The Cincinnati Reds- What Are They?

Jake Perper

Senior Writer Written on July 05, 2009

MIAMI - JUNE 07: Jay Bruce #32 of the Cincinnati Reds takes batting practice prior to playing against the Florida Marlins at Dolphin Stadium June 7, 2008 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

(Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

It' s the end of June and the reds are three and a half out of first place.

Playing .500 ball.

Contending in most of there games.

Winning some with mirrors, losing some in there grasp.

Are they really contenders or is the ship about to sink like the Titanic?

Reading message boards and beat writers stories leaves one to believe that anything can happen with this team.They are basically young and untested, lacking in very important areas, led by a manager most have questioned since his signing.

The injuries have been piling up, sometimes fielding a lineup of all backups/callups/question marks at each spot. There off season signings were failing dramatically, one by one.

Some of there prized youngsters were failing at the major league level or sent down to AAA to develop.

The farm is filled with talent, leaving the front office leery of obtaining high priced veterans.

Are they looking towards 2010 or are they sincere when they say "we can win this year"?

Do they even know the answers at the top of the organization?

Confused,perplexed,uncertain seem to be words to describe the Reds.

They seem to be a bat or two shy of being real contenders,but financial uncertainty have prevented a real effort at resolving that problem,choosing to go with talent that by no means is proven.

Is there really anything specific that they could do to put them into the category of "solid contenders"?

Pitching ,clearly there preseason strength has been adequate but modestly disappointing. Injuries, youth, some poor managing, a multitude of problems have prevented this from really being a top notch staff.

The " d" which was predicted[dusty's words]has been inconsistent, though injuries have made this a very difficult task.

The hitting on the Reds is very close to atrocious. Runners stranded inning after inning, unable to advance runners, and most certainly an impatient approach for most at bats.

Are there changes that could be made to solidify the Reds in there current form or do the changes have to be through replacing the current roster, or the current management team?

Does anyone out there have any ideas?

I don't .

Well I really do, and will share them as time goes on.

Does Dusty have any ideas?

Will Walt pull off some of his old magic before the trade deadline, in the off season, never?

Will Bob C open his wallet as needed?

The answers are going to come.

Will they come in time to save '09?

Will 2010 be the return of the Reds as a dominant team in the N.L.?

Or will they continue to be the poor losing slobs that they have been for the last decade or so?

The answer my friend "is blowin in the....."

Jake Perper is the creator of www.BearsBacker.com and also covers the Bears for www.NFLTouchdown.com and www.Needforsports.com.

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written on July 05, 2009 Opinion

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