Workouts notes
Dusty Baker said he has a lineup, but it hasn't been posted yet. It sounds like Scott Hatteberg will start at first.
"(The starting first baseman) is whoever's playing that day. Joey Votto has a great upside," Baker said. "But Hatteberg had a great spring. We'll go with matchups. (The seven spot) is an important spot in the lineup. Adam Dunn had an OK spring. Edwin (Encarnacion) struggled."
David Ross wasn't happy to start the year on the DL.
"I didn't expect him to be," Baker said.
Baker was concerned about Ross at the plate.
"Hitting is repetitions," Baker said. "We want him to get off to good start and not repeat last year. If you struggle that creeps into your mind and the fans' minds."
--No moves as far as opening spots on the 40-man. Those might not be announced until tomorrow.
--Looks like the Reds will work out. The rain has let up.
--Johnny Cueto will start Thursday. The Reds can't announced it until he's put on the roster.
--Edinson Volquez and Josh Fogg are throwing in minor league games today. Ryan Freel and Norris Hopper also stayed back to get some at-bats.
14 Comments:
I really like Dusty Baker, contrary to his detractors. He shows an insight that the other temporaries we have had in here, haven't. Take his comment on Ross. He knew he was going to be angry but he also knew that he hadn't taken near enough swings. It is not good to take a .205 hitter who is rusty and let him face the likes of Brandon Webb. Let him build some confidence and hopefully correct what sucked last year.
DB has to platoon Hatteberg and Votto. Scott is still trade bait but insurance while Votto does the inevitable and forces full time play. Freel and Hatteberg are definitely the bait for WK to be ready for the unexpected.
Good idea on Ross. I don't think anyone knows what to expect and rough start will just put that much more pressure on him from the fans...and team.
Saw ESPN had Reds 3rd in Preview. Nice to be above Cards and Astros. Heck-nice to have good comments on pitching for once.
John--what do you take of NL Exec (anonymous of course) in magazine saying everyone is pulling for their player in Reds org. and Dusty in the middle?
John, can you give us an update on EV's extended spring game today? Ir also sounds as if someone else (Freel) may get the start at 3B tomorrow. Here's hoping Ross gets his swing in order. Regardless of his defensive prowess it looks like Dusty won't tolerate him swinging and missing strike 1, 2, and 3 as often as he did last year.
Joey Votto either needs to start and play 5 days a week or go to Louisville and get at-bats.
Is it possible that Freel or Hopper will fly directly to their trade destination?
Regardless of our optimism and even with Harang on the mound it will be difficult to beat one Kentuckian, Mr. Brandon Webb, tomorrow. Nearly as difficult we be the dismantling of Jocketty's mistake Mr. Dan Haren even though Arroyo is on the mound. I for one though think that they will do it.
On another note my prayers are with Doug Davis, who starts against the Reds on Wednesday even though he is scheduled for Thyroid Cancer surgery later this month. Still my hope is that Cueto performs surgery on the D-back hitters that night!
There truly is no logic whatsoever in Votto being up here if Hatteberg's the first baseman.
Either play him and let him know you have his back or give him his at bats in AAA.
I mean, seriously, at this point what would it take for Votto to suplant Hatty in the everyday line-up?? How do you eventually win the spot based on 2-3 starts a week??
He won't have a shot at being consistent because consistency is not bred upon scattered starts.
Not sure I understand why we want to trade away all of our depth (Freel, Hatteberg). Good teams have a good bench. Let's not get too silly.
It is agreed that Hatteberg does not need to be stealing AB from Votto. I hope Baker felt Hatte was just the better guy to face Webb in the opening day environment.
I will be very interesting to see how they make room on the 40 man roster. I think there must be a Freel, Hopper, or Hatteberg trade in the works but that only takes opens one spot while needing three more. Stanton of course gets it down to three in the first place. I have to think Drew T. Anderson and Marcus McBeth are two. That leaves one more and that must be Richie Gardner. If the trade does not happen than Majewski is probably the other one.
redfuture are you sure on your 40 man roster? Livingson doesn't count since he is on the 60 Day DL.
Baker doesn't want to start his tenure here oh for April. He is going to play the lineup he thinks wins. If Hatteberg has the hot hand, he plays.
Hatteberg will likely get the same tough deal Hal Morris got toward the end of his career when he was used mainly against the toughest RHPs.
Dusty won't likely go 0 for April but he sure could easily go O for March!
SHould be a good year! 84 wins!
Woops. I meant Hatt would have to face the LHPs and tough RHPs.
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