December 27, 2008
Why I'll give Taveras a chance
So the Reds have signed light-hitting Wily Taveras to a 2-year deal today. And the reaction from Reds Nation hasn't been so great. I will give this a shot until Taveras proves just why he was a bad signing. Until then I'm going to be positive.
Sure, it's not Baldelli, my first choice, but Taveras IS a leadoff hitter. He hits better than Cory Patterson (already a big plus). He stole 68 bases last year, so he's a threat on the base paths. Another thing I like about Taveras is he doesn't think he's a power hitter like so many others in our lineup. Taveras is a slappy, yes, but I don't care how he gets on base as long as he gets there.
Something else to consider: hopefully this is another one of those "change of scenery" type moves. The only thing about that is, you already have another guy behind the plate who is a "change of scenery" hopeful. You can't have too many of those on your team and be really good. Ultimately, you're going to run out of luck.
But, for now, I will give this a moderate thumbs up. The Reds are TRYING, and I'm fine with that. So many times in years past, we hope and pray for something to happen or "maybe everyone will stay healthy". Castellini wants to win, and they're trying. It's not always going to work out, but as long as they keep trying and trying and trying, I'll be ok with it.
Now...are the Reds done? Do they platoon Dickerson and Hopper in LF? Could a third baseman be brought in and EE go to LF? What's next?
Discussion
16 Comments on "Why I'll give Taveras a chance"
#1
Posted by Big Steve, December 27, 2008 7:55 PM
Let's stay in control here.... I agree, let's see the details of the salary and give the guy a chance. Could I be stretching things a little too thin if I suggest we compare this to the pick up of the "Chief" Cesar Geronimo? He had a .220 BA before coming over to Cincy in '71, but he was fast and a great defensive center fielder who was able to improve and fit the make up of the team.
Just food for thought.
stat comparison:
BA OBP SLG OPS+
.251 .308 .296 56 Taveras (08 Colorado)
.220 .264 .329 69 The Chief (71 in Houston)
#2
Posted by Joe Farfsing, December 28, 2008 1:27 AM
I wish this were only a 1 year deal but last year WAS a bit of an aberration for Taveras. He fills a need and is better than what the Reds had on their roster. Ok with the move so long as someone can teach him the value of a walk again. OBP is too reliant on his BA.
#3
Posted by KJDUB, December 28, 2008 9:35 AM
You can't compare Taveras and Cezar. Cezar had people like Bench, Rose, and Perez. Taveraz has people like Hernandez, Edwin, and Votto. Big difference. They didn't need Cezar to be great. We do.
#4
Posted by Doug Gray, December 28, 2008 10:37 AM
Jeff,
Taveras isn't a leadoff guy though. He is more likely to have an OBP in the .310 area than he is in the .350 area. Thats not a leadoff guy, thats a 5th outfielder.
#5
Posted by fitz, December 28, 2008 12:18 PM
Our outfield is better off than last year's with Griffey, Dunn, and Patterson. I'll take Bruce over Griffey any day and Tavares over CP in a no-brainer. We'll have to wait to see what shakes out in left but I'd be content to go with Chris Dickerson unless we can get Baldelli or Nady or the likes.
#6
Posted by Jeff Gentil, December 28, 2008 5:31 PM
OK Doug, I meant for an organization who has tried just about everyone in the leadoff spot (Hatteberg, Phillips, Dunn, etc) this might be a better option. I'm not saying this is the greatest move, because it isn't, but I will give it a shot. Then, after he's batting .191 in August with 450 at bats, I'll light someone up for it. Until then, I'll wait.
#7
Posted by Dave from Louisville in reply to comment from Doug Gray, December 28, 2008 9:15 PM
Both Bill James and Marcel project to have a OBP at ~.335
#8
Posted by Deaner, December 29, 2008 2:21 AM
Speed never goes into a slump is what I say... and the defensive upgrade in the outfield is certainly a step up from what we've had for the past several years.
#9
Posted by erik in reply to comment from Dave from Louisville, December 29, 2008 8:42 AM
.335 = meh... but I could semi-live with it.
plain and simple I was against this move not because I hate taveras, but more because I felt he wouldn't be used how he should, in a platoon type thing and not as an everyday player (i.e. the Dusty-factor).
keep in mind, he is not corey patterson, the man with the ugliest swing ever.
#10
Posted by Deaner, December 30, 2008 12:43 AM
What do you all think about a Tony La Russa-style lineup in 2009? With the pitcher batting eighth, this would enable Dickerson (in the 9-spot) to act as a second leadoff man.
I have posted a sample lineup of this over at Blue Collar Baseball.
#11
Posted by Jeff Gentil, December 30, 2008 1:44 PM
My problem with batting the pitcher 8th is that slot will end up with more plate appearances than he should. I hate batting the pitcher 8th.
#12
Posted by Rick, December 31, 2008 4:19 PM
I don't mind giving this guy a chance. We did need a leadoff hitter. However, we keep ignoring the #2 hole. As I have posted before on this site. Everyone told me Phillips would move into the #2 hole, but he does not take enough pitches and strikes out for that position. So I ask again, who hits second behind WT? The only person on the whole roster that has the right approach is Kep, but he doesn't have a postion.
Also, who is going to be your lefthanded bench? Dusty likes to play around a lot but I don't see a good bench situation for him.
#13
Posted by Jeff Gentil, December 31, 2008 4:45 PM
My lineup (against RHP):
Taveras CF
Dickerson LF
Votto 1B
Phillips 2B
Bruce RF
EE 3B
Hernandez C
Gonzalez SS
Against LHP:
Taveras CF
Hopper (I guess) LF
Votto
Phillips
Bruce
EE
Hernandez
Gonzo
You break up the lefties and you have pop in the 4 hole. I don't like EE in the 4 hole and I don't like Phillips in the 2 hole. Way too many Ks and DPs. I agree with you, we need a better OBP in the 2 hole if Taveras is going to struggle like Patterson did last year.
#14
Posted by reds fan, January 4, 2009 1:55 AM
check out Jay Bruce and other Bats
search: "IL All-Promoted Team"
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#15
Posted by Erik in reply to comment from reds fan, January 5, 2009 5:16 AM
take your spam somewhere else dude. "reds fan" huh? yeah right
#16
Posted by Fitz, January 6, 2009 3:01 PM
You know why I'll give Tavares a chance? He is our Reds's centerfielder. I trust WJ to know a whole lot more about his abilities than we do so I'm willing to give him a chance until he proves he doesn't deserve one.
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