Cincinnati Reds

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

The Reds started up hot last year but cooled off, finishing with a 76-86 record. It might have been a disappointment for a team that spent a few weeks in first place last year. The Reds have two unique qualities, one good and one bad.

 

First the bad. They finished eleven games better than their pythagorean record. This is a problem because teams tend to regress towards what their runs scored and allowed would indicate, and such records are rarely sustainable. The Reds had a better record for two reasons, Sean Casey and Danny Graves. Casey garned a large number of clutch hits, and Graves accumulated a large number of saves in the first half. Casey's success could easily stick. Graves is another matter. Danny Graves surrendered 12 home runs in 68 IP last season. He is hittable, and there is little reason to consider him among the game's elite closers.

 

However, the Reds made strides regarding their pitching staff. Juan Acevedo, Cory Lidle, Todd Van Poppel and Brandon Claussen all posted 5.00+ ERAs. All are gone from the staff, replaced by Eric Milton, Ramon Ortiz, and Luke Hudson. The pitching staff was a huge problem, and while the Reds did not pick up stars, they did gain stability, which is important.

 

Offensively, we can expect more production from Austin Kearns. Beyond that is anyone's guess. The Reds do have a pair of excellent backups in Wily Mo Pena and Ryan Freel. If Ken Griffey and Austin Kearns stayed healthy the entire year, this team could surprise people. Remember, when they had Griffey, they contended. Realistically, this team could contend for as high as second place, if the Cubs' pitching collapses and the Astros decline. They will likely fall between third and fifth.

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

I think they could survive without Griffey this year. Willy Mo Pena had a career year last year and was a great clutch player. I think as long as Griffey is the only major injury, and let's face it he will be, they can still contend. Getting rid of Brandon Larson in favor of Joe Randa was probably the best move the Reds made this offseason.

 

I think starting Felipe Lopez instead of Rich Aurilia is a mistake for their lineup as well.

[Slayer 0]

The Reds started up hot last year but cooled off

That's been their story for most of the 00's. They'll surge out to an early lead in the NL Central with their hot bats, then their bad pitching catches up with them and they fall into the basement

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

...but at least they're not the Pirates

[Mik 0]

Poor October Blood... he stopped posting about the same time the Reds stopped winning - I guess the same could be said for Choken One. They were both so sure the Reds were gonna win the division.

 

I hope Griffey stays healthy - it was great when he was in the homerun groove again last year and all of a baseball was energized by it, and then all of a sudden he gets injured AGAIN. It's good to see someone who still gives 100% on every play though.

[Kaertos 0]

From what I heard on sports radio this morning, the Cubs have their two aces going down for a while. If Prior and Woods don't make an impact for the Cubbies, they are in bad shape as they traded away a lot of offense for, in comparison, not very much. As for the Astros, they seem to me to be very good, but very old. If things break right for them, they are back in the playoffs. If they break wrong, this could be a long year in Houston. The Cards are frankly still scary, as they seem to have reloaded very well in the offseason.

 

I am a huge Reds fan, and I like the moves they made in the offseason, but I still think they have a weak bullpen. They are hard to figure. I could make a decent case for them contending for the division and catching the Wild Card, and I could make a good case for them falling apart like they usually do in June or July.

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

I hope Griffey stays healthy - it was great when he was in the homerun groove again last year and all of a baseball was energized by it, and then all of a sudden he gets injured AGAIN. It's good to see someone who still gives 100% on every play though.

 

It's not about if Griffey gets hurt it's about when he does. Reds fans take bets on how long he'll last every season. It's gotten to the point where most fans are just hopeful he can make it to the All-Star break. Though I think if he goes down Dunn/Kearns/Pena is just as good an outfield as Dunn/Griffey/Pena.

[The Czech Republic 0]

WHY ARE WOOD AND PRIOR OUT AGAIN GOD DAMN YOU DUSTY BAKER

[Styles 0]

PROJECTED LINEUP

 

1. D'Angelo Jimenez 2B

2. Austin Kearns RF

3. Sean Casey 1B

4. Ken Griffey Jr. CF

5. Adam Dunn LF

6. Joe Randa 3B

7. Jason LaRue C

8. Felipe Lopez SS

 

Rotation

1. E. Milton

2. P. Wilson

3. R. Ortiz

4. A. Harang

5. B. Claussen

 

There's some serious power in their lineup if they can just STAY HEALTHY which seems to be impossible for this team. Their pitching is still lacking and they're in a really deep division so, they'll pretty much be battling for 4th place, I place them 5th.

[Kaertos 0]

Well, the Reds hired a new strength and conditioning coach over the winter, as I think it is obvious that they were, in general, not in the best long-term condition.

 

Hopefully, this will cut down on their "real injuries" (i.e. stuff that puts them on the DL as opposed to stuff that just causes them to miss a game here and there) and give them a little continuity through the season.

 

As a Reds fan, it is nice to know two things going into this season:

 

1- They went out and got some halfway decent pitching instead of relying on teenagers that should be in AA.

 

2- We have a bench. Wily Mo Pena, Ryan Freel and Felipe Lopez are good bench guys that can ably fill in here or there for some of the starters.

[Slayer 0]

Word is that Paul Wilson will be pitching on opening day now

[Kaertos 0]

He should have been the opening day guy last year. Why Cory Lidle got the call is beyond me.