A look back and a look ahead for the Reds
By JONATHAN FRAYSURE Sports Editor
Thursday, October 19, 2006 9:06 PM EDT Print this story | Email this story
Even though the Reds season ended (prematurely) a little over two weeks ago, my hopes for the future have not dimmed in the least.
Yes, it's true that the biggest transaction thus far in the postseason for the team has been hiring announcer Thom Brennaman. But have patience my friends, most big things don't happen until after the World Series anyway.
At the end of this column, I've attached a current “State of the Reds.” I'll probably do this often during the winter break to keep anyone who is interested in touch with the up-to-date 40-man roster heading into Spring Training.
Now, having said all that, of course it's obvious that not much has happened in the 18 days since the end of the season. Free agents - and the Reds have eight of ‘em - aren't even technically “free” yet, though I left them off the “State of the Reds.” Grant Balfour is gone, picked up by Milwaukee. Jerry Gil was acquired from Arizona, and Brad Salmon was called up from Louisville. And six marginal minor leaguers - Andy Abad, Sun-Woo Kim, Joe Mays, Chris Michalak, Dane Sardinha and Dewayne Wise - have given the Reds their walking papers.
So a little bit of nothing, as it stands. Before I look into the Cincy crystal ball, I'd like to look back at this past season and a few moments, one a month, that I really marked out for along the way.
Apr. 5: An unlikely power source
One of the newest Reds, Bronson Arroyo, delivered the team's first victory of the season against the Cubs, after the team had stumbled through an opening day debacle. Besides foreshadowing a bit of things to come on the mound (he would start out 5-0 and would be the team's lone all-star), he foreshadowed a bit of success against Cubs starter Glendon Rusch, homering off him for the first of two consecutive games.
May 11: Junior's return
After almost a month on the disabled list, Griffey was activated just before this game against Washington. The bullpen blew a 1-0 lead in the ninth and then saw it balloon to a 4-1 deficit in the 11th. But after one run had come in in the bottom of the inning, a three-run no-doubter off Griffey's bat sent the fans home happy.
June 30: An impossible comeback, an even more improbable ending
An even more unlikely win came in this game, in a “Battle of Ohio” against the Indians. Down 7-0, the Reds scored four in the eighth, led by the just-acquired, light-hitting Juan Castro's pinch-hit three-run shot (man, that's a lot of hyphens). Then after another Indian run in the top of the ninth made it 8-4, a groundout knocked in one before Adam Dunn knocked in four with an absolute laser, a two-out walkoff grand slam to end it.
July 13: OK, so we'll go with the trade
Looking back, I can't say yet whether I agree with the trade Wayne Krivsky made just as the all-star break ended (we all know about it, I won't go into detail). But I still to this day say this: he had the guts to make it, something that hadn't been seen in Cincinnati in years. And you know what else? Someone else in the organization had the guts to allow Krivsky to make it (see: Bob Castellini). These two things I fully agree with.
Aug. 8: Best ... catch ... ever
Words can't describe the catch Ryan Freel made to rob Albert Pujols of extra bases and the Cardinals of at least a tie at this point in the game. So I won't try. But if you've been living under a rock and haven't seen it, go to reds.com and look at the “top plays archive” for Aug. 8.
Sept. 25: And one to grow on
Even though at this point most all possibility of a Reds' October had faded away with one fell West Coast swoop, the few fans that did show up for the last home game of 2006 vs. the Cubs were treated to a glimpse of 2007, or at least I hope. After another lengthy absence (three weeks this time), Griffey had another game-winner, a pinch-hit three-run one in the eighth, and for once, a 1-2-3 ninth ended it.
So, on to the crystal ball then?
I can't yet predict the specific things that will happen this offseason, such as who might next show up in a Reds uniform or what trades may be pulled off. But based on what Krivsky did in his limited time prior to 2006 (Hatteberg, Phillips, Ross, Arroyo), I can with all confidence say, things will be exciting. So, I'll give you these three things to tide you over:
I see a third top-of-the-line starter to fall in with Harang and Arroyo. I see a new closer, but not a known one, a more-along-the-lines of a Joe Nathan-type who had no closing experience but was a good middle reliever. And finally, I don't see Adam Dunn in a Reds uniform in 2007, and I don't think that's bad.
Well, as long as they get more than a couple of bullpen pitchers for him.
Contact Jonathan Fraysure at 606-564-9091, ext. 250 or e-mail to: jonathan.fraysure@lee.net .
"State of the Reds"
40-Man Roster (32)
Pitchers (14): Bronson Arroyo, Matt Belisle, Bill Bray, Todd Coffey, Rheal Cormier, Jon Coutlangus, Phil Dumatrait, Aaron Harang, Kyle Lohse, Gary Majewski, Eric Milton, Brad Salmon, Brian Shackelford, Jason Standridge
Position Players (18): Juan Castro, Chris Denorfia, Adam Dunn, Edwin Encarnacion, Ryan Freel, Jerry Gil, Ken Griffey Jr., Brendan Harris, Scott Hatteberg, Norris Hopper, Jason LaRue, Ray Olmedo, Miguel Perez, Brandon Phillips, David Ross, Javier Valentin, Joey Votto, Brandon Watson
Not on 40-Man Roster (18)
60-Man DL (2): Brandon Claussen, Elizardo Ramirez
Free Agents with options (2): Rich Aurilia (mutual), Paul Wilson (team)
Free Agents (14): Andy Abad, Royce Clayton, Ryan Franklin, Eddie Guardado, Todd Hollandsworth, Jason Johnson, Sun-Woo Kim, Joe Mays, Kent Mercker, Chris Michalak, Dane Sardinha, Scott Schoeneweis, David Weathers, Dewayne Wise
