The new REDS... no power. I'll take good pitching over home runs after suffering through many years of bad pitching. I'll also be happy with a .500 record at this point and still alive in the division. But has the lack of power (easy on the Dunn-tangent arguments!) hurt this team? 72 home runs after 78 games.

78 games
2009 = 72 homers (W/L 39-39)
2008 = 85 homers (W/L 35-43)
2007 = 111 homers (W/L 30-48)
2006 = 111 homers (W/L 42-36)

The REDS have had 29 games (37.2% of games) without a home run. They are 12-17 in those games. Five of those losses were by 1 run. A homer might change the outcome.

Do the REDS have a legit power threat? Bruce (18 HR)? I do not see Phillips as a legit HR threat. If they had another legit threat (and paid for it), could it have possibly given the 2009 team two or three more wins at this point and much closer to 1st-place? Perhaps.

Dunn after 78 games
2009 = 21 homers
2008 = 18 homers
2007 = 22 homers
2006 = 24 homers

One example of a legit power threat that was available. The FO decided not to do it or sign any other free agent offensive threats. The lack of runs (36 games, 46%, with 3 or less runs) has been a glaring weakness for this team.

I enjoy the pitching, but...