Meet your 2008 Reds

[UPRedsFan]

I think Wayne hinted he's done. If so, here's how we look next April.

Bruce
Phillips
Griffey
Dunn
Encarnacion
Votto
Gonzalez
Ross

Bench: .
Freel
Hopper
Hatteberg
Keppinger
Valentin

Rotation
Harang
Arroyo
Bailey
Volquez
Belisle

Pen
Cordero
Weathers
Burton
Bray
Coffey
Stanton
Majewski/McBeth/Coutlangus/Cueto???

Sure does look like we're missing a right handed bat with some pop on the bench. Someone to pinch hit for Votto or Bruce against loogy relievers late in the game. Maybe one more deal for that or a middle reliever?

[Bip Roberts]

I still think Cueto makes this roster out of spring training in some fashion

[*BaseClogger*]

Belisle will be the #3 and either Bailey or Volquez will be the #5 so they can be skipped in April with all the offdays...

I say add Hendrickson and Mench and get rid of Freel. Then we are set!

[TN Red Fan]

Belisle will be the #3 and either Bailey or Volquez will be the #5 so they can be skipped in April with all the offdays...

I say add Hendrickson and Mench and get rid of Freel. Then we are set!

Kevin Mench makes so much sense it'll never happen.

[HokieRed]

Valenzuela--our rule 5 guy? Any chance at all?

[*BaseClogger*]

Valenzuela--our rule 5 guy? Any chance at all?

I don't think so...

[Blue]

I'd like to see Belisle replaced by Cueto or Maloney. I also question how that offense will stand up to the Cubs' and Brewers'.

[howyoufreelin]

Are we actually...good again?

Harang
Arroyo
Volquez
Belisle
Bailey
Cueto

And plus, with Hamilton being dealt, there's no reason Jay Bruce shouldn't be the starting CF on opening day. We actually have potential to be good...for a long time. I haven't been this excited about Reds baseball in I don't know how long!!!

[Blue]

Yeah, hopefully we won't have to trade for a SP for a LONG LONG time. There may be a problem in CF, at SS, and C over the next couple years, though.

[*BaseClogger*]

It'll be nice to be analyzing offensive FA's instead of pitchers though-cheaper too...

[Reds Freak]

I'd have to see it to believe it. Take a deep breath and let me just remind you that this is a team that won 72 games this past season. Barring any other changes to the team, they will have 6 of the 8 same players in the starting lineup, mainly the same bullpen, and still a number of question marks in the rotation. It is exciting to start to see some of the fruits of the minor leagues coming to the big show but I would expect a few growing pains from the kids. Although I'm thrilled withthe direction of the club, let's try to keep things in perspective and not have unrealistic expectations...

[*BaseClogger*]

I'd have to see it to believe it. Take a deep breath and let me just remind you that this is a team that won 72 games this past season. Barring any other changes to the team, they will have 6 of the 8 same players in the starting lineup, mainly the same bullpen, and still a number of question marks in the rotation. It is exciting to start to see some of the fruits of the minor leagues coming to the big show but I would expect a few growing pains from the kids. Although I'm thrilled withthe direction of the club, let's try to keep things in perspective and not have unrealistic expectations...

Prolly not unrealistic to expect something like 82 wins, which in the NL Central is prolly competing. Our Pythag W-L was 75-87, so with some luck in the opposite direction we could win 78 games with the same cast. Arn't Cordero and the young guys worth about 4 wins?

[fewfirstchoice]

I still think the Reds will make a big push for Bedard.The Volquez trade opens that up even more.I can see a Cueto,Votto,and a minor leaguer to the O's for Bedard.I think the Volquez trade takes Cuetos place and Hatteberg can fill in for Votto.Then we sign Dunn long term to be our 1st baseman.Then in 09 that leaves a OF of Bruce,Stubbs and maybe a FA signing or a young guy.I could even see Cincy signing JR back on the cheap to be in RF for another year or 2.But I think the Volquez trade opens up room for a Bedard trade even more.

Harang
Bedard
Arroyo
Bailey
Volquez
Now thats a solid rotation 1 thru 5 without a doubt.

Then put Belisle in the BP and it helps the rotation and BP out greatly.

[BucksandReds]

If we get Bedard anything short of a deep push in the playoffs in the next 2 seasons is a complete failure. I'd rather build with what I have that give 4-5 prospects for 2 years of a pitcher.

[Blue]

Moves I'd like to see now:

Trading for Michael Barrett (I'm really not satisfied with our catching situation right now, and our lineup needs another RH bat. I think he rebounds under Dusty, who saw him put together 3 good years with the Cubs.)

Signing Mike Cameron for 2 yrs (He OPSed over .900 against lefties last season. That would be nice coming off the bench. He's also good insurance if Griffey goes down again. He could be the starting CF on opening day if Bruce should struggle through Spring Training and need to get right in AAA before making the jump to the big leagues.) EDIT: nevermind that last point, he'll be suspended for a little while at the start of the season.