I don't remember being this excited to be a Reds fan. Not since the mid 1970's have they been such a front page story, even as the 1990 team went "wire to wire" with Chris Sabo, Barry Larkin, Eric Davis, and of course "The Nasty Boys." This team is special. There's a chemistry about this group that seems to follow them around like dust follows Pig Pen. I don't think they're a world series contender yet, but with one more addition, I might be swayed and I think it can happen. Here's how (and yes, I think the picture is creepy, too) :
First of all, the Reds have pieces to trade, and that hasn't been true in at least 15 years. The first to go should, and probably will be 2009 first round pick Yonder Alonzo. The Reds tried him in the outfield during spring training and for a while in Louisville, but it apparently didn't work out. Alonzo's a good left handed power bat, but as a 1st sacker, he has no chance to make the big league club as a regular as long as Joey Votto's around. First round choices won't be happy on the bench or in the minors for long; so I think he's as good as gone.
Secondly, the Reds have a dearth of major league calibre starting pitching. Find me an organization in the major leagues that can go as deep as : Cueto, Harang, Arroyo, Leake, Volquez, Bailey, Wood, Maloney, LeCure, Chapman. That's 10 starters with whom I'd be comfortable taking the mound next season. There's simply no way to keep all ten because they're all either major league experienced, ready, or knocking on the door. A few of those guys can be bullpen pitchers in a playoff run, but with so much value, one has to think a couple or 'em can be packaged to attract a hammer at the top of the rotation, a la Cliff Lee. A post-season rotation of Lee, Cueto, Volquez, Arroyo/Leake would be pretty strong for any organization. For a mid-market team with a miserable last decade and a half? Walt Jocketty would be given a key to the city, a 20-year LaRosa's pizza card, free lifetime passes to King's Island, and be made mayor of Clifton. The local radio stations down there might actually go a day without mentioning Pete Rose.
Third, the Reds have a bunch of quality utility players on the major league roster. I think it's a safe bet to say the future of the Reds' outfield includes Jay Bruce and Drew Stubbs. It may also include Jonny Gomes or Chris Heisey, but it does not include Chris Dickerson or Laynce Nix. One of those two guys can be packaged in a deal, and the Reds won't miss a beat.
Fourth, the Reds are one of a very few teams with the luxury of two every day catchers. Ramon Hernandez and Ryan Hanigan can each play 130 games a season, and I would bet neither is happy with 80. Hanigan's still hurting, but on his way back from the DL; and with Corky Miller and Devin Mesoraco waiting as viable backup's, the Reds can easily part with a major league catcher if necessary.
Finally, the Reds are loaded with prospects at the high-minor levels. Chris Valaika, Todd Frazier, Danny Dorn, Zach Cozart, and Alonzo are all highly thought of prospects the Reds can part with. Pitchers like Carlos Fisher and Logan Ondrusek might also be packaged with other prospects, and the Reds would already have incredible bullpen depth in the post-season given the assets available to them. Cliff Lee might just be in play for Cincinnati. Unthinkable 2 years ago; especially with the depleted minor league system that was in place then. Now? The Reds are right there with the "big boys," and competing nicely both on-field and off. With all of the tradable assets the Reds have to play with, I would be very disappointed if they don't enter September with a #1 starter and another reliable bat. As much as I love Jonny Gomes, a more experienced and consistent player in left field might really help. And I love Gomes off the bench as a right handed pinch hitter, especially if another option is Paul Janish. The Reds just have too many "fringe" major leaguers (Janish, Nix, Miller, Dickerson, Ray Hererra, Mike Lincoln, etc.) to win a title. They need bigger and better pieces, and the street value of their trade stock is finally enough to attract them.
Lee might not be the only guy on the Reds' radar, but for the first time in a long while, the Reds are major players for a guy like him. As much as I hate the "rent a player" mentality, the Reds organization knows the way to sell tickets is to win. Lee would certainly help them do that. Pig Pen's dust won't hurt, either.
RT Brightman
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