Post by #1 Jays Fan on Mar 27, 2008 11:42:17 GMT -5
Last season: 72-90, 5th in N.L. Central, 13.0 GBL
Manager: Dusty Baker, 1st season, 1,162-1,041 (.527) career record
New faces: LHP Jeremy Affeldt (COL), C Paul Bako (BAL), RHP Jim Brower (NYY), RHP Francisco Cordero (MIL), RHP Josh Fogg (COL), IF Jerry Hairston Jr. (TEX), OF Corey Patterson (BAL), 1B Andy Phillips (NYY), RHP Edwin Volquez (TEX), OF Craig Wilson (CWS)
Left town: IF Jorge Cantu (FLA), OF Jason Ellison (TEX), LHP Eddie Guardado (TEX), OF Josh Hamilton (TEX), RHP Kirk Saarloos (OAK)
Overview: New manager Dusty Baker inherits a team that, on paper, seems to have enough talent to challenge in an average six-team division. But at closer glance, you recognize that despite above-average power, a low on-base percentage as a team led to a lot of single runs, and their bullpen, with a National League-worst 58.4 per cent save percentage, did them in last season. With those thoughts in mind, some youth will be injected into the line-up and a big-time power closer was signed. Canadian Joey Votto will be the new first baseman after he drove in 92 runs in Triple-A and then hit .321 in 24 games with the big club. And the Reds shelled out major coin ($46 million over four years) to bring in former Brewers closer Francisco (Coco) Cordero and his 177 career saves.
Stat to ponder: All-or-nothing slugger Adam Dunn joined Hall-of-Famer Joe Morgan as the only Reds to have 100 RBI, 100 walks and 100 runs scored in a season. Top prospect: CF Jay Bruce. Another standout from the '05 draft class has rocketed through the minors (.319, 26 HR, 89 RBI at three levels) and is the top prospect on most scouting services. He was good enough that the Reds dealt Josh Hamilton in the off-season.
Hitting
2007 AVG: .267 (17th), RUNS/GAME: 4.83 (14th), HR: 204 (3rd)
There was a time when this was Ken Griffey Jr.'s team, but major injuries between 2001 and 2007 kept him out of the line-up more than in. He was healthy enough last year to club 30 home runs for the ninth time in his career and now sits just seven home runs from becoming the sixth member of the exclusive 600 home run club. The real bomber in this line-up is Adam Dunn, who slammed 40 home runs for the fourth straight season while striking out a whopping 165 times. Second baseman Brandon Phillips blossomed in his second full season with the Reds, becoming just the third player in franchise history to hit 30 home runs and steal 30 bases, and will hit in between Griffey and Dunn. With super prospect Bruce knocking on the door, this team has a chance to be very formidable before the season is through.
Pitching
2007 ERA: 4.94 (27th), OPP AVG: .282 (27th)
In Aaron Harang and Bronson Arroyo, they have two very steady starters heading up the rotation. After that the picture gets a lot more clouded, although not without promise. Matt Belisle was finally healthy in '07, but had a .301 opponents average, coupled with 26 home runs allowed, leading to an ERA over five. They're hoping that Homer Bailey, the most highly-touted home grown starter in over two decades, can live up to the hype and deliver on his promise. If he can, the Reds will be in the Cubs' rear-view mirror the whole season. The arrival of closer Cordero will allow David Weathers to return to his best suited role of set-up man, which will be good for the bullpen as a group.
Statsman's non-binding prediction: With the young talent coursing through the system, the Reds have a shot at a solid second. But it won't be good enough to land the Wild Card.
Manager: Dusty Baker, 1st season, 1,162-1,041 (.527) career record
New faces: LHP Jeremy Affeldt (COL), C Paul Bako (BAL), RHP Jim Brower (NYY), RHP Francisco Cordero (MIL), RHP Josh Fogg (COL), IF Jerry Hairston Jr. (TEX), OF Corey Patterson (BAL), 1B Andy Phillips (NYY), RHP Edwin Volquez (TEX), OF Craig Wilson (CWS)
Left town: IF Jorge Cantu (FLA), OF Jason Ellison (TEX), LHP Eddie Guardado (TEX), OF Josh Hamilton (TEX), RHP Kirk Saarloos (OAK)
Overview: New manager Dusty Baker inherits a team that, on paper, seems to have enough talent to challenge in an average six-team division. But at closer glance, you recognize that despite above-average power, a low on-base percentage as a team led to a lot of single runs, and their bullpen, with a National League-worst 58.4 per cent save percentage, did them in last season. With those thoughts in mind, some youth will be injected into the line-up and a big-time power closer was signed. Canadian Joey Votto will be the new first baseman after he drove in 92 runs in Triple-A and then hit .321 in 24 games with the big club. And the Reds shelled out major coin ($46 million over four years) to bring in former Brewers closer Francisco (Coco) Cordero and his 177 career saves.
Stat to ponder: All-or-nothing slugger Adam Dunn joined Hall-of-Famer Joe Morgan as the only Reds to have 100 RBI, 100 walks and 100 runs scored in a season. Top prospect: CF Jay Bruce. Another standout from the '05 draft class has rocketed through the minors (.319, 26 HR, 89 RBI at three levels) and is the top prospect on most scouting services. He was good enough that the Reds dealt Josh Hamilton in the off-season.
Hitting
2007 AVG: .267 (17th), RUNS/GAME: 4.83 (14th), HR: 204 (3rd)
There was a time when this was Ken Griffey Jr.'s team, but major injuries between 2001 and 2007 kept him out of the line-up more than in. He was healthy enough last year to club 30 home runs for the ninth time in his career and now sits just seven home runs from becoming the sixth member of the exclusive 600 home run club. The real bomber in this line-up is Adam Dunn, who slammed 40 home runs for the fourth straight season while striking out a whopping 165 times. Second baseman Brandon Phillips blossomed in his second full season with the Reds, becoming just the third player in franchise history to hit 30 home runs and steal 30 bases, and will hit in between Griffey and Dunn. With super prospect Bruce knocking on the door, this team has a chance to be very formidable before the season is through.
Pitching
2007 ERA: 4.94 (27th), OPP AVG: .282 (27th)
In Aaron Harang and Bronson Arroyo, they have two very steady starters heading up the rotation. After that the picture gets a lot more clouded, although not without promise. Matt Belisle was finally healthy in '07, but had a .301 opponents average, coupled with 26 home runs allowed, leading to an ERA over five. They're hoping that Homer Bailey, the most highly-touted home grown starter in over two decades, can live up to the hype and deliver on his promise. If he can, the Reds will be in the Cubs' rear-view mirror the whole season. The arrival of closer Cordero will allow David Weathers to return to his best suited role of set-up man, which will be good for the bullpen as a group.
Statsman's non-binding prediction: With the young talent coursing through the system, the Reds have a shot at a solid second. But it won't be good enough to land the Wild Card.
