The Reds have traded 30-year old righty swinging outfielder Norris Hopper to the White Sox for 33-year old righty swinging catcher Corky Miller. Hopper has played in 53 games in AAA-ball this season and he is 61 for 218 (.280 avg, .668 OPS) with 22 runs scored, 0 homers, 20 RBIs and 13 stolen bases. Hopper played in 168 games for the Reds in his major league career and he was 125 for 396 (.316 avg, .738 OPS) with 60 runs scored, 1 homer, 20 RBIs and 17 stolen bases. Corky Miller played four seasons at the start of his major league career for the Reds so they know what they are getting from him. Miller played in 14 games for the White Sox this season and he was 8 for 39 (.205 avg, .542 OPS) with 5 runs scored and 5 RBIs. Miller has now played in 146 games in his major league career and he is 67 for 374 (.179 avg, .553 OPS) with 32 runs scored, 8 homers and 40 RBIs. Miller will serve as depth at AAA just in case the need arises for the Reds.

The Reds have acquired 25-year old switch hitting 2B/SS Drew Sutton from the Astros to complete the Jeff Keppinger trade. Sutton was the #8 prospect in the Astros’ minor league system heading into the 2009 season according to Baseball America. Sutton has played in 5 games this season in AAA-ball and he is 4 for 15 (.267 avg, .656 OPS) with 1 run scored. In his previous 5 minor league seasons, Sutton played in 554 games in which he was 588 for 2,085 (.282 avg, .819 OPS) with 359 runs scored, 61 homers, 240 RBIs and 74 stolen bases. The Reds took advantage of the Astros’ 3B problem and got a good prospect who could help them at some point in 2009.

The over/under for the Reds is 80.5 and I have a feeling they will go over that total rather easily. The Reds have a lot of promising young hitters ready to emerge and the pitching staff looks very solid. Take the over for the Reds and watch them make a strong run at the N.L. Wild Card in 2009.

59-year old Dusty Baker’s first season as Reds’ manager was a disappointment as the team finished 74-88 (45.7%) and in fifth place in the N.L. Central. The Reds have made some nice little moves this off season and Baker might be able to get them to compete for the division crown if all things break in their favor. Baker has managed 15 years in the majors and he has compiled a 1,236-1,119 (52.3%) record with a average finish of 2.7 in the standings. He has also won a National League Pennant with the Giants before falling to the Angels in the World Series. Baker has managed in big games before so if the team is better this season he might pull a stunner and get them into the playoffs.

22-year old lefty swinging Jay Bruce burst onto the scene last season before the pitchers figured him out. He needs to readjust to what pitchers are doing to him now because the Reds really need his power. Bruce played in 108 games for the Reds last season and he was 105 for 413 (.254 avg, .767 OPS) with 63 runs scored, 21 homers, 52 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. Bruce also played in 49 games in AAA-ball last season and he was 67 for 184 (.364 avg, 1.023 OPS) with 34 runs scored, 10 homers, 37 RBIs and 8 stolen bases. Bruce also needs to improve in the field. He made a stunning 9 errors in 78 games in RF last season for the Reds while showing slightly above average range.

Jerry Hairston and Jonny Gomes could get some P.T. in RF this season for the Reds. Hairston played in 12 games in RF last season for the Reds and he didn’t make any errors while showing outstanding range. Gomes played in 21 games in RF for the Rays last season and he made 1 error while showing poor range.

28-year old lefty swinging Laynce Nix played in 10 games for the Brewers last season and he was 1 for 12 (.083 avg, .237 OPS) with 1 run scored. He also played in 103 games in AAA-ball last season and he was 108 for 380 (.284 avg, .887 OPS) with 63 runs scored, 23 homers, 60 RBIs and 5 stolen bases. Nix is a natural CF so he should be able to handle RF defensively.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON: B-