Jerry Hairston

[SpecialFNK]

what is the future this season for Jerry Hairston in Cincinnati?
last season Alex Gonzalez was the starting SS. hes been hurt to start this season. what happens once hes ready to return?
Jeff Keppinger was filling in to Gonzalez. hes since been hurt. what happens when he returns?
since Bruce came up replacing Patterson, Hairston has been leading off. if Hairston was to be replaced at SS by one of Gonzalez/Keppinger who esle would lead off?
..1B- Votto? 2B- Phillips? 3B- Encarnacion? RF- Griffey? CF- Bruce? LF- Dunn? C- whoever?
wouldnt it be better for the Reds to have Hairston lead off all season? meaning he would have to be a starter all season,. so is that an option?

[j24jags]

Keppinger hit .332 last year and was hitting .324 this year, so it is hard to think he will lose his job unless Hairston keeps up this torrid pace, which I don't think he can do. Keppinger is probably still a few weeks away from coming back though, these 7-14 days until Keppinger comes back I think will be crucial in their decision of who starts at short. The thing is, Hairston Jr is a career .255 hitter in over 2000 at-bats so 100 at-bats this season do not make him a .300+ hitter, and Keppinger is younger and hit .313 in 565 career at-bats. It seems Keppinger has much more potential, and he is probably the safer bet, so my guess would be that he will get a chance to take the job back when he is healthy.