2019 Pre-Season Profile: Cincinnati Reds

#19

The Cincinnati Reds have been building up a strong farm system over the last couple years, but their on-field production has been lacking.  Will bringing in some veteran leadership finally bring about the change in the Reds' fortunes they have been waiting for?

2018 Predictions

5th in NL Central

This will be Bryan Price's last season as the Reds' manager.

2018 Results

67-95, 5th in NL Central

Last season was Bryan Price's fifth season as the Reds manager, and only lasted 18 games.  Apparently, losing over 90 games every season finally wasn't good enough.  The Reds, and especially their pitching staff, have been underwhelming all throughout his tenure.  It was long past time to move on.  There were some breakout performances from players like Scooter Gennett and Eugenio Suarez.

Additions / Subtractions

Rarely do you see a team with a streak of losing like this become buyers in the offseason.  However, that is exactly what happened with the Reds and their new manager David Bell.  They made several blockbuster trades to make them interesting.  They acquired Tanner Roark from the Nationals and Sonny Gray from the Yankees.  Then, in what might be the biggest surprise of the offseason, the Reds sent Homer Bailey (who was quickly released) to the Dodgers for Matt Kemp, Yasiel Puig, and Alex Wood.  The only other notable subtractions were speedster Billy Hamilton and starter Matt Harvey.

Most Important Hitter

Yasiel Puig

The Reds made some big moves in the offseason to help change their culture.  So they picked up one of the most polarizing players in the big leagues over the last decade.  When Yasiel Puig is on, he is one of the best in the league.  When Puig is off, he is bad and a distraction.  If nothing else, Puig is exciting.  He is instantly the most interesting player on the Reds and might be able to anchor their lineup with Joey Votto,  It all depends on what Puig shows up.  Maybe the change of scenery will be good for him.

Most Important Pitcher

Sonny Gray

For a struggling pitching staff, a proven commodity is exactly what they need.  Sonny Gray has had a bit of a rocky road over the last year or so.  He started 2017 in Oakland before being traded mid-season to the Yankees.  In 2018, he struggled greatly in the Bronx with one of his worst seasons as a professional.  The Reds acquired him with the idea that a change of scenery, and a reunion with his college pitching coach, will bring him back to his All Star level.  If he does, he may stabilize this entire pitching staff.

Prospect to Watch

Nick Senzel

The second overall pick in the 2016 Draft, Nick Senzel is the 6th best prospect in the league and about ready to break out when given the opportunity.  He tore up AAA in 2018 with a .310 average.  The only problem is his two positions, second and third base, currently have two of the Reds best hitters in Gennett and Suarez.  This season, either one of them will be moved or Senzel will be sen t off to bring back more veterans that can help now.

2019 Prediction

4th in NL Central

All the moves the Reds made this offseason definitely have them moving in the right direction for the first time in awhile.  The problem is their division might have two or three playoff teams in it with possibly every team finishing above .500.  They will compete, which is more than could be said of them for the last five years.  However, their division will keep them away from the playoffs.  They will still be a fun team to watch all season though.

Fearless Prediction

Scooter Gennett will be traded mid-season.

This team is headed in the right direction for sure, but it doesn't mean they can't continue to seel off some pieces and rebuild.  With Nick Senzel waiting in the wings, Scooter has a chance to be expendable and bring back an impressive haul.  Look for him to be available and possibly moved by the Deadline.

2016 Pre-Season Profile: Los Angeles Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers have consistently been one of the most talented teams in the league, but have yet to get over the hump and turn it into postseason success.  Will 2016 change that trend?

Last Season

My 2015 Prediction: 1st in NL West, lose World Series

2015 Result: 92-70, 1st in NL West, lost in NLDS

The Dodgers had a wonderful 2015 regular season, boasting the best two pitchers in all of baseball.  Clayton Kershaw is the pitcher from another world, but it was Zach Greinke that wound up on top.  However, once again they were not able to turn regular season success into postseason victories as they lost to the eventual NL champs in the NLDS.

2016 Additions / Subtractions

After Greinke had such a historic season in 2015, he skipped town and signed with Arizona.  This was really the only subtraction, but it's a big subtraction.  Added to the roster for 2016 is Scott Kazmir and Japanese import Kenta Maeda to replace the production lost by Greinke.  Other than that, the Dodgers have practically the same roster, however there was one more major change.  Manager Don Mattingly is now in Miami, and rookie manager Dave Roberts has taken over the helm for LA.

Most Important Hitter

Yasiel Puig

Yasiel Puig is one of the greatest enigmas in all of baseball.  For a week, he will look like an MVP candidate.  The next week, he will look like he couldn't make the AAA squad.  People love to talk about his flash and flair, but he needs to be more productive on the field.  If he can consistently produce, all of a sudden their lineup is one of the best in baseball.

Most Important Pitcher

Kenta Maeda

It's rare that a team's most important player entering the season is a rookie, but Japanese imports are not ordinary rookies.  Kenta Maeda was one of the most sought-after free agent pitchers this offseason.  The Dodgers brought him in to potentially be the other ace at the top of the rotation with Clayton Kershaw.  Replacing Zach Greinke is next to impossible, but if Maeda pitches the way some people think he can, he will come close.

Player to Watch

Julio Urias

Everyone knows about Corey Seager: Opening Day starting shortstop, favorite for NL Rookie of the Year, and outside candidate for NL MVP.  However, whenever the Dodgers' farm system would be mentioned in trade talks, there were two untouchable prospects named.  The first was Seager, and the second was Julio Urias.  This 19 year old lefty is on a fast track to the big leagues, and if the Dodgers' injury issues continue in their starting rotation, look for Urias to make his big league debut sooner rather than later.  It's obvious that the Dodgers are banking on the future of their franchise to be built around Seager and Urias.

2016 Prediction

2nd in NL West, WILD CARD, lose in NLDS

The Dodgers are set to have another strong regular season in 2016.  Their rotation is not as strong as last year, but it is still pretty good.  Their lineup is always good as well.  However, the problem has always been what they do in the postseason.  With the steps forward the Giants have taken, I see the Dodgers having to work their way through the Wild Card game.  They will win that game, but not get any further.  They need to figure out what it will take to make that next step soon as their current core of players are not getting any younger.

Fearless Prediction

Yasiel Puig will be traded by the Trade Deadline.

One of the things I think it will take for the Dodgers to take a step forward in their progress and production will be to move on from Yasiel Puig.  He has been more distracting than dominant as the Dodgers never quite know what they are going to get out of him.  Sometimes, it is not just about having good players but having the right good players.  The outfield is a position of great depth for the Dodgers, with Joc Pederson, Andre Ethier, Carl Crawford, and Scott Van Slyke all proven big leaguers also on the roster.  They could easily afford to lose Puig, and they would still be able to get a big return for him from somebody.  This is a move that needs to happen though if the Dodgers want to win any time soon.

2015 Pre-Season Profile: Los Angeles Dodgers

If championships were won on paper, the Los Angeles Dodgers would currently be working on a dynasty.  Instead they have been a team that has had a string of disappointing seasons because the expectations have been, "World Series or bust."  Will anything change in 2015?

Last Season

94-68, 1st in NL West, Lost to Cardinals in NLDS

After a season that saw them finish with one of the best records in baseball led by the best pitcher on the planet, the Dodgers once again came up short in the playoffs.  Playing St. Louis in the postseason is never a blueprint of success, but when they touched up Clayton Kershaw for 8 earned runs in Game 1 of the NLDS, everyone knew the Dodgers were done.  For many teams out there, this finish would still be viewed as a good season.  They won 90+ games, their roster had the NL Cy Young and NL MVP (both Clayton Kershaw), and they were upended by one of the best postseason teams of the last decade.  It is nothing to hang your head about, unless you are the Dodgers.  Over the last few years, the Dodgers have become the NL version of the Yankees, compiling what appears to be an All Star team year after year.  To not even reach a World Series since 1988 is a stat that needs to change in the next year or two for everyone to keep their jobs.

2015 Additions / Subtractions

The problem with having an All Star roster every year is knowing when and where changes are needed.  The Dodgers were quite active in tweaking their roster to try and find a way to take that next step.  Hanley Ramirez left in free agency, Josh Beckett retired, while Dee Gordon, Dan Haren, and Matt Kemp were traded away.  Joining the Dodgers in 2015 are Jimmy Rollins, Howie Kendrick, Yasmani Grandal, and Brandon McCarthy.  For the most part, the theme seemed to be veteran leadership that are proven winners that can lead the current stars and mentor the young phenoms.

Most Important Hitter

Jimmy Rollins

Jimmy Rollins is far from the player that won the NL MVP in 2007, however his name still garners the respect of a consummate professional.  Coming over from the Phillies, Rollins will be slated in as the Dodgers' new leadoff hitter and will be expected to produce, maybe not at his 2007 level, but definitely at a high level.  Having Rollins be that strong table setter would be just what the offense needs to be elite this year.  If Rollins shows more age than greatness, don't be surprised to see him be benched or released in favor of 20 year-old super prospect Corey Seager.  The pressure is definitely on for Jimmy Rollins to produce.

Most Important Pitcher

Brandon McCarthy

The top of the Dodger rotation is set with Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke, and Hyun-jin Ryu (once he is healthy) filling the top three spots in the rotation.  Brandon McCarthy has been brought in this year and is being counted on to anchor the back half of the staff vacated by Beckett and Haren.  McCarthy has had an up and down career.  It appears that when he finds the right situation, like Oakland and the Yankees, he has a great deal of success.  When in the wrong situation, like Texas and Arizona, he struggles.  The question is which category will the Dodgers fit into?  Everyone is counting on the former rather than the latter.

Player to Watch

Joc Pederson

As much as I would love to place Corey Seager in this spot, there is no guarantee he will see significant time this season.  Joc Pederson, on the other hand, will start in centerfield on Opening Day.  The Dodgers' #3 prospect, and MLB.com's #14 prospect overall, gave the Dodgers the confidence that they could move on from Matt Kemp and put Andre Ethier on the trade market or the bench.  Not only is he a player to watch, but the Dodgers are counting on him to live up to his hype this season.  In another "World Series or bust" season, they do not have the time to be patient.

Prediction

1st in NL West, lose in World Series

(yes, I just went a whole Dodger preview article without mentioning Yasiel Puig ... it can be done)

I think this is the year the Dodgers get over the hump and make it to the World Series.  Their roster appears to be a good balance of veteran leadership and youthful energy.  I see guys like Howie Kendrick and especially Jimmy Rollins (a future big league manager I'm sure) bringing a veteran leadership the clubhouse may have been missing in years past.  As long as Don Mattingly either finds a way to manage the crowded outfield properly or the front office makes some moves to uncrowd it for him, the Dodgers will be back in the position they were last year.  If they are, I wouldn't bet on Clayton Kershaw having a postseason performance like he did in 2014.  He will lead them to the World Series, but not quite all the way to the Promised Land.  However, taking that next step forward will make them even hungrier for the next season, as long as the front office continues to freshen up the lineup every year.