Before the 2014 Redlegs even took the field for the first time on Wednesday, even before pitchers and catchers reported earlier this month, all us Reds fans had to brace for a change of culture with a new manager, as well as mourn for the season lost last October in Pittsburgh while we yearn for opening day in the Queen City and a new incarnation of our squad formed over the offseason. We were forced to say goodbye to our center fielder and now we put all our eggs in the insanely fast basket of Billy Hamilton to fill the shoes of Choo. We said goodbye to the toothpick chewin, armband wearin Dusty Baker and now we get to know the watch wearin Bryan Price as he takes over as manager. We saw the prodigy Homer Bailey gets his pay day and every one's favorite goon Mat Latos is back throwing off the mound just days after knee surgery. Is he this team's ace? Or can Johnny Cueto repeat his 2012 Cy Young worthy performance and take the spot at the top of the rotation? Will Ryan Ludwick and Chris Heisey get it done in left field as a platoon or will one finally win out and take the starting job deservedly? New questions mean the arrival of a new season. New players mean uncertainty going into Spring. But most importantly, it all means that baseball is back.
Can Bryan Price Change The Culture?
Unless you spent last season hiding under a rock, you know that fans weren't too happy with the way the season ended last year and even more unhappy with the old school, anti-statistical and sometimes anti-logical managing philosophy of Dusty Baker which ultimately proved to be enough for him to be fired and Bryan Price was promoted to take over as the ship's captain. Price is a favorite of the players and very respected by the pitching staff and more importantly he is a new school, analytically driven manager. Gone are the days of sac bunts ahead of Votto and double switches for no reason. And hopefully we never see Cozart batting second ever again. Along with these changes it seems we will see Jay Bruce given the opportunity to hit cleanup, something Dusty refused to try for fear of batting leftys back to back in the order. It seems the culture and philosophy around the team is changing dramatically with Price and the biggest challenge for him will be getting his players to buy in. After years and years of Dusty's influence we will see how long it takes for Price to implement his new strategies into the game play and approach of his hitters. How long will that take? And will it be a smooth ride? I have full confidence in Price and he isn't a new face in the clubhouse. As respected and liked as he is by the returning players he should have no problem getting the to buy in to a new mindset and approach. He has a month to get it planted in their heads and come opening day I think we will see a whole new hitting approach and improved at bats for the Reds most important hitters.
Can Billy Hamilton Live Up To The Hype?
As much as Reds fans fell in love with Shin Soo Choo, it would take one heck of a rookie to make us forget about him so soon. Billy Hamilton did just that and did it rather quickly. (As he does most things) Hamilton will be the starting center fielder all through spring training and will do the same on opening day in GABP and he may be the X-factor on this Reds team when it comes to them having the level of success that they and fans both expect. Billy will be asked to take over the leadoff spot in the order and while he has shown his speed and base running ability to all of us we will need to see him hit at the top of the order before we can rest easy. Billy is the fastest player I have ever seen in the majors and if he can get on base at a high clip and cause havoc in the bases in front of Phillips, Votto and Bruce then the Reds could have an offense to be feared to go along with their elite pitching staff. Run Billy Run. Hit Billy Hit.
Who Is the Ace?
A year ago today this would have been an almost laughable question for the Reds. Johnny Cueto was the unquestioned ace of this staff and the number one in the rotation. After the 2013 season in which Cueto dealt with injuries all year and then imploded in the playoffs, and Mat Latos carried the staff all year, it is a fair question to ask. We saw Homer Bailey get paid this offseason and while the Reds have Latos under control for the next few years, he could be the next one due for a massive pay day and if he proves this year to be the ace for this team once again, he could be cashing in sooner than later. The 2014 Reds have amazing depth in their starting pitching, and that only grows more with an ace like Cueto on the hill. Add in Latos and Bailey along with Leake and Cingrani and you could be looking at one of the best or even THE best rotation in baseball. Time will tell.
Go Reds. Baseball is back.
No comments:
Post a Comment