OK, you got the first two games covered for JR's knee. What about the reamining 160?
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OK, you got the first two games covered for JR's knee. What about the reamining 160?
If he stayed in the game after it happened, and then fully participated in today's workout, how bad can it be?? As I mentioned before, he has played up to his All-Century level with knee and wrist problems. I remember reading his biography and it said that after he broke his wrist in 1995, the next season he played anywhere from 60-80%. I think he drove in like 140 that year. If two games into the season, he starts complaining about it, I will be concerned. However, all signs point to it not being a big deal at all.
I'm with geo.
Reds go 81-80. The Reds start slow but get hot from mid-June to mid-August. Then, since the fans didn't come out, there's no money to add a 'Guzman' at the trading deadline. Ergo, since the Reds aren't in the WC chase, the one game that's rained out in Sept. isn't replayed and that's why the Reds only play 161 games this year. The good news is that the Reds lay solid groundwork for '03 with big strides forward by Howington, Darnell and, surprisingly, Jose Rijo.
Gookie Dawkins shows that he's ready defensively and, surprise surprise, actually shows that he can hit .275 with an OBP of .370.
By May 15, Fred-in-LA once again disavows the Reds and swears that he'll never post here again (to rousing cheers). This year he will attach his star to the Expos and be thoroughly dismayed when, at the All-Star break, the 'Spos move to Fred's hometown, Huntington Beach (geography isn't Fred's strong suit), and he's actually obligated to support them. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />
All in all, a fun season with a lot of good signs pointing to '03.
Rem
As the roster now stands, 70-92.
If they get Gagne, Daal, Ponson, or Erickson, then 78-84.
Thanks for the fine and intelligent personal attack remdog...I knew I could depend upon you. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" />
I'm with 'Roser, 82-80.
Chasing 80 wins is what I think is realistic outlook. Though generally an optimist, I would see 80 wins as even an optimistic prediction right now. However, that will not dampen my enthusiasm for the season.
64-98
81-81, with a 3-game swing in either direction.
Reasons:
-The pitching is not good, but it will be significantly better than last year's mess. Hamilton will regain his form and take pressure off Reitsma and Acevedo. Haynes will fix his mechanics enough to reach .500. The bullpen will stay strong.
-The offense will also be significantly better than last year. Larkin will be coddled and will end up with about 500 ABs, Griffey will stay healthy and have a monster year. OPB will be provided by Walker, Larkin, Dunn, Griffey, and Casey; SLG will come from Dunn, Griffey, Boone, and Encarnacion, and maybe the newly-muscled Casey. Griffey, Larkin, Dunn, Boone, and Encarnacion will provide plenty of speed on the basepaths, though not necessarily in the form of SBs.
-Bob Boone will be Bob Boone, but with the regulars in good health, he won't feel as compelled to make quite as many unnecessary switches.
62-100
Reasons: Dessens has me worried. He and Lance Davis had surprising productive seasons last year.
I never expected Lance to be good this year, but Dessens' poor spring has me worried. Joey Hamilton is our opening day starter for crying out loud.
Replacing Dimitri with Juan E will offset the improvement the offense will have with hopefully improved health.
It's going to be a long season, unless the 3 retread starters pull a miracle.
75-87 <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="frown.gif" />
85-77
To those of you predicting below 66 wins, how can you possibly think the Reds will do worse this year than last? Unless you are in the business of predicting injuries, I don't see how you could possibly think a team with Griffey, Dunn, Boone and Casey in the middle of the order is going to lose 100 games.
Maine,
I predicted 100 losses, but it will probably not be quite that bad. But I see 90-100 losses easy.
As I stated above, replacing Dimitri with Juan hurts. Dimtri wasn't a superstar, but JuanE is not even average.
I was never sold on Lance Davis who had a great season last year, and I'm worried about Dessens, who I was hopeful for. Maybe some of the retreads can help backfill this, but both Dessens and Davis had very productive years in 2001.
While I don't expect the injures to be as severe as last year, we will undoubtably have some injuries, and we have absolutely zero quality depth. There's no Tuckers or Stynes to fill in.
Any injury (except catcher and maybe 1b) is going to be a severe blow.
But I hope things go well and we get less than 90 losses.
After consulting the crystal ball, I've determined that the 2002 Cincinnati Reds will go 95-67 and make the post season!!
Put this puppy in the archives 'cause the spirit of Grandpa Scorp says I'm dead on! Grandpa was the greatest prognosticator I've ever known.
95-67. You can take that to the bank <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />