1. Stubbs
2. Hanigan
3. Votto
4. Rolen
5. Phillips
6. Bruce
7. Gomes
8. Gonzalez (I’d prefer to see Valaika given a shot, but whatev)
9. Pitcher (unless it’s Owings, in which I’d bat him 8th)

Ta-Da! :)

If Bruce is back, He’d be in RF, I’d like to see another SS, but i don’t think we have anyone ready, you could try Janish there, but I don’t think that is likely if Gonsalez is healthy, he’d be in there if nothing else for defense and a little more pop. I’m not that big on Gomes, I like him as a pitch hitter better ( too slow in the field). As for the two hole, I put Phillips there, because he doesn’t belong in cleanup spot! I agree that he does hit in too manny GIDP, and has poor OBP, I agree that he probably does belong in 5 or 6 hole, but I think it would be asking too much of Heisey in the two hole, and don’t think Hanigan is a good fit there either (too slow). I think that if you put Phillips there, it still gives you some speed at the top of the order, and I think his approach at the plate would change, by trying to make more contact , and move guys over or get on himself,(instead of swinging for the fences most of the time) for Votto and the guys behind him to drive him in. I think hitting in front of Votto, he might get more pitches to hit, and if he gets on he could put pressure on the defense with his speed and potential for the SB ( Not that I think that he would steal alot of bases, but his potential to steal and decent speed would be good at the top of the order, and could put pressure on the defense, and would also provide decent hit and run possibilities, with him behind the leadoff man, and with Votto behind him) .

When Bruce is back I would try this order.

1. Stubbs CF(if ready)
2. Phillips 2ND
3. Votto 1ST
4. Rollen 3RD
5. Bruce RF
6. Heisey LF(if ready)
7. Hanigan C
8.Gonsalez SS(Janish,Sutton?,Valaika?Frazier?…, at SS or at 2ND, If you move Phillips to SS)
9. Pitcher

I"d like to see a few of the young guys, get a look!!!

 I like Gomes alright for a pitch hitter or 4th or 5th OF, I think of him more as DH type of player , or spot start player.

I like Nix also, but until he learns to hit off speed stuff more consistantly, I look at him more like Gomes, Better defense, but a 4th or 5th OF, pitch hitter type, but I do think he has more potential, to become a every day OF, I think with some better plate discipline, and less holes in his swing, it’s possible.

I’d still like to get a look at the young guys though!

If the young guys aren’t ready!

1. Dickerson CF
2. Phillips 2ND
3. Votto 1ST
4. Rollen 3RD
5. Bruce RF
6. Nix LF or Gomes RF and Bruce LF( I think Gomes is better suited for RF, and think Bruce could play any Of position well as well as Dickerson and Nix)
7. Hanigan C
8. Gonsalez SS (Janish, Sutton,Rosalez…., at SS or at 2ND, If you move Phillips to SS)
9. Pitcher

If the young guys aren’t ready!

I forgot to mention, I like Dickerson as well, but I’m not sure he’s an every day OF as well, I think his defense is pretty good, I know he had trouble early in the year, but I think, he has shown since then that his defense is pretty good. I’m not sure his bat is, but i’m kindof up in the air about that!

As far as Taveras, I like his speed but don’t think he’s a good leadoff man, and other than few good plays he’s made, here and there, in the field, like that catch against the wall Tuesday, and the assists he made the other day, I’ve been disapointed with his defense as well as his bat.
I look at him as an 4th or 5th OF, pitch hitter, pitch runner, as well as the others!!!