Cincinnati Reds 2009 Season Preview

Cincinnati Reds 2009 Preview

During the off-season, the Reds picked up outfielders Willy Tavares, Jacque Jones and Jonny Gomes via free agency. This should help add depth to what was an average area of the 2008 team.

They also acquired pitcher Arthur Rhodes (free agency, Marlins) and catcher Ramon Hernandez (trade, Orioles).

Hernandez should provide an upgrade to the catcher position, especially from the platoon of Paul Bako and Javier Valentin that Cincinnati featured last year. However, with offseason losses that include Jeremy Affeldt, Ryan Freel, Andy Phillips, Paul Bako, Javier Valentin, Corey Patterson, Matt Belisle and Josh Fogg, the Reds have failed to upgrade their team overall.

The Reds head into 2009 with a starting rotation that could potentially be a strength for the club. Volquez can again be expected to be dominant, and if Aaron Harang and Bronson Arroyo can return to top form, the Reds should feature a very productive top end of their rotation.

23-year old Johnny Cueto flashed his potential at times during the course of 2008, and if he can establish himself as a force at the back end of the rotation, the Reds could feature a surprisingly good starting five.

With Cordero, Weathers and Rhodes anchoring what should be an efficient bullpen, the Reds success in 2009 falls squarely on the shoulders of the offense’s ability to produce. With the team remaining very similar to its 2008 version, it’s difficult to expect much more that the fifth place finish by last year’s club.

Cincinnati Reds Surprise Player(s) of 2009:

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Cincinnati Reds Projected 2009 Record:

Fifth place in the NL Central with a record of 71-91.