My view of the situation is this: either give him the job or, if you don't think he is going to be a productive major leaguer, trade him. The guy has proven enough in the minors to suggest that he should not be there anymore. If you are going to screw around and not give him time, then deal him and get some more pitching while he still has value.
Scott Hatteberg isn't the missing link between the Cincinnati Reds and the playoffs. The only thing accomplished by playing him in the majors over Votto this year will be the stunting of Votto's development.
This is the exact reason why I hated it when they picked up his option.
Last edited by edabbs44; 03-08-2008 at 10:49 PM.
I also agree with this. The future is now for Joey Votto IMO. The Reds held him back last year, he should have been up in July when the Reds were clearly going no where. That would have given him an additional 150-200 major league atbats and better prepared him for a full major league season. I want this guy to be the Opening Day 1B. I think if given the opportunity, Votto will hit 20-25 homeruns and 35 doubles with an OBP in the .375 area.
Whether Votto is the future or not, the Reds should never say so when the guy you want to flip (hatteberg) is hitting +.400. And if that is the way it is in April I think the reds should ride it out because maybe they can flip Hatteberg for something and then slide Votto in. The Reds aren't in such good shape that they should just dump guys with value. That's what I think anyway.
School's out. What did you expect?
All my posts are my opinion - just like yours are. If I forget to state it and you're too dense to see the obvious, look here!
I can't see Hatteberg providing enough value (both on the field and in trade) that it would be worth suppressing the growth of one of the best prospects in the organization, even in a best case scenario.
Plus, I'm sure Votto wouldn't be too enthusiastic being sent to the minors again. Don't think these guys don't remember that when it comes time to sign contracts and give up one or 2 years of FA.
As is typical around here, folks are very hung up on "who is the starter" and "what is the batting order" and other specifics. At this stage of the game, the Reds need to decide on 25 players. Absent a trade, I think both Hatt and Votto should make the team. Period.
My reading of this thread is that people say -- if Votto isn't starting trade him; if Votto isn't starting send him to AAA. All this is an overreaction. There are a lot of at bats to go around over the course of 162 games and Votto will get plenty of chances this year, whether or not he starts on opening day. Same with Hatte.
It's a good thing that the Reds have these two live bats on the team. Obviously, Votto is the future and this will be a transitional season at that position. For Votto to go north with the big club after spring training is a big step for him, whether or not he's in the lineup opening day.
Last edited by Kc61; 03-09-2008 at 10:14 AM.
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