Reds Lying in the Weeds...

The Reds' lineup and bullpen yesterday impressed me. There are several competent relievers down in the Reds' bullpen, with Cordero closing, and Kent Mercker to set up along with David Weathers, last year's closer. Todd Coffey is another young reliever with some promise.

The Reds' lineup, 1-8, has only two weak points. One is in center field, where Corey Patterson leads off. Patterson did not impress last year, after scaring Cubs fans in 2006 by leading the league in steals with Baltimore. The Reds' homerrific park is maybe the best place for Patterson to try to revive his career. If Dusty is thinking anything sensible with this move, that's it.

Griffey is still here, and of course, he is not the player he once was, but who is at 38. Adam Dunn is in his prime, and a true homer threat at all times. Brandon Phillips leads the new generation of second basemen with pop, right along with Philadelphia's Chase Utley. Edwin Encarnacion and Jeff Keppinger are solid hitters, and Joey Votto is one the game's brightest stars.

CF prospect Jay Bruce is often called the best prospect in the game. In years to come, Reds fans will get to enjoy seeing him play alongside Cueto, Harang, and Votto. If baseball were at all serious in helping small-market teams compete like football does, the Reds would have the brightest future in the Central Division. But the good players they have now will be gone as soon as the younger players are good enough to need to be paid.