Reds looking for right handed bat

[nate]

Originally Posted by Kc61

Gomes is belting the ball, I guess they have no confidence in his defense. I doubt they will get a better platoon hitter than Gomes for left field.

The primary need right now is a big bat for left field. Not a platoon guy, but a big bat. Matt Holliday. A difference maker.

Split           G GS   PA   AB   R   H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS  BB  SO   BA  OBP  SLG   OPS  TB GDP HBP SH SF IBB ROE BAbip tOPS+ sOPS+
as C           74     305  262  27  78 13  2  3  25  3  4  36  25 .298 .379 .397  .776 104   4   0  4  3   4   2  .316   119   116
as 1B          74     323  276  41  80 14  0 12  53  3  1  40  51 .290 .389 .471  .860 130   8   5  2  0   5   4  .319   141   102
as 2B          74     324  284  44  79 14  3 13  57 11  6  29  30 .278 .342 .486  .828 138  11   2  2  7   3   3  .266   130   120
as 3B          74     320  277  23  53  8  0  5  24  1  3  28  56 .191 .278 .274  .553  76   4   7  4  4   1   7  .218    56    49
as SS          74     313  283  33  69 18  1  4  29  7  2  16  45 .244 .293 .357  .650 101   6   5  6  3   4   4  .274    82    84
as LF          74     315  279  36  69 16  2  9  30  1  2  25  76 .247 .316 .416  .732 116   3   5  2  4   1   2  .303   104    88
as CF          74     341  308  48  75 15  1  2  16 16  3  19  56 .244 .289 .318  .607  98   4   2  9  3   0   5  .289    71    62
as RF          74     321  283  38  64 12  1 18  43  3  2  35  61 .226 .315 .466  .781 132   3   2  0  1   2   2  .224   117    97
as DH           9      38   32   5  11  3  0  3   7  1  0   5   8 .344 .447 .719 1.166  23   1   1  0  0   0   0  .381   222   195
as P           65     157  133   9  21  4  1  1   8  0  0   5  49 .158 .188 .226  .414  30   4   0 19  0   0   1  .241    16   145
as PH          60     111   94  13  22  8  2  2  10  1  0  17  31 .234 .351 .426  .777  40   3   0  0  0   2   0  .328   118   139
as Infield     74    1585 1382 168 359 67  6 37 188 21 12 149 207 .260 .336 .397  .734 549  33  19 18 17  17  20  .279   106    94
as Outfield    74     977  870 122 208 43  4 29  89 20  7  79 193 .239 .306 .398  .704 346  10   9 11  8   3   9  .273    97    82
at Def. Pos.   74    1283 1137 152 301 60  7 22 127 33 11 100 156 .265 .325 .388  .713 441  25   9 21 16  11  14  .286   100    95
at Off. Pos.   74    1279 1115 138 266 50  3 44 150  8  8 128 244 .239 .325 .407  .732 454  18  19  8  9   9  15  .266   105    85

I think the team would get better bang for the buck improvement by making the worst offensive performers closer to average than by making the slightly below average offensive performers closer to average. Now, if they're going to make the slightly below average performers way above average, I'm all for that, but it will be 'spensive.

To that end, maybe the best improvement comes from...doing nothing and letting EE get back and not playing WT in CF. Maybe the best improvement comes from, get this, getting another pitcher.

[nate]

Oh, and I reaffirm my stance that I could care less what side of the plate the guy swings from. I only care that he's a good hitter with no extreme handedness split.

[edabbs44]

Originally Posted by nate

Oh, and I reaffirm my stance that I could care less what side of the plate the guy swings from. I only care that he's a good hitter with no extreme handedness split.

I think, generally, LH hitters fare worse vs LHPs than RH hitters do vs RHPs. To find a good LH bat who doesn't struggle vs LHPs would be quite the acquisition, but might be an impossibility when factoring in availability and cost. Hence the need for the generic RH bat, since they will likely be more balanced and better versus LHPs.

Disclaimer: Zero research done on the statistical side of this post. But I would think it is fairly accurate.

[nate]

Originally Posted by edabbs44

I think, generally, LH hitters fare worse vs LHPs than RH hitters do vs RHPs. To find a good LH bat who doesn't struggle vs LHPs would be quite the acquisition, but might be an impossibility when factoring in availability and cost. Hence the need for the generic RH bat, since they will likely be more balanced and better versus LHPs.

Disclaimer: Zero research done on the statistical side of this post. But I would think it is fairly accurate.

Originally Posted by nate

Oh, and I reaffirm my stance that I could care less what side of the plate the guy swings from. I only care that he's a good hitter with no extreme handedness split.

I'm saying get the best hitter who doesn't have an extreme vs. LHP/RHP split.

[REDREAD]

Originally Posted by Benihana

That's an interesting thought, although I'd first like to know more about his defense. I agree with the others that he would have to be at least average defensively.
.

Peralta is not a good defensive SS, IMO. That's why Cleveland has soured on him.

However, the Reds are so poor at SS, he's definitely worth considering. He would certainly give the offense a boost.

If the Reds picked up Peralta, they could eventually move him to 3b if they get the SS they really wanted. IMO, he could hit well enough to justify being at 3b.

Worth talking to the Indians about Peralta, but I wouldn't sell the farm for him. I would trade significant prospects for a solid, long term answer at SS though, just don't think Peralta is that guy.

[hebroncougar]

Originally Posted by edabbs44

I think, generally, LH hitters fare worse vs LHPs than RH hitters do vs RHPs. To find a good LH bat who doesn't struggle vs LHPs would be quite the acquisition, but might be an impossibility when factoring in availability and cost. Hence the need for the generic RH bat, since they will likely be more balanced and better versus LHPs.

Disclaimer: Zero research done on the statistical side of this post. But I would think it is fairly accurate.

Abreu comes to mind.......oh wait, we could have had him for real cheap in December.

[edabbs44]

Originally Posted by nate

I'm saying get the best hitter who doesn't have an extreme vs. LHP/RHP split.

And all I was saying is that the hitter you are describing above will probably be RH.

[edabbs44]

Originally Posted by hebroncougar

Abreu comes to mind.......oh wait, we could have had him for real cheap in December.

1) He wouldn't have come to Cincy under those terms, but that has been hashed out over many months.

2) He has 1 HR in 77 PAs versus LHP, not that he is hitting with much power vs RHPs as well.

They want more pop than what Abreu would provide.

[bucksfan2]

Couple of thoughts.

- If the Reds acquirer an Wiggington, Willingham, etc. that won't help out much. They aren't much better than what is in house already.

- Bruce is the RF of now and in the future. I can see giving him a day off from time to time but I don't agree with getting a platoon player for him. He needs to learn how to hit LH pitching and the only way to do so is get as many reps as possible.

- If the Reds are able to acquirer Holliday (or another legit offensive player) the need at SS isn't as pressing. They could play Janish or Gonzo when healthy and bat them 8th.

- If we are counting on Edwin to come back and provide a big impact we are going to be sorely disappointed. His bat will be nice and will definatly improve the offensive output from 3b, but it isn't enough to give his team a much needed offensive boost.

- Lugo at the league minimum is growing on me. He may not be a good defender but his offensive may help. It especially would help if Edwin doesn't cut it at third. He could be the ideal lead off hitter in the Reds lineup.

[Nasty_Boy]

They could play Janish or Gonzo when healthy and bat them 8th.

The problem with this is you are using logic... Dusty logic is much different than that of 95% of the population.

[Benihana]

Originally Posted by REDREAD

Peralta is not a good defensive SS, IMO. That's why Cleveland has soured on him.

However, the Reds are so poor at SS, he's definitely worth considering. He would certainly give the offense a boost.

If the Reds picked up Peralta, they could eventually move him to 3b if they get the SS they really wanted. IMO, he could hit well enough to justify being at 3b.

Worth talking to the Indians about Peralta, but I wouldn't sell the farm for him. I would trade significant prospects for a solid, long term answer at SS though, just don't think Peralta is that guy.

If Peralta and Lugo are comparable defensively, I'd rather sign Lugo for the league minimum than trade anything of value for Peralta.

[mth123]

In regard to the RH bat, the Reds have one spot that could use a huge boost against LHP and that is RF. While I agree with the sentiment that Bruce needs to play against them to learn, if this team is trading prospects to compete this season, then Bruce development needs to take a back seat. He's Taverasesque against lefty pitching and if the team is trying to win, sitting him and letting a guy with a better chance play should be part of the plan. He can go to winter ball to see more lefty pitching.

If the plan is development, then play him every day, keep the prospects and sell off Weathers, Hernandez, Hairston and and possibly Arroyo. Since Walt says we're buyers, a RH bat to play RF against lefties should be on the shopping list.

[TRF]

Originally Posted by bucksfan2

Couple of thoughts.
- If the Reds are able to acquirer Holliday (or another legit offensive player) the need at SS isn't as pressing. They could play Janish or Gonzo when healthy and bat them 8th.

Not if Taveras is still leading off. No way you can hide both those bats. LF is a red herring. SS is the problem, less of one if Dickerson is the starting CF.

Originally Posted by bucksfan2

- If we are counting on Edwin to come back and provide a big impact we are going to be sorely disappointed. His bat will be nice and will definatly improve the offensive output from 3b, but it isn't enough to give his team a much needed offensive boost.

Reds at 3B this year, including 19 games with EE injured but playing:

.191 .278 .274 .553

I'm fairly certain he can best that line by .300 points of OPS, and that is a HUGE boost.

[OnBaseMachine]

Originally Posted by bucksfan2

- Bruce is the RF of now and in the future. I can see giving him a day off from time to time but I don't agree with getting a platoon player for him. He needs to learn how to hit LH pitching and the only way to do so is get as many reps as possible.

I agree 100%.

Originally Posted by bucksfan2

Lugo at the league minimum is growing on me. He may not be a good defender but his offensive may help. It especially would help if Edwin doesn't cut it at third. He could be the ideal lead off hitter in the Reds lineup.

I disagree with this. Lugo is Keppinger-esque at SS. I want no part of that.

[bucksfan2]

Originally Posted by TRF

Not if Taveras is still leading off. No way you can hide both those bats. LF is a red herring. SS is the problem, less of one if Dickerson is the starting CF.

If Dickerson is producing he will find his way into the lineup. If he continues to play well he will take more and more starts away from Taveras. Last year Patterson was awful and Dusty did remove him from the lineup. Lets pretend that the Reds make two moves before the trading deadline. They trade for Holliday and sign Lugo to a league minimum deal. IMO with Holliday in the fold Dickerson would bump Taveras out of CF and Lugo would become the new lead off hitter. The Reds lineup would look like this.

Lugo SS
Dickerson CF
Votto 1B
Holliday LF
Phillips 2B
Bruce RF
Encarnacion 3b
Hernandez C
Pithcer

Those two moves are very unlikely to happen but if they are done it would make the lineup very much better without sacrificing defense too much. Even if Lugo isn't acquired I can still see Dickerson start to take most of the PT away from Taveras if he produces. Dusty may be stubborn and a players manager but if Dickerson is out producing WT he will be in the lineup.

Reds at 3B this year, including 19 games with EE injured but playing:

.191 .278 .274 .553

I'm fairly certain he can best that line by .300 points of OPS, and that is a HUGE boost.

Edwin is responsible for those paltry offensive numbers. His current OPS is under .200. Injury or not he was awful at the plate and I am waiting for him to prove his offensive game before I start to believe in those lofty offensive numbers.