2004 Cincinnati Reds Preview

The Bottom Line:
The Reds are an interesting bunch. They have a decent looking offense if everybody can stay healthy. They have no pitching. They’re in a division of extremes that features three of the best teams in NL and the two worst. If everything worked out well they could finish as high as third, but if things go sour they could end up last. I believe they’ll be somewhere in the middle; more like fourth place, a little below .500. In my opinion, the Reds are the best built team in the NL Central as far as the future is concerned. If they can stay healthy and intact, they could become a contender as soon as 2005, but they have a history of bad management decisions that might destroy the team before they have a chance to succeed. None of that changes the fact that they’ll finish in fourth place for 2004.

Line Up:

Offensively the Reds are close to making a turn around. 
They’ve been unofficially rebuilding for a few years now, but they’re saddled
with Ken Griffey’s huge contract and it’s really keeping them from doing what
they need to do.  In the mean time, the line up might be good if all the pieces
fall into place, which hasn’t happened in Cincinnati since 1996.

 

1. D’Angelo Jimenez, 2B: He’s a quality second
   baseman in the making – not really a perennial All-Star type, but maybe on
   occasion.


2. Sean Casey, 1B: He’s decent enough.  He’s the
   only proven hitter in the Red’s line up that seems to stay healthy.


3. Ken Griffey, CF: As a Mariner fan, even I feel
   sorry for him.  He’s paid his dues.  I hope he can stay healthy and return
   to his true form.


4. Austin Kearns, RF: The most promising future
   star in the Reds line up didn’t get a chance to show what he can do because
   of injuries.


5. Adam Dunn, LF: I know he hits a lot of home
   runs, but dropping 100 points in batting average between his first two
   seasons is a big reason for concern.


6. Barry Larkin, SS: Perhaps that should be
   “shortstop emeritus.”  Larkin is back for a final year.  He’s been with the
   Reds, his original team, for longer than any other player in the game. 
   Unfortunately, he hasn’t been healthy and productive in quite some time.


7. Brandon Larson, 3B: He was supposed to be the
   starter last year, but hit only .101 in 32 games.  Maybe he’ll be ready this
   year.


8. Jason LaRue, C: He’s like Mike Matheny without
   the defense.

 

Pitching:

This has been a trouble area for the Reds for quite some
time, but they seem to be turning the corner.  They’ve recognized their
inability to develop pitching, so they started making trades to get young
pitchers from other teams.  Maybe the Rangers could learn a thing or two.

 

1. Paul Wilson, R: Probably the weakest “ace” in
   baseball.


2. Corey Lidle, R: It will be hard for Lidle to
   repeat his 12 wins from a year ago without the mighty Toronto offense behind
   him.  He had the best run support of any pitcher in baseball last year.


3. Aaron Harang, R: Some scouts say he’ll be good,
   but you ought to see big red flags when the A’s give up on a young pitcher.


4. Brandon Claussen, L: The key in the Aaron Boone
   trade.  Even if Boone had stayed healthy, the Reds got the better end of
   this deal.


5. Jose Acevedo, R: was solid in four late season
   starts in 2003: 6 walks, 23 strikeouts in 27 innings.

Closer Danny Graves, R: If
the Reds can give him some games to save he will be just fine.

 

 

Remarkably Similar
	AB	R	H	HR	RBI	SB	BB	BA	OPS
Ken Griffey (14)	7079	1271	2080	481	1384	177	940	.294	.941
Frank Robinson (14*)	6538	1236	1977	383	1169	160	867	.302	.947

 

In my opinion, this comparison really puts Griffey’s
accomplishments in perspective.  Despite being almost worthless the last three
years, he’s still way better than a guy like Frank Robinson in the same span of
time.  Many people will probably disagree, but Griffey has already done enough
to merit Hall of Fame status.

 

Fantasy Top 5:

1. Austin Kearns


2. Danny Graves


3. Adam Dunn


4. Ken Griffey


5. Brandon Claussen

Posted by at April 1, 2004 08:42 AM