Starting pitching has emerged as the Reds' strength, something has not been the case for the past eight losing seasons.
In fact, while the team usually is searching for third, fourth and fifth starters, it was only looking for a fifth starter this year and emerged with two -- right-handers Micah Owings and Homer Bailey. Owings probably has won the job, but Bailey can step in immediately if somebody falters or is injured among Owings, Aaron Harang, Edinson Volquez, Bronson Arroyo and Johnny Cueto -- all of whom were outstanding this spring. With the loss of Ken Griffey Jr. and Adam Dunn, the Reds have reconfigured their lineup, leaning more toward speed, pitching and defense.
The catalyst should be center fielder Willy Taveras, who stole 63 bases last year but had a difficult time getting on base, something that continued this spring.
Shortstop Alex Gonzalez, a key man on the defensive side, missed the first two weeks of Grapefruit League action while rehabbing his surgically repaired left knee, then strained his right hamstring when he played. Without him, the defensive dynamics change drastically.
Second baseman Brandon Phillips is not the prototypical cleanup hitter and prefers not to do it, but that's where he is because manager Dusty Baker's choices are limited.
The club acquired catcher Ramon Henandez over the winter, and for a week he had a crash course in learning the pitchers before going to the World Baseball Classic. He returned and was catching on fast to what he calls "an awesome bunch of arms on this team."
First baseman Joey Votto and right fielder Jay Bruce, second and fourth in NL Rookie of the Year balloting last year, both have had good springs and need to be major players if this team intends to contend.
THE REDS WILL CONTEND IF ...: RHP Aaron Harang reverts to his 16-win form of 2006 and 2007 and avoids his 17-loss form of last year.
PRIMED FOR A BIG SEASON: 1B Joey Votto, second in the NL Rookie of the Year voting, had four hits for Canada against Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. He appears ready to continue where he left off last season, when he hit .297 with 24 homers and 84 RBIs.
ON THE DECLINE: 3B Edwin Encarnacion continues to try to pull everything and does not appear to have corrected his defensive deficiencies.
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