Tony Womack?

[Captain Cold Nose]

Why Tony Womack?

[Brad Harris]

What the %@#$&*!

We've got Freel, what on earth do we need Womack for?

Says Dan O'Brien: "We are delighted to have him....I think he feels, too, it'll be a much better fit....We just felt he was more of a prototypical National League type of player. Our lineup needed an additional speed component....I know he's in outstanding shape. I wouldn't sell him short on what he's capable of accomplishing this year." O'Brien also said the Reds plan to use Womack all over the field, in "a variety of roles."

I guess he can back-up Freel at second, but $1.1 million is kind of expensive for a pinch runner, isn't it?

So O'Brien now has the following to his credit:
1. Milton
2. Ortiz
3. Womack

Perhaps of greater concern is what we gave up for Womack: minor league hitters Kevin Howard (IF) and Ben Himes (OF). Both are 24 years old. Himes hit a combined .300 between Rookie and A-leagues last year and Howard led the AFL with a .409 batting average last month and hit .296 w/ 70 RBI for AA Chattanooga this summer.

Womack is a 36-year old utility player with a career .316 on-base percentage.

Geez.

How soon can Bob Castellini fire O'Brien?

[Ravenlord]

Womack not only will be starting at 2B, he'll be hitting first or second:

"We just felt he was more of a prototypical National League type of player. Our lineup needed an additional speed component," O'Brien said.
-Dan O'Brien

"We just felt he was more of a prototypical National League type of player. Our lineup needed an additional speed component," O'Brien said. "I know he's in outstanding shape. I wouldn't sell him short on what he's capable of accomplishing this year."

"We are delighted to have him," Reds general manager Dan O'Brien said. "I think he feels, too, it'll be a much better fit."

"I see him playing a great deal," Narron said. "I think last year he went to a situation where he wasn't going to play every day. He wants to play. It's great to see. You want guys who want to be out on the field. The big thing for us is he's another energy guy and another speed guy."


even after the Boone's are gone, nepotism is still hurting the Reds.

[reds_21]

i agree with chancellor, why can't they let freel play 2nd base and hit in the #1 spot and maybe lopex in the #2 or 3 spot. there is no need for womack, we don't need anymore outfielders and we have enough fill ins for the infield but freel in my opinion has earned his right to play. yes he does get hurt all the time but that boy is hard nosed!!!!!

reds_21

[baseballPAP]

I think this is another example of DanO letting someone jerk his pitiful puppet strings. The new owners come from St. Louis, and suddenly we're signing or trying to sign every spare part associated with them? ARGGGGHHHHHH! Let's not forget that Womack had his career year in St.Louis 2 years ago. Also lets not forget that he's 36, only kinda fast, a horrible defender, doesn't know how to get on base and has zero pop. But at least he's fiesty.:grouchy :evil

[Ravenlord]

i agree with chancellor, why can't they let freel play 2nd base and hit in the #1 spot and maybe lopex in the #2 or 3 spot. there is no need for womack, we don't need anymore outfielders and we have enough fill ins for the infield but freel in my opinion has earned his right to play. yes he does get hurt all the time but that boy is hard nosed!!!!!

reds_21
because Freel is a career utility guy, and baseball guys hate giving them a set starting role despite their superiority over the other guy.

pray Womack doesn't hit 270 or he'll lead off all year long.

[redlegsfan21]

I'm hoping Womack has a year like 2004 in which he had his best year in OBP and SLG (.349 and .385). He also was 26 for 31 on the basepaths. Of course, anyone can play well for the Cardinals.

[Brad Harris]

I think we all know what Dan O'Brien got in his stocking this year! ;)

[Ravenlord]

of course, Womack's 734 OPS in his career year was still slightly below league average for secondbasemen....

[scprideandms]

Dan O's days are numbered as Mr. Castellini will NOT accept anything other than winning.......

[redlegsfan21]

I think we all know what Dan O'Brien got in his stocking this year! ;)
Was it more cash and a contract extension?

[East Coast Bat Co]

Tony Womack is a great addition to the Reds. He will provide a spark that this team has needed. So far, I think everyone is seeing that in Spring Training. I'm excited to see what he will do for the Reds this year.

[Ravenlord]

yeah, the best offense in the NL needs a 36 year old guy who can't figure out that being on base is good and was still below average offensively in his career year. never mind he makes Ryan Freel look like Bill Mazeroski.

[East Coast Bat Co]

Lets talk about this one when the year is over. Womack will be the everyday second baseman and have a hell of a year.

[sschirmer]

yeah, the best offense in the NL needs a 36 year old guy who can't figure out that being on base is good and was still below average offensively in his career year. never mind he makes Ryan Freel look like Bill Mazeroski.

I think he adds some flexibility, particularly with Pena and Casey now gone.
I can see Freel getting time in the OF, I can see Dunn spelling Hatteburg at first, etc. I just see him as additional flexibility to this lineup.

[Ravenlord]

I just see him as additional flexibility to this lineup.
but the flexability is totally lost. his flexability is that he can suck defensively at four positions, and not hit well anywhere in the lineup. i'd much rather just give the position Womack has to Aurilia. or better yet, Olmedo or Machado.