Reds Rebuilding

There's not really a lot that's "good" to talk about when you mention the Cincinnati Reds, but there sure is a "lot to talk about"! This is a team that is buried in a deep rebuild at this point, so there's plenty going on in the background, but not a lot to look forward to in 2016.

After shopping and failing to move Brandon Phillips, and successfully shopping and moving both Todd Frazier and Aroldis Chapman (for what some experts are calling "a marginal return"), the Reds continue to attempt to dismantle what's left of the payroll before the season starts. They are actively trying to move Jay Bruce again (after a failed attempt earlier in the off-season), and they may have a couple of teams who, at least somewhat interested. The Orioles have their "line in the water", but probably lack the proper bait to get a deal done.....unless the Reds will, once again, take a marginal return for being able to shed Bruce's salary. He's owed $12.5 million in 2016, and $13 mil in 2017 with a $1 mil buyout available.

With Chris Young (the OF) getting $6.5 mil/yr from the Red Sox (Bruce has more HR's since 2009 than Young has in his entire career), Colby Rasmus getting the $15.8 mil from his QO, and elderly statesman Ben Zobrist getting $14.5 from the Cubs......it would seem that Bruce's $12.5 mil should be a bargain for a guy who'll probably hit 25-30 HR's and drive in 90. The average sucks, but Bruce was hurt in lat 2014, and should be fully healed by now. Personally, I think they should keep him around so they can benefit from his rebound this year.

Fear not, Reds fans.....Joey Votto will be a "Reds player for life", I'd guess. After all, not even the Yankees would be dumb enough to take over a contract that will pay "Even a guy like Votto".....$95 million over 4 seasons at age 37-40. Wow! Whatever they were drinking the day they offered THAT deal, should be illegal! I love the production and deep sabermetric stats that Votto has....supposedly, he's only pulled ONE ball foul (into the stands) over his entire career......and he hardly EVER hits an infield pop-up. And he walks a million times a game (well, maybe not quite a million....lol). Cool stats. But not worth that kind of money when you're "re-building".

Around the diamond, there's a few relatively new faces, and some decent talent to build around. Suarez was a delight last season, and is slated to be the starting 3B. Cozart will be back. Hopefully he can produce on offense, as he was originally expected to. Hamilton needs a good rebound this season, but should still steal 50-60 bases (if he can get on base more often). Adam Duval RHB, and Scott Schleber LHB, will probably share time in LF. Neither hits for average, but both have some pop in their bats. And finally there's newly acquired Jose Peraza. I'd guess he starts in AAA, but makes the club by June and starts to displace Phillips, if he's not raking....."Time to move forward" for the Reds. Homer Bailey needs to show that he's ready to return to the rotation in May/June, and Devin Mesoraco needs to show that his hip is fully healed and he can crouch behind the dish on a daily basis (his bat will be needed as well). The Reds will be hoping to strike lightning in a bottle with some of the young players and prospects that they have.



The Pitching Staff  is a question mark. DeSclafani and Iglesias should be solid. The rest will have to prove their worth. J.J. Hoover seems to have the edge on the "closing gig", but don't count out Jumbo Diaz. The rest of the bullpen is "inexperienced" to say the least.

So, the Future may be Bright, Reds Fans.......but temper your expectations for the 2016 Season.