What move will it take to win the WS?

[texasdave]

If Scott Rolen can play a 'healthy' 120 games, the Reds are in like Flynn.

[nux fan]

rolen needs to quit as he is not half the hitter francisco will be

[Hondo]

This team needs a legit Lead Off Hitter... It allows Phillips to Bat 2nd or even 6th and gets some runners on base in front of Votto/Bruce/Rolen.

This team also needs a Right Handed Hitting LF'er who can Hit 25-30 Homers.

That's what will make this team a WS contender.

I think the Reds have "In House" Closer options.

Masset getting the first opprotunity.

[Outlaw133]

how good is mes? why can't he bat 4th or 5th?

Aside from just 53 major league plate appearances and a ML batting average of .180? He did hit 2 homeruns in roughly 50 at bats, which equates to 20 HRs in 500 at bats. Not exactly cleanup stats. Yet.

[Outlaw133]

I think Cozart is more than serviceable at SS. Some stability in left field would be nice but I'd like to see Heisey get a full time shot until the all star break and see how his numbers look. In my opinion the key to this years team will be:

A) A more consistent Jay Bruce at the plate. During portions of last year he looked like a .300 35-40 homer stud....... and other times looked like we should send him to AA he looked so lost. He has to step up this year and show some consistency.

B) Drew Stubbs' ability to not strike out 200 times in a year. If somebody could teach him how to bunt (or at least make contact) he would be absolutely lethal at the top of the lineup. If he could cut out his strike out total by 50 and utilize the bunt I think he could easily manage 20-25 more hits this year which would bring his average up to about .275 and his OBP around .350. With his speed I'd take that at the top of our lineup.

Stubbs is fast, but not all fast players can successfully bunt for a hit. Ralph Garr comes to mind. Park him 6th or 7th and let him do his thing. Jay needs to be more consistent. 35 homeruns is doable, but a .280 average is probably the best he can hope for anytime soon.

[The DARK]

A closer, combined with success from the unproven players and those in need of a breakout (Chapman, Heisey, Cozart, Mesoraco, Bailey, Bruce).