| 15 January 2011
Here is my very-early look at what the Cincinnati Reds' roster, starting lineup and pitching staff will look like in 2011, including a prediction on their final record.
A few notes before we start:
* I have six starting pitchers listed and I think any of them could be headed for big years. One of them is sure to have some sort of injury -- these things always have a way of working themselves out. So, instead of throwing darts against the wall and trying to pick the top five, I'm going to list all six of the deserved pitchers in the starting rotation for now. If they all happen to stay healthy, one of them can be used in the bullpen until a spot re-opens in the rotation.
* I'm giving myself a total of 27 roster spots (as opposed to 25) because there is sure to be a couple players not ready for Opening Day due to spring training nicks and bruises (and hopefully nothing more serious than that).
* Rather than do a projected lineup against right-handed pitchers and a separate one against left-handers, I just did one. Obviously, Jonny Gomes (or someone like like Chris Heisey) will get the majority of starts in left field when the Reds face left-handed starting pitchers. But I am projecting Fred Lewis to get the majority of starts in LF. I also think Edgar Renteria will end up starting more games at shortstop than Paul Janish, although that will also be a platoon situation of sorts. At catcher, I look for Ryan Hanigan and Ramon Hernandez to start nearly the same amount of games if each of them stays healthy, which is why I listed them both in the starting lineup in platoon format.
2011 CINCINNATI REDS
Starting Pitching Rotation
- Bronson Arroyo
- Edinson Volquez
- Johnny Cueto
- Travis Wood (lefty)
- Mike Leake
- Homer Bailey
Bullpen (in order of importance)
- Francisco Cordero (closer)
- Aroldis Chapman (lefty)
- Nick Masset
- Bill Bray (lefty)
- Logan Ondrusek
- Jared Burton
Lineup
- Fred Lewis – LF
- Brandon Phillips – 2B
- Joey Votto – 1B
- Scott Rolen – 3B
- Jay Bruce – RF
- Drew Stubbs – CF
- Edgar Renteria – SS
- Ryan Hanigan/Ramon Hernandez – C
Reserves
- Jonny Gomes – OF
- Chris Heisey – OF
- Juan Francisco – 3B
- Paul Janish – SS
- Yonder Alonso – 1B
- Miguel Cairo – UTL
Prediction: 89-73
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