Does Drew Stubbs Need to Hit Well to Stay with the Reds?

Listed below, are the points and counterpoints about whether Drew Stubbs needs to hit well to stay with the Reds:

Point: Yes, Drew Stubbs' performance in the minors was not good enough to tolerate a weak bat.

Counterpoint: No, Stubbs' glove is so good that he stays unless he is failing miserably at the dish.

P: Stubbs had a .715 OPS in AAA in 2009.

CP: His OPS was .762 when he came up to the Reds. His minor league OPS was .765. What is your point?

P: My point is that if Stubbs swings like a girl, he should go back down and let the Reds know he is ready.

CP: His defense is spectacular. On a team built on pitching and defense, he needs to play. Great defense does not have a slump.

P: I can't see how Stubbs has done enough to be handed the starting center field job.

CP: I agree that if he's at the Mendoza line in early May, he will end up Louisville.

P: His history tells us that he will struggle.

CP: At worst, Stubbs can replace Jonny Gomes late in games, with Dickerson sliding over to left. And during the season, Stubbs' bat will probably come alive.

P: That plan won't work. A prospect like Stubbs needs to play and would need to be at Louisville. If the Reds want to win, they can't wait for his bat to come alive.

CP: At some point, a player needs to be given his shot at the major league level.

P: I'd say .715 in AAA equates to about .650 in the majors. That won't cut it.

CP: Do they have a better option today that can field and get on base?

P: Well, they have Chris Dickerson.

CP: Dickerson is a nice player with good on-base skills. However, his ceiling isn't close to Stubbs'.

P: The other thing we know about Stubbs is that when he gets to a level, he does well. After time, his numbers go down.

CP: That just shows that Stubbs has been inconsistent.

P: The Reds should avoid a platoon and choose between Stubbs and Dickerson. A line-up with both will just be too weak. I love Stubbs' defense as much as the next guy. However, the difference between him and Dickerson with the glove is very little.

CP: You are crazy. Stubbs is far better than Dickerson defensively. Stubbs is going to be a better player long-term and needs to play.

P: Don't judge Dickerson on his play in left field last year. He has not had a lot of experience there.

CP: He made some really bad plays though.

P: He'll show that he is almost as good as Stubbs.

CP: They should give Stubbs a long leash to get comfortable.

P: Only horrible teams let guys work through their struggles. Whatever happened to players hitting their way into the lineup?

CP: It isn't like he will not hit. Also, the only edge you can reasonably give to Dickerson over Stubbs is on-base percentage. There is more to baseball than just OBP, though.

P: Stubbs strikes out and his power with the Reds is a mirage.

CP: Stubbs has excellent speed. He plays gold glove defense. Let him play.

P: I hope they both play over Laynce Nix.

CP: Agreed on that.

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