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The Reds are about to begin the 2010 season with more anticipation than I can remember for any season over the past 10 years. Not since Ken Griffey Jr. signed with the Reds has there been so much buzz. Unfortunately, that trade did not help the Reds to become a dominant team. In fact, they only had one winning season in the 2000s (2000 with 85 wins). However, it appears that the Reds have recovered and are ready to move towards being a National League powerhouse. Here now is my 2010 Reds Report.

Lineup
1. Drew Stubbs CF
2. Orlando Cabrera SS
3. Joey Votto 1B
4. Brandon Phillips 2B
5. Scott Rolen 3B
6. Jay Bruce RF
7. Ramon Hernandez C
8. Johnny Gomes/Chris Dickerson LF
9. Pitcher

The lineup is much stronger with Scott Rolen in the middle. He gets on base frequently and has been driving in runs for 15 years in the Major Leagues. Jay Bruce is still in his early 20s and is ready for a breakout year. The Reds lineup got much better with the additions/resignings of Cabrera, Hernandez and Johnny Gomes

Starting Pitching
1. Aaron Harang
2. Johnny Cueto
3. Bronson Arroyo
4. Homer Bailey
5. ???????????

The 5th spot in the rotation is still to be determined. Matt Maloney pitched well in the game that I watched last week. Aroldis Chapman, the new Cuban phenom has pitched better than anyone in baseball this Spring. He has a dominant fastball often clocked at or near 100 mph. However, he’s been in the country for only a few months and still needs some seasoning. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him start with the Reds but it is more likely that he will start the season in the Minor Leagues.
Aaron Harang will be the opening day starter for the 5th straight year. However, he has been far from the Reds best pitcher over the last 2 years. After 2 16 win seasons, Harang has only managed to win 6 games the last 2 years. If the Reds want to be competitive, their ace needs to return to his old form.

Bullpen
Closer: Francisco Cordero
Nick Masset
Arthur Rhodes
Daniel Ray Harrera
Jared Burton
Cordero is one of the best closers in baseball not named Mariano Rivera. If the Reds falter, he could be traded. Nick Masset is the closer of the future.

Strengths

• Scott Rolen-Rolen makes the lineup much better.  He also makes the defense much better.  Rolen has won multiple gold gloves.  When the ball is hit to him, it is an out.  Rolen is also a quiet leader and a veteran presence on a young team.
• Joey Votto-Votto is one of the best hitters in baseball.  We don’t know about him because he plays in Cincinnati.  If he can hit the way he did last year for a full season then the Reds are going to be fine.
• Bronson Arroyo-Arroyo is fearless.  Because of that, he is an innings eater, which will save the bullpen.  On top of that, he wins.  Last year he won 16 games.  Although not the ace of the staff, he is the anchor.  I expect a big season out of him.
• Youngsters in the Minor Leagues-Yonder Alonso, Aroldis Chapman, Mike Leake, Todd Frazier, Chris Valaika, etc.  All are ready for a spot on the major league roster if the opportunity presents itself
• Willy Taveras is gone.  The guy was terrible, never got on base and was bad in the outfield.
  

Concerns

• Strikeouts-The Reds struck out way to much last year.  They need to cut down on the wiffs.  Rolen will help.  I am especially concerned about Votto’s 2nd half strikeouts and Jay Bruce.
• Overused Bullpen-An overused bullpen can implode and ruin a season.  The Reds bullpen can not be in every game in the 6th inning.
  
• Fan Attendance-You have to make money to spend money.  If the fans don’t come, they shouldn’t expect the team to spend.  Hopefully, a hot start will entice people to buy seats later in the season.
• Drew Stubbs-Stubbs played well at the end of the year.  In fact, he hit a game winning HR while I was in Cincinnati.  Was it a fluke?  Hopefully not.  If it is, expect Chris Dickerson to end up in CF.  Dickerson has been having a great spring…Stubbs has been having a terrible one, causing me to worry even more.
  

Prediction-This is going to be a competitive team.  The Reds won 78 games last year despite a rash of injuries.  My prediction is 87 wins.  Is 87 wins enough for a Wild Card berth?  Only time will tell but it is a distinct possibility.