I agree. I think the truer statement is that Dusty doesn't favor the young guy. In other words, if it's even or close, he doesn't default to the young guy with what the fans perceive as upside. I think he makes the decision without tremendous consideration of age or upside. And I'm OK with that for the most part.
I think Dusty favors guys with some Dusty history. Ward's dad was a contemporary of Dusty in the major leagues. They weren't teammates, but I think that gives Ward an edge.
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 realize that, I was just saying that Rosales deserves a shot regardless...as in over Richar or one of the other IF utility guys. If Kepp continues to stink up the joint...I wouldn't have a problem with cutting him loose. And I'm a big fan of Kepp's. For me, it's all about production though.
As for the OF vacancies, I'm sure that just about all of those guys can play all 3 OF spots. It's just a matter of how well. Nix, Gomes, Jones, McDonald and Ward are all vying for the platoon with Dickerson. But IMO you've got to throw Hairston in there too. That pushes them back to FIFTH outfielders...I'm not carrying more than ONE of those guys. And so far, McDonald & Gomes have an edge over the other 3 IMO in regards to their performance. If you go on their past history as well as this spring, that knocks McDonald down several pegs. Bascially, as things stand now, I think it looks kinda like this....
C: Hernandez
1b: Votto
2b: Phillips
SS: Gonzo
3B: Edwin
RF: Bruce
CF: Taveras
LF: Platoon of Dickerson/Hairston
Utility IF: Rosales ~ I take him over Ward due to versatility and youth
Utility IF: Keppinger
Utility OF: Gomes ~ If Nix proves more valuable, I'll change this one, but for now Gomes has earned it.
BU C: Hanigan
SP: Harang
SP: Arroyo
SP: Volquez
SP: Cueto
SP: Bailey ~ I take him over Owings due to upside, youth and performance so far
Closer: Cordero
Setup: Burton
Setup: Bray
Setup: Weathers
Pen: Lincoln
Pen: Owings ~ I take him over Masset due to bat & better spot starter
Pen: Rhodes
That's 25. That leaves out Alonso, Hopper, Richar, Castillo, Tatum, Francisco, Janish, Fisher, LeCure, Herrera, Roenicke, Maloney, Manuel, Masset, Ramirez & Thompson from the guys currently on the 40-man roster. It also cuts loose all the non-roster invitees except for Gomes.
I hate to cut loose Masset, Herrera & Roenicke, but with all those BP signings (weathers, lincoln & rhodes) there's just not much room left.
Last edited by _Sir_Charles_; 03-11-2009 at 05:37 PM.
Gomes is NOT a CF candidate. Jones is not either.
Assuming Gonzales is the SS, when it comes to Utility IF my personal order would be Rosales, Richar, Janish and then Keppinger. Rosales may be the best all around player for offense, defense, baserunning and multi-position skill. Richar is a lefty bat, has some upside and the most speed, Janish is the best defensive infielder and Keppinger is basically just a guy who kills Lefty pitching but doesn't really have a position that he can play well (though I think he'd be a very good 1B defensively).
If Gonzalez is still short on range, I'd go with Janish to come in for defense (or just play every day). If there ends-up being no LH bat on the bench, I'd probably go with Richar. Otherwise I'd go with Rosales. The only way I'd go with Kepp would be if there was a clear role where he could platoon against LH pitching. The Reds have plenty of RH bats for the bench, and without any defensive value, I'd be looking to move Kepp for a prospect. Hairston is still on board and Valaika, Frazier and even Bolivar provide some depth if the injury disaster happens.
That said, I think Kepp's a lock for the 25 man roster.
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!
Why do they have to be CF candidates? They only have to be OF filler. We've got Taveras, Hairston, Dickerson & Bruce who are all capable of playing center. OF position really doesn't matter in the current situation.
Mmmm... Spring Training stats!
Bruce should never see CF unless an emergency. He needs to learn RF. Hairston shoulod never see CF unless it's an emergency, as well. I want a few options out there who are better than that. Nix would be one such option.
I like versatility from the 24th and 25th guys on the roster, and Nix brings FAR more of that than the others.
Bruce RF
Taveras CF
Dickerson/Gomes LF
Nix---back-up
Sir Charles wrote:
If you want Rosales, it is at Kepp's expense.C: Hernandez
1b: Votto
2b: Phillips
SS: Gonzo
3B: Edwin
RF: Bruce
CF: Taveras
LF: Platoon of Dickerson/Hairston
Utility IF: Rosales ~ I take him over Ward due to versatility and youth
Utility IF: Keppinger
Utility OF: Gomes ~ If Nix proves more valuable, I'll change this one, but for now Gomes has earned it.
BU C: Hanigan
C Hernandez
1b Votto
2b Phillips
SS Gonzalez/Hairston
3b Encarnacion
RF Bruce
CF Taveras
LF Dickerson/Gomes
Utility IF---Kepp OR Rosales
Back-up C---Hanigan
5th OF---Nix
If they only keep 11 pitchers you could go one more position player.
Last edited by membengal; 03-11-2009 at 06:10 PM.
Thanks for the PBP.
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