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mrschroeder08 partyvancaptain pee_callus25 Tags 2010 Preview 5 Million Dollar Black Hole AAAA Aaron Heilman Aaron Miles Alfonso Soriano Andres Blanco Angel Guzman Aramis Ramirez Arizona Diamondbacks Atlanta Braves B.J. 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Does a random generic blogger agree? Read on to find out! Cincinnati Reds 2009 Record: 78-84 (4th, NL Central) Key Additions: Aroldis Chapman (SP), Orlando Cabrera (SS), Aaron Miles (INF) Key Losses: Willy Taveras (OF), Adam Rosales (INF) Summary: Compiling the information above, it is apparent this was a quiet offseason in Cincinnati other than the rather surprising splash in signing Cuban sensation Aroldis Chapman. When you look at the young pieces they have in place, you can see that a busy offseason may not have been necessary. It has been a while since the Reds have been a serious contender, and all the while they have been stockpiling talent. It is now 2010, and it looks like that talent may finally be ready to make a run. While only Orlando Cabrera will be a new starter, they have two players who weren't on the Reds opening day roster in 2009: veteran third baseman Scott Rolen and young center fielder Drew Stubbs. The Reds are also banking on a full healthy year from Joey Votto, who struggled with personal issues and an inner-ear infection. Cincy is hoping this lineup can stay together this year, because there is a ton of talent there. There is also a lot of young talent in the rotation, including Johnny Cueto and Homer Bailey. Aaron Harang has been a steady anchor for the last 5-6 years at the top, and Bronson Arroyo is a decent enough piece. The Reds will need Cueto, Bailey and possibly even Chapman to come on strong if they hope to compete with the Cardinals. At this point the talent looks to be there, but the question remains, will it come together? There is one thing this Cubs fan (who may be biased) sees standing in the way of this. And with that we go to the... Cubs Connection: It was shocking when the Reds hired Dusty Baker as manager prior to 2008. What may be even more shocking is that he is now entering his third year there. The obvious worry is his poor track record with young arms. It can be debated as to whether this should be attributed to Baker or to poor mechanics by Wood and Prior, but in general, Dusty has not had a good track record with youth. Many young players were blocked during his tenure in Chicago: Theriot, Fontenot, Pie, Soto, and the list could probably go on. This year however, Dusty really only has kids to play, and he will play them. So will Dusty take the Reds to the next level, or will his tenure in Cincinnati end the same way his Chicago run ended? The answer to that will most likely be known by this October. BIBGLBOOPSARG(tm) LF Chris Dickerson CF Drew Stubbs 1B Joey Votto 2B Brandon Phillips 3B Scott Rolen RF Jay Bruce C Ramon Hernandez SS Orlando Cabrera P Aaron Harang, Johnny Cueto, Bronson Arroyo, Homer Bailey, Aroldis Chapman Closer: Francisco Cordero Predicted Finish: Third place in the NL Central. I have been going back and forth here, as I can see them finishing anywhere between 1 and 5, depending on player development, health and the general sanity of the man they trusty. I am going to give them some benefit of the doubt because I really like the core of Votto, Phillips, Bruce, Dickerson and Stubbs as well as the stable of young arms they possess. However this thing could just as easily implode. If so, you can bet they will be looking for a new manager (and possibly a new GM) this coming offseason. Posted in: 2010 Preview, Cincinnati Reds | ||