[Jarons]

What are your thoughts on the upcoming season?

[Old School Hound]

What are your thoughts on the upcoming season?

Francona, instead of Bell, takes a few losses and puts them in the win column. Probably, at least five or six. If they can avoid the mountain of injuries that befell them last season, if the youngsters don't regress, and if Lux and Hays have a resurgence in Cincy. it could be a mid to upper 80's, maybe a 90 win team. It really does come down to staying healthy. It will be interesting to see how McLain bounces back from that devastating shoulder injury. Lots of questions but plenty to be excited about, as well. Elly hit 2 HR's (almost 3) in his first spring training game. The guy's a freak!!! Will they miss the leadership of Jon India???

[Jarons]

What are your thoughts on the upcoming season?

Francona, instead of Bell, takes a few losses and puts them in the win column. Probably, at least five or six. If they can avoid the mountain of injuries that befell them last season, if the youngsters don't regress, and if Lux and Hays have a resurgence in Cincy. it could be a mid to upper 80's, maybe a 90 win team. It really does come down to staying healthy. It will be interesting to see how McLain bounces back from that devastating shoulder injury. Lots of questions but plenty to be excited about, as well. Elly hit 2 HR's (almost 3) in his first spring training game. The guy's a freak!!!  Will they miss the leadership of  Jon India???

What happened to India? Did the Redd trade him? He was the leader of the team and my favorite current (now former) Red. I really don't remember seeing anything about him over the winter.
I think the Reds take a step forward this year with the hiring of Francona and avoid the injury bug. I think they will win 88-92 games and get the final wild card spot or drop out of playoff contention the final weekend of the season. 
First time in a long time I that have looked forward to Cincinnati Reds baseball.

[Old School Hound]

What are your thoughts on the upcoming season?

Francona, instead of Bell, takes a few losses and puts them in the win column. Probably, at least five or six. If they can avoid the mountain of injuries that befell them last season, if the youngsters don't regress, and if Lux and Hays have a resurgence in Cincy. it could be a mid to upper 80's, maybe a 90 win team. It really does come down to staying healthy. It will be interesting to see how McLain bounces back from that devastating shoulder injury. Lots of questions but plenty to be excited about, as well. Elly hit 2 HR's (almost 3) in his first spring training game. The guy's a freak!!!  Will they miss the leadership of  Jon India???

What happened to India? Did the Redd trade him? He was the leader of the team and my favorite current (now former) Red. I really don't remember seeing anything about him over the winter.
I think the Reds take a step forward this year with the hiring of Francona and avoid the injury bug. I think they will win 88-92 games and get the final wild card spot or drop out of playoff contention the final weekend of the season. 
First time in a long time I that have looked forward to Cincinnati Reds baseball.

Traded Jonathan for starting pitcher, Brady Singer.  I like Jonathan. He possessed a lot of intangibles that you can't measure by analytics. He's a good leader with a good energy.  They will like him over in Kansas City. Was 2 for 3 today. Batting .429 early in ST.

[plantmanky]

71.5 wins. Team did nothing to really improve, doesn't develop position players, medical staff keeps players injured.

[4 Quarters]

71.5 wins.  Team did nothing to really improve, doesn't develop position players, medical staff keeps players injured.

Did nothing to improve, getting rid of Bell was a major improvement.  Medics keeping players injured, that's a new one.

[Bluecat]

I think the reason they didn't make a ton of moves is because of the young talent they have already in the system. And I agree, getting rid of Bell and hiring Francona was a huge step in the right direction.

[Old School Hound]

71.5 wins.  Team did nothing to really improve, doesn't develop position players, medical staff keeps players injured.

Francona replacing Bell didn't improve the team? Added a quality arm in Singer. Signed Martinez who was really good for us last season. Added Lux and Hays, who now appear healthy and happy.  Added depth to what was already a good pitching staff.  Give me the over for 5K  at your 71.5  number.   72 wins would be a huge failure with this team. Francona needs to better that number by about 15 wins.

[Van Hagar]

Elly is turning into the best all-around player in baseball. McClain looks like he is 100% recovered from his shoulder surgery. The pitching, which was actually above average last year, looks on paper at least to have been upgraded. Francona is a proven winner. Unless the injury bug destroys this team like it did last year, anything less than say 85 wins would be a disappointment.

[Old School Hound]

Elly is turning into the best all-around player in baseball. McClain looks like he is 100% recovered from his shoulder surgery. The pitching, which was actually above average last year, looks on paper at least to have been upgraded. Francona is a proven winner. Unless the injury bug destroys this team like it did last year, anything less than say 85 wins would be a disappointment.

Agree. If Plant guy will give us 71.5  , I say we go all in on the OVER.

[Old School Hound]

Reds blow the opener with two outs in the ninth. Francona tries to do his best David Bell impersonation and goes with the last pitcher on the roster(the guy who barely made the team) to close the game out. The big French Pastry gave up a walk, two singles, and a three-run homer for the loss. Good job, Francona.

[Old School Hound]

Reds got good pitching by Lodolo for six and the bullpen held up for the final three. Defense was exceptional today. Elly and McClain up the middle and Espinal at third is very solid defense. 1-1 on the season. Nice bounceback from the disappointment on Opening Day.

[Old School Hound]

Reds played poorly today. Two errors, plus bad baserunning that cost them at least one run. Homerun for backup catcher , Wynns, and another dinger from McClain. Not enough , though. Reds lose opening series . 1-2

[Van Hagar]

Reds apparently got a shipment of the Yankees torpedo bats in for tonight’s game. 14-1 in the 8th, Elly with a double, two homers and seven rbis. McClain with another homer. If the bullpen holds up, I think this will be a good season.

[Old School Hound]

Reds outscore the Rangers two touchdowns to a field goal, win 14-3.  That Elly guy is pretty good.  Two bombs, 7 ribeyes. Brady Singer was exceptional in his first start as a Redleg--- 7 innings, 1 hit , 2 walks, 8 K's. First Reds pitcher since some guy by the name of Tom Seaver to toss seven scoreless innings in his Reds debut.  McClain had another homer, his third already, and scored four runs. Reds are now 2-2 on the young season. I can sleep well tonight!!!

[Van Hagar]

I was just kidding about the torpedo bats—-but it turns out Elly did have a shipment of them come in and used them for the first time in this game! I swear if he stays healthy this year, even if he’s swinging a broomstick, I think he will push Ohtani for MVP. He’s just that talented and fun to watch, and would be my favorite current MLB player no matter what team he was on.

[Old School Hound]

I was just kidding about the torpedo bats—-but it turns out Elly did have a shipment of them come in and used them for the first time in this game! I swear if he stays healthy this year, even if he’s swinging a broomstick, I think he will push Ohtani for MVP. He’s just that talented and fun to watch, and would be my favorite current MLB player no matter what team he was on.

Guys like Elly are a rare breed. One of those generational talents. Enjoy the years that we have him here.