New York Nine

Cincinnati hasn't exactly been a team people talk about in recent years in baseball circles. Indeed, aside from their bambox of a park that hitters use as a launching pad for inflated power numbers, there hasn't been much of a "team" to speak of in the last decade or so. But it seems through some deft drafting on the part of former GM Wayne Kirvinsky and patience by current GM Walt Jocketty it seems there be the foundation for a team that will be damn good for some time.


Like many teams this offseason amidst the economic recession, the reds were very quiet in moving players. with most of that being done at the deadline last year by dealing ken griffey and adam dunn. for the first time in many years the reds will be without their slugging outfielders, but they have emerged as a much younger, cheaper and atlethic team perticularly in the outfield. Replacing the lumbering Dunn and the slipping Griffey are chris dickerson and wily taverez, two far superior defensive outfielders with speed to spare. however these two are hardly the same caliber hitters as their predecessors so it remains to be seen whether than either of them, perticularly taveres and its absolutely pathetic .302OBP can be worth a lineup spot. But in right field they feature a year older verison of the ultra talented jay bruce. power, speed, jay's got everything and a burgeoning talent in this league whom we should be hearing a lot more about.


On the infield, the reds acquired veteran backstop ramon hernandez from baltimore, a sure boost to their now questionable offense. possessing above average defensive skills to go along with his power at the plate they are a stronger team up the middle while giving up very little in return.


However the big concern for the reds as always is the pitching, especially in that park. featuring two seasoned veterans in aaron harang and bronson arroyo and two emerging dominican pitching stars edinson volquez and johnny cueto. they certainly are not lacking in talent but whether the two young guys can continue to progress and the veterans can continue their consistent play is a concern in such a hitters park.


I give the reds offeason a C if only because they did very little to improve themselves in an siginificant team altering way but it is hard not to like the existing talent they have here. between Joey Votto at first and Bruce in right and volquez and cueto in the rotation they possess an embarassment of riches in regards to young talent. of course their potential is exciting and gives reds fans hopes for success in the future it has yet to be fully realized and will take some time to materialize. Regardless, unless Dusty Baker really fucks it up (which I am not ruling out) this should be a fun team to watch.