Patterson in center, Suprise is on other OF

[missbaseball]

Patterson to open season in center
But manager Baker doesn't know who's on first in that game
By Brittany Ghiroli / MLB.com
cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080329&content_id=2465355&vkey=news_cin&fext=.jsp&c_id=cin

If anyone did not think Patterson would not start in CF is crazy despit his 1hit in his last 16 at bats.
The suprise is Freel left in Florida and if Patterson does ok. Freel will be traded . If they don't like the trades offered then, he will just be released.

I do not like this one bit.

[missbaseball]

Rotoworld had something to say too about the decision.
www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/playerbreakingnews.asp?sport=MLB&id=2956&line=232423&spln=1

Reds' Patterson to start on Opening Day
Corey Patterson - OF - CIN - Mar. 29 - 7:17 pm et
Reds manager Dusty Baker announced that Corey Patterson would start in center field at the beginning of the season.
The Reds will face right-handers in their first two games, so Patterson will almost certainly start both games. Baker didn't clarify whether Patterson would continue to play against lefties. Ryan Freel and Norris Hopper could both prove to be better options. Mar. 29 - 7:17 pm et

[awnawboi21]

I hated the move when they signed him, but Patterson has earned the start over anybody not named Jay Bruce....

Freel could easily still be a 5th OFer until Bruce is "ready." He's not staying in Sarasota during the season I don't believe. He's expected back in Cincy on Monday, along with Hopp.

[Lark11]

I still don't like the Patterson signing. I think Hopper is the best option to start in center and I'm not sure how 30-40 Spring Training ABs changes that.

I like Freel, but not as a full-time starter. He's the baseball equivalent of a "fresh legs" soccer player. Use him at the appropriate times to give the team a shot in the arm.

In addition, I'm not sure Patterson actually is a better defensive player than Hopper, but the moment he signed it was clear that he was going to be the centerfielder.

[bkleo504]

Releasing Freel would be stupid. He's a stud as a utlity guy. Also, I like Patterson's skills, but hopefully Dusty doesn't have too much loyalty to him because his OBP is terrible.