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Cincinnati Reds: Is 2019 going to be the breakout season?

By Benjamin Chase

CLEVELAND, OH - JULY 10: Cincinnati Reds pitcher Raisel Iglesias (26) looks to the heavens as he celebrates after the Major League Baseball Interleague game between the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians on July 10, 2018, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH. Cincinnati defeated Cleveland 7-4. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - JULY 10: Cincinnati Reds pitcher Raisel Iglesias (26) looks to the heavens as he celebrates after the Major League Baseball Interleague game between the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians on July 10, 2018, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH. Cincinnati defeated Cleveland 7-4. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Cincinnati Reds
CLEVELAND, OH – JULY 10: Cincinnati Reds pitcher Raisel Iglesias (26) looks to the heavens as he celebrates after the Major League Baseball Interleague game between the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians on July 10, 2018, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH. Cincinnati defeated Cleveland 7-4. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Many Cincinnati Reds fans were prepared for a long rebuild, but with the way the team has played and their current financial position, could the Reds be the breakout team of 2019?

The Cincinnati Reds were preparing for another rebuilding season in 2018, which led to the response online of surprise when Bryan Price was fired 18 games into the season with a 3-15 record. Cincinnati Reds fans spoke out on social media seemingly asking, “Well, what did you expect?!”

Well, Jim Riggleman has taken that same team and played 2 games over .500 since replacing Price, becoming a team that many contenders worry about seeing on their schedule due to the upstart nature of the team. Now with news that the team intends to increase payroll in 2019, the Cincinnati Reds could be the team to do what the Braves and Phillies are doing this year, coming out of their rebuilds into contention.

The Cincinnati Reds have Joey Votto, Eugenio Suarez, and Tucker Barnhart locked up through at least 2021 to lead the offense. The team could move Scooter Gennett at the MLB Trade Deadline, and they’d still have depth in quality infielders working their way up the system in 2017 first-round pick Nick Senzel and 2018 first-round pick Jonathan India.

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Previously the starting rotation has been a significant concern, but while they’re still young and have their moments when they have a “blow up” game, the talent of Luis Castillo, Tyler Mahle, and Sal Romano is evident. Anthony DeSclafani has proven excellent since he returned from injury. Whether he remains in Cincinnati or moves on, Matt Harvey has completely turned around his value with the Reds as well.

The biggest piece of intrigue will be whether the team will move closer Raisel Iglesias. Iglesias is signed through 2020, which should fetch a tremendous haul at the deadline, but the Reds could choose to keep him on board if they feel he could key a bullpen that has been showing very positive results this season with both Jared Hughes and David Hernandez posting sub-2 ERAs in the bullpen, Amir Garrett turning into a dominant force from the left side, and other arms like Michael Lorenzen settling into their roles very well.

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The next month will be very intriguing to watch as the Cincinnati Reds could be big sellers during the month of July while also gearing up through acquired pieces and players already in house for a big run in 2019!

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