Commentary
If you read the headline and fell down laughing, get up and put your serious face on. I’m not kidding.
Predicting the Cincinnati Reds to compete for a World Series title is childish. But it’s not out of the question to expect them to entertain.
Power loss?
Over the previous decade, Reds fans fell hard for the long ball. With the departure of Ken Griffey Jr. and Adam Dunn, Cincinnati will need to scrap for its runs. This could be a blessing in disguise.
Suddenly, an emphasis on speed, defense and, dare I say it, fundamentals has engulfed the Reds blueprint in 2009. Adding centerfielder Willy Taveras should put a ton of pressure on opposing pitchers. Taveras led the majors with 68 steals in 2008. His presence on base will mean more fastballs given to Brandon Phillips, Joey Votto and Jay Bruce. Re-signing utility-man Jerry Hairston Jr. adds to their speed as well.
The subtraction of Griffey and Dunn should do wonders for Cincinnati’s defense. Junior Griffey was still an above average fielder, but Dunn was atrocious. On the field, he’s like a 12-year-old that hit puberty way too early and hasn’t yet adjusted to his brand new size.
As a fan who watches around 150 games a year, I sensed that players like Phillips, Bruce and Edwin Encarnacion felt they needed to hit with the big boys (Griffey and Dunn). There is hope: after trading Dunn to the Arizona Diamondbacks, Cincinnati wrapped up 2008 with a 22-21 record.
After years of complaining about a lack of pitching and defense, Reds fans should welcome the change to small-ball.
Finally, some pitching
Cincinnati goes into the spring with a strong pitching staff. All four starting spots are locked down, but the fifth wheel is a wide-open sprint. Competitors include Micah Owings (obtained in the Dunn trade), Nick Masset (acquired from the White Sox in the Griffey trade) and former Dayton Dragons Homer Bailey and Daryl Thompson.
I expect Owings to get the nod. He had a down year because of a bum shoulder, but after offseason surgery, he should be back to his 2007 form (8-8, 4.30 ERA). Owings can also rake (career .319 hitter, 5 HR’s in 116 AB’s).
In my eyes, the maturation of pitchers Johnny Cueto and Edinson Volquez helps the team make up for the offensive production that Dunn brought to the club, along with the defensive upgrades.
The times, they are a changing
I’ve never been more excited for Cincinnati Reds baseball. The shift in the teams’ identity offers fans hope into the future. Again, I don’t think the Reds will make the playoffs. But staying close until the end could bring a lot of fans back to Cincinnati.