[OnBaseMachine]

Excellent post M2. I still think to this day that the Reds would've won the NL pennant in 1999 if they had made the playoffs. That team was special. I constantly find myself thinking if only they hadn't blown that 6-0 lead against the Giants in the second game of the season, or if they had only held that 9-4 lead in the 7th inning in Cleveland, or if only Scott Williamson could have held that 3-1 lead in the 8th inning in Milwaukee. Just won more win and there wouldn't have been a one game playoff.

I consider myself an optimist, but I truly believe the 2009 Reds can put together a good season with the right moves. Obviously plenty of things have to go right (like Dickerson developing into a solid CF option, Bruce and Cueto improving, the return of Harang) and Jocketty needs to add a few key players (Beltre at 3rd? EdE to LF? and find a shortstop and another catcher). I don't think anyone expected the 1999 Reds to win 96 games. I know a lot of people will disagree, but I think the 2009 Reds will be much improved as long as Jocketty improves the defense and adds another bat. They won't win 96 games but they should be better.