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Cincinnati Reds 2017 Season Preview

ByBenjamin Chase|
Feb 23, 2017; Goodyear, AZ, USA; Cincinnati Reds left fielder Adam Duvall (23) squirms around a tag attempt from catcher Stuart Turner (74) on a bunt during workouts at the Cincinnati Reds Player Development Complex. Mandatory credit: Sam Green/Cincinnati Enquirer via USA TODAY NETWORK
Feb 23, 2017; Goodyear, AZ, USA; Cincinnati Reds left fielder Adam Duvall (23) squirms around a tag attempt from catcher Stuart Turner (74) on a bunt during workouts at the Cincinnati Reds Player Development Complex. Mandatory credit: Sam Green/Cincinnati Enquirer via USA TODAY NETWORK
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Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

2017 Prediction

Now comes the fun part…

Baseball Prospectus’ Pecota projection system foresees the Reds finishing last in the NL Central with a 74-88 record, which would put them tied for the fourth-worst record in the league.

Fangraphs’ Steamer projection system sees the Reds finishing with the third-worst record in the league at 70-92.

The most recent Westgate odds from Las Vegas have the Reds tied for the fourth-worst shot to win the World Series at 100-1.

Needless to say, it’d be a surprise to see a 90-win projection here, to say the least.

I know Reds fans would like me to be the guy to break that, but it’s just not there. I do see some excitement this season, however. The Cincinnati Reds won’t be running out expensive veterans mixed with quad-A players to rack up 90 losses in 2017.

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The team should be exciting and there should be plenty of opportunity to see the young players that will make up the core of the next great Reds team.

My prediction will be 5th place in the NL Central again, but I do think that the team could improve, even if the standings place remains the same.

The projection here is for 73 wins, avoiding 90 losses by ever-so-slim a margin, and seeing some significant steps forward from at least two of their young starting pitchers along with an emergence of a dominant reliever to lead the bullpen.

On the offensive side, I honestly think moving Cozart for more young talent and bringing up Jesse Winker to be the high on-base table setter, even if he isn’t a blazing fast runner would make the Reds lineup dynamic. Peraza and Hamilton could hit second or eighth, Dilson Herrera would be on the team to bring elite defense and hit seventh in front of the elite runner in the eight-hole.

While the wins and losses may not be heavily in the Reds’ favor in 2017, the team should be much more palatable to watch!

Next: Top Second Base Prospects

While it’s fitting that one of the most memorable moments of the Cincinnati Reds in 2016 brings you to tears, this will bring you to tears for the right reasons:

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