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Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Reds Insider: Freel’s frustrated, really frustrated

I ended up with the manager
Full of lies and hate
Can you see the Freel me, can you?

Freel is angry and frustrated.

“I’m trying to be careful about what I say,” Freel said. “I’ve really got nothing good to say right now. There was a lot of stuff said that misinterpreted or mis-communicated this offseason.”

“It would have stunned a lot of people if they heard what was said about me. Apparently, I said I couldn’t play every day to the manager. Apparently, I told him that this offseason. That would have never come out of mouth.”

Therein lies the problem. Freel thinks that Dusty Baker misunderstanding of something Freel said led to some of the moves the Reds made—like bringing in Corey Patterson to play center field and leadoff.

“I talked to Wayne (Krivsky) to tell him I didn’t say that,” Freel said. “I would never in a million years say that. They gave me a two-year ($7 million) deal. I don’t think it was to do this. It’s frustrating. I can’t explain it. There’s a lot going on. It’s a shame that I had to address it like this. I didn’t want to get the media involved.”

Thanks to Fanhouse.

Repoz Posted: April 29, 2008 at 11:37 AM | 10 comment(s)
  Related News: GeneralCincinnati

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   1. Alex Gordon's #1 Fan Posted: April 29, 2008 at 11:46 AM (#2762338)
Maybe I'm in the minority, but I actually think Freel could be useful to a lot of teams. His OBA before last year was pretty darn good, and he can steal bases at a pretty good rate. His outfield defense is excellent and he can play 2B well enough that you don't have to worry about him.

His salary isn't crazy high - he would be a decent utility guy for a number of teams. If nothing else, he is way better than Corey Patterson.

Was 2007 a fluke or did his partying days catch up with him all of a sudden?
   2. TOLAXOR Posted: April 29, 2008 at 12:05 PM (#2762365)
I CAN WALK DOWN THE STREET, THERE'S NO ONE THERE
THOUGH THE PAVEMENTS ARE ONE HUGE CROWD
I CAN DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD, MY EYES DON'T SEE,
THOUGH MY MIND WANTS TO CRY OUT LOUD

I FEEL FREE, I FEEL FREE, I FEEL FREEE...
   3. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Griffin (Vlad) Posted: April 29, 2008 at 12:16 PM (#2762375)
When Freel is frustrated, Farney starts sharpening his knife.
   4. Harveys Wallbangers Posted: April 29, 2008 at 12:35 PM (#2762412)
His outfield defense is excellent

Freel only looks good relative to playing alongside two grand pianos. Freel is adequate at best.

And let's keep in mind that his style of play leads to him being injured. Ryan is best suited as a uber-utility guy.

He is stretched as an every day player. He will tire. He will get hurt. You will just have to find a replacement.
   5. Monsieur Valentin Posted: April 29, 2008 at 12:41 PM (#2762427)
Yeah, I think he's still a fine utility player. Not sure if his OF defense is excellent, but his speed allows him to make up for some bad jumps. He can drive you crazy with stupid stuff, though. Like getting picked off because he's too aggressive on the basepaths or missing the sign on a hit and run, which I think he did last night because Bako got caught stealing.

Was 2007 a fluke or did his partying days catch up with him all of a sudden?

Norris Hopper caught up to him as they were both tracking a flyball. Freel got a nasty concussion from the collision and was basically out for the rest of the year, though he hadn't been hitting well up to that point.
   6. zonk Posted: April 29, 2008 at 12:51 PM (#2762440)
What's strange is that I think one of Baker's real pluses as a manager is that he generally makes generous use of his bench... so long as you don't allow him to stock his bench with sucky players, that can be asset.

Baker must really dislike Freel because I cannot figure out why Freel is seeing so few at-bats... I will file this under things I wish I knew before my roto auction.
   7. Alex Gordon's #1 Fan Posted: April 29, 2008 at 01:14 PM (#2762472)

Baker must really dislike Freel because I cannot figure out why Freel is seeing so few at-bats


He's white, so he's likely to wilt under the hot Ohio sun.
   8. Petunia Posted: April 29, 2008 at 01:18 PM (#2762476)
http://www.daytondailynews.com/s/content/oh/story/sports/pro/reds/2008/04/29/ddn042908spkrivsky.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=35

Regarding Patterson's signing, Krivsky said "I was told to get him signed, whatever it takes." I wonder how that plays into the "Freel told Baker he couldn't play" story. Krivsky doesn't specify when or from whom he received that dictum.
   9. Walt Davis Posted: April 29, 2008 at 03:25 PM (#2762753)
Patterson's got one of the stranger batting lines you'll see. 213/281/475. 17 hits, 12 for extra bases. That in itself isn't so strange, it looks like the sort of line you'd expect from a guy who swings as hard as he can and either Ks or kills the ball when he hits it.

But Patterson has only 6 Ks in 80 ABs. It's really hard to hit 213 when you're K'ing at such a low rate. It's also really hard to hit for a lot of power when you K so little -- unless you're DiMaggio. Is he hitting _everything_ in the air?

He's also got 8 walks in 80 AB which is amazing for Patterson. He's a different hitter.
   10. zonk Posted: April 29, 2008 at 03:30 PM (#2762760)
The problem, Walt, is that I think virtually all of the XBH and BBs came in week 1... Patterson's been his usually, dreadful self since.
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