Cincinnati Reds

Contributor: Andrew Kappes, mvn.com/mlb-reds

2007 Record: 72-90 (5th in NL Central)

2007 Summary: A year of transition spelled struggles for the Reds in 2007. Aside from Aaron Harang, the club struggled to get quality outings from the rotation, and the bullpen was very unreliable.

Homer Bailey and Joey Votto were introduced to the big leagues. Bailey went 4-2 with a 5.76 ERA, but will begin 2008 at Triple-A. Votto was very productive, and hit .321 with four homeruns in 24 games.

2008 Key Additions: Francisco Cordero, Edinson Volquez, Corey Patterson

2008 Key Losses: Josh Hamilton

2008 Starting Lineup:
1. Corey Patterson CF
2. Jeff Keppinger SS
3. Ken Griffey Jr. RF
4. Brandon Phillips 2B
5. Adam Dunn LF
6. Edwin Encarnacion 3B
7. Joey Votto 1B
8. Javier Valentin C

2008 Starting Rotation:
1. Aaron Harang
2. Bronson Arroyo
3. Johnny Cueto
4. Josh Fogg
5. Edinson Volquez

2008 Closer: Francisco Cordero

2008 MVP: Brandon Phillips - Phillips had an extraordinary year in 2007, becoming a 30-30 player. There is little doubt he will accomplish that feat again, and may even push for the 40-40 mark.

The Reds will be successful if: The Reds have always been able to score runs, but pitching has been the severe down spot. The rotation is revamped, with only two guys returning from last year's rotation. Cincinnati will rely on young guns Johnny Cueto and Edinson Volquez to step up and live up to their potential early. Homer Bailey will always be in reserve in Triple-A. Both Cueto and Volquez are power pitchers, and should compliment Aaron Harang well, with Arroyo and Fogg mixing in. Francisco Cordero was brought in to help address the abysmal bullpen, and even though he was overpaid for, should fit in nicely being setup by David Weathers and Jared Burton.

2008 Season Prediction: If Cueto and Volquez can hold their own and throw for around 170 innings apiece, the Reds should find themselves right in contention at the end of September. The Reds will score runs through the power bats and speedy legs in the lineup, and the Reds improved pitching staff should help keep runs off the board. The Reds will be National League contenders when Jay Bruce and Homer Bailey come through, but now they just have enough to contend in the NL Central.

Standings Prediction:
1. Chicago Cubs
2. Cincinnati Reds
3. St. Louis Cardinals
4. Milwaukee Brewers
5. Houston Astros
6. Pittsburgh Pirates