Why The Cincinatti Reds Scare Me

I just purchased a 55 game Cubs season tickets package today, and I am excited for 2009. I was thinking about how bummed I would be if they didn't make the playoffs, but then I thought about how bad their division was going to be. The Brewers lost their two best pitchers to free agency, the Cardinals are going to be a contender (they are every year no matter how bad their team looks on paper. Tony LaRussa is the Bill Belechick of MLB.) Unless Chris Carpender comes back to 2006 form, they don't really scare me. The Pirates... well they are the suckiest bunch of sucks that have every sucked, I've never seen an orchestrated walkout at a sporting event until a couple years ago, I just don't see them turning it around any time soon. Despite a pretty potent offense, the Astros have mediocre pitching (and LaTroy Hawkins.... woof), they could be a surprise, but I just don't see it happening. That leaves the Reds...

This team has the potential to be the 2009 version of the Rays. They have a very good starting rotation. Aaron Harrang had an off year last year, and if he can be the 16-6 pitcher he was a couple years ago, he could be the ace of a very good staff that includes the Reds' two prized prospects (Edison Volquez and Johnny Cueto... both have filthy stuff, and will undoubtedly improve with a year under their belts). Bronson Arroyo is a solid #4 starter (He also has playoff and World Series experience witht he Red Sox), and Multi talented Micah Owings and rookie Ramon Ramirez (another prized prospect) will be fighting for the #5 spot. They have one of the best closers in baseball in Fransisco Cordero, and a bullpen full of veterans. Despite losing Adam Dunn (who nobody seems to want for some reason), they still have a pretty respectable offense led by second year players Joey Votto and Jay Bruce. Their lineup includes Jerry Harriston Jr. who hit .326 last year, and something the Cubs don't have, a great leadoff hitter (Brandon Phillips). This team is stocked with young talent and call me crazy.... but I think they could be competing for a division champoinship, or wild card spot in September. Here are some reasons why they might be the same old Reds that they've been for the last 15 years: Dusty Baker is their coach...need I say more? and this team might need a little more time to develop (with all of the young talent they have, it might take a couple more years until they become a serious contender). All that being said... if the Reds somehow make the playoffs in '09 I won't be the least bit surprised.