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Cincinnati Reds Team Preview (cnnsi.com)

OSUBasketballJunkie

Never Forget 31-0
CNNSI.COM

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=554 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><!-- CONTENT GOES HERE --><!-- topper --><TABLE style="BORDER-RIGHT: #666 1px solid; BORDER-TOP: #666 1px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #666 1px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #666 1px solid" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=554 border=0><TBODY><TR bgColor=#e7e7e7><TD width=552 colSpan=3>
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</TD><TD class=team_name width=332>Cincinnati Reds
Reds 2004 Finish: 76-86, 4th NL CENTRAL
2005 Schedule | Team Page | Roster </TD><TD class=dropdown width=166><SELECT class=bbForm style="VISIBILITY: visible" onchange=window.location.href=this.options[this.selectedIndex].value; name=teams> <OPTION value="" selected>Select Team</OPTION> <OPTION value=/2005/baseball/mlb/specials/spring_training/2005/athlon/angels.html>Angels</OPTION> <OPTION value=/2005/baseball/mlb/specials/spring_training/2005/athlon/astros.html>Astros</OPTION> <OPTION value=/2005/baseball/mlb/specials/spring_training/2005/athlon/athletics.html>Athletics</OPTION> <OPTION value=/2005/baseball/mlb/specials/spring_training/2005/athlon/blue_jays.html>Blue Jays</OPTION> <OPTION value=/2005/baseball/mlb/specials/spring_training/2005/athlon/braves.html>Braves</OPTION> <OPTION value=/2005/baseball/mlb/specials/spring_training/2005/athlon/brewers.html>Brewers</OPTION> <OPTION value=/2005/baseball/mlb/specials/spring_training/2005/athlon/cardinals.html>Cardinals</OPTION> <OPTION value=/2005/baseball/mlb/specials/spring_training/2005/athlon/cubs.html>Cubs</OPTION> <OPTION value=/2005/baseball/mlb/specials/spring_training/2005/athlon/devil_rays.html>Devil Rays</OPTION> <OPTION value=/2005/baseball/mlb/specials/spring_training/2005/athlon/diamondbacks.html>Diamondbacks</OPTION> <OPTION value=/2005/baseball/mlb/specials/spring_training/2005/athlon/dodgers.html>Dodgers</OPTION> <OPTION value=/2005/baseball/mlb/specials/spring_training/2005/athlon/giants.html>Giants</OPTION> <OPTION value=/2005/baseball/mlb/specials/spring_training/2005/athlon/indians.html>Indians</OPTION> <OPTION value=/2005/baseball/mlb/specials/spring_training/2005/athlon/mariners.html>Mariners</OPTION> <OPTION value=/2005/baseball/mlb/specials/spring_training/2005/athlon/marlins.html>Marlins</OPTION> <OPTION value=/2005/baseball/mlb/specials/spring_training/2005/athlon/mets.html>Mets</OPTION> <OPTION value=/2005/baseball/mlb/specials/spring_training/2005/athlon/nationals.html>Nationals</OPTION> <OPTION value=/2005/baseball/mlb/specials/spring_training/2005/athlon/orioles.html>Orioles</OPTION> <OPTION value=/2005/baseball/mlb/specials/spring_training/2005/athlon/padres.html>Padres</OPTION> <OPTION value=/2005/baseball/mlb/specials/spring_training/2005/athlon/phillies.html>Phillies</OPTION> <OPTION value=/2005/baseball/mlb/specials/spring_training/2005/athlon/pirates.html>Pirates</OPTION> <OPTION value=/2005/baseball/mlb/specials/spring_training/2005/athlon/rangers.html>Rangers</OPTION> <OPTION value=/2005/baseball/mlb/specials/spring_training/2005/athlon/red_sox.html>Red Sox</OPTION> <OPTION value=/2005/baseball/mlb/specials/spring_training/2005/athlon/reds.html>Reds</OPTION> <OPTION value=/2005/baseball/mlb/specials/spring_training/2005/athlon/rockies.html>Rockies</OPTION> <OPTION value=/2005/baseball/mlb/specials/spring_training/2005/athlon/royals.html>Royals</OPTION> <OPTION value=/2005/baseball/mlb/specials/spring_training/2005/athlon/tigers.html>Tigers</OPTION> <OPTION value=/2005/baseball/mlb/specials/spring_training/2005/athlon/twins.html>Twins</OPTION> <OPTION value=/2005/baseball/mlb/specials/spring_training/2005/athlon/white_sox.html>White Sox</OPTION> <OPTION value=/2005/baseball/mlb/specials/spring_training/2005/athlon/yankees.html>Yankees</OPTION></SELECT> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- /topper --><!-- PREVIEW --><TABLE cellSpacing=4 cellPadding=2 width=554 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=text><TABLE cellSpacing=4 cellPadding=0 width=300 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><!-- PHOTO --><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=300 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=cnnImgAdPad width=300>
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Ken Griffey Jr.
Doug Pensinger/Getty Images


</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- /PHOTO --></TD></TR><TR><TD><!--tablemaker--><TABLE class=cnnTMbox cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=300 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=cnnIEBoxTitle>Beyond the Box Score</TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnTMcontent><!-- tabled content area --><TABLE class=cnnTM cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=cnnIEColTxtL style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px">Hold ’em
Paul Wilson went 11–6 in 29 starts last season, but that record could’ve been much better had the bullpen not blown saves in six of those starts. </TD></TR><TR class=cnnIERowAltBG><TD class=cnnIEColTxtL style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px">On the flip side
By all accounts Adam Dunn had a career year in 2004. Not only did the powerful Reds left fielder set career highs with 46 home runs and 102 RBIs, but he also broke Bobby Bonds’ single-season strikeout record and joined Nick Esasky (1989) and Chili Davis (1993) as the only players to drive in 100 runs without a sacrifice fly. </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnIEColTxtL style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px">Off the bench
Six Reds players — Austin Kearns, Juan Castro, Wily Mo Pena, Jacob Cruz, Brandon Larson and Barry Larkin — came off the bench and produced pinch-hit home runs last season. Only Pena did it more than once.

</TD></TR><TR class=cnnIERowAltBG><TD class=cnnIEColTxtL style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px">Pepper allowed
In his first spring training as Reds’ hitting coach, Chris Chambliss reintroduced pepper into players’ routines as a way to teach bat control and enhance reaction skills. The team’s batting averaged improved from .245 in 2003 to .250 in 2004. </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnIEColTxtL style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px">Black and blue
As if catching weren’t punishing enough, Jason LaRue set a club record by being hit by a pitch 24 times last season. In 2003, he tied Frank Robinson’s record of 20 set in 1956. </TD></TR><TR class=cnnIERowAltBG><TD class=cnnIEColTxtL style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px">Farewell to the ol’ lefthander
The Reds’ season-ending game against the Pirates on Oct. 3, 2004, concluded Joe Nuxhall’s 38-year run as one of the team’s primary radio announcers on flagship station WLW. Steve Stewart takes over on a full-time basis this season, joining Hall of Famer Marty Brennaman. Nuxhall will still work a handful of games this season. </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnIEColTxtL style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px">High marks
Based on a Zagat Survey released in May 2004, Great American Ball Park rated as one of the best ballparks in America to visit, trailing only SBC Park in San Francisco and SAFECO Field in Seattle.</TD></TR><TR class=cnnIERowAltBG><TD class=cnnIEColTxtL style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px">Red-faced
Cincinnati’s four consecutive losing seasons are the most for this franchise since the club posted consecutive losing campaigns from 1945-55. </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnIEColTxtL style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px">Barry, Barry good
The last time the Reds opened a season without former captain Barry Larkin at shortstop was in 1998 (Pokey Reese) and before that, 1986 (Dave Concepcion). </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<!-- /tabled content area --></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!--/tablemaker--></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>The Reds enter the 2005 season with a noticeably different look and feel. Doubts about the organization’s commitment to winning in 2005 were squelched when GM Dan O’Brien took action in December. O’Brien and his front office associates addressed the team’s most pressing needs during a 26-day flurry of transactions that increased the payroll by approximately $17 million. The result is an improved starting rotation, a new-look veteran bullpen, a proven third baseman and a crowded outfield. All that talk about building for the future? It’s been replaced with a team that has many in Cincinnati contemplating more than simply whether or not Ken Griffey Jr. can make it through a season without getting hurt.

Rotation
Calling it the “ultimate conclusion” to their offseason shopping spree, O’Brien signed lefthander Eric Milton to a three year, $25.5-million deal on Dec. 27. The addition of Milton, 29, gives the Reds three established and still relatively young starters at the top of the rotation. In a move that surprised many, but had been in the works for months, the Reds traded a minor league pitching prospect to the Angels for veteran Ramon Ortiz. The 31-year-old averaged 32 starts, a 4.40 ERA and 15 wins from 2001-2003, but he grew unhappy in Anaheim splitting time between starting and relieving last season. Milton, an All-Star in 2001, and Ortiz fill in behind No. 1 starter Paul Wilson, who was the best pitcher on a starting staff that finished with a franchise-worst 5.23 ERA. The sinkerballer led the team in starts (29), quality starts (16), innings pitched (183.2) and wins (11), earning him a two-year, $8.2-million contract. Aaron Harang should be the No. 4 starter after leading the team in strikeouts. Luke Hudson, Brandon Claussen and Josh Hancock, all of whom are out of options, could challenge for the fifth spot.

Bullpen
This was an area of considerable emphasis during the offseason. The signings of veterans David Weathers and Ben Weber, who are coming off mediocre seasons, and Kent Mercker, who is coming off a solid campaign with the Cubs, should help a bullpen that rated only slightly ahead of the mile-high Rockies as the worst in baseball. Reds relievers compiled a 5.72 ERA and allowed opposing hitters to bat .283 over the final 106 games last season. Closer Danny Graves had a career-high 41 saves but blew nine saves and pitched only seven times after Sept. 1.

Middle Infield
Unlike when Barry Larkin inherited the spot from Concepcion, the Reds don’t have a clear successor to their former captain. Anderson Machado, acquired from the Phillies in late July, was supposed to battle Felipe Lopez for the spot in spring training. But a knee injury suffered while playing winter ball in Venezuela has put his season in doubt and all but handed the starting job to Lopez. The decision to re-sign D’Angelo Jimenez, who established career highs for RBIs and on-base percentage in 2004, to a one-year, $2.87-million contract solidifies second base for another year and helps the bench.

Corners
The offseason’s grand experiment of moving Austin Kearns from right field to third base ended with the signing of veteran third baseman Joe Randa, who signed a one year, $2.15-million deal. Randa, who spent the previous six seasons with Kansas City, lends stability to a position that hasn’t had much since the Reds traded Aaron Boone in 2003. The other corner spot belongs to Sean Casey. Confident the first baseman could become a cornerstone, the Reds picked up the All-Star’s 2006 team option in October. That means the ever-popular Casey, who led the Reds in seven different offensive categories in 2003, will remain at first base for the next two seasons barring a trade.

Outfield
With Kearns back in the outfield mix, Reds manager Dave Miley now has the luxury of four qualified outfielders for three spots. Left fielder Adam Dunn and right fielder Wily Mo Pena blossomed under the tutelage of hitting coach Chris Chambliss last season. Dunn established career highs in hits, doubles, home runs and RBIs but broke Bobby Bonds’ record for strikeouts in a season. Presented an opportunity to play regularly, Pena had 25 home runs and 61 RBIs in his final 89 games and improved defensively. Kearns missed 84 games during two stints on the disabled list but is still only 24 years old and provides offensive power and solid defense. The question mark, again, is Griffey and his health. A season during which he reached 500 career home runs ended with surgery to repair a torn right hamstring. He suffered the injury while playing right field for the fourth time in his career.

Catching
What Jason LaRue wanted was a fair deal. By avoiding arbitration and re-signing with the Reds for one year at $3 million during the offseason, the starting catcher felt he achieved that goal. LaRue’s offense improved again last season, but his defense still needs work. He tied for the major league lead in passed balls with 15 and has seen his caught-stealing percentage go from 60.9 percent in 2001 to 29.6 percent last season. The Reds were 54–52 and pitchers had a 4.92 ERA in games LaRue started last season. Veteran backup Javier Valentin also re-signed with the club for another season.

Bench
The addition of Randa sends utilityman Ryan Freel back to the bench. Though he is the Reds’ only legitimate leadoff hitter and base-stealing threat, Freel’s true value is in his versatility and all-out hustle. He started 128 games at five different positions in 2004 — 61 in the infield and 67 in the outfield. Valentin provides the luxury of a switch-hitter while Luis Lopez is a veteran utility infielder. Jacob Cruz signed a minor league contract during the off-season and should make the team based on his success as a pinch-hitter last season. He led Reds pinch hitters in hits (14), at-bats (55) and RBIs (8).

Management
With limited resources and hampered by numerous injuries to key players, Miley has compiled a 98–121 record since taking over for Bob Boone in July 2003. Well-liked by his players and respected by management for his loyalty to the organization, the 42-year-old uses his bench and pitchers wisely. All of the above contributed to the Reds’ decision in mid-October to sign Miley to a two-year deal with a club option for 2007. The methodical and detail-oriented O’Brien remains committed to the club’s emphasis on player development and scouting, but he won over many fans with his moves this offseason.

Final Analysis
By increasing payroll to at least $63 million, which would be a franchise high, the Reds hope the spending leads to wins. Of the 14 teams that had payrolls above $63 million last season, 11 finished with winning records. The question that seems to accompany each season faces the Reds again: Can they stay healthy? The influx of new faces and holdovers will try to reverse that trend as well as the second-half fades that have defined recent seasons. The talent — particularly on Don Gullett’s new pitching staff — appears to be in place for an improvement. In a city starved for a winning franchise, the Reds appear set to follow the Bengals on the path back to respectability. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
The keys to the Reds season is the bullpen, last year the Reds relievers compiled a 5.72 ERA (second worst in the majors), this needs to improve dramatically. Also, they need to get solid outings from Eric Milton and Ramon Ortiz, their pitching staff is a revolving door.

They can hit and score runs with just about anyone when Griffey Jr. is healthy, so once again the key will be to keep him healthy.
 
The Reds will be in contention for the wild card come late August...The cancer (Larkin) is gone, the bully has been improved and the rotation is servicable given the offense that will back them up.


The Cardinals will win the division going away...but the Reds will hold their own with the Astros and Cubs.
 
Upvote 0
BuckeyeBlitz04 said:
I don't agree with this statement. He was one of the classiest guys in cincy. He was always a team player and a leader in the clubhouse as well as on the field!

he was so classy that the organization couldn't wait to push him out the door...:roll2:

More people in Cincinnati feel he was bad for the organization and the clubhouse then feel he was good for them. He went on a crusade and hamstrung the Reds with 27 million in pay roll the last three years at a time when the Reds needed a pitcher. he bitched to play for a contender and the Reds orchestrated a trade to the Mets, who were in contention at the time, and he vetoed the trade...he ripped the 'C' off of his chest and acted like a baby when the team cut pay roll...he ended one season by leaving the game in the fourth inning to catch a flight back to his home...IN ORLANDO...he has not given back to the Cincinnati community (he has opened several HIGH PRICE baseball academies in plush areas of cincy) and he no longer makes his home in his birth city...and hasn't for decades. He is a pampered cry baby who hid in the corner in 1999 and watched as Greg Vaughn took over the leadership role for the Reds. Is it a coincidence that the Reds were in contention that year?
And to top it all off, Barely Larkin is a scUM grad.

Trust me, people here know about the cancer he was and most of us are truly glad he is gone.
 
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