Thursday, July 22, 2010

2010 Prequel Review

The returning “Who’s Who’
At the beginning of the 2010 season, expectations and hopes were high for Reds fans. In many publications the Reds were often mentioned as “the dark horse” team to be on the lookout for a possible surprise contender. And for good reason: The Reds have a very young and very talented core group of players in many of the key positions with a sprinkle of seasoned vets. The infield has Joey Votto at 1B and Brandon Phillips at 2B. Votto had a very solid first full year last year, and Phillips, though not as young and new, is still a younger guy with some solid seasons behind him on both the offensive and defensive sides. On the hot corner, all-star Scott Rolen was expected to provide leadership and balance in a style that’s been missing for way too long. In the outfield, the team’s ‘great potential’ guy, Jay Bruce, was hoping to have a break-out season and bring to fruition all the potential that’s been talked about since his minor league days. The catcher position seemed to be in capable, albeit mediocre, hands behind Hernandez and Hanigan. The starting rotation, Cueto, Volquez, and Bailey were expected to solidly anchor the pitching staff behind veteran pitchers Harang and Arroyo. Ageless Arthur Rhodes and closer Francisco Cordova figured to be the 1-2 combination to close out the majority of games.

The missing links
The missing pieces to the puzzle were fairly obvious: On the field, the Reds badly needed a proven center fielder, left fielder, shortstop, and middle relievers. At the plate, the Reds needed a reliable leadoff hitter, a threat on the basepaths, and some power in the middle of the lineup to protect Votto, Bruce, & Rolen. In addition, Volquez was beginning the year rehabbing from surgery and not expected to return until around the All-Star break, so someone would need to fill in the 5th spot in the rotation.

Plugging the holes
The additions to the club were surprisingly good, surprisingly bad, a little puzzling, and in some cases, non-existent. Orlando Cabrera, and aging, but consistent shortstop was brought in to fill the void in the infield. This was a little bit of a gamble, as he is getting a little older, losing a little range, and though you can count on him to hit around .280 and drive in about 60-70 runs, his best years are really behind him. His OBP isn’t exactly stellar-leadoff quality, and he won’t strike fear into the opposing team’s catcher while on the basepaths any more than anyone else on the team. However, he’s a steady veteran presence and an offensive upgrade at SS over the alternative, which is Paul Janish; a weak hitting, but slick fielding utility player/shortstop in the making.
The next addition was surprisingly good, puzzling, and a bit of a risky out-of-the-norm move for the Reds: Aroldis Chapman. By now, the story is well documented, the big question would be how much, if any, contribution would he be able to provide the club at the highest level.
For all the other needs, the Reds decided to go with what they had last year, and/or count on the minor league affiliates to produce and provide. Gomes, Stubbs, Dickerson, and Nix all returned and figured to fight or platoon for the left and center field positions, and in the bullpen, Wood, Owings, Leake, Masset, Herrera, Bray, Lincoln, Fisher, & Maloney all figured to battle for spots to fill in for relief spots and the 5th starter in the absence of Volquez.

Out of the gate
After the spring training shake-out, the Reds looked very much at the beginning of the 2010 season as they did at the end of last season with a few very noticeable exceptions: Orlando Cabrera was the starting shortstop, Leake…a rookie who would skip the minors altogether…won the 5th starting spot; and the team seemed to have a bit of a swagger and attitude that had been missing for a while. Everyone seemed to think they could and would be in contention for the post season this year.

First half impressions
At the All-Star break, Cincinnati is in first place in the division and has been battling the Cardinals in a see-saw battle to stay there for several weeks. Votto is proving to be a bona-fide stud at the plate in almost every category; Gomes is providing stability in the outfield and at the plate; Rolen seems to be on pace to have his best, or one of his best, years offensively. Bruce, though not hitting with as much power, is more consistent at the plate, and defensively, the Reds are much more solid than they have been in a while. The starting rotation seems to be a strong point; Leake is proving that he not only belongs in the rotation, but has the poise and command of a seasoned vet. The Reds aren’t going out and blowing away everyone, but they are winning by hard fought, close scores – often coming from behind to win games in the late innings.
If the Reds can make a couple acquisitions, avoid injuries, and keep the same intensity they have shown thus far, you shouldn’t be surprised to see them playing in the post-season this year.

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