The Cincinnati Reds should ultimately be more improved and better than the Indians during the 2005 season.
Reds majority owner Carl Linder finally opened up his wallet and added some much-needed help to a franchise that is on a dubious streak of four straight losing seasons.
But Eric Milton signed with the Reds during the off-season. Milton is a pitcher who has won more than 70 games in his career and has pitched in the postseason.
The Reds also added Ramon Ortiz to bolster the rotation. Ortiz has won 59 games in his career and won a championship with Anaheim in 2002.
Those two pitchers give Cincinnati experience and will mix with Paul Wilson and Aaron Harang to give the Reds the best rotation they've had in a while. David Weathers and Ben Weber give some veteran depth that wasn't there last season.
The Reds also have the potential to have an explosive offense. Sean Casey is a .300 career hitter. D'Angelo Jimenez will handle the second base duties and give the Reds good at-bats.
Joe Randa has already made a difference, hitting a game-winning home run on Opening Day.
The outfield is led by Adam Dunn, who hit 46 home runs last season. Wily Mo Pena hit 26, while Austin Kearns and Ken Griffey Jr. could add some punch if they stay healthy.
Cincinnati also has another important factor to consider: There are 154 games remaining. That gives the Reds plenty of time to get things together.
Sub: Indians' new acquisitions will lead to stellar season by Andrew Gribble Staff Writer ag358604@ohio.edu
To even compare the Cleveland Indians to the lowly Cincinnati Reds is insulting, but because they are from the same state, I'll let it slide.
After an impressive 2004 season, in which they exceeded all expectations, the Indians are back and hungrier than ever. Expectations are high for the Tribe this season because of the acquisition of two veteran pitchers.
The addition of Kevin Millwood to the pitching staff has turned an already-stellar rotation into arguably one of the league's best. If he maintains his health, he will most likely be joining fellow starters C.C. Sabathia and Jake Westbrook at the All-Star Game this summer.
Lefty Arthur Rhodes will bring much-needed help to a young Tribe bullpen. In his first three appearances, he has yet to allow a run and has only squandered two hits.
The Tribe's hitting has also improved with the acquisition of clutch-hitter Aaron Boone. He will see a lot of hittable pitches batting behind power hitters Victor Martinez and Travis Hafner.
Even if the Tribe has a disappointing season, there is no way the Reds will earn more wins. The Reds are arguably in MLB's toughest division with the Cardinals, Astros and Cubs. The Indians are lucky to be in the weakest.
The Reds will end up feeling ecstatic finishing fourth while the Tribe will settle for nothing less than an American League Central Division crown.
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Kevin Wiseman
Improved Reds roster will break 4-season losing streak
