The Cincinnati Reds are rumored to having interests in a leadoff hitter and they will enter into competition with the Atlanta Braves for available players in the market.
Denard Span has gone to the Washington Nationals and they are fishing for Angel Pagan and Shane Victorino, targets the Braves have been rumored to be chasing as well.
For the Reds, a leadoff hitter is vital. Drew Stubbs is speedy and possesses power as the team's centerfielder, but he has no discipline at the plate,
In his three years in the majors, Stubbs has hit .241, 59 home runs, stolen 110 bags (averaging well over 30 a season), a .312 obp and racked up 588 strikeouts in 486 games played and 1,791 at bats.
The Reds tried out Zack Cozart at the leadoff spot in 2012 and was slightly better option than Stubbs hitting .241 and getting on base about 29 percent of the time. Stubbs was moved to the second hole where he hit .211 and had an obp of .277.
However, the reason why the Reds are searching for leadoff players are because improvements can be made.
Cozart is not a speed guy stealing only four bases in the season. Stubbs scored more runs than Cozart as they crossed the plate 75 and 72 times in the season, respectively.
The Braves and Reds will be competing for outfield help. The Reds, though he's not a leadoff hitter, have spoken to Ryan Ludwick.
The Reds have had conversations with the agents and representatives of Victorino and Pagan, but it has not been an official meeting.
Winter meetings will kickoff on Monday, which should surely spice things up and increase the flow of trades and signings.
