I have argued that in order for the Reds to be complete (on paper anyway) that they need a big RH bat to hit between Votto and Bruce more than anything. I felt they actually needed it more than anything else. Though I was happy to see them go and get a potential ace arm and another good high leverage bully arm. The ace was necessary to be a legit World Series contender but only IMO if it came along with a legit middle of the order bat. Certainly if Bruce improves his game or even Heisey or Stubbs it should lessen the blow on offense. But I see us losing alot of games 3-2 and 2-1 and the like because teams walk Votto in key situations and make someone else beat them which right now unless Rolen rebounds strongly (something I think the Reds are counting on) we have no one to make those teams pay.
I also would love to upgrade at the top of the lineup but IMO it's a moot point if we have no one to drive them in (because Votto is getting walked).
So the question I have for everyone is what is the missing critical piece right now and why? IMO someone needs to pay for walking Votto and going at Jay with a strong LHP. A big RH is necessary.