Hello Friends

Mr. Redlegs reminded me that the Reds Rocket was suffering from a lack of new content less than two days from the beginning of the 2009 Major League season. So, the generators were fired up and and all systems are go based upon the following write-up from our nerdy friends at Baseball Prospectus:

"...now that the Reds have something of a stating rotation they can count on going forward, the Reds may finally close the book on this long, misguided era."

That sounds like reason for optimism. Hooray for Reds.

We said goodbye to several good friends at the end of the 2008 season and during this last off-season but look at all the new faces: Willy-Wilmy Taveras made the trip over from Colorado (from Prospectus "the Rockies tried to trade him, but when they realized nobody was interested, they just let him go") and he will undoubtedly be outstanding leading off and playing center. And how about Jonny Gomes in left ("for the most part he has been a strange combination of a strikeout-prone slugger with a touch of speed and poor defensive skills who gets more at-bats than he deserves") Okay, sounds great. Let's see if we can't find a way to get him 400+ at bats. And look new catcher Ramon Hernandez (Hernandez clearly isn't what he was in the late 20's, but Camden Yards loves its righty hitter and might have camoflauged a more precipitous decline). Nothing not to like there. Where do I order the Ramon Hernandez Fat Head for my dining room wall?

A more appropriate greeting for the returning members is forthcoming. But based on the busy offseason, the team should be expected to contend in 2009. Anything less than 74 wins is going to be a serious disappointment. Reds! Reds! Reds!