Reds August 2023 thread

[CJD]

(08-05-2023, 12:13 PM)samhain Wrote: It seems like CES is making good adjustments as well.  He's not mashing homers, but he is getting on base a lot.  I have to think that eventually the power that everyone talks about him having will follow suit in time.

Also, unrelated: I'm starting to miss having India in the lineup.  He may not be the face of the team any longer, but he's still a hell of a lot better than Newman, Senzel, or Fairchild.  It's getting tougher to ignore the fact that his absence coincides with the beginning of the decline.  

It really boggles the mind to think that Reds fans (myself included) were worried about having enough spots in the everyday lineup to cram CES, Elly, and McLain in at the MLB level.  I mean, shit, they apparently have enough room for all 3 of Fairchild, Senzel and Newman, so I'm not sure it was ever a problem.  

Also think it's criminal for a healthy Benson to be on the bench.  When he's not a the bottom of the lineup, the opposing pitcher gets the dead spots that the Reds don't normally give teams between the guys that can rake.

Newman, Senzel and Fairchild weren't playing because we didn't have the bats to fill the lineup. They were playing because David Bell is a dedicated follower and worshipper of the "Splits Doctrine." If the starter is left handed, Bell will sit Fraley, Benson and sometimes even Friedl. 

I don't mind giving Senzel Fraley's ABs because Fraley is really bad against lefties, but Friedl is just as good against lefties as he is against righties. And Benson has only had 24 career ABs against lefties and, personally, I think he should be given a chance to show he is more than just a platoon player. He has been on fire for 2+ months straight (.769 OPS in 6 games in May, 1.073 OPS in June, .997 OPS in July). 

Especially if dropping Benson means more ABs for Fairchild... 

Our future infield is still likely to be Marte at 3B, EDLC at SS, McLain at 2B and CES at 1B. That leaves DH wide open for India in 2024, or maybe he could transition to LF or something like that. Right now, Votto is taking up a lot of those DH ABs and they're also still fiddling with Stephenson at DH when he's not catching (and he's not really great at hitting or catching at the moment). Votto may not be here next year and almost certainly won't be here in 2025, so there will be room in our lineup for India. It's just a matter of time before Marte arrives and pressed India even harder for playing time this year and next year.