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Cincinnati Reds

First in the NL Central

2012 Record : 97-65

The Cincinnati Reds clinched the NL Central in dominant fashion last season, falling just shy of 100 wins.

The key movement in the off-season was a trade with Cleveland that saw the Reds swap Didi Grigorious and Drew Stubbs for lead-off man Shin-Soo Choo and reserve infielder Jason Donald.

Cuban phenom Aroldis Chapman moves to the rotation, but there should be no issues on that front as the southpaw clearly has the talent to make the transition. Meanwhile the solid pitching staff returns in tact with Manny Parra being the sole addition to the 40 man roster.

With very few changes to a play-off roster, the Reds will be hoping to take the next step towards a World Series berth.

INCOMINGS

1B/3B Jack Hanrahan – Free Agent (CLE)
IF Jason Donald – Trade (CLE)
OF Shin-Choo Soo – Trade (CLE)
RHP Manny Parra – Free Agent (MIL)

OUTGOINGS

C Dioner Navarro – Free Agent (CHC)
SS Didi Gregorius – Trade (CLE)
OF Drew Stubbs – Trade (CLE)
RHP Ryan Madson – Free Agent (LAA)
RHP Todd Redmond – Waivers (BAL)

Outfielders

Shin-Soo Choo will bat lead-off and has been a solid contributor for the Indians for several years. He hit .283 last season, along with 16 homers and 21 stolen bases and will be the catalyst for a strong line-up that includes his outfield partners Ryan Ludwick and Jay Bruce.

The pair combined for 60 home runs and 179 RBIs last season. At just 25, Bruce is entering the prime years of his career and could see his numbers rise. One the bench will be Xavier Paul and Chris Heisey.

Infielders

Brandon Phillips and Joey Votto are the star names of a top rate infield. In an injury curtailed season Votto hit .337 in 11 games, with an OPS north of 1.000. Phillips will bat in the two spot ahead of the Canadian. He holds a career .273 batting average and is a base stealing threat and two time All-Star.

A pair of 27 year-old righties will man short and third in Zach Cozart and Todd Frazier. The former was the only Reds batter with significant game time to bat under .250 last year, clearly showing the strength of their line-up.

New signings Jack Hanrahan and Jason Donald are set to be the main bench players, while veterans Emmanuel Burris and Cesar Izturis have signed Minor League contracts and will provide depth.

Catchers

Ryan Hanigan will be the man behind the plate for the Reds and will be entering his seventh season with the Reds, although 2012 was the first time the 32 year-old played over 100 games. Youngster Devin Mesoraco will serve as the primary back-up, while veterans Miguel Olivo (34) and Corky Miller (37) are on the outside looking in.

Starters

Perhaps the most underrated rotation in the game, the five starters set to make the Opening Day roster combined for a 3.26 ERA in over 900 innings last season. The only change sees phenom Aroldis Chapman make the move from the bullpen, with Mike Leake dropping out. It will be one of the most interesting storylines this season to see how the lefty adapts to the change. Can he possibly replicate his astounding 15.9 K/9 as a starter?

Jonny Cueto, Mat Latos, Bronson Arroyo and Homer Bailey all enjoyed winning seasons last campaign, while pitching over 200 innings. It’s not often an entire rotation goes two consecutive seasons with full health, so the likes of Leake, Armando Galarraga and highly touted prospect Tony Cingrani could be called upon.

Relievers

Jonathon Broxton remains the closer, having notched up 27 saves last year, allowing just two home runs in 58.0 innings of work between Cincinnati and Kansas City. This will be his first full season at the Reds and he will be looking to add to his 111 career saves.

The bullpen has been a strong part of the Reds roster for a few years and that shouldn’t change this season. Sean Marshall and Jose Arredondo will be the lefty and right set-up men and are coming off sub 3.00 ERA seasons, while Logan Ondrusek, Alfredo Simon and Sam LeCure were equally impressive. Manny Parra is set to round off the bullpen, arriving from Milwaukee.