REDS' LINEUP IS BATTY
It comes as no surprise that since the Reds bid goodbye to Ken Griffey and Adam Dunn, their offense has frequently faltered. And we're talking about a lineup that wasn't all that imposing when Griffey and Dunn were onboard.
But those two veterans did lend a presence to the team. Opposing pitchers had to account for them and make adjustments accordingly. Now that they're gone, any fear factor the Reds engendered has vanished. The current Reds' lineup scares no one. The truth is that pitchers probably can't wait to have at it with the team from the 'Nati.
Reds. G.M. Walt Jocketty had to know that without "Griff" and "Dunner", runs were going to come harder and a power outage was bound to take place. Minus their two most seasoned players, the Reds' attack was definitely going to be neutered. As a result, a disappointing season was doomed to stay that way. Trading the aforementioned twosome amounted to surrender and capitulation.
Look, when you're reduced to playing the often inept Corey Patterson, then you know you've got little or no shot. It's tantamount to playing with one arm tied behind your back. Having a stiff like Patterson in a power position like centerfield is beyond a joke. It's a crime. And the Reds should be embarrassed and red-faced about not being able to find someone more competent than that.
But Patterson is merely the dregs of a suspect lineup. Frustratingly, the Reds have been getting some stout pitching as of late only to lose close games or barely squeak by because they can't generate enough offense. Sans Griffey and Dunn, Cincy has often seemed to pooped to pop.
Which brings us to the bigger issue, one that Jocketty must address if the Reds are ever going to get out of their eight-year funk of losing baseball. He must find a way, either thru free-agency or via a trade, to significantly upgrade the offense with an accomplished bat or two. This is an absolute must. If the Reds don't add more educated hitters to their depleted arsenal, then they're just grasping at straws. At present, Cincy's attack has glaring weaknesses that must be corrected if the team is to become competitive now or in the immediate future.
Let's briefly breakdown the Reds' lineup and see where dramatic improvement must be made.
Though they've experienced some growing pains and suffered thru some lulls, Jay Bruce and Joey Votto appear to be the real deals. Their talent is undeniable and their upside is immense. Even though they're good now, with a tad more seasoning, Bruce and Votto could be stars. This seems especially true for the clutch Votto who has been on an absolute tear lately.
So as far as rightfield and first base are concerned, the Reds appear set for well into the next decade.
Ditto second and third base. Brandon Phillips is a whiz with the glove, a threat with the stick and can steal bases with the best of them. Moreover, he's got plenty of sock ( 21 HR, 78 RBI ) for a middle infielder. Though Phillips strikes out a bit too much and carries an average ( .261 ) lower than his considerable gifts suggest, he's nonetheless a standout. As of now, there's no argument that the 28-year old is the Reds' best player and the core of the franchise.
Though Edwin Encarnacion can sometimes be exasperating with his erratic glove, streaky nature and mediocre average ( .255 ), the 25-year old seems destined to be a fixture at the hot corner. Why? Because he shows such promise and because he can go long and deep as evidenced by his home run ( 25 ) and double ( 28 ) totals. Now gaining in experience, the hope is that Encarnacion is primed to take off and elevate his game to the next level.
So, offensively at least, the Reds appear set at four of the eight everyday positions. Each of the remaining four spots, however, present questions and some serious issues.
We'll begin in the outfield where uncertainty and the unknown reign supreme.
There's no doubt that Chris Dickerson has opened some eyes with his unexpected power and solid batting average ( .304 ). But, least the Reds' nation get too excited, bear in mind that Dickerson has toiled in only 31 games. That doesn't rate as much of a track record.
It would be wise to see how Dickerson finishes out the season but even if he continues to perform well, can you really trust your starting leftfield position to someone with such little playing time? That would be running a huge risk.
Right now, centerfield is a black hole. Though he'll claim that injuries forced his hand, Dusty Baker should be sent to the woodshed for relying on the woeful Corey Patterson in 130 games. Giving Patterson over 300 at-bats in a year where he's been nothing but a drag on his team, is beyond reason.
When Griffey was moved to the Windy City, Bruce was sent to right where the Reds feel he's better suited. But Bruce's departure left a cavernous hole in center that Cincy had no way of filling. Having to settle for Patterson screams that the Reds are personnel challenged.
Though Cincy may have a potential outfield prospect in 2005 draft choice Drew Stubbs, he's still in need of a heavy dose of seasoning. Stubbs probably won't be major league ready until at least 2010.
It doesn't take much to see that a top priority for Jocketty is to shore up his outfield shortcomings. Namely, with someone with a potent bat. In truth, the Reds are probably in need of a pair of good sticks to complete the outfield and make it truly viable again.
But if the organization is willing to take a flyer on Dickerson, securing a minimum of one productive hitter is absolutely essential.
And for those of you that may suggest Ryan Freel or Jerry Hairston as an answer, I respectfully say please.
Injury prone and with no power, Freel doesn't help correct the problem. As a utility player and spot starter, Freel is fine. But he's not close to being a long-term solution.
Neither is the well-traveled Hairston despite his admirable efforts in '08. Hairston wouldn't hold up over the course of a full season. He's a platoon guy at best.
Another key spot that requires a dramatic upgrade from an offensive standpoint is catcher. The Reds have to quit using backstops that offer little at the plate. No more consistent outs ala David Ross or Paul Bako.
Dusty Baker's idiotic refusal to use Javier Valentin in a more prominent role this year was unforgivable. The veteran lefty swings a dependable bat and had he been used with some degree of frequency, say three or four times a week, it says here the Reds would have won a minimum of at least six to eight more games. The excuses that Valentin is too much of a defensive liability or had to be preserved for pinch-hitting duties just don't wash.
But if Cincy isn't going to feature Valentin, then they'll need to scour the open market and see what's available. Currently, Ryan Hanigan is manning backstop duties most often and he's done a decent job ( .267 ). Yet, let's be honest. In all likelihood, Hanigan is a journeyman and stopgap. There's a reason why it took him until the age of 27 to ascend to the majors.
Job number two on Jocketty's got-to-do list is to fortify the catching position with someone who can make contact, produce some runs and is far from being a sure out.
As an aside, try and think back to the last time the Reds had a catcher who could rake. It's hard to remember one, isn't it?
The last position that may require some tweaking is shortstop.
Given the various injuries that have disabled him, the Reds can't count on Alex Gonzales, who has made good money but really hasn't earned it. If Gonzales comes back to be a factor for the Reds, it would be an unexpected surprise.
Gonzales' absences have led to multiple opportunities for the gutty Jeff Keppinger to get on the field. Last year, Keppinger was a revelation and stroked to the tune of .332 in 67 games. He looked primed to become a real force. But in '08, Keppinger went down early, spent some time on the DL and never really recovered. His production has been a huge disappointment. Though decent in the field, Keppinger must hit more robustly than his current average of .267 to really justify his presence in the lineup.
Objectively, the Reds can't consider shortstop to be a real pressing need. Between Keppinger and Gonzales, they should be adequately covered. But if someone better or more dynamic should present himself, Cincy would be foolish not to take a long, hard look at going in another direction.
If the Reds don't make some serious changes to their lineup before next spring, once again they'll find themselves scuffling to stay out of the cellar. Everyone knows you can't go anywhere if you can't hit. Puny bats translate into forgettable seasons.
And the Reds aren't the worst hitting team in the NL for nothing. They've earned that distinction with some rather feeble work at the plate in a number of categories.
Without some significant alterations, the Reds will continue to drive their fans and themselves, batty!