2005 Cincinnati Reds Preview

Cincinnati Reds Preview

ABOUT BASEBALL previews the 2005 Cincinnati Reds.

2004 Record: 76-86, 4th place in NL Central
Home Ballpark: Great American Ballpark
Manager: Dave Miley

2005 Prediction: 81-81

ADDITIONS: SS - Rich Aurilia, RP - Kent Mercker, SP - Eric Milton, SP - Ramon Ortiz, 3B - Joe Randa, RP - David Weathers, RP - Ben Weber

SUBTRACTIONS: 3B - Juan Castro, LP - Phil Norton, RP - John Riedling, RP - Gabe White

LINEUP: D'Angelo Jimenez (2B), Joe Randa (3B), Sean Casey (1B), Adam Dunn (LF), Ken Griffey Jr. (CF), Austin Kearns (RF), Rich Aurilia (SS), Jason LaRue (C)

ROTATION: Paul Wilson (RHP), Eric Milton (LHP), Ramon Ortiz (RHP), Aaron Harang (RHP), Brandon Claussen (LHP)

CLOSER: Danny Graves (RHP)

OUTLOOK: If I were a betting man, I'd put money on the fact that Griffey will get hurt again.

If he doesn't and the Reds' decent arms pitch all reach their full potential - this is a club that could turn some heads. Powerful Dunn can hit balls as far as the best of 'em. All in all, this is probably a .500 club any way you slice it.