Cincinnati Reds - Off-Season Report

For most of this decade, the Cincinnati Reds have relied on home runs, home runs, and more home runs to win baseball games. After an entire decade consisting of only one winning season, it was time for a shift in their approach. And judging by the current roster, it appears that shift has taken place.

In the summer of 2008, Reds General Manager Walt Jocketty traded RF Ken Griffey Jr. to the Chicago White Sox, and LF Adam Dunn to the Arizona Diamondbacks, signaling a change in the thinking of the franchise. Under previous GM Jim Bowden, the Reds stockpiled heavy hitters, while allowing the pitching and defense to erode into dust. The focus of the ballclub revolved around the likes of outfielders Wily Mo Pena, Austin Kearns, Dunn, and Griffey. While plenty of runs scored resulted, that core could never get the Reds within shouting distance of the postseason.

Since taking over the reigns of the franchise, Jocketty has put together one of the better defensive clubs in the National League. Jay Bruce has stepped in to take Griffey's place in right, providing good defense and a bat that carries heavy potential. Left field could be covered by a wide range of players, including youngsters Chris Dickerson and Chris Heisey, either of whom could provide better defense than Adam Dunn while blindfolded. Drew Stubbs has emerged as one of the better center field gloves in the game to round out the outfield.

The infield consists of the solid Joey Votto, gold glover Brandon Phillips, the light hitting but slick fielding Paul Janish, catcher Ryan Hanigan, and third baseman Scott Rolen, who has been one of the best fielders in the game throughout his career. While the offense may not be what it once was, the defense has the potential to be at an elite level next year. And the 2008 Tampa Bay Rays can attest to how far an elite defense can take you.

The pitching staff suffered a blow with last season's loss of young star pitcher Edinson Volquez, who arrived prior to the 2008 season in a trade that sent Josh Hamilton to the Texas Rangers. Volquez, who underwent Tommy John surgery, may be back by the end of the 2010 season, but even without his services the pitching staff should still be a strength.

Young flamethrower Homer Bailey was red hot down the stretch last season, finally showing more than a flash of the pitcher many expected him to become. Johnny Cueto, while inconsistent, provides another powerful young arm for the Reds staff.

Veteran pitchers Aaron Harang and Bronson Arroyo form a solid top two in the rotation. The two have been the most durable, consistent Reds pitchers of this decade, and should be good for around 15 wins and an ERA around 4.00.

The fifth spot in the rotation could go to a number of candidates, including young left-hander Matt Maloney, who has had impressive K/BB walk rates in the minor leagues, despite lacking a smoking fastball.

Pro Baseball Fans features a nice selection of Cincinnati Reds jerseys & apparel online and now offers MLB team logo credit cards. Apply online today!

The bullpen, led by closer Francisco Cordero, offers a nice mix of power and craftiness. RH pitchers Jared Burton, Nick Masset, and Carlos Fisher team with LH pitchers Daniel Ray Herrera, Bill Bray, and Arthur Rhodes to give the Reds plenty of options late in games.

It remains to be seen whether the Reds will score enough runs to compete for the NL Central crown. A tremendous load is being put on the shoulders of young sluggers Jay Bruce and Joey Votto. However, if the offense manages to squeeze a career year out here, and a breakout year there, things could be very interesting in the Queen City this season.

For several seasons, a powerful offense was unable to carry a lackluster defense and a horrible collection of pitchers. As a new decade gets set to begin, the Reds are hoping the offense and the pitching can both, for once, carry their weight equally.

By Jonathan Wagner
ProBaseball-fans.com Reds Correspondent

> View all of the MLB baseball news articles from ProBaseball-fans.com.