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-

27-year old righty swinging Willy Taveras will give the Reds a lot of speed on both the basepaths and the outfield in 2009. He played in 133 games for the Rockies last season and he was 120 for 479 (.251 avg, .604 OPS) with 64 runs scored, 1 homer, 26 RBIs and 68 stolen bases. Dusty Baker will likely give Taveras a eternal green light this season. He played in 124 games in CF last season for the Rockies making 7 errors while showing average range.

30-year old Darnell McDonald will likely be Taveras’ top back up in 2009. He played in 93 games in AAA-ball last season and he was 99 for 369 (.268 avg, .781 OPS) with 53 runs scored, 11 homers, 57 RBIs and 19 stolen bases. He has been in the minors for a long, long time so it will be interesting to see how he handles playing in the show.

30-year old righty swinging Norris Hopper will be starting the season in AAA. He played in 26 games last season for the Reds and he was 10 for 50 (.200 avg, .486 OPS) with 3 runs scored, 1 RBI and 1 stolen base. Hopper has played in 168 games in his major league career and he has a .316 batting average with a .738 OPS so expect him to play better for the Reds in 2009 if he gets a call from them. Hooper didn’t make any errors in 7 games in CF for the Reds last season while showing poor range.

Jerry Hairston might also get some P.T. in CF for the Reds this season as he played 17 games there last season while making 1 error and showing poor range.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON: C