Cincinnati Reds Baseball |
| Reds Rotation: The anchor that dragged down the league's most productive offense last season hasn't changed radically. An overpriced free agent market didn't help the Reds' search for assistance, but that might not be a bad thing considering the way the first season of Eric Milton's three-year, $25.5 million contract played out. For the Reds to have any chance, Milton and the similarly disappointing Paul Wilson must get back in line with their career numbers. Combine a rebound there with continued improvement from Aaron Harang and Brandon Claussen, and the Reds might have a fighting chance for their hitters to carry them. The only new face, lefty Dave Williams, will be asked to be more reliable than Ramon Ortiz. That shouldn't be a tall order, but the
Reds have learned to assume nothing when it comes to the men on the mound. |
|
Bullpen: As a unit, the relief corps may have been the most pleasant surprise for the Reds in 2005, as its collective ERA dropped from 5.12 to 4.75 and home runs allowed fell from 85 to 60. The group that pitched the bulk of last season will return. The most notable absence is former closer Danny Graves, who was cut loose in May. David Weathers filled the void admirably the rest of the way. At some point possibly later this season Todd Coffey could take over those duties, but for now he will have to defer to a by-committee approach fronted by Weathers and Kent Mercker. Wherever Mercker ends up in the pecking order, the Reds will have a strong contingent of lefties, with the ageless Chris Hammond stepping aboard and up-and-comer Brian Shackelford in line for increased responsibility after a breakout season. The Reds also signed oft-injured righty Grant Balfour in the offsea-son, but the former Twin won't be available until mid-summer, at the earliest.
Middle Infield: In retrospect, its hard to believe the Reds went to spring training last year unsure of Felipe Lopez's ability to carry on the mande previously passed from Dave Concepcion to Barry Larkin. Now, it's hard to imagine anyone but Lopez playing up the middle in Cincinnati for years to come. After a remarkable season in which he became the most productive shortstop in the league, Lopez will try to be more consistent this year in all aspects of the game. The situation across the bag at second base is much less stable. Rich Aurilia's 64 starts there last season led the team, and after resigning with the Reds in January, he probably will get the call at the position most days. Ryan Freel and Tony Womack also will grab some starts there, but both fit in more as utility players than full-time second basemen.
Corners: The potential embodied by the Reds' new corner men is tantalizing, but there will be a period of adjustment — especially on defense. Adam Dunn will bring his big bat in from the outfield to replace team leader Scan Casey, and his raw power and ability to get on base will be a significant upgrade. Defensively, Casey was no Gold Glover, but at least he was comfortable at the position; Dunn will have to find that level quickly. Everyone in Cincinnati hopes the throws he fields from third base prodigy Edwin Encarnacion will be on target more often than not. The 23-year-old took over as the starter when Joe Randa was traded in July, but he seemed overwhelmed at times. Still, Encarnacion will be given the opportunity to grow into the position, witli the hope diat he puts the ball in play like he did in the minors and continues to improve his defense. If he falters, Freel and Aurilia should be there to take up the slack.
Outfield: After a couple of seasons juggling four starting-caliber players between diree positions, the Reds finally cleared some room by trading Casey to Pittsburgh. Dunn's move to first base means Wily Mo Pena will be the everyday left fielder and Austin Kearns the right fielder, with Ken GrifFey Jr. returning in the middle. It's the kind of opportunity Pena and Kearns have been seeking for a while, and it's up to them to follow through. The Reds will have a better defensive outfield with Kearns in the lineup every day, though that edge could be negated by Pena's adventures widi the glove unless he finds a way to get it together. In center, Griffey's range isn't nearly what it once was, but his instincts still allow him to make plays others don't. As usual, how much he contributes depends on his health.
Catching: For most clubs, catcher remains the position where defense comes first. That's the case in Cincinnati, where Jason LaRue spends most of his time working with the pitching staff rather than taking extra swings in the cage. His backup, Javier Valentin, takes a similar approach. Funny thing, then, mat LaRue and Valentin became the most productive catching duo in the majors last season with a combined .268 with 28 home runs and HORBIs.
Bench: Womack gives the Reds anomer interchangeable part in the field, which is exactly what manager Jerry Narron wants. Between Womack and Freel, each of whom can start at five different positions, Narron will have ample opportunity to mix things up and double-switch during games. Aurilia also will
fit into that mix at second, third and shortstop, and said he is even open to playing some first base. The most reliable bat off the bench will be Jacob Cruz, who led the majors with a franchise-record 20 pinch hits last season. Like Cruz, the switch-hitting Valentin brings left-handed power off the bench (12 of his 14 homers were hit off righties). Chris Denorfia will be the primary backup outfielder after tearing through die upper levels of the farm system last season.
Management: Narron knows he doesn't have much time to convince new ownership that he's the man for the long haul. When the interim tag was removed from Narron's title the final week of last season, the former Rangers manager received a contract with only one guaranteed year, and this is it. Narron insisted the lack of job security didn't bother him and his only focus was continuing to instill a back-to-basics approach. Being able to call the shots from the first day of spring training should help Narron implement his program, but it will have to show results quickly.
Final Analysis: The prevailing opinion is that new ownership should allow the Reds to become competitive again, but it may take a while for the full effects of the change to set in. The Reds have some compelling components, led by a productive young offensive core, but until they find a way to cure their pitching woes, they won't be going anywhere. Everyone in die offices at Great American Ball Park knows what the problem is, but it can't be fixed overnight. |
|
|
|
|
Though the Reds moved to address their
biggest need, pitching, with their second
|
through sixth picks in the 2005 draft, they
started off with athletic center fielder Jay
Bruce. The 18-year-old Texan made steady
progress after signing for $1.8 million. Bruce is a few years away
from Cincinnati, and he may grow into a corner outfielder by then,
but the early returns have been positive.
Prospects
RHP Homer Bailey Top pick in 2004 is a couple of years away, but
is a potential No. 1 starter.
C Miguel Perez Ready to play in the majors defensively, must
improve with the bat to make the leap.
1B JoeyVotto Closest power prospect to the majors.
LHP Travis Wood Only 19, was almost untouchable in first pro
season with devastating changeup.
OF B.J. Szymanski Good athlete has had trouble staying healthy. |
|
 |
|
|
|
Eric Milton was supposed to be the Reds' big splash last season, and he made one — but it nearly drowned the entire team. The club-record 40 home runs he surrendered led the majors, and his 6.47 ERA was the second-highest in National League history. Unable to secure a high-calibei starter this offseason, the Reds' best hope for a turnaround in their rotation is for Milton to recover and turn in a season more in line with hij career numbers, which featured a 4.76 ERA before last year's debacle. |
|
|
|
|
NL Central Baseball Sites |
|
St. Louis Cardinals
Houston Astros
Chicago Cubs
Milwaukee Brewers
Pittsburgh Pirates
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
