Here are my thoughts on fixing the Reds. We had this discussion today in the LOTD chat room during Lances show; Lance then proposed the same question to C. Trent. Funny how people think about the same things, but any way here goes.
Let's assume the Reds let Dunn and Jr. walk and in my opinion this is the right move. Now you have OF spots to fill. How do you do this? It looks like Frazier is probably at least another year away, and the Reds want to win now...because "Momma Aint Happy". So here is my thought. Move Joey Votto to left and Bruce to right. By doing this we now have three glaring needs first base, catcher and center field. First base could be easier to fill than Centerfield and since Dusty insists on Centerfielders batting leadoff we are now left with finding someone who can play centerfield and be a true leadoff hitter...something this team desperately needs. So here are my thoughts and plan. Is it realistic I don't know but I can make a case as to why it is. Considering that these three guys come off the payroll next season Dunn ($13Million) Grump ($ 9 million) and Corey Patterson ($3.5 million) that is $26.5 million.
We all know that the Rotation looks and we hope is set for next year to look something like this:
1. Volquez
2. Harang
3. Cueto
4. Thompson
5. Bailey, Maloney or a Fungo bat it's the #5 starter so we can live with a Fungo Bat
Ok so on to my plan:
Sign Mark Teixeira! He is going to demand somewhere around $20-$22 million per year. He is a switch hitting First baseman with a career batting average of 286. Big Tex averages around 35HRs, over 100 Runs scored, and over 100 RBIs per year and he fills the offensive production from Dunn. Did I mention he is a switch hitter? So by signing Teixeira the Reds have filled a corner OF spot and the first base position. Plus think how many bombs Teixeira would hit at GABP!
Here is where it takes some work. Can the Reds Move Bronson? If we could and can there are a couple of teams who might be possible places for him to go...but let's focus on one destination Boston. Send him back to Boston for CoCo Crisp.. CoCo is a switch hitting Center fielder who fits the mold of a leadoff hitter. He offers speed at the top of the order and is a career 278 hitter. Perfect solution? No but you unload all that future money that is going to be going to Bronson and you could take that money and apply it to some of the young Arms we have. Plus you have a legitimate CF and a guy who can lead off.
So of the 26.5 million we saved on not resigning the 3 mentioned above we have 4.5 left after signing Big Tex. CoCo makes 5.7 million this year. And Bronson makes $9.5 million next season and around $7-9 Million left on Money not being spent that was spent this past season.
So with these moves how would this everyday 8 look?
- Crisp (S) - CF
- Keppinger (R) - SS
- Bruce (L) - RF
- Teixeira (S) - 1B
- Phillips ( R) - 2B
- Votto (L) - LF
- Encarnacion (R) - 3B
- Bako?/ Ross ? (L/R) - C
This gives you 2 switch hitters 3 right handed Bats and 2 left handed bats and Bako and Ross.
With this lineup you have replaced Patterson, Dunn and Grump with Teixeira and Crisp.
Am I nuts? Or does this look like a better lineup and a team that could contend?
If I am nuts you can tell me I can take it...
If the goal is to get Coco Crisp, propose Dunn for Crisp to Boston and then fill in the holes to make the trade work. Two early picks are probably worth more than Crisp at this point, so Boston would have to add something. Maybe if they get that rotation settled Colon? That's out there though, but I think it's a better solution then trying to send Arroyo back out there, I'm still not convinced there's a market for him. There were rumors that the Yankees were scouting him, but that was right before the Yankees Reds series, so in my opinion it was much more likely that they were scouting the Reds in general and happened to be there on a day Bronson pitched.
Grizzlyfox04:47 AM EST