Winning 68 games in MLB rarely is seen as a success, but the Cincinnati Reds can point to some positives as they look ahead to 2018.
Jose Peraza is set to take over for Zack Cozart at shortstop, otherwise, the Reds' lineup will look nearly identical to what they deployed in September. Joey Votto returns to anchor the offense with supporting cast Adam Duvall, Eugenio Suarez and Scott Schebler back to take advantage of their hitter-friendly ballpark.
Michael Lorenzen will start the year on the 10-day disabled list with a back injury. As a result, David Hernandez is most likely to handle the eighth-inning role. Anthony DeSclafani has a strained oblique and has no estimated time to return.
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PREVIEW & PREDICTIONS: Chicago Cubs | St. Louis Cardinals | Milwaukee Brewers | Pittsburgh Pirates
NL CENTRAL PREDICTIONS | Division Odds | NL Pennant Odds
2018 MLB: Divisional Picks, World Series & Awards
HOME RUN ODDS: Homer King in NY?
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| POS | PLAYER | *WAR |
|---|---|---|
| 1B | Joey Votto | 4.2 |
| 2B | Scooter Gennett | 1.7 |
| 3B | Eugenio Suarez | 2.7 |
| SS | Jose Peraza | 2.1 |
| C | Tucker Barnhart | 2.3 |
| OF | Adam Duvall | 3.8 |
| OF | Billy Hamilton | 2.9 |
| OF | Scott Schebler | 1.9 |
*Projected by STEAMER
| POS | PLAYER | *WAR |
|---|---|---|
| OF | Jesse Winker | 0.9 |
| C | Devin Mesoraco | 0.9 |
| UT | Cliff Pennington | -0.2 |
| OF | Phillip Ervin | -0.1 |
| 1B | Kennys Vargas | -0.1 |
*Projected by STEAMER
| PLAYER | *WAR |
|---|---|
| Homer Bailey, RHP | 1.2 |
| Brandon Finnegan, LHP | 0.5 |
| Luis Castillo, RHP | 2.6 |
| Sal Romano, RHP | 1.3 |
| Amir Garrett, LHP | 0.4 |
*Projected by STEAMER
| PLAYER | *fWAR |
|---|---|
| Raisel Iglesias, RHP | 0.9 |
| David Hernandez, RHP | 0.3 |
| Michael Lorenzen, RHP | 0.4 |
| Wandy Peralta, LHP | 0.3 |
| Jared Hughes, RHP | 0.2 |
| Kevin Shackelford, RHP | 0.4 |
| Austin Brice, RHP | 0.0 |
*Projected by STEAMER
| PLAYER | POS |
|---|---|
| Nick Senzel | 3B |
| Hunter Greene | RHP |
| Taylor Trammell | OF |
| Jesse Winker | OF |
| Tyler Mahle | RHP |
WILD CARD PLAYER
Amir Garrett and Jesse Winker each are in prove-it situations as yoing players in their mid-20s. Both have average or better upside and could help vault the Reds into competitiveness as the club awaits the arrival of the elite talents in the farm system.
Winker has the power to take advantage of his home ballpark and is athletic enough to play a quality corner outfield spot.
Garrett sits 91-93 mph with an above-average changeup and a slider that needs work, still. More strikes would help, too — he walked more than five batters per nine a year ago.
— — Jason A. Churchill
