	$4,000,000	NR
Nomar Garciaparra	33	Signed		LA Dodgers	LA Dodgers	2	$18,500,000	22
Shea Hillenbrand	31	Free Agent	San Francisco	--					23
Brian Jordan		39	Free Agent	Arizona		--					NR
John Mabry		36	Free Agent	Chicago Cubs	--					NR
Doug Mientkiewicz	32	Free Agent	Kansas City	--					NR
Kevin Millar		35	Free Agent	Baltimore	--					NR
Phil Nevin		35	Free Agent	Minnesota	--					NR
Eduardo Perez		37	Free Agent	Seattle		--					NR
Todd Walker		33	Free Agent	San Diego	--					NR
Craig Wilson		29	Free Agent	NY Yankees	--					NR

See somebody on there who's a better bet than Wilson? Maybe Kevin Millar, but that's a toss up in my book and I'm willing to bet Millar is more expensive. If you want somebody better, you're going to have to trade and I'm not sure that a trade for a 1B is the best use of our resources.

Falls City Beer · 11-22-2006, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kc61

Nothing against Wilson, but even the Bucs weren't willing to make him a regular. He strikes out a ton (I know, some people like that) and seems more of a platoon type. Maybe he can start, but it seems a stretch.

.

Hm. Let's see. The Pirates don't want to make Wilson a starter because he strikes out too much. And yet the Pirates have been, for the last 15 seasons, among the bottom third in league-offense.

Couldn't possibly have anything to do with a backwards philosophy viz. offense, could it?

What's interesting about teams that perennially suck is that they wear their flaws on their sleeves for everyone to point out. Trouble is, they don't pay attention--even when better options are right under their nose.

Puffy · 11-22-2006, 01:53 PM

If the Reds sign Miechtiweitzhfrwietzxcfnw I am taking my ball and going home. Seriously, no Miechweitzxsdfgjuiomw

Chip R · 11-22-2006, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Puffy

If the Reds sign Miechtiweitzhfrwietzxcfnw I am taking my ball and going home. Seriously, no Miechweitzxsdfgjuiomw

That's what he'd do. Just ask the Red Sox.

pedro · 11-22-2006, 02:06 PM

the nice thing about Wilson is that he could platoon with Hatteberg and play some OF.

NJReds · 11-22-2006, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pedro

the nice thing about Wilson is that he could platoon with Hatteberg and play some OF.

And he seems to be off the radar, so he might sign for a reasonable rate.

Hillenbrand seems to be more 'in demand' right now.

Edit: Trot Nixon and Wilson would give some team a real productive, and inexpensive, RF platoon, IMO.

PuffyPig · 11-22-2006, 02:20 PM

Wilson would be perfect for our team. He could play first against LH pitchers, and play LF and RF as needed. he'd get 400 AB's and give us an OPS above .800.

I always felt that if you let Wilson get you 500 AB's or so, he'd hit at an above average rate of production.

Heath · 11-22-2006, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PuffyPig

Wilson would be perfect for our team. He could play first against LH pitchers, and play LF and RF as needed. he'd get 400 AB's and give us an OPS above .800.

I always felt that if you let Wilson get you 500 AB's or so, he'd hit at an above average rate of production.

On top of that the way the sunlight plays upon his hair would do wonders for the female fan base in Cincinnati. (Well, that's what vaticanplum told me anyway)

Sign Craig Wilson. Now.

pedro · 11-22-2006, 02:26 PM

I wouldn't mind Nixon either.

He could play RF against RH pitching. Dude can't hit lefties though.

Johnny Footstool · 11-22-2006, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heath

On top of that the way the sunlight plays upon his hair would do wonders for the female fan base in Cincinnati. (Well, that's what vaticanplum told me anyway)

Sign Craig Wilson. Now.

I think he sheared his David Lee Roth-esque mane last season.

deltachi8 · 11-22-2006, 02:58 PM

Sign Wilson and focus the rest (if any) of the dollars on a starter.

PuffyPig · 11-22-2006, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Puffy

If the Reds sign Miechtiweitzhfrwietzxcfnw I am taking my ball and going home. Seriously, no Miechweitzxsdfgjuiomw

I think there's a mis-spelling here. It should be "Miechtiwietzhfrwietzxcfnw".

Remember, it's "i" before "e" except after "c".

11-22-2006, 01:22 PM	#1
Kc61 Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 11,046	First base Assuming that the Reds keep Dunn, Griffey, and EE, these are the only real offensive threats in the lineup. With this mix of players, Hatteberg at first base is not ideal. I admire him as a player and don't mean to be negative about him, but it seems they need a middle-of-the-order guy at that position. Absent a major reshuffling, I assume that Freel, Deno, or some new speedster (or a combo of them) will ultimately wind up in center field. I assume Dunn will be in left and, likely, Griff in right. With Krivsky's emphasis on defense, I would be surprised if Griff is in center next year. I know about Votto but would be surprised if he is the regular first baseman next year. Some folks have posted about a righty platoon guy, like Craig Wilson. Frankly, in a "win in 2007 scenario" this is not ideal. If the Reds really want to contend, they should sign or trade for an older first baseman, probably a righty bat, with power. Not a platoon player but a regular. Hatteberg would spell him on occasion and be more of a bench presence next year. This would round out the lineup nicely and, with a short-term deal, leave things for Mr. Votto for the future. I don't know who this would be, but perhaps others have ideas. Nevin? Millar? Someone via trade? Last edited by Kc61; 11-22-2006 at 01:33 PM.

11-22-2006, 01:34 PM	#2
RedsManRick Stat Wanker Hodiernus Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 14,988	Re: First base Part of the problem is that Votto doesn't exactly tear it up vL either. He basically has shown little power against lefties. Even if Hatty was traded and Votto came up, we'd still likely want a righty platoon guy. Looking at the market, there aren't a ton of world beaters out there and Wilson is actually one of the more balanced hitters (.875 vL, .795 vR). __________________ Games are won on run differential -- scoring more than your opponent. Runs are runs, scored or prevented they all count the same. Worry about scoring more and allowing fewer, not which positions contribute to which side of the equation or how "consistent" you are at your current level of performance.

11-22-2006, 01:47 PM	#4
RedsManRick Stat Wanker Hodiernus Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 14,988	Re: First base Well, here's the list of FA 1B from ESPN.com Code: Player Age Status Old Team New Team Years Dollars Rank Jeff Bagwell 38 Free Agent Houston -- NR Sean Casey 32 Signed Detroit Detroit 1 $4,000,000 NR Nomar Garciaparra 33 Signed LA Dodgers LA Dodgers 2 $18,500,000 22 Shea Hillenbrand 31 Free Agent San Francisco -- 23 Brian Jordan 39 Free Agent Arizona -- NR John Mabry 36 Free Agent Chicago Cubs -- NR Doug Mientkiewicz 32 Free Agent Kansas City -- NR Kevin Millar 35 Free Agent Baltimore -- NR Phil Nevin 35 Free Agent Minnesota -- NR Eduardo Perez 37 Free Agent Seattle -- NR Todd Walker 33 Free Agent San Diego -- NR Craig Wilson 29 Free Agent NY Yankees -- NR See somebody on there who's a better bet than Wilson? Maybe Kevin Millar, but that's a toss up in my book and I'm willing to bet Millar is more expensive. If you want somebody better, you're going to have to trade and I'm not sure that a trade for a 1B is the best use of our resources. __________________ Games are won on run differential -- scoring more than your opponent. Runs are runs, scored or prevented they all count the same. Worry about scoring more and allowing fewer, not which positions contribute to which side of the equation or how "consistent" you are at your current level of performance. Last edited by RedsManRick; 11-22-2006 at 02:01 PM.

11-22-2006, 01:53 PM	#6
Puffy Puffy 3:16 Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Panama City Beach Posts: 13,703	Re: First base If the Reds sign Miechtiweitzhfrwietzxcfnw I am taking my ball and going home. Seriously, no Miechweitzxsdfgjuiomw __________________ "I came here to kick ass and chew bubble gum... and I'm all out of bubble gum." - - Rowdy Roddy Piper "It takes a big man to admit when he is wrong. I am not a big man" - - Fletch

11-22-2006, 02:06 PM	#8
pedro Please come again Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: portland, oregon Posts: 14,716	Re: First base the nice thing about Wilson is that he could platoon with Hatteberg and play some OF. __________________ Get your nunchucks and the keys to your dad's car. I know where we can get a gun

11-22-2006, 02:20 PM	#10
PuffyPig Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,838	Re: First base Wilson would be perfect for our team. He could play first against LH pitchers, and play LF and RF as needed. he'd get 400 AB's and give us an OPS above .800. I always felt that if you let Wilson get you 500 AB's or so, he'd hit at an above average rate of production.

11-22-2006, 02:26 PM	#12
pedro Please come again Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: portland, oregon Posts: 14,716	Re: First base I wouldn't mind Nixon either. He could play RF against RH pitching. Dude can't hit lefties though. __________________ Get your nunchucks and the keys to your dad's car. I know where we can get a gun

11-22-2006, 02:58 PM	#14
deltachi8 smells of rich mahogany Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 3,001	Re: First base Sign Wilson and focus the rest (if any) of the dollars on a starter. __________________ Nothing to see here. Please disperse.

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