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.