Cincy Seeing Red

Cincinnati Reds 2007 Record: 72-90 (5th in NL Central)
2008 Prediction: 4th in NL Central


In

• Francisco Cordero (MIL) - signed to a 4 year, $46 million contract with a $12 million club option for 2012 - 11/28/07
• Dusty Baker (MGR) - signed to a 3 year contract - 10/15/07
• Edinson Volquez (TEX) - acquired for Josh Hamilton - 12/21/07
• Jeremy Affeldt (COL) - signed to a 1 year, $3 million contract - 1/21/08
• Adam Dunn (CIN) - $13 million club option exercised - 10/31/07
• Scott Hatteberg (CIN) - $1.85 million club option exercised - 10/31/07
• Javier Valentin (CIN) - $1.35 million club option exercised - 10/31/07
• Andy Phillips (NYY) - signed to a minor league contract - 1/4/08
• Craig Wilson (CHW) - signed to a minor league contract - 2/9/08
  

Out

• Eddie Guardado (TEX) - signed to a 1 year, $2 million contract - 1/11/08
• Josh Hamilton (TEX) - traded for Edinson Volquez and Danny Herrera - 12/21/07
• Jorge Cantu (FLA) - signed to a minor league contract - 1/4/08
• Jason Ellison (TEX) - signed to a minor league contract - 1/24/08
• Kirk Saarloos (OAK) - signed to a minor league contract - 1/15/08

Remaining Free Agentsb

• Eric Milton

Projected Opening Day Starters
C - David Ross
1B - Joey Votto
2B - Brandon Phillips
3B - Edwin Encarnacion
SS - Alex Gonzalez
LF - Adam Dunn
CF - Ryan Freel
RF - Ken Griffey Jr.

Projected Opening Day Rotation
Aaron Harang
Bronson Arroyo
Matt Belisle
Homer Bailey
Edinson Volquez/Jeremy Affeldt

Projected Opening Day Closer
Francisco Cordero


Improvements: David Weathers recorded 33 saves in '07, but he also blew 6. The acquisition of Cordero is an incredible upgrade in the closer department, and the results will be there. The Reds traded young outfielder Josh Hamilton to the Texas Rangers, and in return got pitcher Edinson Volquez, who could factor into the rotation in 2008.
Lack of improvement: The Reds will go to camp with the same catchers as they had in 2007 - David Ross and Javier Valentin. Neither are considered a number one catcher by most standards, even though Ross has shown signs of awakenings. The Reds have not stabilized the back end of their rotation, with the young Homer Bailey as the potential number three starter behind Harang and Arroyo.
Keys to success: If Griffey can stay healthy, and get at least as many at-bats as he had in 2007 (528), that could give the Reds a huge boost. But if Bailey is going to break camp as the Reds' number three starter, he's going to have to prove he is indeed ready for big league talent. Additionally, Phillips will have to show that last season was no fluke, and has blossomed into the superstar he was scouted to be.