The Year The Reds Contend ?????

Is it finally time that my Reds become contenders instead of pretenders again. I find a lot things to be excited about this year. I also find a few things that tells me not to get too excited, so let's see what happens this year. First, I am excited about all the young players that could make the twenty five man roster when the Reds break camp at the end of the month. Where do we start, Joey Votto has nothing left to prove about being a solid major league first baseman. Votto might not be tearing it up this spring but trust me he has talent, with a great command of the strike zone. The hits and average will be there as they have been at every stop in the minors. Now as to what I am not real excited about in Votto. New Reds manager Dusty Baker seems to not trust the youngsters as he does the veterans so don't be surprised to see Scott Hatteberg getting plenty of starts at 1B as well. I do have mixed feeling here as Hatteberg had a pretty solid year last season, I guess I just want to see what Votto can do given the everyday job. Next thing I am excited about is OF Jay Bruce who is everybody's minor league player of the year. Now again, does Baker go with the veteran or give the "Minor League Player of the Year" a real chance to prove himself at Great American Ballpark. This next young guy that I think everyone already knows is Homer bailey and the 90+ fast ball he throws. He had some limited success last season before the injury bug hit him and was sent back to triple A Louisville for an extended period of time. This year Bailey will get a fresh start GAB and if you can pitch there you can pitch anywhere. Bailey hasn't been having the greatest of springs as of yet and he might get some competion form a couple of other guys trying to make the rotation. Johnny Cueto and Edinson Volquez, are having a pretty good spring so far. Speaking of Pitching, Aaron Harang puts up league leaders stats year in and year out but gets no love when the Cy Young is awarded....could this be his year to capture this award. Yes Harang can feel a little more confident when he leaves the game with a lead now. And speaking of leaving, if you want Harrang you better get ready to spend an early pick on draft day or he will leave the board along with the top tier K's he will put up. The Reds filled one of their biggest holes in the off season by adding a proven closer in Francisco Cordero. How many times did the bullpen blow a lead in the eighth or ninth ining last season. I think adding Cordero means at least 10-12 more wins. After Harang the pitching does get a little average with Bronson Arroyo the number two and followed by Matt Belisle, and whoever wins the last spot in the rotation.

We have already talked about 1B so let's move over to 2B and another of the leagues most underrated player in Brandon Philips. You will want to grab this guy early in your fantasy drafts. Philips is a top five 2B with 187 hits and 30 HR's to go with 94 RBI's and enough speed to steal 32 bases last season you can see why he will leave the board early.

The Reds also have a pretty solid OF with Dunn and Griffey manning the corners and probably the center field spot being shared by a number of players that might not get enough AB's to matter a lot in fantasy terms.

And last will this be the year that Edwin Encarnacion becomes the player everyone thinks he can become. The Reds also will start the season with SS Alex Gonzalez and C David Ross fighting nagging injuries. All in all the Cubbies better not order the Central Division title trophy yet. The Brewers will also be in the mix but being the homer I am I say: Yes this could be the Reds year to contend.