A Sad Time To Be a Reds Fan

Young Jay Bruce is here but veterans Adam Dunn and Ken Griffey Jr. are now gone. One of the 2008 Reds’ biggest success stories and surprises, Jerry Hairston Jr., is still unable to play due to hamstring problems. The Reds have now been left with gaping holes in an outfield lineup that already lacked depth. Corey Patterson, despite his batting average of .189, is likely to receive more playing time. Andy Phillips, a 31 year old utility player who is hitting only .180 on the season, seems like another likely candidate to place in the outfield. The Reds are set to call up 26 year old centerfielder Chris Dickerson for Tuesday’s game against the Pirates to make his major league debut. Despite being ranked by Baseball America as the fastest baserunner and best athlete in the Reds’ minor league system Dickerson hardly seems like a star in the making. He has hit .287 for the season at AAA Louisville and is currently on a hot streak, hitting .341 in the past 10 games. Dickerson has already struck out 102 times in 349 Abs in AAA and seems likely to be a strikeout machine. He will likely be an improvement defensively over both Griffey and Dunn but should nevertheless provide a serious drop in offensive production in the outfield. Even before Dunn’s trade the Reds had been in a sorry state. The Reds were finally able to trade Griffey for two players on July 31st after going 1-5 in series with Colorado and Houston. After his departure the Reds have gone 1-9. Rather than attempting to resign Dunn or settling for supplementary picks in next year’s draft Walt Jocketty chose to trade his top homerun hitter and annual team leader in on-base percentage for a single A pitcher and two players to be named later. Such a move seems only able to make the Reds worse, although that seems impossible. Unlike on other losing teams these trades are not being used to provide roster spots for young players – instead a lack of outfield depth is insuring that two utility players, both of whom are hitting below .200, are likely to receive far more playing time than before, along with a no-name 26 year old centerfield prospect. An outfield of Corey Patterson, Chris Dickerson, Andy Phillips, and Jay Bruce? Although I have a great deal of respect for young Jay Bruce his outfield teammates leave much to be desired. Patterson can run and field but can’t hit, Andy Phillips can’t run or hit, and Chris Dickerson’s abilities are yet to be determined. It is a sorry day to be a Reds fan.