The Cincinnati Reds Look To Be National League Success Story
The Cincinnati Reds are beginning to look like a familiar story. Great young pitching as well as a trio of outstanding young players that can do it all have the Reds and their fans thinking major turnaround in 2009. The Tampa Rays did just that last year with much the same type of set up. Can the Cincinnati Reds be the Tampa Bay Rays of the National League in 2009?
The Reds certainly have the potential. The starters for the Reds are similar to be sure. You have a veteran, reliable presence in Aaron Harang, and Bronson Arroyo. You have three outstanding young pitchers in the trio of Edinson Volquez, Johnny Cueto, and Micah Owings. Some think that Cueto and Volquez are future Cy Young candidates to be sure. The key here is that they are able to stay consistent and win regularly.
Run production is the other concern for the Reds. That concern appears to be dealt with however, as they have a slew of nice offensive players. Jay Bruce, Joey Votto, and Brandon Phillips are going to be absolute murder on the opposition this year. All three have the potential to be solid five category players, and Bruce and Votto may even be 30-40 homer guys…this season. The signing of Ramon Hernandez is likely to pay off nicely as well, as he is a pretty decent offensive catcher as a rule.
The only thing the Reds did not address was to get a strong right handed bat to take over left field. The right handed bat would help to break up the slew of left handers in Votto and Bruce. They did resign Jerry Hairston Jr, who should provide RBI opportunities and speed. He can also man that left field spot as well as a few other positions in a pinch. The Reds also signed Jonny Gomes with left field in mind if he can reclaim the power that he showed at the start of his career. If not, Norris Hooper and Chris Dickerson will probably man the position with Hairston Jr filling in here and there.
Another strength for this team might be their bullpen. The Reds have a strong, established group of pitchers out there, and they know how to protect the lead. The problem in the last few years is that they have not had many leads to protect. Francisco Cordero will continue to provide closing duties, and David Weathers will be his set up man most of the time. Left hander Bill Bray is coming on strong as well.
