I try and do this every year but this year it was a little tougher than most given the battles for positions, especially on the pitching staff. So before the numbers come out, here is how I am projecting things to work out.
- Jay Bruce starts in the minors and is called up Mid to late May to take over in CF after destroying Louisville.
- Jeremy Affeldt wins the #5 spot over Homer Bailey due to a numbers move, but Bailey comes up in late May and Affeldt shifts to the bullpen.
- The bullpen is way too wide open, so I only projected the numbers for the guys I know will be there unless their arms fall off (Weathers, Cordero, Burton and Affeldt eventually).
- Cueto gets a late summer call up, gets 2 or 3 starts and is then moved into the bullpen down the stretch.
Now here are the stats that I have projected for the Reds in 2008:
Thats what I have. The pitching staff turns itself around this year and the hitting stays solid. Overall though I see the Reds going 86-76 and finishing in 3rd place behind the Brewers and the Cubs (win the division).