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.

This year’s World Baseball Classic seems to have a completely different atmosphere among Team USA. The team has a serious attitude for one, and they are no longer looking at it like an unimportant warm up to the season. The players are pumped and it showed in this opening round game that came down to the wire.

Team USA used some serious power, and a great bullpen performance to hold off Canada for the win. Brian McCann, Adam Dunn, and Kevin Youkilis each homered for the Americans, and each was special in some way.

Things did not start out as great as Team USA might have liked, however. They trailed after Team USA starter Jake Peavy allowed a huge, towering home run to Cincinnati Reds star Joey Votto to put the Canadians ahead 2-1. At this point, the Americans probably felt like they might be in for another run for their money. Still, Team USA used the bullpen to help control a better than expected Canadian lineup the rest of the way. They gave up only five hits over the final five innings.

The ninth inning was really exciting as the Americans closer JJ Putz first gave up an RBI double to Votto. This closed the Canadians to 6-5 and raised the excitement level there in Toronto to a fever pitch. With Votto primed to score the tying run, Putz then settled in and retired Justin Morneau and Jason Bay in succession for the win. That was no small feat as both of these players are all stars and tough outs for sure.

Team USA is sure to be looking to win some games in an easier fashion, but they will certainly take them any way they can get them. The World Baseball Classic is a seriously competitive tournament that pits the best in the world against one another. The Americans have a personal stake in the tournament, however, since baseball is considered a National Past time. Hopefully, Team USA can bring home the title this year.

Next up for Team USA is Sunday at 8 pm ET against the winner between Italy and Venezuela. Team Canada plays the loser of that game on Monday.

Albert Pujols – Unless you have lived under a Major League Baseball rock the past few years, Pujols is one of the best players in all of baseball. Last year, Pujols was expected to have a tough time due to injury, and he still came out and posted numbers that would make Babe Ruth envious. Pujols is quite simply a fantasy baseball point machine, and their is no reason whatsoever to think that this season will be any different. Draft him if he is available. Period.

Lance Berkman – Berkman is one of those guys that is simply awesome while nobody seems to notice. The best part with Berkman, and why he ranks higher than Howard or Fielder, is the fact that he gives you double digit steals on top of the power and RBIs. One other bonus is the fact that he also hits for a great average. He is a poor man’s Albert Pujols and the second best option overall at this position.

Ryan Howard – It is hard to believe that I am ranking Howard at number three here, but it is for a very good reason. He runs like a bull, and strikes out as commonly as he hits a prodigious homerun. If not for the bad average and strikeouts, Howard would be second to nobody. He is the premiere home run hitter in either league.

Prince Fielder – Prince Fielder is a carbon copy of Howard in many ways. He actually has the ability to hit for a much higher average, but he has not been able to prove it yet. This guy could be a true sleeper in this area, and it would not shock me to see him put it all together one year soon. Still, he has to remain below Howard until he does as Howard hits in a much better lineup, and hits more homeruns.

Joey Votto – The young Cincinnati Reds slugger is going to get the chance to show his stuff this year, and many beleive he might ascend the ranks of top first basemen in the league. I would not be shocked at all if this young slugger puts up numbers closer to the names above him on this list. He has that type of power, and even better eye to ball contact than a few of them. The one thing that is uncertain is that he has little protection in the Reds lineup. He really needs Jay Bruce to continue to develop beside him, and to find a strong right handed bat to offset the two.

Youngster Homer Bailey and Micah Owings will compete for the fifth spot in the rotation and both have the potential to completely dominate batters. The offense in Cincinnati is sure to be exciting if nothing else. After signing Willy Taveras and Jerry Hairston Jr, the Reds are set to have plenty of speed to set the table for young sluggers Joey Votto and Jay Bruce. Add in the explosive Brandon Phillips and Edwin Encarnacion, and they could be one of the most productive offenses in the league. The one element that the Reds had hoped for but did not get was a power hitting right handed bat to sandwich between left handers Votto and Bruce. This will add some pressure to the two young sluggers to carry a much heavier load, and they will not get much protection in the lineup. Fortunately, the Reds are trying to revive the career of youngster Jonny Gomes to take that spot. Gomes has the power and ability to be a perfect fit in Cincinnati, but he will have to earn that chance in Spring Training. The defense in Cincinnati should be in great hands as they signed veteran catcher Ramon Hernandez from the Orioles. This guy is a great on the field coach that can lead the Reds from behind the plate. Phillips is about as good as it gets at second, and the combination with A. Gonzalez at shortstop is strong up the middle and turning the double play. The outfield is quick and athletic and should be sound if they can find a good player for left field. The resigning of Hairston gives the Reds a ton of lineup flexibility. Hairston Jr can literally play anywhere on the baseball diamond, and does not mind doing so. This will give Dusty Baker a chance to rest players and test some new ideas here and there. Baker is one of the most creative coaches in the league, and Hairston Jr will allow him to utilize that talent.

Overall, the Reds will be much improved in 2009. It is hard to imagine that the Reds would do anything but move up from the dismal season of 08, and if they have some of those bats mature quickly, they just might be a power in the National League. The Rays have shown that it can be done. The Reds want to follow suit in 09.

The starting pitching for the Reds is strong with last year’s standout Johnny Cueto leading the way. With veterans Harang and Arroyo around to help stabilize things, they may be much better than advertised. Throw in Volquez and you have the makings of a seriously underrated starting rotation. Sound familiar? The Reds bullpen is strong and filled with veterans that know how to get the job done as well.

From the standpoint of lineup, the Reds have a powder keg waiting to explode. The problem is, you never know if the ingredients will mix well in a young team. The Reds have some absolute stars in the making with Brandon Phillips, Joey Votto, and Jay Bruce, but they need to all produce to really make the Reds engine purr. The tablesetters should be strong with the resigning of speedster utility man Jerry Hairston Jr, as well as the free agent signing of Willy Taveras. There is plenty of speed with those guys to ensure some RBI chances for the big three.

They also added veteran catcher Ramon Hernandez to the mix, who can give a bit of pop from behind the plate. E. Encarnacion is another wild card that could pay off big in 2009 if he is able to make consistant contact with the baseball. The one weakness that is apparent with the Reds is the lack of a strong right handed power guy to sandwich between all the left handed talent in the lineup. The young guys are going to feel that pressure as the season moves along.

The bottom line for the Reds is much the same as it was for the Rays in 2008. Can the young guys step up to their potential, and can the starting rotation be strong enough to handle the rigors of the long season? The Reds would have an easier time of it than the Rays did in the powerful AL East, so the chance is real that they could do some damage. We will have to wait and see as the season goes along.

Some potential fits around the league that make sense would be Cincinnati, or maybe even over in the American League. It is really hard to say, because Jones has been so bad. In the offseason, he has trimmed down his weight, and seems to be making a push to get back in playing shape. When Jones was at his best, he was among the top centerfielders in the league. What happened with Jones is not entirely clear, though injuries certainly played a part.

In Cincinnati, they are looking for a power hitting outfielder that is a righty to sandwich between Joey Votto and Jay Bruce. The two lefties would certainly benefit from a strong bat in between them as far as match ups are concerned. The problems is, Jones has not shown much of a glimmer of the player he once was. The price tag for Jones is likely to be high for the risk, so even the Reds may not take an interest. They do have a sincere need, however, and the free agent market is drying up fast in this category. There are simply very few options left in the power hitting righty category. Some rumblings have said that Adam Dunn may even return to Cincy, but that would make little sense given that he is also a lefty.

It is a shame that Jones has fallen so far so fast. Maybe this year he will hook up with a team and find that sweet swing that he has shown in years past. With a natural talent like his, it is not out of the realm of possibility that he could make a comeback. One thing is for sure, however. It will not be with the Dodgers. The Dodgers have already filled his roster spot by signing Guillermo Mota. This puts the writing on the wall for Jones in Los Angeles. There is still an outside chance that he will be traded, but that is looking less and less likely each day.

In 2009, baseball fans will again enjoy some surprises – the Cincinnati Reds and the Texas Rangers.

The Reds will contend for one main reason – they are stocked with pitching talent. The rotation will again be anchored by young righthanders Edinson Volquez and Johnny Cueto. Veteran Bronson Arroyo will be back to eat innings and Aaron Harang is due for a rebound after struggling last year. The Reds closer, Coco Cordero will be set up by free agent signing Arthur Rhodes. Mike Lincoln, one of the leagues most underrated relievers, also returns to bolster the pen.

The Reds have plenty of hitters too. Jay Bruce is a superstar in the making, while firstbaseman Joey Votto hits for average and power. Secondbaseman Brandon Phillips and thirdbaseman Edwin Encarnacion are both well above-average at their respective positions.

Then there’s manager Dusty Baker. While he may not be the best in-game strategist, Baker is adept at getting the most from his teams by keeping them motivated. Look for the 2009 Reds to push for 90 wins and a playoff spot.

The Texas Rangers haven’t had a winning season in years, but they are about to right the ship.

The Rangers are led by an explosive offense centered around slugger Josh Hamilton. The Rangers middle infielders – Mike Young and Ian Kinsler – are excellent hitters as well. Outfielder Nelson Cruz, another power bat, will hit cleanup and thirdbaseman Hank Blalock will try to stay healthy and get back to his 25-homer output. Last year’s impact rookie, firstbaseman Chris Davis, will look to build on his half season last year.

Offense prowess aside, the Rangers’ biggest concern has always been pitching and , more specifically, a lack thereof. This season will be different because, for the first time in years, the team is going to add an impact free agent starter. Look for either Randy Johnson or Ben Sheets to sign short-term deals to pitch in Arlington and front their rotation. The new ace will be joined by veterans Vincente Padilla and Kevin Millwood and youngsters Tommy Hunter, Matt Harrison and Brandon McCarthy. Hunter, Harrison and McCarthy will battle for the final two spots in the rotation, with the loser heading to the bullpen. In a weak division, the Rangers can reach 90 wins and challenge the Angels for AL West supremacy.

Keep an eye on both the Reds and Rangers next spring as they try to move forward and become legitimate playoff contenders.

A lack of offense has been the Achilles heel of the Angels for several years now with no one able to protect the potent bat of Vlad Guerrero. Teixeira filled the role beautifully and provided excellent defense at first base. One would think a team with the resources of the Angels would have gone to the extreme to ensure that Teixeira stayed with them. Nevertheless, they failed to improve their initial $160 million offer and, on Saturday, the Angels informed the media that they pulled their offer. Reportedly, Angels owner Arte Moreno felt that Tex’s agent, Scott Boras, was using the Angels to drive up the price. Moreno contends that Tex never had any intention of signing with L.A.

Now what?

Rumors abound that the Angels are actively searching for a new bat. Names associated with the team include Paul Konerko, Joey Votto, Jermaine Dye, Garrett Atkins and free agents Pat Burrell, Bobby Abreu and Adam Dunn.

Each trade would cost young pitching, a commodity teams are always hesitant to part with. A top target for potential trade partners would be righthander Nick Adenhart. Trading Adenhart for a declining slugger like Dye or Konerko would be incredibly shortsighted. In fact, the Angels should abandon any trade thoughts and look at the available free agents.

The market for Adam Dunn is as low as it’s ever been. Dunn averages 40 homers and 100 runs batted in a year. He regularly posts on-base percentages over 385. The knock on Dunn is that he strikes out between 180 and 200 times a year. In addition, many in the industry believed Jays general manager J.P. Riciardi’s rant last summer claiming that Dunn was a lazy player who hated baseball. These factors have combined to drive the market for Dunn’s services well below the expected level.

The Angels should offer Dunn a modest three-year deal for about $33 million and bat him behind Vlad Guerrero. Defensively, the Halos can put Dunn at first base and fill the void left by Teixeira.

The loss of Big Tex hurts, but the Angels can keep their offense afloat by deftly moving to sign Adam Dunn. Otherwise, they are looking at another year of sub-par offensive production. With improving teams in Oakland and Texas, that’s not an appealing option.