Excessive numbers don't intimidate Reds’ general manager Wayne Krivsky.
He isn't exactly shy when it comes to bringing in plenty of bodies. Even if it means creating a glut at a given position.
Krivsky's philosophy is fundamental and basic. If he thinks someone can be of value and upgrade his team's overall depth, he'll gladly pull the trigger on a deal.
Even if it means creating a potentially ticklish situation in the locker room.
Krivsky is a great believer in providing competition and letting the players fight it out. He'll leave the logistical details to manager Jerry Narron who must be part mad scientist to make it all come together.
Nowhere is the exec's willingness to load-up more apparent than at catcher. Already stocked with proven backstops Jason LaRue and Javier Valentine, Krivsky added to the mix with his March acquisition of David Ross.
The move had plenty of people scratching their heads. It seemed like a clear case of overindulgence.
After all, LaRue and Valentine had ham and egged it with great effect in '05, combining for a total of 28 dingers and 110 RBI. They provided Narron a one-two punch unmatched in all of baseball.
They were also steady in the field. Defensively, LaRue and Valentine got the job done.
So why mess with success and complicate an already winning hand? Why attempt to fortify a position that didn't appear to need it?
Additionally, carrying three catchers has always been considered a bit of a luxury. It comes across as an extravagance.
If you count a trio of backstops among your roster, that means one less infielder/outfielder or pitcher at your disposal. Few clubs are comfortable going in that direction.
So bringing in Ross was curious. It struck many as an effort to fix something that wasn't broke.
Furthermore, the new arrival's hitting credentials were questionable. The guy wasn't exactly a basher as evidenced by his .233 career average.
Sure, he could call a good game and had the reputation of knowing how to handle a staff.
But could the Reds really afford to play him at all if his bat was mute? Was it worth cutting into LaRue's and Valentine's playing time just to get a suspect Ross a few starts?
But it's getting harder with each passing day to question Krivsky on personnel matters. He hit the mother lode when he dealt for Bronson Arroyo. He took a flyer on Brandon Phillips and the payoff has been enormous. Now, Ross is making him look like a genius.
And in the process, a weighty dilemma is bearing down on Narron. How can he possibly keep three catchers happy, productive and sharp? In reality, it might be an impossibility.
Already, storm clouds are forming.
What no one could have foreseen is that the 29-year old Ross would whack the ball with such surprising authority. He's amazed nearly everyone. In just 18 starts, the 6-2, 215-pounder has hit a robust .339 with 5 homers and 16 RBI.
Moreover, his impressive work behind the plate has drawn raves from both his manager and the pitchers.
In a nutshell, Ross has muddied the waters and his inspired play has put Narron directly on the firing line.
The Cincy skipper is now facing a problem more daunting than trying to figure out a Rubik's Cube. Einstein had it easier when trying to formulate his theory of relativity.
Narron finds himself in a bit of a bind. Trying to figure out who he should play at catcher will test all of his management and diplomatic skills. The manager is squarely in the crosshairs.
LaRue, already agitated by a monumental slump that has seen him go hitless in his last 26 at-bats, is beginning to chafe at his reduced workload.
Having signed a recent two-year deal for over 9 million, the 5-11 Red veteran assumed he would get a majority of the starts. That seemed a reasonable conclusion given LaRue's steady improvement over the last few campaigns.
But surgery earlier in the season threw him off his game and since his return from the disabled list, he has struggled mightily with the bat.
LaRue is on record as saying he inked his pact with the understanding that he'd be the number one catcher. It's hard to imagine him being satisfied with anything less.
Though you'd never know it by the results, LaRue has been swinging a better stick lately. He's hit some balls hard. Narron has seconded that assessment and expresses confidence that LaRue will recapture the form he demonstrated last year.
The question is if Ross keeps delivering, will LaRue get enough plate appearances to find his rhythm and regain his stroke?
Which brings us to Valentine, the somewhat overlooked member of this budding catching controversy.
In '05, Valentine was a genuine force with a nifty .281 average to go along with 14 homers and 50 RBI in just 76 games
Time and again, he supplied clutch hits and won more than his share of games. When given the chance, the switch-hitting Javier rung up impressive numbers that if extrapolated over a full season would be of All-Star caliber.
The Reds were looking for more of the same this year. But like LaRue, less opportunities have undermined him and he hasn't been able to lock-in on his stroke. His flat .226 average is a testament to that fact.
To return to brighter days, Valentine will need to get more consistent at-bats. Javier will get some swings as a pinch-hitter and possibly as an occasional option at first.
But that's hardly enough to keep him primed. He'll need to take an ample supply of swings as a catcher to get back into any semblance of a groove.
So what will Narron do? How will he resolve this sticky predicament?
He's got an endless number of scenarios to ponder. A world of possibilities to explore. So much thinking to do that it's bound to give him a headache. Splitting the atom required less brain power.
Finding the right formula will be anything but easy. Narron's grey matter will be severely taxed.
After all, how does he keep Ross hot, get LaRue on track and make Valentine a factor once again? All this with just a limited number of at-bats available. And you thought you've got problems!
Well, as mentioned before, Krivsky provides the manpower and leaves the specifics to his manager. Narron must work out the nuts and bolts.
So best of luck, Jerry. We can't wait to see how this one comes out.