Cincinnati Reds manager Bryan Price likened last season to labor pains. Looks as if it will be at least a couple more years before the Reds can pass out any cigars.
The rebuilding project is underway following trades of ace Johnny Cueto, closer Aroldis Chapman, and popular third baseman Todd Frazier. The culling process might not be finished, as right fielder Jay Bruce is still on the block.
For the first time since 2009, the club heads to spring training with zero expectations.
“More than anything, guys are excited and want to get acclimated,” Price said. “A lot of first-time big league guys, and a lot of new guys to the organization.”
With some prognosticators projecting losses in triple digits, Cincinnati is focused on player evaluation and hoping to identify its future stars.
The good news — if there is any — is that the Reds’ starting lineup will appear familiar to fans, with a few mainstays such as center fielder Billy Hamilton, first baseman Joey Votto and second baseman Brandon Phillips (whom the club might prefer to trade) providing stability.
Also, catcher Devin Mesoraco and shortstop Zack Cozart, who was having a career year before sustaining a knee injury in June, return after missing much of last season with injuries.
Then there are the kids. Mostly pitchers, but plenty of them.
Reds fans got a hefty dose of them during the latter months of the season when rookies made 64 consecutive starts. Out of that group emerged some promising arms in right-handers Anthony DeSclafani and Raisel Iglesias, who likely will anchor the top of the rotation until veteran right hander Homer Bailey returns midseason from Tommy John surgery.
Aside from Pete Rose being inducted into the Reds Hall of Fame in June, the highlight of the 2016 season will be watching the youngsters develop, in particular second baseman Jose Peraza, who was acquired from the Dodgers in the three-team deal which sent Frazier to the White Sox.
The Reds are so high on Peraza that they attempted to trade Phillips on a couple of occasions, only to have veteran invoke his no-trade clause.
Other things to watch:
The club’s top prospect — right-hander Robert Stephenson — will make his debut at some point.
The candidates to be Chapman’s replacement at closer could hinge on the fallout from the rotation battles.
Also, how will Eugenio Suarez, who shined last season as Cozart’s replacement, fare as Frazier’s replacement at third?
The message for Reds fans is to remain patient and enjoy the process. However, the labor pains likely will continue, at least for a little while.
“The thing we have to remain optimistic with is we have a really nice everyday lineup if we stay healthy, and we have young, prospect players we’re very excited about,” Price said. “A lot of our success will be based on how quickly these guys grow into big-leaguers.”
NOTES, QUOTES
POSITION BATTLE TO WATCH: Aside from a wide-open rotation battle, there is some potential drama at second base.
The Reds tried to trade Brandon Phillips at least a couple times, most recently to the Washington Nationals. However, rather than jump at the chance to toil for a contender, the 34-year-old veteran invoked his no-trade clause and sought a contract extension.
Many believe the Reds acquired Phillips’ replacement when they got 21-year-old Jose Peraza from the Dodgers in the three-team deal involving 3B Todd Frazier.
If so, Phillips’ power play puts a cramp in the Reds’ rebuilding efforts. Some believe the club might decide to hand the bulk of the playing time to Peraza anyway to see what the young man can do.
ROOKIE WATCH: While RHP Robert Stephenson was rumored to be among the September call-ups last season, it never transpired for the 23-year-old. However, barring injury, it is almost a given that the Reds’ top prospect and his dynamite changeup will debut in the major leagues this season. Stephenson, the 27th overall pick in the 2011 draft, led the organization in strikeouts in 2015. With the Reds rebuilding around young pitching, now is the time for Stephenson to make his mark in the majors.
COMEBACK TRAIL: For all of the disappointment surrounding the 2015 season in Cincinnati, there was no more heart-wrenching moment than on June 10 when SS Zack Cozart fell to the ground holding his right knee after attempting to leg out an infield hit.
Tears of the anterior cruciate and lateral collateral ligaments and biceps tendon in his knee abruptly ended what had been a career year to that point, with Cozart ranking ninth among National League shortstops in hitting, second in homers and fourth in RBIs.
Now, with his heir apparent, Eugenio Suarez, likely moving to third base, Cozart is expected return as the Reds’ starting shortstop.
Something to watch during spring training is whether Cozart’s Gold Glove-caliber defense and suddenly resurgent bat are back in form.
PLAYER NOTES:
–RHP Homer Bailey is expected to begin throwing in March, although his return to a big-league mound isn’t likely to occur until at least May. Bailey, 29, made only two starts last season before tearing his ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow, an injury the Reds’ medical staff said was unrelated to the flexor tendon tear that caused him to begin the season in the disabled list. Bailey signed a six-year, $105 million deal with Cincinnati in February 2014.
–C Devin Mesoraco appeared healthy and ready to return to his customary position behind the plate upon arrival at spring training camp. Mesoraco played in just 23 games last year due to a hip impingement and torn labrum that required surgery in June. The impingement made it difficult for him to squat, and Mesoraco had a brief and failed attempt to comeback as a left fielder. There were no such concerns on the first day of camp for the Reds’ backstop, who slugged 25 homers in 2014.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “Things are a little bit different when you’re not predicted or expected to win your division. The thing we have to remain optimistic with is we have a really nice everyday lineup if we stay healthy, and we have young prospect players we’re very excited about. A lot of our success will be based on how quickly these guys grow into big-leaguers.” — Reds manager Bryan Price’s message to beat reporters at the start of spring training.