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I like how the Cincinnati Reds are positioned as they head into Spring Training, 2008. They have a lot of power, a little bit of speed, a deep bench, good starting pitching and a stud closer. From what I can see, all they lack is bullpen depth and a definitive answer behind the plate.

I expect rookies Jay Bruce and Joey Votto to win starting positions in center field and first base, respectively, during Spring Training; thus, Ryan Freel and Scott Hatteberg will head up a suddenly-strong bench, along with Jeff Keppinger, Norris Hopper and whichever backstop is not starting on any given evening.

Both Bruce and Votto will give the Reds batting average and good power to go along with home run hitters Adam Dunn, Ken Griffey Jr, and Brandon Phillips. Edwin Encarnacion, Alex Gonzalez and David Ross also provided double-digit home run power in 2007.

Phillips, Votto, Encarnacion and even Dunn could (should?) provide double-digit steals to augment those power numbers in 2008.

On the mound, I expect Aaron Harang, Bronson Arroyo, Matt Belisle and Homer Bailey to lock down the first four spots in the starting rotation. The battle for the fifth starter will be between righty Edinson Volquez (obtained in the Josh Hamilton trade) and lefty Jeremy Affeldt... and although I think Affeldt will prove more deserving I believe the team will name Volquez their #5 starter so that they can put Affeldt in the bullpen (see below).

The Reds added free agent Francisco Cordero to close out games, which then pushes former closer David Weathers into a set-up role. Righty Jared Burton had a nice rookie year. After that the bullpen is a crapshoot: Mike Stanton seems to have lost much of his stuff, Billy Bray and Gary Majewski are young and have shown little in their brief careers, and rookie Sergio Valenzuela is an unknown quantity. Affeldt would provide the team an invaluable asset in the bullpen

And only Stanton is a southpaw.

If I were suddenly anointed the GM of the Cincinnati Reds, the first thing I would do is augment the bullpen. The Reds will be competitive in 2008 IF they have a bullpen that is worthy of the lineup and the rotation. Cordero, Weathers and Affeldt are a nice core and Burton shows promise, but one more experienced reliever is critical to the effort. There are several experienced relievers still available in free agency: would Bob Wickman or Joe Mesa or Ron Villone look good in the Reds ‘pen? You bet! Would any of them take a one-year deal as a set-up man for a playoff contender? The answer is just a phone call away.

By SOX1FAN of www.DugoutCentral.com