(Remember that SI cover from the Eric Davis era -- pre-WS victory so it must have been late 80s).
So what is it? I think it is D.
The offense
Starting pitching
Relief pitching
Ambiguous lack of "clutch" -- not getting timely hits or timely pitching
Managing
Left side -- SS/3B/LF
Something else
(Remember that SI cover from the Eric Davis era -- pre-WS victory so it must have been late 80s).
So what is it? I think it is D.
They simply aren't much more than an 85 win team. It's a combination of not having enough talent, and not having guys that pitch deep into games.
Rip Van Jocketty.
The Reds are like many other teams...they can't afford to buy championships like the Yankees, Red Sox, Philly, etc. They have to hope everything gels at the same time like happened in 1990. The Reds in 1990 were far from the best team on the field, but a hot pitcher (Rijo) and an overachieving offense came together at the right time. You can say the same about some other recent winners like Florida and the Giants. Everything just fell into place at the same time. Things haven't been going the Reds way so far this year, but were only half way home and still close in the standings. Granted, they are going to have to get back some of the magic from last year and address some of the problems that have been occurring too frequently to have a chance.
One other point, the window of opportunity is very short as far as the current players are concerned. A player in his prime probably has 3 or 4 years at his peak. If that is so, we may already be using up players like Votto and Phillips. Think about it...just about the time when Bruce, Cueto, Leake, and a few others get into their prime, Votto and Phillips may very well be on the decline. Look at Phillips now..he's has already gone from a 30/30 guy to hitting only half as many home runs and now steals very seldom. It shows why many teams play for now, and not so much the future. The Reds management seems to be looking down the road and not at today.
they just aren't that good. Fluke year last season, needed upgrades in the offseason to keep at it but Management refused to do so.
The answer to this question is...many things. The Reds roster as constructed has several glaring weaknesses. The starting rotation has had problems, the offense lacks a CONSISTENT threat other than Votto, left field and short have been awful, and Rolen at third has been unimpressive. The thing that stands out to me this season is the lack of a consistent run producing bat behind Votto. Bruce has great stats, but is still young and very streaky. Cueto is the closest thing we have to an ace, and if he continues to perform at his current level will be our "ace" for years to come. Arroyo will be himself, Leake will continue to progress. In other words I am not concerned with our starting pitching. If the opposition were forced to pitch to Votto, or the "run producer" behind him we would see more wins. I am convinced that if we were to acquire such a bat this team would take off offensively. I know we are one of the better offensive team in the NL, but now is not the time to be complacent. Get a bat, get a bullpen arm, stay healthy, and the Reds will be just fine.
Where is the, "they are scoring less than the other team" option?
"When all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail"
You gotta love MLB. 80% of the teams have to hope they catch lightning in a bottle every 20 years.Originally Posted by 40YrRedsFan
Another example of why the NFL (even with all the problems they have right now) reigns supreme.
Rounding third and heading for home...
My candidate for post of the month.
This many games into the season last year,we had won 4 more .The biggest factor is timing of question and our expectations this year.
1. Starting pitching isn't as good as last year.
2. Dusty's poor strategical managing got overlooked last year because they won despite him.
3. LF, SS, leadoff hitter and 4-hole hitter to protect Votto have not been addressed and are all holes for this team.
4. Division was weaker last year.
5. Rolen's age is showing.
6. Small market team. Cannot afford to buy a championship like 20% of mlb teams. Have to catch lightning in a bottle.
Surprised at poll results. Sicilians got it right. "The fish stinks from the head."
Record wise we are not horribly behind where we were last year, the problem is the other teams are playing better. At this point I am rooting for us to finish around .500 this season because that is the only way change will happen.
Its still lack of quality consistent pitching in my opinion. Yes, getting a different option at SS would help. Bruce and Stubbs hitting more consistently would help too, but we have scored 10 runs in two of our last 4 games. We have one of the 5 best offenses in all of baseball. Hitting is not as easy to come by as it used to be.
Reds 2010 NL Central Champs
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