When it was announced that Joey Votto had fractured his thumb and would be heading to the injured list there was a lot of discussion about how the defense could possibly be moved around and shook up to give the Reds the best mix of both offense and defense in his absence. This afternoon when the lineup was announced it saw Eugenio Suárez at third base. It also had Nick Senzel at second base, Kyle Farmer at shortstop, Mike Moustakas at first base, and Jonathan India on the bench. One lineup doesn’t mean it’s written in stone as “the plan” moving forward. But boy did that lineup get people all kinds of #madonline.
In the few hours since that lineup came out there has been far too much thought (and in some cases, anger) put out there on what it means. The manager of the Cincinnati Reds did not even have a chance to address the media and answer any questions or even explain the single day lineup.
“I think we’ll take it one day at a time,” said manager David Bell about the defensive situation. “This is all very new. One of the things that has made it nice is that we have players that are versatile and we have players that are more importantly willing to do whatever it takes to open up possibilities to put our best team on the field each night.”
The next few weeks without Joey Votto could see plenty of shuffling around of the lineup and the positions. The Cincinnati Reds have plenty of possible options as to where plenty of guys could play.
“I do think it’s a day to day thing,” Bell said. “Geno showed that he played a solid shortstop. That’s certainly not off the table. There’s a high likelihood when Joey comes back that it would go back to the way that it was. It just opens up the possibility like I said to put our best team on the field each night.”
Mike Moustakas, who is moving from one corner of the infield today to the other, is echoing much of what Bell said. He seems to expect some movement depending on the day and how things are shaking out.
“I think it’s a day-by-day type of thing we’re going to do,” said Mike Moustakas on playing first base. “Today’s lineup I’m obviously at first base, but tomorrow could be different, the next day could be different. I think that’s a strength we have though is being able to play multiple positions. A lot of guys can play multiple positions, so being able to have that flexibility is really nice.”
Seems like what most people are angry about is India being on the bench. If he would’ve been in there, any where, in the place of Farmer, I dont think there would’ve been near the backlash.
I think you are correct. A growing anti Farmer opinion is getting more steam. I get it. India has hit a bit better as he did have a great first week, but since then not much. Can India play SS? Send him down for a few weeks and find out. I believe they already know the answer.
This works for me. It seemed easiest thing to do was not mess with SS and put India or Senzel at 3B w/ Moose to 1B. What they did is change 4 positions to be marginally better at 1(ss) defensively.
Or even simpler, put the guy from the catching corps who isn’t catching at 1B and be done with it. That still leaves Farmer as a backup/ emergency catcher.
To easy buddy.You wait till the games.Double switches will happen faster then you can say the words.Grab your glove you could be playing short.
That’s a good point Rog. If it comes time for a Bell double switch and Farmer is the one to come out, who will be the SS. Will he put Suarez back there or try India maybe in an “emergency situation”. Probably not but it’s a nice thought. Some might say we wouldn’t want to put someone out of position at SS. I would say Suarez playing there is definitely OUT OF POSITION. 🙂
It’s one day. People are big #madonline over one day. And big #madonline that a guy who hasn’t played an inning of shorstop since August of 2018 isn’t playing shortstop today. It’s a bit much.
Playing India at shortstop or Senzel for that matter isn’t the issue in my mind. It’s Farmer playing instead of India. India isn’t hitting particularly well but then Farmer generally hasn’t either. Again, in my decrepit old mind, Farmer s anther Darryl Chaney (you young guys can look him up). India has an upside. Farmer doesn’t. Bell just likes him.
India could have played 2B and Senzel in CF without either one having to play SS. Just one game. We’ll see. If Alfrod continues to hit there will be a strong case to bring him up in which case things will get even more interesting.
Not me Doug.I could get mad if I knew how many innings Senzel has played at second base in the last 2 or 3 years but I don’t so I won’t be.
“Geno showed that he played a solid shortstop”. – David Bell
HMMMM hahaha!!!
Seriously Melvin, when does what Bell says ever make sense? How many guys batting under .200 tonight? I’m sure it’s just bad luck. Right?
I’m glad someone besides me caught that to
Most are numb to it LOL it’s the only way to survive
#firstworldproblems
I don’t know how he said that with a straight face unless he actually believes it then we have an even bigger problem. lol
He must mean that Suarez knew where the position was and didn’t fall down a lot once he got there. A low bar.
I’ve been reflecting on the title of this piece.
In truth, except for 1B and SS this season, the title has been true all along.
When has the lineup not looked different from day to day?
RF and LF have been consistent as well. I personally like defensive versatility, their next move might have to be expanding India’s positional flexibility, probably best done in AAA.
India is 6 for his last 47 for all you Farmer haters. He has really struggled after his first 20+ ABs.
Does Farmer’s 9 for 52 on the season look all that much better that you would prefer your utility guy over a prospect?
No hate for Farmer. His role is what it is
I think Bell is just trying to get more left-handed batters against a righty, especially without Votto. The decision is not really Senzel/Farmer vs India, but Naquin/Akiyama vs India. There are essentially five outfielders in the lineup and back in NL ballparks without the DH it will be even more of a mess.
Well and good but if that’s the case we’re back to Bell’s assumption that a bad hitting lefty against a righty pitcher is better than a good hitting righty.
And that just isn’t true