The Cincinnati Reds

A real throwback of the Reds (2008)

The Reds did not make many acquisitions this off season but they did let Shin Soo Choo sign with the Rangers. They will most likely go with the same crew of players but with Billy Hamilton in center field. The Reds also extended Homer Bailey to a massive 6 year $105 Million deal.

The lineup for the Reds features the leader in on base percentage almost every year, Joey Votto. He gets on base in front of Brandon Phillips and Jay Bruce who get on base mostly through contact. That is a formula to score many runs. Here is how the lineup may look in 2014.

1. S. Billy Hamilton      CF not enough data
2. R. Todd Frazier       3B 96 OPS+
3. L. Joey Votto          1B 154 OPS+
4. R. Brandon Phillips   2B 92 OPS+
5. L. Jay Bruce            RF 118 OPS+
6. R. Chris Heisey        LF 88 OPS+
7. R. Zack Cozart        SS 81 OPS+
8. R. Devin Mesoraco  C 77 OPS+

Chapman for team Cuba in the WBC

The Reds pitch in a small ball park which calls for good pitchers and they do have a few. It will be a little more shallow of a rotation with the departure of Bronson Arroyo, but it is still sufficant enough for them to win a lot of games. Here is how the rotation may look in 2014.

1. R. Matt Latos      121 ERA+
2. R. Johnny Cueto  135 ERA+
3. R. Homer Bailey   110 ERA+
4. R. Tony Cingrani  131 ERA+
5. L. Mike Leake      113 ERA+

The Reds also have one of the best bullpens in the Major Leagues with one of the best closers. That closer is the Cuban Missile, flame throw Aroldis Chapman, the bearer of the fastest pitch at 105 MPH. Also in the bullpen is former closer Jonathon Broxton, lefty Sean Marshall, and other studs JJ Hover and Logan Ondrusek.