Why they WILL win:
Aaron Harang- After this season the Reds have a club option for Harang so hes basically playing for a contract. If he wants to make $12million playing baseball next year he has to impress. History tells us players somehow perform better when playing for a contract, I'm predicting Harang follows that trend. For the Reds to win Aaron will have to produce a sub 4 ERA &15wins getting back to the ace caliber pitcher he was two seasons ago. How he needs to do that? Becoming more aggressive with his pitching. From my own eye I see Harang as being too consistent with his location. EVERYTHING is low and on the corners. He needs to change the eye level of the batter.
Bronson Arroyo- Bronson is in the same boat as Harang contract wise. No way Arroyo gets $11million on he open market next year. His only hope for that kind of money is to put Cincinnati in the position where they can't refuse to bring him back. For the Redlegs to win.... sub 4 ERA and 12+ wins.
Jay Bruce- He needs to break out combining with Votto like numbers for the Reds to be a consistent offensive threat. .290 batting average and 35 Hrs is what I'm looking for.
Drew Stubbs- Drew may be the biggest X factor in my eyes. If he continues his success of last season the Reds could be serious. I'm needing a .280 avg .350OBP 25Hr 40+ stolen base season.
Scott Rolen- For the Reds to win Rolen doesn't have to put up big numbers, just decent ones along with an injury free season. They need his consistency, leadership, and experience out there. I would be happy with a .275 20Hr injury free season.
Why the Reds WILL NOT win:
Dusty Baker- Dusty is a joke. I would go more into depth but Dusty is a blog within himself. I'll save that for another day.
Injuries- Often at the end of the season the teams still left are either the ones who stayed healthy or the ones who could afford to replace their injuries.
In my eyes for Cincinnati to make a serious run they need a few breakout years combined with few injuries. But this can be said for just about EVERY team in the game....minus the Pirates of course, they are screwed.
