No. 29 Braves | No. 27 Brewers | Nos. 30-21
No. 28: CINCINNATI REDS
Last Season: 64-98
Projected record: 70-92 (fifth in NL Central)
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In 2015, the Reds finished 36 games out of first in the ultracompetitive National League Central, and it's tough to expect much more from a team that let go Johnny Cueto, Mike Leake, Aroldis Chapman and Todd Frazier (and is currently shopping Jay Bruce). They're trying to thread the needle between rebuilding and staying competitive, but that's a major challenge in a division that includes the Cardinals, Cubs and Pirates. They need Joey Votto, Homer Bailey, Bruce and Brandon Phillips to buy into the game plan for the sake of clubhouse harmony this season. If things unravel quickly, manager Bryan Price will not be in an enviable position.
When the Reds traded Todd Frazier to the Chicago White Sox as part of a three-team deal that included the Los Angeles Dodgers, many wondered if the return was adequate. Jose Peraza projects to be the best player the Reds got back, but was it enough? -- ESPN.com (graphic from Dan Szymborski)
Votto is a major obstacle in the middle the Reds' lineup, regardless of who's around him. All he did last year was log a .459 OBP and finish third in the MVP race while playing for a team that won just 64 games. The Reds think they have the makings of a strong rotation with youngsters Anthony DeSclafani, John Lamb, Brandon Finnegan, Jon Moscot and Raisel Iglesias set to hold the fort while Bailey works his way back from Tommy John surgery. Prospects Michael Lorenzen and Robert Stephenson are expected to get extended looks in spring training.
Cincinnati's minus-114 run differential last season was the third worst in baseball. The Reds played poorly at home (34-47) and on the road (30-51), and they ranked 26th in the majors both in runs scored (640) and ERA (4.33). Scan the roster, and it's tough to find much reason to get excited. Speedster Billy Hamilton stole 57 bases in 114 games and ranked eighth among MLB center fielders in defensive runs saved. But he continued to regress offensively, with a .226 batting average and a .563 OPS. Hamilton has a long way to go to emulate what Dee Gordon has achieved in Miami.
No. 27 Brewers | No. 29 Braves | Nos. 30-21
