Free agents for 09??

[BuckeyeRedleg]

Originally Posted by *BaseClogger*

I'm with you on thinking that AGon will not be a major contributor to the Reds in 2009, but why is Joe Crede the anwser?

Third base.

[*BaseClogger*]

Originally Posted by BuckeyeRedleg

Third base.

what about a defense-first SS and moving Keppinger to 3B?

[TOBTTReds]

Originally Posted by *BaseClogger*

what about a defense-first SS and moving Keppinger to 3B?

Like Alex Gonzalez?

[flyer85]

Crede has back issues ... wouldn't touch him on anything but a one year deal.

[BuckeyeRedleg]

Originally Posted by flyer85

Crede has back issues ... wouldn't touch him on anything but a one year deal.

That would work. Frazier may be ready by then.

[BuckeyeRedleg]

Originally Posted by *BaseClogger*

what about a defense-first SS and moving Keppinger to 3B?

AGon at SS and Kepp as the super utility man. Kepp can platoon at all 4 infield positions and get 400 AB's.

[flyer85]

Originally Posted by BuckeyeRedleg

That would work. Frazier may be ready by then.

I have a feeling Crede, especially since he has back issues and is in his early 30's will not be interested in a one year deal.

[BuckeyeRedleg]

Originally Posted by flyer85

I have a feeling Crede, especially since he has back issues and is in his early 30's will not be interested in a one year deal.

Probably, but he may not have a choice due to those back problems.

[flyer85]

There really isn't any evidence to support the notion that Gonzo is anything more than a slight improvement over Keppinger(defensively). Gonzo is one of those guys whose reputation far exceeds his production.

[flyer85]

Originally Posted by BuckeyeRedleg

Probably, but he may not have a choice due to those back problems.

in this market the odds are likely he will find someone willing to offer multiple years. Everyone overpays.

[*BaseClogger*]

Originally Posted by TOBTTReds

Like Alex Gonzalez?

AGon is an average defensive SS with injury concerns...

[*BaseClogger*]

Originally Posted by BuckeyeRedleg

AGon at SS and Kepp as the super utility man. Kepp can platoon at all 4 infield positions and get 400 AB's.

Except... Keppinger is better than AGon?

[BuckeyeRedleg]

Originally Posted by *BaseClogger*

Except... Keppinger is better than AGon?

He is a better hitter. I'm not sold on him being a better fielder.

Plus, we owe AGon a bunch of dough. He'll play if he's healthy.

[*BaseClogger*]

Originally Posted by BuckeyeRedleg

He is a better hitter. I'm not sold on him being a better fielder.

Plus, we owe AGon a bunch of dough. He'll play if he's healthy.

I'm not sold on that either, but it's close enough that the hitting means it's not even close overall.

I thought we were talking about what we would do, not what the Reds will do. My bad...

[BuckeyeRedleg]

Originally Posted by *BaseClogger*

I'm not sold on that either, but it's close enough that the hitting means it's not even close overall.

I thought we were talking about what we would do, not what the Reds will do. My bad...

Career-wise, Gonzalez does resemble Corey Patterson with a low OBP with some pop in his bat, while playing solid defense in a very important defensive position.

With that said, he had a solid year offensively in 2007 (17 HR's, .799 OPS) all the while going though some major personal issues. He hasn't done anything in his brief stay here to warrant his dumping. I do agree that Keppinger has done a solid job, but also feel that he's a bit overvalued on this board. For all the success he's had, the 28 year-old journeyman has a career .799 OPS, the same as AGon in 2007.

And AGon's D did suffer in 2007 with 16 errors, but I think that it would be unfair to label him average or below-average at his position based on one sub-par year. In fact, I could see how going through off the field personal issues would impact a player more with his glove than his bat.

To me this isn't some no-brainer decision to have Kepp play over him at SS, especially when you consider how much they have invested in AGon.