Lil Red Machine

We are about 60+ games into the 2009 MLB season, and to look at the standings, Reds fans ought to feel pretty good. We are in a dogfight with Milwaukee and St. Louis, only 2.5 games out of first place as of June 12th. For a city that hasn’t had a winner since 2000, this is something that could potentially get fans out to the ballpark. Larger crowds means more money, and that could possibly lead to the organization making some trade deadline deals.

Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but none of that is going to happen with the way the Reds are hitting right now. Literally, for the first time in YEARS, Cincinnati has pieced together a solid rotation and a bullpen that ranks up there with the best of them. However, the offensive is absolutely killing them. Our lineup is making a lot of medicore/average guys look like CY Young candidates.

Here are the ugly statistics: Reds are 25th in on base percentage (.320), 27th in batting average (.245 and, 23rd in total runs (257). We are near the middle of the pack in homeruns, but we are a team that as of right now, just doesn’t have enough offense. Joey Votto’s absence is absolutely killing this team. Lets get something straight, though. Votto isn’t a .360 hitter. Whenever he returns (who knows when that will be), he will probably tail off a bit. Out of the current guys healthy and active, only Brandon Phillips is looking worthy of being in a major league lineup on a nightly basis. He’s doing his job, but he is surrounded by guys who are clearly scuffling. In all fairness, left field has been reasonably covered by Jonny Gomes and Laynce Nix, but looking around them, Wily Tavares is having a horrible season, Jay Bruce’s batting average is creeping ever too close to the mendoza line, Ramon Hernandez has tailed off, Alex Gonzalez is an all field/no hit guy, and the Jerry Hairston/Adam Rosales combo at third base isn’t scaring anyone.

Well, what to do about it? First off, Wily Tavares has no business being in the leadoff spot. When you have a leadoff hitter who has an .OBP under .300, that absolutely kills the team. He needs to be bench, or platooned with Chris Dickerson. However, I don’t really think the Reds have anyone who can adequately handle the leadoff spot, as hardly anyone on the team consistently gets on base. I would keep Bruce up in the big leagues. There has been some chatter about him returning to triple-A, but I think they should just let him continue to learn at this level, as there is no better level to learn at. Also, I would examine the idea of putting Paul Janish as the full time shortstop. Alex Gonzales just isn’t hitting.

Of course, there are potential trades rumors that could happen, but do you want to part with key minors leaguers, guys such as Yonder Alonso, who could be an important piece to our future? Is a short term fix worth it? I think it is. Why can’t we be like the Milwaukee Brewers, who went out and got CC Sabathia last year? It created a buzz, filled the stands, and look at them now. They sell out almost every game, and are making money, which can lead to another big name potentially landing there. I think we need to take a serious look at Matt Holliday. Oakland isn’t going anywhere this year, and you know that Billy Beane is looking to deal him.

While I am thankful for the position we are in, I feel that this lack of offense will be our undoing. Our pitchers can’t be expected to throw lights out every single night. Our offense needs to make guys work. Last night (and lately as a whole) against Kansas City, there were a lot of quick outs. Guys were swinging early and often. That isn’t going to lead to winning baseball. Hopefully, whenever Votto comes back, this all can change, but as of this point, Dusty Baker needs to manuever around some guys in the lineup and bench vets that aren’t producing.