New Day - New Leadoff Man

Jay Bruce will lead off today.  Saturday it was Brandon Phillips, Sunday it was Edgar Renteria.

Dusty Baker is trying to mix and match.

"We don't have a true leadoff hitter," Baker said.  "That's the hardest thing to find in baseball.  There was only one Ricky Henderson."

The Reds rise to the Central Division title with a farm system full of prospects, creates fewer Who questions and more Where questions.

"Everybody wants the perfect lineup.  We're in the process of building this thing.  There is no perfect solution.  You have to deal with what you've got," Baker said.

Drew Stubbs has the most potential to leadoff but he struggled in the role last year.  The 0-for-5's mounted and Baker took some of the pressure off him to drop him in the batting order.  Critics say that Stubbs strikes out too much to bat leadoff.  But Baker pointed out there have been others that had the same makeup as Stubbs.

"Look at Bobby Bonds," Baker said.  "He had speed, some power and he struck out a lot."

"You want a high on base percentage guy in the leadoff spot but if he can't run he clogs the bases.  With Rolen and Votto hitting doubles, you want someone who can score," Baker said.

The only spots that he won't consider for Stubbs is second and seventh.  "If he bats second he can't run and if he bats seventh and he runs they just walk the eight hitter," Baker pointed out.

Bruce had success hitting leadoff last season but it was a "small sample"

"You said it right.  It was a small sample," Baker said.

Today we get a preview of what Bruce can do from the leadoff spot.