We're two players away IMHO (and it won't cost much)

[Blitz Dorsey]

The Reds are pretty close to being contenders in 2008 and IMHO we're two players away. Neither of which will be overly expensive.

1. Starting pitcher. Even with Affeldt on his way, he is a swingman with a possibility of being in the rotation. A one-year deal for a veteran like Colon (not necessarily him, just throwing out an example) would be ideal. One could make the argument that our rotation is already set and the Reds won't add another starting pitcher to the fold. But there is nothing wrong with spending around $5 million on another starter leaving Belisle, Affeldt, Volquez, Bailey ad Cueto to fight for the remaining two spots. If Bailey and/or Cueto aren't ready, they can go to AAA. If Affeldt doesn't make the rotation, he goes to the 'pen (where he's probably going to be most effective anyway, even though he was given a promise to be given a shot to make the rotation). If Belisle doesn't make the rotation, he goes to the pen. If Volquez doesn't make the rotation, he can go to AAA or the pen. However, two of them are going to make it for sure and it will be three if we don't sign someone else. Any way you want to look at it, unless you love our current rotation, I think we need to add another starter. Nothing bank-breaking and not a trade that will cripple our farm system. Just whatever we can find that's left on the FA market, and yes I know there isn't much to choose from. Find the best deal you can get and make it. And hopefully it's not Livan Hernandez. Ha. But honestly that would be better than doing nothing (and I'm sure many would disagree).

2. A right-handed hitter, preferably an OF (and someone who can play 1B and maybe even 3B in an emergency). Again, not someone who is going to break the bank, far from it. Said player would know he would be coming here as a reserve with a chance to get a lot of ABs if things fall right. Some people have mentioned Morgan Ensberg. That is a good example. Although I would prefer an OF. But someone like that is what I'm talking about. A RHH with some pop to come off the bench. I like having Keppinger and Hopper on our bench, but they have no pop. Get someone with some pop and suddenly we have a pretty damn strong bench because the other parts are in place (crazy utility man in Freel, high OBP OF in Hopper, high OBP INF in Keppinger, decent backup catcher in Valentin).

[PuffyPig]

A RHH with some pop to come off the bench. I like having Keppinger and Hopper on our bench, but they have no pop. Get someone with some pop and suddenly we have a pretty damn strong bench because the other parts are in place (crazy utility man in Freel, high OBP OF in Hopper, high OBP INF in Keppinger, decent backup catcher in Valentin).

FWIW, that means Bruce is the starting CF,and Hatteberg is gone.

[OnBaseMachine]

Edinson Volquez is a huge key to the Reds chances of success in 2008 IMO. We already know Aaron Harang and Bronson Arroyo are going to give us 400 innings of 4.00 ERA or better. Matt Belisle should improve as the stats indicate he will. That's two very good starters plus a solid number three. That's where Volquez steps into the picture. If Volquez can put it together (and his AA/AAA numbers plus his last month of 2007 suggest he could), then this Reds club could compete for the NL Central. I am a huge fan of his and my expectations are that he will step up and surprise a lot of folks. I'm expecting around 175 innings with an ERA around 4.00 and 150+ strikeouts. He definitely has the stuff to do that and I was encouraged enough by his latest major league showcase to have the faith in him to develop into a good major league starter in 2008.

[RedLegSuperStar]

I'd like to see the following:

Sign Livan Hernandez for 1 year 6 million w/ a guaranteed option for 2009 if he meets a certain win and innings total.

Sign Kevin Mench for 1 year 2.5 million deal

That would mean Affeldt and Belisle would join the pen with Volquez netting the #5 spot. Having Bailey and Cueto start the year in AAA. Also the trading of Ryan Freel and the release of Mike Stanton and Juan Castro. That's a pipe dream and would cost the Reds about 10 million or more to make those type of moves.. which is why I think we might now see a trade of some prospect pitches for a veteran starter.

[Blitz Dorsey]

FWIW, that means Bruce is the starting CF,and Hatteberg is gone.

Bruce is definitely the starting CF IMO (no matter what the front office is saying right now).

I wouldn't mind seeing Hatte stay, but if we can get a trade for him, that would probably be best. No reason to have 2 LHH 1B.

[Blitz Dorsey]

Edinson Volquez is a huge key to the Reds chances of success in 2008 IMO. We already know Aaron Harang and Bronson Arroyo are going to give us 400 innings of 4.00 ERA or better. Matt Belisle should improve as the stats indicate he will. That's two very good starters plus a solid number three. That's where Volquez steps into the picture. If Volquez can put it together (and his AA/AAA numbers plus his last month of 2007 suggest he could), then this Reds club could compete for the NL Central. I am a huge fan of his and my expectations are that he will step up and surprise a lot of folks. I'm expecting around 175 innings with an ERA around 4.00 and 150+ strikeouts. He definitely has the stuff to do that and I was encouraged enough by his latest major league showcase to have the faith in him to develop into a good major league starter in 2008.

I like your optimism. I see you like our rotation 1-4 of Harang, Arroyo, Belisle and Volquez. And hopefully that works out well and everyone stays healthy and gets the job done. But even if that happens, that leaves another spot to fill between Affeldt, Bailey and Cueto. And what if there is an injury or two? Which is bound to happen when you're talking about pitchers.

I think there is strength in numbers and the Reds should add another starter. In a perfect world, what we have now would be enough. But factoring in injuries and the simple fact that probably one or two of them isn't going to be ready to be reliable starters, I think another starter is needed. And not a swingman who can possibly start or pitch in relief. A starter that the Reds think they can get 175 innings out of.

[Blitz Dorsey]

I'd like to see the following:

Sign Livan Hernandez for 1 year 6 million w/ a guaranteed option for 2009 if he meets a certain win and innings total.

Sign Kevin Mench for 1 year 2.5 million deal

That would mean Affeldt and Belisle would join the pen with Volquez netting the #5 spot. Having Bailey and Cueto start the year in AAA. Also the trading of Ryan Freel and the release of Mike Stanton and Juan Castro. That's a pipe dream and would cost the Reds about 10 million or more to make those type of moves.. which is why I think we might now see a trade of some prospect pitches for a veteran starter.

I like it. Not a big fan of Hernandez, but I would rather have him than not for depth. You have to count on 1-2 injuries when you're projecting a starting rotation IMO. Just hopefully Harang is not involved.

[OnBaseMachine]

I also expect some improvement out of Homer Bailey this year. He too pitched well toward the end of the year and the stuff is there for him to contribute. I don't expect an ace type year out of him this season or anything like that, but I do think we'll see some improvement. A 4.50-4.65 ERA and 7.0 K/9 would be suitable enough for me. I don't expect a 21-year old kid to come out and dominate out of the gates like most people on here do. I don't really expect him to fully tap into his potential right away; I've always thought it would probably be around 2009 or 2010 before he became what many people expect him to be.

[corkedbat]

I think the Reds could conceivably make a run at the division (it is the NL Central afterall) as they are if the stars align right and at least three from among Belisle, Affeldt, Volquez, Bailey, Cueto and Maloney have league average seasons (or better). I don't know that adding any of ththe remaining FA pitchers improve our chances appreciably.

I think the addition of Morgan Ensberg (or similar right-handed bat off the bench) is needed regardless.

A deal for Bedard (or similar 1 or 2 starter) for Bailey and some other minor leaguers would make the Reds odds-on divisional favorites IMO, but don't see it happening. I just don't think anything short of that does much to improve their chances though.

[Kc61]

The right handed hitter needs to play first base. Neither Votto nor Hatteberg should play first against lefties. The Reds need a power righty bat there.

Once it is established that Votto is the first baseman, the Reds have a far greater need for a righty bat backing him up than for Hatte. I'm sure there are better situations for Hatteberg, who is still too good to be a backup to another lefty hitting first baseman.

Ensberg would seem ideal because he hits lefty pitching so well. Haven't heard any rumors about him, wonder if the Reds are players for his services next year.

[TOBTTReds]

Once it is established that Votto is the first baseman, the Reds have a far greater need for a righty bat backing him up than for Hatte.

Why??? Hatte hit 205/244/333 vs. LH last year. That is dreadful. Votto hit 269/296/346. He had one less hit vs. LH than Hatte did in 13 fewer AB's. I'm not saying that Votto is much better. But in AAA he hit 242/354/325 vs. LH, again not good, but better than Hatteberg. Certainly not a greater need. Also, I would let Votto play vs. LH til he proves he can't hit them. He's a rookie with an incredible work ethic, give him a chance to hit LH first.

[RedsManRick]

Why??? Hatte hit 205/244/333 vs. LH last year. That is dreadful. Votto hit 269/296/346. He had one less hit vs. LH than Hatte did in 13 fewer AB's. I'm not saying that Votto is much better. But in AAA he hit 242/354/325 vs. LH, again not good, but better than Hatteberg. Certainly not a greater need. Also, I would let Votto play vs. LH til he proves he can't hit them. He's a rookie with an incredible work ethic, give him a chance to hit LH first.

The point is that once Votto proves he can carry his weight versus righties, Hatteberg no longer adds value to the roster. Sure, maybe Votto can hit lefties, but that's beside the point. The real issue is that having both Votto and Hatteberg is inefficient as they seem to have to same strengths and limitations.

Assuming Votto is the starter, Hatteberg's roster spot is better used on somebody who is more complimentary -- specifically addressing the need of a RH bat with pop off the bench and possibly as a 1B platoon partner.

[pedro]

The point is that once Votto proves he can carry his weight versus righties, Hatteberg no longer adds value to the roster. Sure, maybe Votto can hit lefties, but that's beside the point. The real issue is that having both Votto and Hatteberg is inefficient as they seem to have to same strengths and limitations.

Assuming Votto is the starter, Hatteberg's roster spot is better used on somebody who is more complimentary -- specifically addressing the need of a RH bat with pop off the bench and possibly as a 1B platoon partner.

Pretty much all teams carry a LH pinch hitter. While that player is optimally not your 3rd 1st baseman, it is still a need that should be addressed and right now Hatteberg is the best candidate for that job. The fact that he is a 1st baseman is at least partially mitigated by the fact that the RH platoon partner at 1b can play all the other IF positions as well.

[WMR]

The point is that once Votto proves he can carry his weight versus righties, Hatteberg no longer adds value to the roster. Sure, maybe Votto can hit lefties, but that's beside the point. The real issue is that having both Votto and Hatteberg is inefficient as they seem to have to same strengths and limitations.

Assuming Votto is the starter, Hatteberg's roster spot is better used on somebody who is more complimentary -- specifically addressing the need of a RH bat with pop off the bench and possibly as a 1B platoon partner.

I'm not sure how the 25 man roster is going to shake out, but couldn't he still be valuable as a pinch-hitting lefty?

[Falls City Beer]

My biggest concern, at this point, is that the Reds will overlook opportunities to help the team in real, attainable ways (Mike Cameron) in an attempt to shoot the axheads with one arrow. Barring another Volquez (a long shot) or a Bedard (a near-impossibility), the Reds must re-think their strategy if they want to contend in 08: bullpen, offense, defense. The time grows short.