[Scrap Irony]

The young players already in Cincinnati-- Bruce, Leake, Bailey, Frazier, Cozart, Mesoraco, Cueto, Latos, Chapman, Hoover-- will all still be on the right side of 30 by 2015. Add Votto, who, as a 1B, doesn't need to be all that spry, and you can see why the future is relatively bright.

That's two true superstars (Cueto-- questionably and Votto), three more All-Star level producers (Latos, Bruce, Chapman), and a host of guys who look solidly above league average in their respective spots on the roster.

They need a couple of the above average players to blossom into All Stars (which can happen), one of the All Stars to blossom into a superstar (which is possible), or multiple guys from the minors develop into above average players in positions of need.

With Corcino, Cingrani, Hamilton, Lutz, Lotzkar, Vidal, and H. Rodriguez, they've got a good shot at just that.

If just one of the minor leaguers develops into a superstar, the Reds will have a bit of a early 90s Cleveland run in them. Hamilton, IMO, has the highest ceiling of that group and is most likely to become that superstar.

Fwiw, my 2015 lineup:
Hamilton CF
H. Rodriguez 3B
Votto 1B
Frazier LF
Bruce RF
Phillips 2B
Mesoraco C
Cozart SS

The real question is what happens with the pitching staff? I think we all know Arroyo is not long for Cincinnati. But what could the Reds get for Leake, shoudld they want to try Corcino in his spot? What could they get for Bailey if they decide that Chapman needs to be a starter? How about Latos? Whither Cingrani?

There's a lot of moving parts-- good parts, mind you, in the Red pipeline. It'll be interesting to see how Jocketty and company move them around in order to create a team.