I don't care how much improved this rotation
might be. I'll give you that just for the sake of argument.
To coin the words of a famous politician (with a slight twist), and not to be taken personally....
"IT'S THE OFFENSE STUPID!"
What have we done in this off-season to really address a team that was close to the bottom tier in all of MLB in most offensive categories worth tracking? Other then they were up there in Hrs. That's gonna drop too.
It can't simply be "voodoo baseball" of addition through subtraction, like ridding ourselves of CPatt, Ross, Valentin, and a few others.
YOU HAVE TO ADD!
According to our GM/owner, we are placing our hopes on the further maturation of young players like Bruce, Votto, and EE. My opinion? When it comes to Votto and EE, what you see is pretty much what you're going to get...
Votto... .368 OB% .506 SLG% .874 OPS
Encarnacion... .340 OB% .466 SLG% .806 OPS
You should see improvement from Bruce (if he cuts down on that swing)
You hope to get the '07 performance from Phillips in '09.
After that... whatcha got?
You've added a catcher that has OPS'd .714 over the last two years, and whose defense is so-so. How he'll do at GABP I have no idea.
You've added another speedster in Wee Willy Winkle to the mix for the lead-of spot, when Stevie Wonder could find 1B before he could.
It looks like the Island of Misfit Toys.
I'm a loyal Reds fan, and will follow this team diligently in '09 (thanks FSN Ohio); but I'm not buying what this FO is trying to sell me. I may be stupid, but I'm not ignorant.
It's like trying to peddle Hudepohl on me over Sam Adams.