04-01-2018, 10:34 PM
(04-01-2018, 08:18 PM)michaelsean Wrote: Just looking at the payrolls this year, the Reds have to catch lightning in a bottle to win a World Series, and then they are probably done. You have to hand it to cities like St Louis and Boston, that sell out a lot of games without a much bigger population.
St Louis gets by because they develop pitching better than almost anyone. Any fair assessment of the Reds over the last 30 or so years would point to them being awful at developing pitching in-house. Outside of Cueto, there's really been nothing amazing in the Reds system. One guy in 3 decades. That sucks, and that really sucks when you throw in the fact that the Reds can't/won't sign TOR help from outside the organization. I'm not saying that it's a great idea, but it's not even an option here.
Boston has a huge payroll regardless of population. Ownership makes a big difference. If the owner isn't inclined to pinch pennies, then you can rebuild pretty quick.
I went into the offseason somewhat hopeful that they'd turn a corner and perhaps get some help in free agency to speed up the rebuild. They've slashed payroll and tried to accumulate prospects for 5 years now. It's about time for the pain to become gain. I just don't see it now. I think the pitching prospects that they are needing to pan out are mediocre at best. Outside of Castillo, I'd be surprised if more than two of them even become serviceable 3rd starters.
I get a bad feeling that this team might actually be capable of getting worse this year. I hope like hell that I'm wrong, but the pitching is awful and any lineup that terminates with Peraza/pitcher/Hamilton is doomed. That's a bottom third of the order where any chance of a rally will go do die every time.
