A disappointing 79-83 record last year ended the Cincinnati Reds' chances to defend their National League Central championship from 2010. But general manager Walt Jockety didn't make many moves to improve them, resulting in a disappointing 2011. The GM feels like he has added in the right pieces to contend in 2012, however. He has acquired a proven starter in Mat Latos and a shutdown closer in Ryan Madson. With the St. Louis Cardinals losing Albert Pujols, and Prince Fielder not returning to the Milwaukee Brewers, Cincinnati believes it is the team to beat in the Central. Here are my MLB predictions for the Reds' starting rotation and closer in 2012.
Projected Rotation
Johnny Cueto (RHP) - Cueto put it all together in 2011, posting a 2.31 ERA and 1.09 WHIP. He managed just a 9-5 record, but received five no-decisions due to a blown save.
Mat Latos (RHP) - Latos is the Reds' big offseason signing and they are hoping he will provide some much-needed help at the top of the rotation. He went 9-14 last season, despite posting a 3.47 ERA and 1.18 WHIP. The only concern with Latos is how he will adjust to moving from the pitcher-friendly Petco Park to a more hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati.
Bronson Arroyo (RHP) - Arroyo had a down year last season, thanks to a mono infection that affected his performance. He started 32 games for the Reds, but he finished just 9-12 with a horrible 5.07 ERA for the year. Now that he seems to have regained his health, look for him to bounce back with numbers more similar to his 3.88 ERA and 17 wins of 2010.
Mike Leake (RHP) - In just his second season with the club, Leake led Cincinnati with 12 wins and posted a 3.86 ERA and 1.17 WHIP, all improvements over his rookie season. If his control from last year returns in 2012 he's a great asset at the back of this rotation.
Homer Bailey (RHP) - Bailey has shown flashes of brillance in his career, but he needs to start producing on a more consistent basis if he wants to keep his job. He went 9-7 last year with a 4.43 ERA and 1.28 WHIP in a career-high 22 starts. If he doesn't improve soon, he might just lose his position in the rotation, should the team decide to make Aroldis Chapman a starter this season.
Projected Closer
Ryan Madson (RHP) - Francisco Cordero saved 37 games for the Reds last year, but he is certainly on the decline and Cincinnati opted not to retain him. Cincinnati is excited about having Madson close the ninth, as he converted 32 of 34 save opportunities with the Philadelphia Phillies last year. Madson could save upwards of 40 games this year, especially with the new look of their starting staff, but an arm injury may cost him the 2012 season.
Projected Rotation
Johnny Cueto (RHP) - Cueto put it all together in 2011, posting a 2.31 ERA and 1.09 WHIP. He managed just a 9-5 record, but received five no-decisions due to a blown save.
Mat Latos (RHP) - Latos is the Reds' big offseason signing and they are hoping he will provide some much-needed help at the top of the rotation. He went 9-14 last season, despite posting a 3.47 ERA and 1.18 WHIP. The only concern with Latos is how he will adjust to moving from the pitcher-friendly Petco Park to a more hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati.
Bronson Arroyo (RHP) - Arroyo had a down year last season, thanks to a mono infection that affected his performance. He started 32 games for the Reds, but he finished just 9-12 with a horrible 5.07 ERA for the year. Now that he seems to have regained his health, look for him to bounce back with numbers more similar to his 3.88 ERA and 17 wins of 2010.
Mike Leake (RHP) - In just his second season with the club, Leake led Cincinnati with 12 wins and posted a 3.86 ERA and 1.17 WHIP, all improvements over his rookie season. If his control from last year returns in 2012 he's a great asset at the back of this rotation.
Homer Bailey (RHP) - Bailey has shown flashes of brillance in his career, but he needs to start producing on a more consistent basis if he wants to keep his job. He went 9-7 last year with a 4.43 ERA and 1.28 WHIP in a career-high 22 starts. If he doesn't improve soon, he might just lose his position in the rotation, should the team decide to make Aroldis Chapman a starter this season.
Projected Closer
Ryan Madson (RHP) - Francisco Cordero saved 37 games for the Reds last year, but he is certainly on the decline and Cincinnati opted not to retain him. Cincinnati is excited about having Madson close the ninth, as he converted 32 of 34 save opportunities with the Philadelphia Phillies last year. Madson could save upwards of 40 games this year, especially with the new look of their starting staff, but an arm injury may cost him the 2012 season.
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