Sunday, October 07, 2001
Reds expect more offense next season
Full years from Dunn, Jr., Larkin key for '02
By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The Reds should be a better offensive team next year for three reasons:
• A full year of Barry Larkin.
• A full year of Ken Griffey Jr.
• A full year of Adam Dunn.
“I think, when healthy, our lineup can compete with anyone — certainly in our division,” Reds manager Bob Boone said.
Larkin, who played only 45 games this year because of a groin injury and a sports hernia, is one of the best table-setters in the league. He can be counted on to hit .300, walk 80 to 90 times and steal 20 to 40 bases.
With Dunn and Griffey hitting behind him, that should translate to a lot of runs. Griffey, who missed 70 starts this year because of a hamstring tear, still leads the team in home runs with 22 and has 65 RBI, third on the team. He averaged 53 home runs and 142 RBI in his last three healthy seasons.
Dunn, who wasn't promoted from the minors until July 20, has 19 homers and 43 RBI. Over a full season, that projects to 50 homers and 114 RBI.
“You always think of ways to get better,” Boone said. “But I feel pretty comfortable with the guys coming up in the 2002 season. We've got balance. We'd like to have a little bit more speed. You like to be able to do things to manufacture runs.
“But we'll be able to bang with anybody. We can now. If you don't pitch good to us, we'll hurt you.”
The biggest question regarding the starting eight is the Larkin-Todd Walker-Pokey Reese decision.
The Reds would seem to have three players (all making good money by Cincinnati payroll standards) for two positions, shortstop and second base.
“All three are very talented players,” Reds general manager Jim Bowden said. “If any of the three was moved, it would be to improve the team in other areas.”
Could all three return?
“Anything is possible,” Bowden said.
How the situation is resolved depends on whether the Reds want to improve their defense and speed or their offense.
Walker is a second baseman. Reese is a natural shortstop but a two-time Gold Glove-winner at second base. Larkin is a three-time Gold Glove-winning shortstop, but he will turn 38 in April, and there has been talk of eventually shifting him to another position.
Larkin is the least likely to be traded because of his contract ($9million for 2002) and the fact that he must approve any trade because he is a player with five years on the same team and 10 years in the majors.
If the Reds want offense, Walker will stay. If they want speed and defense, Reese will stay.
“Our defense has to get better,” Boone said. “Our infield defense has to get better.”
Larkin and Reese are the Reds' best double-play combination. But Reese has gone from hitting .285 in 1999 to .255 in 2000 and .225 this season, and he wants out of Cincinnati. Walker has hovered around .300 since coming to the Reds in a trade from Colorado, and his power numbers — 17 homers and 75 RBI — are superior to any Reese has produced.
It may come down to who can get the most on the trade market. The Chicago Cubs are said to be interested in Reese, and there was talk about trading Reese to them for young right-hander Juan Cruz and another player.
If that trade still is available, the Reds might make it, because as comfortable as they are with their lineup, they are just as uncomfortable with their starting pitching.
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Reds expect more offense next season
