Kirkendall Posted October 9, 2004 Report Share Posted October 9, 2004 Looks like it's going to happen..From Cincy E.The Reds are going to try the Austin Kearns-at-third-base experiment after all. Kearns will go to the Instructional League in Sarasota, Fla., for a 10-day crash course beginning Tuesday. He's a willing pupil."I think if it works out, it can be beneficial to me and the team," Kearns said.The Reds are open-minded."We have no preconceived conclusions whatsoever," Reds general manager Dan O'Brien said.But if it works, it will be a tremendous boon for the Reds. By playing Kearns at third, the Reds could play Ken Griffey Jr. in right field to cut down on the wear and tear to his legs. That would open center field for Wily Mo Pena.Kearns, Griffey, Pena, Adam Dunn and Sean Casey would give the Reds a tremendous lineup from the third through the seventh spots.The Reds did not bring up the move to Kearns until after the season."I was a little surprised by that," Kearns said. "There had been so much talk of it in the media."The move was Kearns' choice."If he was not motivated to do it, we wouldn't have done it," O'Brien said.Kearns is coming off an injury-plagued season. He hit .230 with nine home runs and 32 RBI in 64 games. But he played much better late in the year. He hit .254 with six home runs and 19 RBI over his last 36 games. That's a 30-homer/95-RBI clip. Kearns is confident he'll be able to play at third. He played shortstop and third in high school. His arm is the best on the team, and his baseball instincts are very good for a 24-year-old. Kearns played two games at third in rookie ball. "Hopefully, I can do it," he said. "It's going to take a lot of work. But I'm willing to try it." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skyline Posted October 9, 2004 Report Share Posted October 9, 2004 If it works out, then GREAT. I don't know what Kearns' glove is like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bengalsfan33 Posted October 10, 2004 Report Share Posted October 10, 2004 This is going to be scary. I hope to see him do good there, since it is one of our weakest positions... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbarian Posted October 10, 2004 Report Share Posted October 10, 2004 Couldn't be any worse than Larson, correct??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
williamnminor Posted October 10, 2004 Report Share Posted October 10, 2004 With Kearns at third we no longer have to trade Casey to make room for Griffey at first, which would give us a solid lineup including Kearns, Casey, Dunn. Griffey (???), Willy Mo Pena. Sounds ok right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xjjeep90 Posted October 11, 2004 Report Share Posted October 11, 2004 What happends to Lopez and Castro? Is Larkin definitely coming back? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skyline Posted October 11, 2004 Report Share Posted October 11, 2004 What happends to Lopez and Castro? Is Larkin definitely coming back? Larkin wants to play another year. Now, we've got to see how the Reds respond. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbarian Posted October 11, 2004 Report Share Posted October 11, 2004 What happends to Lopez and Castro? Is Larkin definitely coming back?Larkin wants to play another year. Now, we've got to see how the Reds respond. My opinion about Larkin is this:GET HIM THE HELL OUTTA HERE!!! The Deads are trying to rebuild!!! With Larkin still on this team, they won't be able to find his replacement at SS.And NO, don't sign him back at minimum either. Larkin is over the hill. Let Larkin walk.There's my 2 Cents on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skyline Posted October 11, 2004 Report Share Posted October 11, 2004 What happends to Lopez and Castro? Is Larkin definitely coming back?Larkin wants to play another year. Now, we've got to see how the Reds respond. My opinion about Larkin is this:GET HIM THE HELL OUTTA HERE!!! The Deads are trying to rebuild!!! With Larkin still on this team, they won't be able to find his replacement at SS.And NO, don't sign him back at minimum either. Larkin is over the hill. Let Larkin walk.There's my 2 Cents on it. I agree with you Barbarian. I love Larkin. I grew up with him. I also think the Reds will take a TON of pr crap if they don't re-sign him. Still, it's best for the team at this point...I'm not saying Larkin is washed up...I still think he's an above average short stop. Still, we're just delaying the process here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Brew Man Posted October 11, 2004 Report Share Posted October 11, 2004 I like the idea of Kearns at third, its been since the freaking Chris Sabo days since weve had a solid glove and bat over there. Maybe Kearns can learn the position and contribute over there. And maybe not get hurt as much too.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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