Alonso is 1B, only

According to John Fay:

The Hawaii Winter League wrapped up Sunday. The Waikiki BeachBoys, featuring Reds' prospects Yonder Alonso and Todd Frazier, won the title.

Both put up excellent numbers: Alonso hit .308/.419/.510, Frazier .295/.375/.547. Frazier led the league in slugging.

"They both swung the bat really well," farm director Terry Reynolds. "Frazier came back OK from the concussion. It was good to see both of them play well."

The plan for Alonso?

"He'll compete for a job with Carolina," Reynolds said. "If that doesn't work out, he'll be the first baseman with Sarasota."

Apparently, the talk of playing Alonso at third base as well as first is over.

"I would doubt that he'll play any third," Reynolds said. "If he does, it would be out of necessity. He's a first baseman."

So - to me - this seems to bring up a dilemma that I don't see the Reds biting into right now.

If Alonso is an everyday 1B and nothing else - what to do with Votto?

Most people say it easily: move him to LF and fill that hole. Excuse me, it's not that easy.

If you make that move, which the Reds need to get on to it, if they are doing it, then you are sacrificing defense, once again.

I feel like I should rename this blog and concern it strictly with defense but the point is - the Reds defense has killed them the last few years. Granted a few other things were tied in to make the last few years dreadful, but defense has been an overarching problem with this club for a long time.

The problem with the Reds mentality is they draft and train as an AL team - HEY people in charge: WE DON'T HAVE A SPOT FOR A DH, or three spots.

So what has to be done, because I have no good idea on this, and spare me of the simple: move Votto to LF; it's not that easy.

Jocketty: Greene no Red

According to John Fay Khalil Greene will not be a Red anytime soon. From his blog:

--The Reds are not interested in San Diego shortstop Khalil Greene. If they obtain a shortstop, it will be a young player. "We've still got (Alex) Gonzalez," Jocketty said. "If he's not healthy, we've got options with (Jeff) Keppinger and (Paul) Janish. If we were able to get a 0-to-3 guy who was an upgrade, we'd consider it. Greene doesn't make sense."

--The Reds will not trade young pitching, i.e., Johnny Cueto or Edinson Volquez. That's what other teams have been asking for. "No," Jocketty said. "I don't see that happening."

--The Reds were probably among the club talking to Texas about their catching surplus. Jocketty wouldn't talk about that rumor specifically, but said: "We talked to clubs about catching. Everyone wants catching, so I don't think anything's going to happen right away."

--Jocketty met with free agent Jerry Hairston Jr.'s agent. "I feel like we made some progress there," he said. He plans to talk to the agents for David Weathers, Jeremy Affeldt and Mike Lincoln this week.

Generally talks that begin at GM meeting are followed up at Winter Meetings.

"We talked to a lot of clubs," Jocketty said. "You want to see what clubs are looking for. It's exploratory at this point."

We can now put that sick dog to bed.

Six things to think about: defensively

The fan in me says the Reds aren't far from being a good team. The realist in me notices deficiences that will have to work themselves out over the course of, perhaps, a couple years.

Either way, the future looks more bright for the Reds than it did prior to this year. The removal of veteran scum in Griffey and deficienies in too many areas, Dunn, has proved to light up the blogs of Redleg nation - and it's blog too.

I have harped about this a lot already but the topic of defense is, to me, what is holding this team back the most. Defense should be noted as a priority for Jocketty and the brain team that puts the show on the field, this off season. I have faith in Jocketty as I watched my distaste he created a few years ago romp of the Reds for too long.

1. Moving Phillips is a good idea ONLY if you find a equal defensive able 2b. Such is Orlando Hudson who is available. Phillips should not be moved in any other case and this teams should NOT start Jeff Keppinger everyday. He is a good hitter and has no range. He is a great bench player and someone I am proud to have control of for other infielders off days and as a pinch hitter.
2. Encarnacion needs to go. I don't care where - it can be LF for all I care - but he needs to go somewhere else other than 3b. I am not a statistic machine and cannot produce without intense research how many runs he has allowed more than average and all that statistical jargon but, i know he has sucked bad and is streaky as hell. Move him somewhere. I am for trading him if you get something young and good, especially with Todd Frazier, Juan Fransisco and all other minor, soon to be major, stars.
3. Figure out the CF situation. If Dickerson is legitimate it will show soon into the season. And with his OBP numbers in the minors I am confident and hope others will be too. His brief stint last year showed he can be a good OF and is better, I believe in CF than Jay Bruce, Freel or any of the others the Reds throw out there. Drew Stubbs, barring setback and with continued maturation, will take over CF by the end of this year or in 2010. (crosses fingers)
4. Trade a pitcher to the Rangers for either Catcher Jarod Saltalamacchia or Taylor Teagarden. If you can't, which I don't think is an option, I believe Hanigan will be fine. (crosses fingers doubly)
5. Whats up with SS (refer to #1). No need for explanation.
6. Get Matt Holliday. I don't know how you do it but do it, without trading Volquez, Cueto, Bruce or Votto. (crosses every body part crossable)

Derek Lowe in a Reds Uniform?

Is there any truth of the Reds' interest in Mark Mulder? Yes. Is that somewhat disgusting? Kind of.

Is there any truth of the Reds' interest in Derek Lowe? There should be.

Imagine a rotation of Harang, Volquez, Cueto, Lowe and who the hell cares who else after that.

Make it happen Walt.

Now in reality, Lowe will be pricey and being 35 is a 4 or 5 year investment good? That is hard to say. But taking that risk is something that may put the Reds pitching over the top.

I think on the other hand, the Reds' pitching will be fine with Arroyo and Ramirez/Thompson/Livingston/Bailey no. 5. What do you think?

With a front 3 as good as they SHOULD be, will that no. 5 guy matter?

It would put the Reds heads and shoulders above others in the division.

Congrats Brandon Phillips!

Announced yesterday, Brandon Phillips is your 2008 NL Gold Glove at second base. Congrats to him and I hope he enjoys it and keeps up the defense, which we need.