Dusty looking for a leadoff hitter.

[stevethumb]

From the "Hell freezes over" files:

Fri, Feb 22 (Yahoo! Player notes)
John Fay, of The Cincinnati Enquirer, reports Cincinnati Reds 1B Joey Votto may have the inside edge in beating 1B Scott Hatteberg for the starting first base position in spring training. "What's Hatteberg? Thirty-eight?" Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "Votto's the future here. I talked to Hatteberg about Votto. He thinks he's going to be a heck of a player. He's not conceding his position. I think he understands to be part of the club that Votto might have to be a major part of it. It might be Votto's time."

Not to hijack the thread from the leadoff issue. Just thought this was a worthwhile comment in view of Dusty's penchant for the Geritol gang.

Well Bruce should be the starting CF, maybe sign Lofton/Patterson as a back-up but the job should be Bruces

so IF you have bruce in CF, who IS the leadoff hitter ?

[Nihil]

so IF you have bruce in CF, who IS the leadoff hitter ?

It's true. I can't think of a good one. Phillips? Seems like too much power for leadoff. Edwin might be a good bet. Sure as hell isn't Gonzalez.

[Pogotheostrich]

Asked who would hit leadoff when Ryan Freel and Norris Hopper aren’t playing, Reds manager Dusty said: "I hope one or the other is in the game."

Jay Bruce couldn't have been thrilled to hear that. He's supposed to have a legitimate shot to win the center-field job this spring, but it hurts his chances that there are no leadoff-types on the team except the players he's competing against. Of course, Freel isn't only a center fielder. Still, it doesn't look like he'll be taking much time away from Edwin Encarnacion early on.

Strike Two!

[zig zag daddy]

Does anyone actually have an example of dusty sitting a quality young for a vet that isn't nearly as good? I hear this, but have never heard a single example. I expect he will play the best players available to him.

[Chicago 2]

so IF you have bruce in CF, who IS the leadoff hitter ?

It's true. I can't think of a good one. Phillips? Seems like too much power for leadoff. Edwin might be a good bet. Sure as hell isn't Gonzalez.

Phillilps reportedly is already slated to hit in the cleanup spot this year

I suppose if Bruce doesn't get to play right away I wouldn't be too surprised to see Hopper or Freel hit in the leadoff spot to start out the season.

[redwings122]

Bruce has so much upside it's not even funny. I just hope that if he plays, he won't turn out to be another 3B/OF that plays for the Royals..