Ryan Freel

Between a nasty concussion suffered as a result of a collision with teammate Norris Hopper in May and a season-ending knee injury in August, it was a lost year for Freel. Even when healthy, he abandoned the patient approach at the plate that made him a valuable on-base asset in previous years. He hadn't yet been cleared to run as of December, but he's still expected to be ready for spring training. When he returns he'll no longer have to share time with Josh Hamilton following his trade to Texas, but he still has to worry about what happens when the Reds deem Jay Bruce ready. Don't count on more than 400 plate appearances.

Freel has settled into a fairly reliable pattern in terms of what he provides offensively. The stolen bases are fairly given, as is a decent batting average and on-base percentage, with mostly doubles power. Defensively, he doesn't qualify at second base any longer in most leagues, qualifying only in the outfield. Arguably he doesn't have the range to play second anyhow. There's a chance that he and Ken Griffey Jr. could swap spots in the outfield -- the Reds broached the topic with Griffey this offseason.

Freel finally will get a clear shot at the starting second base job to open the 2006 season, after taking over the duties when Felipe Lopez got the starting shortstop job. Tony Womack shouldn't be much of a threat to take away playing time, given that he has the same skill set but does a worse job of getting on base. Freel's biggest drawback is his inability to stay healthy, a condition largely due to his tendency to go all out at all times.

Freel doesn't have a set position, but he's a prototypical leadoff hitter, offering good on-base skills (.375 OBP in 2004) and speed. Freel's role with the Reds for 2005 is cloudy following the signing of Joe Randa and the decision by the Reds to tender a contract to D'Angelo Jimenez, who will start at second base. Don't count on Freel getting 505 at-bats again this season.

The Reds can do worse (and have done so in the past) than simply putting Freel at second base for 120 games. Not once, but twice his big opportunity to carve a niche for himself was ruined by a hamstring injury, the first of which was pretty severe. If Freel finds himself in a position to play regularly, he'll be a nice source of cheap stolen bases.