As a sports fan, and a Reds fan in particular, I really have no choice but to speculate on the Reds upcoming season.
The Cincinnati Reds are a storied franchise with a rich history... Although to current fans... that's all immaterial due to the Reds' recent struggles. The last time the Reds made the playoffs? 1995, when Barry Larkin won the National League's MVP Award.
So, what can we expect this year out of the Reds? They are in the National Central, arguably the weakest and most wide-open division in all of the Majors. That alone makes them instant contenders, right? As much as I'd love to give the affirmative to the aforementioned question... I also have to be honest.
If you look at the Reds current build, you'll notice lots of young talent including Minor League Player of the Year Jay Bruce, Canadian stud First Baseman, Joey Votto, Ace-in-the-making, Homer Bailey, and the guy who was acquired in exchange for fan favorite Josh Hamilton; Former Rangers super-prospect, Edinson Volquez.
With loads of young talent like that, fans should be excited... for 2009 or 2010. Even if the team competes for most of the season, young talent has proven to be undependable down the stretch, with the young Brewers team last year being a prime example.
However, the Reds biggest concern, in my opinion, is their bullpen. Last year, the Reds pen ranked among the worst in the majors. In the 7,8 and 9th innings, the Reds gave up an opponent batting average of .287. In the 8th inning alone, that average was a whopping .309. The Reds bullpen combined for an ERA of 5.13 and a record of 23-31.
They partially addressed that problem by signing former Milwaukee closer Francisco Cordero in the off season, but the issue of "veteran presence" still haunts Cincy... The Reds had 4 pitchers over the age of 35 pitch regularly... in the bullpen. While Bill Bray and Todd Coffey seem to have the best "stuff" in the pen, they have yet to show it. What the Reds really need in their bullpen is a dependable setup man who can throw in the high 90's to offset the lack of velocity in the rest of the bullpen.
I have also noticed quite a few people calling for the trade of Adam Dunn... That in itself would be enough to ruin the Reds. While Dunn may strikeout quite a bit, he leads the Reds in several important offensive categories including OPS, OBP, SLG%, Doubles, HR, BB, OPS+, Runs Created, XBH, Times on Base, and AB/HR. Get rid of Dunn, and you get rid of the offense as a whole.
Another wild-card is catcher David Ross. 2006 seems to have been a fluke, but Reds fans remain hopeful that Ross will put up solid numbers.
With Dusty Baker at the helm, I hope that the Reds will get rid of their three catcher system, allowing them to carry an extra arm in the bullpen.
My Predictions for this year:
Reds finish 3rd with a record of 81-81.
Jay Bruce wins NL Rookie of the Year.
Dunn hits 42 HR.
Harang wins 18 games.
Votto hits .318
Griffey hits 23 HR.
Half of our bullpen qualifies for AARP benefits and begin collecting Medicaid.
Wayne Krivskey is fired and replaced with Walt Jocketty.
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8 months ago
we have a flamethrower for the 8th...jared burton. bray when healthy is lights out. burton, majik, coffey, cordero, valenzuela (you forgot he's taking a roster spot) mcbeth and salmon all have heat...only stanton and stormy are old this yr, and if stanton bombs, he's gone by may. right now imo they win 84 with this pen
cordero
burton
weathers
bray
majik
salmon/rejuvenated coffey
valenzuela
too bad opening day will be
cordero
burton
weathers
bray
majik
valenzuela
stanton
from 8 months ago
Yea, I like Burton too... Didn't include Salmon because I'm not expecting to see him on the big league roster for a while this year, same with Mcbeth.
8 months ago
Your articles are like torture. What the hell do you do, just grab your fuckin' collection of baseball cards and recite everyone's statistics on paper, then publish it? Come up with a fuckin' original thought for once.
from 8 months ago
get a life... If you don't like them... don't read them. Ever thought of that... And if you want to diss me... don't post anonymously... have some balls.
8 months ago
Just a quick edit:
Medicaid is for people living in poverty. MediCARE is for senior citizens... I think that is what you were looking for.
As for Dunn... I am on the fence. His production can be made up for. A player who plays better defense, hits for better average, and hits better with runners in scoring position would make up for the 40 HRs and 100 BBs. You don't have to have a guy hit 100 RBI and 40 HRs to make up for Dunns production. Better defense and timely hitting would do the trick...
Having said that, I think the Reds need to hang on to Dunn. With the departure of Josh Hamilton and Griffey's upcoming departure, the Reds need his offense - unless they can replace him via a trade.
from 8 months ago
thanks for the medicare thing... forgot about that.
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