The Cincinnati Reds come into 2008 wanting to end their streak of 7 straight losing seasons after finishing at 72-90 in 2007.
General Manager Wayne Krivsky wanted to make some changes during the offseason, the first of which was doing something the Reds' organization usually doesn't do....hire a manager who didn't come from within the organization. The man they hired came as a surprise to some, but a guy who may be able to instill change in this young team...that man was Dusty Baker.
Baker has a reputation of helping teams go from worst in the division to division contender in his first year. When he was hired as the Giants' manager in 1993, the team was coming off a 72-90 season, the following year, the Giants won 103 games. In 2002, the Chicago Cubs won just 67 games, Baker was hired in 2003 and led the Cubs to an 88 win season and the NL Central crown.
One thing the Reds needed to do was bulster their bullpen, their relievers posted a 23-31 record in 2007 with a league-high 5.13 ERA while converting 34 of 61 saves. So, they went out and signed former Ranger and Brewers closer Francisco Cordero to a 4-year $46M contract with a $12M option for a 5th year.
The Reds also needed to address their starting rotation. Their only consistant starter, again, was right-hander Aaron Harang who won 16 games. Bronson Arroyo surpassed 200 innings pitched, but didn't have near the year he had in 2006. The Reds traded young outfielder, and fan favorite, Josh Hamilton to the Texas Rangers in exchange for highly touted pitcher Edison Volquez. Along with Harang, Arroyo and Volquez in the rotation, Matt Belisle and Homer Bailey may also have a good shot at a starting spot.
The Reds were rumored to be looking into a deal for Orioles' left-hander Erik Bedard but the Reds were unwilling to part with their top prospect Jay Bruce.
Total list of arrivals and departures:
Arrivals:
RHP Cordero
RHP Volquez
RHP Sergio Valenzuela (Rule 5 pick)
manager Baker
Departures:
OF Josh Hamilton
RHP Kirk Saarloos
OF Jason Ellison
OF Buck Coats
LHP Eddie Guardado
LHP Eric Milton
1B Jorge Cantu
Offensively, this team won't look much different from last season. Ken Griffey Jr, Ryan Freel and Adam Dunn will probably make up the Reds' outfield while David Ross, Edwin Encarnacion, Brandon Phillips (if the team can come to a contract agreement) and Alex Gonzalez will return to the infield.
Prediction Time:
Though Dusty Baker has a reputation of leading teams to better years than before he arrived, I just don't see that reputation holding up this season. I just don't think the Reds have the pitching or the offense to overtake the Chicago Cubs in the division.
Reds - 76-86
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