Cincinnati Reds Have Some Decisions to Make for 2018

The Cincinnati Reds were one of the surprise teams in baseball after the first month of the season before falling back to Earth. What do the Reds need to take care of heading into next year?

The idea that the Cincinnati Reds would have led the National League Central for more than a day or two early in the season seemed laughable heading into the 2017 campaign. Their team was essentially a cast of castoffs and has beens, along with Joey Votto. The corpse of Bronson Arroyo somehow managed to earn a spot in the starting rotation, which was an indictment of the talent on the roster than his own return to form.

And yet, there the Reds were on May 7, leading the division by half a game and on a five game winning streak. Then, the wheels fell off, and the Reds rapidly fell to the bottom of the division. By the time the season came to an end, finishing the year with a 68-94 record, 24 games out of first.

While there were some highlights for the Reds, such as when Scooter Gennett improbably hit four homers in a single game, the Reds still have quite a few decisions to make in the coming years. 2018 is likely to be another difficult season, but it may well be one that helps shape their future.

What should the Cincinnati Reds focus on for 2018? Let us look at the biggest decisions they will need to make moving forward.

Building a pitching staff

The old saying is that pitching wins championships. If so, the Cincinnati Reds are about as far from the postseason as any team in the National League.

Last year, the Reds pitching staff finished the year with a 5.17 ERA, better than only the Detroit Tigers. Luis Castillo was the only pitcher to make five or more starts and have an ERA+ better than 100. The bullpen was also a disaster, as even the brilliance of Raisel Iglesias and the emergence Wandy Peralta could not save their relievers.

However, the Reds should improve in 2018, even if it may not show in the results. Castillo looks like a key piece moving forward. Brandon Finnegan and Anthony DeSclafani should be healthy, and would provide a major boost to the rotation. However, they still have a number of question marks, especially given Homer Bailey‘s continued struggles.

Likewise, the Reds need a few arms to step up in the bullpen, especially if they trade Iglesias. Luke Farrell may develop into a late inning option if he does not return to the rotation, but there are few viable relievers currently in Cincinnati. A couple of low cost free agents could work to fill out the relief corps, especially if they can be flipped for prospects at the deadline.

The 2018 campaign will still be a period of evaluations for the Cincinnati Reds when it comes to pitching. However, they may be able to start to piece together the basis of their future pitching staff.

Determine what they have in Billy Hamilton

Billy Hamilton appeared to have finally turned the corner and begun his ascension to stardom. Then, last year, he regressed once more.

There is no question that Hamilton is an exciting player when on the basepaths. His blazing speed can change the course of a game, with opposing pitchers forced to factor his ability to steal bases into their approach. Any lapses in concentration can lead to a big inning, especially if pitches are left over the plate.

The problem is, Hamilton’s greatest asset is useless if he cannot get on base. Last year, that ability took a step back, as he produced a horrid .247/.299/.335 batting line, although he stole a career best 59 bases. As he will not produce anything resembling power, he needs to draw walks and drop bunts to live up to his namesake, the original Billy Hamilton. Instead, he is more of a Vince Coleman – a player with great speed, but not much of a baseball player.

Hamilton’s lack of production is going to force the Reds hand. He is certainly an intriguing talent, but at 27 years old, can he get any better than what he is? If not, he is really a glorified fourth outfielder/pinch runner. That likely ceiling would make him a tremendous disappointment, based on his impressive stolen base totals in the minors.

The Cincinnati Reds need more from Billy Hamilton than what they have received. The problem is, this may be as good as he gets.