Freel on Hamilton

by satyanaas on Apr 16, 2007 6:27 PM EDT

A statement by Freel on Josh Hamilton from C. Trent:

"Whatever it may be. I don't know if it's the advantage or disadvantage of being a utility guy. The disadvantage, I know when I was playing second base and Phillips came over here and started hot, he eventually ended up getting that position. He's just a utility player. The next year I'm going to be playing center field and you've got a guy who can flat-out play. He's a stud. There's no question about it. He's a fist pick for a reason. What he did in spring, the kid can hit. He hit .400 in the spring, I don't care who you are, you hit .400 in the spring and play every day like he did, that shows a lot about your talent. I'll be the first one to tell you, I can't hit 20-25 home runs, I'm not going to get you 100 RBIs, this guy can. I know there are a lot of eyebrows raised about him playing, I'll be the first to tell you, this guy needs to play. He's that kind of a player. He can flat-out play. He's a five-tool player. I know he's gone through some off-the field problems, I know how focused he is now and his faith in God and what he's done to get where he's at, and now his talent has taken over. He's going to be an All-Star, that's what kind of player he is. Whether I am or not, I can't tell you, but he is. If they want to move me back to the infield here and there, the last few days I've been getting ready for that. Jerry hasn't said anything to me about it, but I can read between the lines. I know you have to have a guy like that in the lineup. He's one of the better athletes I've ever seen. The sky's the limit for him. I'll put myself aside any day, any time in order for us to win a championship. Regardless of what he's done, or what he's being paid or whatever, he's a guy who can play everyday and he's going to put up big numbers if you stick with him. I don't have any problem with that - especially now. I just want to win. He's a game-changer, one swing of the bat, he can change the game. I'm not that kind of player, I'm the type of guy who needs to get on base, steal some bags, I'm not going to hit 30 home runs. I'm not going to do it."

Pretty cool that Freel is willing to move around to accomodate some ABs for Hobbs. Hope management was listening.

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2 things

We can all guess how good Hamilton could be. What he needs now is to get significant playing time. If he has to stay on the major league roster all year, then it will have to be at the major league level. I'm more optimistic about his long-term chances if he plays a lot this year rather than sitting on the bench. I can say for sure that he doesn't need another year of not playing.
How about Freel. I was a little ambivalent about his new contract, now I'm not. I don't care if he starts one time a week or six times a week. I want that guy on my team and in my clubhouse.

by ctnyc on Apr 16, 2007 6:38 PM EDT reply actions

re: 2.

I second that sentiment. Farney's been feeding him some better thoughts.

by satyanaas on Apr 16, 2007 7:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Thirded

Freel cements himself even further as one my all-time favorites: on and off the field (well, except that pesky DUI)

"Players have two things to do. Play and keep their mouths shut." -Sparky Anderson

by boohiss on Apr 17, 2007 8:18 AM EDT up reply actions

Management had better have been listening...

Currently Under Construction.

by crolfer on Apr 16, 2007 6:38 PM EDT reply actions

He's been saying this since at least the beginning of spring training. Not necessarily about Hamilton in particular, but he's said he thinks his value is the highest as a utility guy. He said he likes playing different positions, and that he wears down if he has to play every day.

Honestly, I don't see why so many people think Freel would be upset if someone else became the starting CFer. He's said all along that he wouldn't mind.

All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named "Bubba"?

by BubbaFan on Apr 16, 2007 6:51 PM EDT reply actions

i dont think its about freel

i think its about narron

And in the end the love you take is equal to the love you make.

by boobs on Apr 16, 2007 6:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Being upset

Have people been saying that? What I like about his comments is the recognition of what his strengths and weaknesses and putting the team and winning ahead of himself. Especially surprising coming from such a seemingly competitive player. I mean, its pretty much what he should be saying, but its not often that you hear something out a player like that let alone on the day of a contract extension.

by satyanaas on Apr 16, 2007 7:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Narron

In the pregame show, he kept calling him Freelie, I think. It was quite garbled. Whatever the case, let's not let that stick.

Freel rocks.

by greg456 on Apr 16, 2007 7:08 PM EDT reply actions

How would it work?

If they want to move me back to the infield here and there, the last few days I've been getting ready for that.

EdE should play every day until he shows he can't play 3B, which he hasn't.
AGon should play every day, because they signed him to.
BP should play every day over Free - similar bat, much better glove.
Hatte/Conine were signed specifically to platoon at 1B, both give exactly what's expected of them, and Freel's bat would be a black hole at 1B.

just....wow.

by sidnancy on Apr 16, 2007 7:26 PM EDT reply actions

Good question

I don't mind him one day a week at 2B and 3B respectively. Rotate everybody around.

by satyanaas on Apr 16, 2007 7:29 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't think there would be a problem

Freel is so versatile, there would always be a role for him. He could play for A-Gon this week, for Dunn yesterday, etc. There's always someone who needs a day off for some reason or another.

All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named "Bubba"?

by BubbaFan on Apr 16, 2007 9:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Absolutely!

Freel can play four days a week in four different positions. This gives everyone else a breather once every couple weeks, so everyone stays fresh. Plus, someone's bound to get injured for a longer stretch. That's where Freel's so valuable. I love this idea.

by ben nevis on Apr 17, 2007 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions

Unselfishness

It's great to read this statement from Freel. We should also recognize that Scott Hatteberg has been saying similar things about his platoon situation, and willingness to put others ahead of himself if it's for the good of the team. Basically, the exact opposite of what's been happening in Milwaukee with their RF situation.

We're showing a lot of great character on this team between Freel (DUIs notwithstanding), Hatte, Dunn, Griffey, Hamilton's recovery, and all the rest. Makes me even prouder to be a Reds fan.

And as far as Freel playing the infield as a utility guy, I think it would work fine. He can spell Phillips and Castro can fill in for Gonzalez, and they can alternate with Edwin. I'd see Freel in the outfield more though. As much as I like Hamilton, I don't think he is going to play every day. He's made the leap from A ball to the bigs with a three and a half year hiatus; I don't think it translates to full playing time, as good as he's been. And then you have both Griffey and Freel, who have a tendency to get hurt (Hamilton, too). Injuries could shake loose any logjam. I think they have already, with Denorfia and Hopper going on the DL.

To sum up, I was a little leery about this extension, but I'm feeling better and better about it. I like having Farney around, and he helps keep a solid core group.

by Brendanukkah on Apr 16, 2007 7:46 PM EDT reply actions

sometimes...

stats and precedent don't matter. there's something special about hamilton, and you can't quantify what it is about him. he has three homers in how many hits? five?

he's not kevin maas, either. he's the real deal. baseball people are in awe.

Blessed be Baseball

by Daedalus on Apr 16, 2007 11:47 PM EDT up reply actions

EdE

needs a road trip in a bats uniform, sure did the trick for him last year. I did not like his attitude with the Ump yesterday, I was yellin for the Ump to throw him out, he plays best when he finds his state of Humble.

GO REDS!

by ewquinn on Apr 16, 2007 9:05 PM EDT reply actions

Hamilton & Freel

Does Freel's contract extension make him more marketable? Sure. But Junior is extremely fragile and it's wise to have 4 starting calibar OF's, and Freel gives the added flexibility of being able to play 2B/3B.

Hamilton, according to one scout, is "the best position player on the Reds....and it's not even close". Think about that. He's definitely the best OF defender, definitely has the best arm, might be the fastest Red, probably works the count as good as anyone not named Conine/Hatteberg. He's 2nd in homers and RBI, and has a whopping 17 at bats.

Is it ignorance or apathy? Hey, I don't know and I don't care...

by obc on Apr 17, 2007 8:13 AM EDT reply actions

When does Hamilton hit 'the wall'?

No one seems to mention it (that I've seen), but Hamilton is going to wear down at some point this year. He can't possibly have the stamina for 150+ games, and remember, he played 25 or so games in spring training. As much as I'd like to see him play every day, I don't want to burn him up before the All Star game.

I wonder if they're holding him back a little for that reason alone.......nah, Narron can't possibly be that smart.

by jch24 on Apr 17, 2007 11:10 AM EDT reply actions

That is something I'm concerned about, too

As a young player who's already missed too much time, you want to see him get a lot of at-bats every day.

OTOH...he has a history of being injury-prone. Every season of pro ball he's ever played has ended in surgery. It's probably smart not to push him too hard.

All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named "Bubba"?

by BubbaFan on Apr 17, 2007 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions