Cincinnati Reds
2015 Win/Loss Record:
64-98, 5th in National League Central
Last Postseason
Appearance: 2013
Last World Series
Championship: 1990
Key Arrivals: Jose
Peraza (2B), Scott Schebler (OF)
Key Departures: Aroldis
Chapman (P), Brayan Pena (C), Todd Frazier (3B)
Manager: Bryan
Price, 3rd Year, W/L 140-184
Overall Review: Last season, the fans
of the Cincinnati Reds had the All-Star Game to look forward to. It was the
first time the Mid-Summer Classic had been held in their city since 1988 and was
all the excitement the Reds’ fans experienced last year. This year, there’s
pretty much a whole lot of nothing to look forward to in Cincinnati. They lost
their best pitcher at the trade deadline in July (Johnny Cueto was traded to
the Royals.) And during this off-season, they lost their best player, third
baseman Todd Frazier, in a trade with the White Sox and their best relief
pitcher, Aroldis Chapman, in a trade with the Yankees.
To say the Reds are in a
rebuilding mode would be an understatement. And to think just a handful of
years ago, they were regularly competing for a spot in the post season. In
fact, from 2010-13, they made the playoffs three of the four years. Granted
they never got past the NLDS, but at least there was some postseason baseball
to look forward to in Cincinnati. Won’t be happening this year.
Offense: So I guess the first thing we
have to do is look at the positive side and see who’s still here. Thankfully
(for Reds’ fans) Canadian-born first baseman, Joey Votto is back. Votto rebounded
nicely from an injury-plagued 2014 and finished hitting .314, while smacking 29
home runs and adding 80 RBIs. The 2010 NL MVP finished 3rd in the
voting last year. Second baseman Brandon Phillips had a decent year (.294, 12,
70 and 23 stolen bases) while centre-fielder Billy Hamilton, despite a poor
.226 batting average, still managed to steal 57 bases. Think how many he could
get if he got on base more.
Right-fielder Jay Bruce had good
power numbers in 2015 (28 HR, 87 RBIs) but his average was a measly .226. They
are definitely going to miss Frazier at third base. It’s hard to replace 35
home runs and 89 RBIs, but Eugenio Suarez will give it a shot. While playing at
shortstop in 97 games, Suarez did well, batting .280 with 13 homers and 48 RBIs.
Now he moves to third and a full season should see him hit over 20 home runs at
least.
Pitching: Okay, here’s where the
problem lies for the Reds: not enough good pitching. Anthony DeSclafani will be
expected to be the leader of the starting staff. In 2015, he won nine
games—which was tied for the team lead—but he also lost 13 games and had a 4.05
ERA. He also struck out 151 batters. While best suited to be a number four
starter, unfortunately, there’s no one better on the staff. Brandon Finnegan,
who came over from Kansas City in the Cueto deal, might be the sleeper. While
only 22 years of age, Finnegan showed he could pitch well out of the pen with
the Royals. But the Reds most likely need him in the rotation.
Thirty-three saves went out the
door with Chapman. What you have left is not too bad. J.J. Hoover most likely
will inherit the closer’s role. Last year, he was 8-2, saved one game, had a
2.94 ERA and struck out 52 batters in 64 1/3 innings. If he falters, Jumbo Diaz
is the only other Reds’ pitcher who had a save last year. His ERA was a bit
high at 4.18 but he does have the power (96-98 MPH fastball) to be a closer. He
struck out 70 batters in 60 1/3 innings.
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| Reds' first baseman Joey Votto |
Prediction: While I like the city of
Cincinnati and I have great respect for the history of the team, unfortunately
this will be another year to forget. Another last-place finish is almost
certain—unless Milwaukee is even worse—and they might not have enough to avoid
100 loses. But if the young players continue to improve and the good veterans
can hang around, there may be some signs of progress a couple years down the
road.
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