Jay Bruce NEEDS to start in AAA this year

[The Duke]

I just don't like Jay Bruce in CF with Dunn on one side and Griffey the other. Griffey can probably hold his own in RF for the most part, but Dunn needs a plus defender in CF to help cover some of his deficiencies, like Hopper or Patterson. Bruce can probably field CF adequately, he is a natural right fielder with a big arm. Keep him in AAA, let him get his cuts everyday, play him soley in RF (Dickerson can play CF for the Bats) so he gets all the angles down, and when Jr gets hurt/traded he can step right into RF and stay there for the next 15 years.

[starpower25]

I could not agree more. What I would do is hope that patterson really plays well sign him to a 2 year deal andnext year play Bruce in RF if griffey leaves or LF if Dunn Leaves. Patterson could hold the fort down untill Stubbs is ready.

[The Duke]

I could see Patterson getting a 2-3 year extension if he has a good first half of the year. I mean if Freel can get an extension, aguy with actual talent putting it together should be able to get one. An outfield of Patterson in left, Stubbs in center, and Bruce in right would probably be one of the best defensive OF's in MLB. Albeit, I think Dorn could compete for an OF spot in 2009-2010 as well.

[Lark11]

Well, I think the service time considerations are a good reason to start him in triple-1.

That said, I'd much prefer to have Hopper starting in center than C-Patt.

[sabo3b17]

Ya i bruce needs the year at AAA also. Hopper in CF would be very nice. and an outfield of Dorn, or Hopps in LF, Stubs in CF, and Bruce in RF would be outstanding!

I am just not into all the HR's I would definitly let dunn walk, or trade him, and get rid of griffey. We would still have Votto, Edwin, Bruce, Phillips, worth a guaranteed 25+ hommers each. That is plenty of pop, and then we add an outfield with speed and defense, that would be perfect!

[The Duke]

admin said:

Well, I think the service time considerations are a good reason to start him in triple-1.

That said, I'd much prefer to have Hopper starting in center than C-Patt.

When you're the Reds you need to think about service time, and if Bruce's arbitration can be pushed back another year, that much the better.

[bkleo504]

I think Patterson may just be another Krivsky steal replacing Hamilton. He's tearing up the spring right now, and if he can keep this up then I believe he may be a valuable part of this team for the coming years where Bruce can play RF. I think as of now it appears Bruce shouldn't be coming up unless for neccessity out of an injury or Griff/Dunn trade.

[The Duke]

bkleo504 said:

I think Patterson may just be another Krivsky steal replacing Hamilton. He's tearing up the spring right now, and if he can keep this up then I believe he may be a valuable part of this team for the coming years where Bruce can play RF. I think as of now it appears Bruce shouldn't be coming up unless for neccessity out of an injury or Griff/Dunn trade.

Exactly, In case of an injury to Griffey or Dunn, or if we get a good trade involving one of them, then being up Bruce to play in the corners, where he is a plus defender, vs in center where he would probably be league average.

[jake2bake4]

I still like Hopper a lot more in CF. Patterson has done well this spring but I just don't think we can base his performance solely this spring and not his past seasons. Hopper was very good last year and seemed to always be in the middle of the action. Him batting leadoff would really make this team better in my opinion.

[The Duke]

I think Patterson has at least played himself into a shot at the starting spot. I think we'll see a platoon of him and Hopper in CF to start the year, which works well because they can both bat leadoff. They are earily similar players except for Patterson having more pop in his bat and Hopper making better contact.