Batting 3rd for the Reds...

Forever talk about trading Ken Griffey Jr is beginning to miss the point. If a deal involving him is inevitable, it's news to me. If the Reds intend to keep him beyond this year, the Titanic will rise from the deep.

More likely, he's here the rest of the year, so the better question is:

Why is he still hitting 3rd?

I'm not among those who think Junior is done, though you do wonder what his legs have left. (To those who suggest he doesnt run hard, please ponder the thought he's running as hard as his legs will allow.) You dont go from 30 homers at age 37 to, say, 10 or 15, at age 38, not if you play 135 games or so. He'll hit better. Griffey has always hit HRs in bunches, and I think a bunch will come.

For now, though, why is he still hitting 3rd?

Since 4/23, Junior has 1 HR and 6BI... those are 7- or 8-hole #s. Compare them to these, over the same time:

Phillips: 6 and 15;
Double E: 3 and 9
Votto: 4 and 8, though 3 HRs came in one game.

Baker can bat Dunn 7th, why not Griffey?

Your 3 hitter has to be your most productive hitter. That's Phillips. Since Griffey isn't likely to be traded or benched, don't you do what's best for the team and move him out of the 3-spot, until he heats up?