172 Days To 2011 Opening Day - LucianoJJ's Blog

LucianoJJ's Blog

172 Days To 2011 Opening Day

Posted on October 11, 2010 at 09:38 AM.

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The Cincinnati Reds 2010 campaign ended last night with a 2-0 loss to the defending NL Champion Philadelphia Phillies, completing a three game NLDS sweep. The first playoff game in Cincinnati in fifteen years ends in disappointment.

The bright side? A NL Central title. Ok, granted, it's the weakest division in baseball, with only one big market club, but it entitles the winner a bid for the playoffs. Having a winning record snaps a streak of losing records dating back to the 2000 season. Those are the two positives for the record books.

This season saw the development and emergence of young pitching talent. This group of young arms Cueto, Bailey, Chapman, Leake, Wood, LeCure, Smith, and Ondrusek, could eliminate the need to sign a big name free agent pitcher over the winter. Some on this list could be trade bait. Bronson Arroyo needs to be retained, in order to give this group a steady veteran to provide stability and durability.

The gaping hole in the Reds lineup is left field. Jonny Gomes stayed on the free agent market for a while, but returned to Cincinnati in 2010, and did a decent job. Laynce Nix was the most common substitute, with rookie Chris Heisey serving as a fill-in, and pinch-hitter.

The best candidate to roam left field at Great American Ballpark is unlikely to be within owner Bob Castellini's budget. Who is at the top of my wish list, as a Reds fan? Carl Crawford. Crawford would give the Reds another lefty bat, who could be a table setter at the top of the order for Votto, Bruce, and Rolen. The 29-year-old Tampa Bay free-agent-to-be would be a tremendous upgrade defensively. Crawford is a five tool player who has the post-season experience to get the Reds past the first round. Every team with a big budget will pursue him. Time for Dusty Baker, Walt Jocketty, and potential teammates like Brandon Phillips, and fellow Texan Jay Bruce to turn into off-season recruiters.

Am I dreaming? Of course. A winning record, and a division title was the stuff that dreams were made of back in April 2010, as well. This off-season will be short, and interesting.

Comments

# 1 alyaaa @ Oct 11

# 2 PhillsPhan26 @ Oct 11

Dude dont be too down man because if you asked if the Reds be in the post season before the season started I'de would of said thats highly unlikely but they were with solid play throughout the season. I know how you feel because in 07 the Rockies swept us out of the first round too and I think the Reds can be motivated from this and get back again next year and make some noise.