Reds season preview

The Reds go into season 9 still with hope of finding the playoff success that has so far eluded them. After finishing 2nd in the division a game behind the ever improving Cubs for the first time since Reds fans can recall GM erff has taken much needed steps to insure that does not happen again.

Most of the team is still intact though a few moves were made. Most notable were a few trades the GM made. Tommie Jefferies was traded in a move that surprised some Reds fans though with Roger Merrick poised to take over fulltime duties in right field the move makes sense. In return the Reds recieved a couple of highly touted pitched prospects in Victor Chavez and youngster Rob Holzemer. Also included was Raymond Hughes who will likely be used as a reserve outfielder with the big club. Also after unsuccessfully trying to move Max Warden a year ago the Reds were able to ship the inconsistent veteran back to Milwaukee for Ricardo Cela who like Hughes looks to be an outfield reserve when needed.

In a move that won't affect the big club this year the Reds were also able to aquire future frontline starter Ismael Azocar from Tampa Bay for budding stars Francisco Leon and Shane Canseco. Fransisco and Shane were both excited to go to a club where they can finally get some Major League service time as that didn't look likely in Cincinnati. The Reds are very excited about Ismael's future with the club and one scout even refered to him as Yamil Jr.

Reds Starting Line-up:

Catcher - Chris Duran is back as the #1 catcher though his durability will allow William Hernandez to call several games throughout the course of the year too.

1B - William Hernandez starts his 2nd year as a first baseman after catching most of his career. His bat is way too good to be a platoon player and William has adjusted nicely at first base. the Reds expect allstar numbers from him yet again.

2b - Tony Torrealba reurns at second base after inking a nice contract extension. Many fans are disappointed with Tony's defense but what the boy can do with the bat more than makes up for it according to most.

3b - Carlos Santiago is coming off of an off year but Reds fans expect him to rebound back to his near 1.000 ops numbers this year.

SS - Juan Barajas is still holding down the starting shortstop job for now but many fans would like to see Julio Uribe get a shot to see what he could do there. Juan had a respectable rookie season for the Reds and his defense is a breath of fresh air considering the Reds sub-par defense of late but it's tempting to add Julio's bat to the line-up on a daily basis. Julio will likely get starts all over the diamond for the Reds in a utility role though so he'll have his chance to make an impact.

LF - ever an MVP candidate Omar Nixon will be in left for his 2nd year in a row. He seems to have adjusted well to the new position and will undoubtably be a threat at the plate once again

CF - rookie Miguel Rodrigo looks to start the year in center but if he falters as he did last september Julio, Hughes and Cela are all waiting for a shot. Miguel has always put up sick numbers in the minors and the Reds expect nothing less from him now.

RF - the afore mentioned Roger Merrick finally gets his shot to be an everyday player and though his bat hasn't seemed to quite come alive yet the Reds belive that this is the year.

Also returning this year is Reds veteran Emmanuel Nieves, always a fan favorite who will likely see a lot of time in a pinch hit role and possibly some 1st base starts when William is catching. Kyle Sewell is also back with a healthy raise in arbitration and looks to be used in mostly a utility role this year. With last seasons aquisition of Julio Uribe rumors had it that Kyle was on the move but so far attempts to move him have failed.


Pitching:

1. Yamil Pulido - what needs to be said about Yamil?
2. Mel Wagner - Mel's option was picked up. This may be his last year as a Red however.
3. Midre Davis - not one to ever throw a complet game the Reds would like to get as many innings out of Midre as they can. With as potent of a bullpen as they have they are not worried about him only going 5 or 6 innings a start.
#4 and #5. Harry Owen and Bruce Kinney are penciled in as of now but if they show inconsistencies like they have in the past there are a couple of long relievers and triple A guys itching to get a chance.

Long Relief - Wayne Mays, Gabe Lee and Charles Kinney are all back this year. Charles will be in his first year in a relief role after spending his career as a starter (and winning a Cy Young as well) but the Reds still believe he can start if need be. So much so they brought the old vet back for 2 more years.

Set-up - Jaime Phillips returns coming off of an exceptional year. Youngster Tom Waters is also back and after dealing Max the Reds signed Gary West to replace him. Gary doesn't look to pitch much and will be used mostly against lefties anyhow. Even Max only logged 17 innings last year.

Closer - Mitchell Ray returns looking for more fireman trophies for his mantle.



To sum it up... the Reds are looking to win and win it all....finally.