John Fay, of The Cincinnati Enquirer, reports the Cincinnati Reds did not re-sign OF Jerry Hairston Jr. to be the team's everyday shortstop, according to general manager Walt Jocketty. Jocketty indicated that Hairston will mainly play left field.
News: Jerry Hairston Jr. stayed with the Reds, agreeing Wednesday to a $2 million, one-year contract. The 32-year-old infielder-outfielder played six positions in 80 games for the Reds last season, hitting .326 while mostly batting leadoff. Hairston signed a minor league contract with the Reds last March and was promoted to the major league roster just before the start of the season. His new deal allows him to earn an additional $2 million in performance bonuses. In 11 seasons with the Reds, Cubs, Baltimore and Texas, Hairston appeared in 530 games at second base, 265 in the outfield, 40 at shortstop, 13 at third base and one at first base.
Analysis: As if reverting back to his days as a top prospect in the Orioles organization, Hairston became a viable Fantasy option in 2008. He also became an injury-prone one, serving two separate DL stints for the same hamstring injury. When he could actually take the field -- both at shortstop and in the outfield -- he managed to hit .326 with 15 stolen bases and six home runs in 261 at-bats, showing he has some offensive ability. Speed and versatility remain his greatest assets, but because of the hamstring injury, he never really got a chance to show if his numbers would hold up over the everyday grind. Considering his track record, we can assume they wouldn't. Wherever he plays, he will probably play a reserve role, meaning he should go undrafted outside of NL-only Rotisserie leagues
Walt Jocketty told the Cincinnati Enquirer that recently re-signed Jerry Hairston Jr. is not expected to be the starting shortstop for the Reds next season, citing the positive rehab of Alex Gonzalez's knee. He expects to use him more in left firld.Hairston will almost undoubtedly man shortstop if Gonzalez is unable to go at the start of the season. If he does not find a regular job, he will have no fantasy value.
The Dayton Daily News reports the Cincinnati Reds intend to use OF Jerry Hairston Jr. at shortstop to start the 2009 season with SS Alex Gonzalez (knee) injured.
The Dayton Daily News reports the St. Louis Cardinals were interested in signing Cincinnati Reds OF Jerry Hairston Jr.
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