If we clog the outfield with guys and don't have Bruce as the everyday CF if he shows he is ready, then I will be dumbfounded...
IMO Griffey, Bruce, and Dunn should be the outfield...
Votto, Phillips, Gonzo, EE should be the infield...
I think we are solid defensively with that lineup...Up the middle we would be very strong...EE showed improvement last year at 3rd, dunn and Griffey are what they are...Not sure on Votto...
Offensively we are strong lefthanded once again, but Bruce is a total upgrade as he has potential to be very special, Dunn will put up Dunn numbers, I do believe Votto will put better numbers than Hatte in terms of run producing, and if we can get another good year out of Phillips, and a better year out of EE we have a solid offense...
The one glaring weakness again is we don't have a leadoff hitter...
I don't mind guys like Hopper, Freel, Kepp getting days at positions, but they should be just that...Maybe Kepp could get back to back starts, but the other guys I just don't see that unless guys get hurt...
I think Kepp, Wilson, Hatte, Valentine give us solid bats off the bench in late game situations, Hopper and Freel give us speed...
Honestly we are stuck until we find a way to get an everyday leadoff hitter, and Lofton could be that, but where do you play him? If it stops Bruce from being in the lineup I say no...Obviously they aren't going to play Lofton over Griff or Dunn...
I will get excited if we can get solid pitching, but until then it is hard to get excited...