Cincinnati Reds
2010 Record: 91-74
794 RS, 698 RA, Pythagorean Record: 93-72
Manager: Dusty Baker
GM: Walt Jocketty
Free Agents:
Bronson Arroyo, SP (3, $35MM); Miguel Cairo, 3B (2, $2MM); Jonny Gomes, OF ($1.75MM Club Option); Ramon Hernandez, C (1, $3MM); Fred Lewis, OF (1, $900k); Edgar Renteria, SS (1, $2.1MM).
Minor League FA:
Brain Barton, OF; Eric Campbell, 3B; David Cook, OF; Mike Costanzo, 3B; Jerry Gil, OF; Jeremy Hermida, OF; Justin Lehr, P; Ruben Medina, P; Corky Miller, C; Travis Mitchell, OF; Welinton Ramirez, OF; Chad Reineke, P; Fray Sosa, C; Dontrelle Willis, P.
Rule V Pick:
None
Trades:
None
Waiver Claims:
None
Players Lost:
Federico Baez, P; Wladimir Balentien, OF; Willie Bloomquist, 2B; Orlando Cabrera, SS; Wilken Castillo, C; Oscar Castro, P; Gilbert de la Vara, P; Jesus Delgado, P; Jim Edmonds, OF; Kevyn Feiner, 2B; Aaron Harang, P; Sean Henry, OF; Danny Hernandez, 3B; Jason Isringhausen, P; Ben Jukich, P; Mike Lincoln, P; Laynce Nix, OF; Micah Owings, P; Arthur Rhodes, P; Russ Springer, P; Luis Terrero, OF; Zach Ward, P; Abe Woody, P; Brandon Yarbrough, C.
Top 15 Prospects
1. Aroldis Chapman, RHP
2. Devin Mesoraco, C
3. Yasmani Grandal, C
4. Billy Hamilton, SS
5. Yonder Alonso, 1B
6. Yorman Rodriguez, OF
7. Juan Francisco, 3B
8. Todd Frazier, SS
9. Zach Cozart, SS
10. Drew Cisco, P
11. Kyle Lotzkar, P
12. Brad Boxberger, P
13. Ryan LaMarre, OF
14. Ismail Guillon, P
15. Juan Duran, OF
This system is getting better. Aroldis Chapman is a closer in the making; I don’t see him working in the rotation. I think the Reds are on the same wavelength. Devin Mesoraco and Yasmani Grandal both have the potential to be regular back stops; it’ll be a race to see who is ready first. Yonder Alonso is a real question mark; I don’t think he’ll work in the outfield and the Reds won’t move Joey Votto. We’ll see how he handles left in the beginning of the season and see where his fate lies.
2010 Review:
It didn’t get much better for the Reds during the regular season. Most chalked them up to a 3rd or 4th place finish, but they ended up winning the division.
MVP Votto showed he was the real deal; he pretty much carried this team. The offense also got help from Jay Bruce (25 homers), Scott Rolen (83 RBIs) and Brandon Phillips.
The pitching was just as good. Rookie Mike Leake had a great first half, before he tired out; he hadn’t pitched that many innings prior to this season (considering he skipped the minors). He only had 8 wins, but had a 4.23 ERA; it would have been lower had he not given up 6 ERs in his last 1/3 inning pitched (he was at 3.85 coming into that game).
Bronson Arroyo looked like an ace, winning 17 games and posting a 3.88 ERA. Johnny Cueto, when not kicking Jason LaRue, struck out 138 batters while allowing 3.64 earned runs per 9.
2011 Preview:
This team is pretty much the same. The switched out Orlando Cabrera for Edgar Renteria. Fred Lewis will be the 4th outfielder.
One boost will be having Edinson Volquez back for a full season. He struggled when he came back from Tommy John surgery, but I’d expect him to be a little sharper. They’ll also have a full season of Chapman in the bullpen; I’m expecting him to be the closer by the All Star Break.
The only notiable loss for the team is Arthur Rhodes. The ageless pitcher was killer on lefties last year and they didn’t sign anyone that could fill the void.
From the Bloggers:
Prediction:
2nd Place