Loading ...Tim Mo has broken down the Reds’ outfield situation pretty well here. After Dunn, Griffey, and Freel, here’s how he sees it:
They want you to think that Conine is #4, and that could be true. I’d rather not see it. I’d rather see that man get STRICT platooning at first base, relieving Hatteberg (or Votto) only when necessary. I’ve got nothing against the man, we just don’t need him around all that much. Making relief appearances at first base should be enough. No need to hog any outfield spots. But, if we’re sticking to the script, that’s four.
I agree, but I’m afraid Conine is a lock to play a lot of outfield this year. Who does that squeeze out?
I’m afraid it means Denorfia won’t make the roster. I think they’ll keep Josh Hamilton rather than return him to the Rays. What is unfortunate about that, as Tim notes, is that Denorfia really should be starting in CF for the Reds (with Freel playing five days a week at a different position every day).
Thoughts?
You’re right, in the perfect world. But baseball is many times about timing. And patience.
Injuries, inconsistency, trades, etc. can happen over the next month. The “script” today does not mean the “script” for heading north.
And the Reds should do everything in their power for keeping Hamilton on the 25-man this year. If that means Deno goes back to Lullville, so be it.
It’s one season, not a lifetime.
WHO IS THIS GUY FROM MINNESOTA? DONT THEY HAVE ENOUGH PROBLEMS IN TWIN COUNTRY TO DEAL WITH? WHO DOES HE THINK HE IS, SCOTT DUFF OR SOMETHING?
Deno will make the team and get 350 ABs, Conine won’t sniff the outfield, and Kriv will work out a trade with the Rays to keep Hamilton and move him, not Deno, to AAA. Let’s relax here, people.
I agree that Deno should be given a shot this year, and based on last year’s numbers, Hopper should make it as well as long as he does not botch the Spring. Due to his upside, I could see giving Hamilton a year to make his mark as well. Unfortunately, the outfield will be crowded with possibly six guys heading North. Perhaps Krivs will pull the trigger on a trade for more starting pitching or a bonafide closer. I am not sure if Dunn should be dealt because he seems like he is in better shape and due for a solid year. Does anyone have options left to be called up later if injuries occur to Griffey or Freel?
Oh great Sultan, nary a vision from your crystal ball will come true.
Denorfia and Hopper have options left. So does Hamilton, but of course, the Reds can’t use them, unless they work a trade with Tampa.
Judging from the depth chart at Reds.com, Conine is going to see time in the corner outfield slots. You don’t pay a guy $2 million to ride pine, and I can’t see them sitting Hatteberg that much, so I think we’ll be seeing a lot of Conine in the outfield.
I think Denorfia makes the team, but Conine’s presence makes Hopper a long shot.
I just can’t see Krivsky letting Hamilton go back to Tampa. Not after all the fawning press Hamilton has gotten. Unless JH falls flat on his face, I think Krivsky gives him every chance to succeed in Cincinnati.
I’m really afraid that, if Hamilton stays, the outfield situation becomes so crowded that Denorfia is squeezed out. His window for being a productive major leaguer is open now, but it will close soon. I hate to see him miss his shot.
And if he does, it will strictly be because Jeff Conine is sucking up outs as an outfielder on this team. IMO.
Shawn, I hope you’re right, but how do you figure? Maybe it depends on whether they carry three catchers or 12 pitchers.
It’s the roster mathematics. Either you figure Freel is the backup to Griffey in CF, or vice-versa, or Denorfia has to be on the roster. At least I hope so. There are scenarios where Denorfia at least opens in Louisville, none of them pretty.
If Josh Hamilton plays well, as well as they think he can, than Deno will be a forgotten name. He is a fine ball player, but has not yet played well at the major league level. He could end being another Zack Cooper and tear up minor league pitching but never put it together in the majors.
the impression i’ve gotten in this: the position that on most teams would be the 3rd OF, for the reds will be the 3rd/4th OF, because freel needs rest and needs to be able to fill in else where.
So Freel/someone, will serve as the 3rd outfielder after dunn and jr. conine will be the 5th outfielder, but will play the outfield as much as a normal team’s 4th outfielder, say once a week barring injuries, which will give him time to platoon with hat.
the someone that will play with freel will be deno, hopper, or hamilton, and if the choice is too tough because they want to keep hamilton, they’ll probably take one less pitcher/catcher and go with 6 outfielders, with freel and conine seeing significant time in the infield.
long story short, i think either deno or hopper makes it, but not both, and if hamilton looks decent, he stays.
I love Hopper’s story, but if he makes the roster over Denorfia, it will be a disgrace.
If Conine plays a lot of 1B, and Freel plays a lot of … everything … then there is probably room for Denorfia. It will be very interesting to see how Narron and Krivsky construct this roster, though. There are so many different ways they can go…especially so when you consider the past history of carrying three catchers and 12 pitchers.
Interesting topic of conversation as spring training games get started today.
Thanks for the link! I appreciate it. Good discussion here. I don’t see how they can keep Denorfia off the roster, especially when I feel he should be starting.
Zach, I’m sorry if I’m bringing my Minnesota attitude to the Reds, but they are my team. I am not Scott Duff.
Get rid of the third catcher and everyone can stay. Hopefully all of these guys meet their potential, for if that is the case we have some good trade bait in Deno and Hopper. I would love for everyone to stay, but they can’t, and that’s baseball. Maybe the Reds can put a package together for a closer.
Get rid of the third catcher and everyone can stay.
Hear, hear. Makes too much sense not to do it.
As for trade bait, I think you’re over-estimating Hopper. He’s a minor league journeyman. I’d love to include him in a package for a good reliever, though.
Norris Hopper has 3 Career HR in the minor leagues…. in 3000 at bats. He should in no way, shape or form make this Reds team. The fact that Chris Denorfia had the season he did last year, and has to fight to make the team because Jeff Conine is an outfielder all of a sudden is extremely sad. Denorfia had 1 month with the Reds where he got more than 30 at bats, or what you can think of as even slightly consistant playing time. He hit .352 and had an OPS of .870 in that month. Then look at what he did in Louisville with again, consistant playing time. I think if he has to start off in Louisville becuase Jeff Conine is actually going to get time in the outfield the Reds have lost all faith with me that they can run a baseball team.
I APOLIGIZE TIM MO FOR THE DISRESPECT, I THOUGHT YOU WERE A TWINS FAN. SCOTT DUFF IS A MINOR LEAGUE JOURNEYMAN SCREALNECK WHO NOW HAS A BLOG ON THE INTERNET. A HUGE TWINS FAN! HE AND WILLIAM WHEELER WERE A PART OF THE 1971 MINOR LEAGUE ALL STAR GAME AND NOW RESIDE IN FLORIDA PLAYING WITH DOLPHINS. I HAD AN ENCOUNTER WITH THEM AT A REDS GAME IN MAY 2006, WHILE WILLIAM WHEELER WAS DRUNK AND YELLING OBSENITIES DRINKING FROM A FLASK OF VODKA. NEEDLESS TO SAY, THEY ARE FANS OF BASEBALL BUT NOT REDS FANS. ONCE AGAIN, I FORTHWITH APOLIGIZE FOR THE EARLIER COMMENT.
Zach,thanks for mentioning these former all-stars.I have a huge baseball collection and would love to have them sign my balls.