HalMorrisRules
12-09-2007, 01:23 PM
In his latest ESPN article he lists what each contending team still needs to do for next year. He compliments the Reds by including them in the contenders category but he isnt exactly full of love for them. Does say a few nice things.
Cincinnati Reds
Like the Cardinals, the Reds are only contenders in the sense that their division is terrible, and they're a better team right now than they were at season's end. Unfortunately, they're about three starters shy of a quintet, and they're not likely to fill more than one of those spots from outside the organization, leaving them with two of Matt Belisle, Bobby Livingston and young flamethrower Homer Bailey in the rotation.
Their bullpen lines up much better with Francisco Cordero in the ninth inning, but they're still going to see mediocre arms such as Mike Stanton and Gary Majewski pitching important innings unless they sign another reliever or two.
Cincinnati is set at every offensive position and even has surpluses to try to trade for more pitching help.
It is an insider story but it is a free link.
http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/hotstove07/insider/columns/story?columnist=law_keith&id=3146607
Cincinnati Reds
Like the Cardinals, the Reds are only contenders in the sense that their division is terrible, and they're a better team right now than they were at season's end. Unfortunately, they're about three starters shy of a quintet, and they're not likely to fill more than one of those spots from outside the organization, leaving them with two of Matt Belisle, Bobby Livingston and young flamethrower Homer Bailey in the rotation.
Their bullpen lines up much better with Francisco Cordero in the ninth inning, but they're still going to see mediocre arms such as Mike Stanton and Gary Majewski pitching important innings unless they sign another reliever or two.
Cincinnati is set at every offensive position and even has surpluses to try to trade for more pitching help.
It is an insider story but it is a free link.
http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/hotstove07/insider/columns/story?columnist=law_keith&id=3146607