Mark Sheldon had this piece over at MLB.com about Cincinnati’s search for a leadoff hitter for 2011. There is no easy, or obvious, solution. My guess is that Brandon Phillips returns to the leadoff spot next season, but no one believes that BP is an ideal leadoff hitter. Drew Stubbs may get another shot, and he’s probably the best of the in-house candidates, as far as I can tell.
If the Reds are going to go outside the organization to find someone for this role, barring some kind of blockbuster trade, it will probably have to be a left fielder or shortstop. Sheldon mentions a few names, some who don’t interest me at all (Scott Podsednik, Coco Crisp) and one who is nothing but a dream (Carl Crawford). Anyone else available?
If I were manager, I’d pencil Ryan Hanigan into the leadoff spot five times a week. That’s how I roll.