Cincinnati Reds not worried about National League Central challenge
The Cincinnati Reds made their fans happy last year when they cruised to the playoffs. Although tremendous pressure piled on them from 5 teams in the National League Central, things got better as time passed. Players were able to grasp on the experience
and the management learned ways to keep the focus on the game. The St. Louis Cardinals, Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros and the Pittsburgh Pirates were all locked in the battle during the year.
Things, however, will get tough as the Reds will go up against teams that have made a number of changes in their roster. Lance Berkman is back in the division but now he’s playing for the Cardinals. Ryan Theriot is also playing for them as well. The Cubs
have added Matt Garza, Carlos Pena and Kerry Wood from the American League.
However, the most notable changes have come in the form of the Brewers’ additions. The franchise has gone ahead to hire the services of Shaun Marcum and Zack Greinke. The two valuable additions make the Cardinals a stronger unit to contest against.
"It is tough. I was watching MLB (Network) and ESPN - every day somebody in our division was improving," the Reds' skipper, Dusty Baker, said. "I was like 'Oh no, they got this guy and that guy.' You look around, some of the teams in our division don't like
what happened last year, and I don't blame them. Our thing is we just want to get better. I've looked at some of the improvements other teams are making. But hopefully our improvement just comes from experience."
The Reds, however, have done little to strengthen the team with new players. They have signed back most of their free agents in the winter. The most significant signing comes in the form of 2010 World Series Most Valuable Player and shortstop, Edgar Renteria.
"I think in years past it's really been a two- or three-team race with the six teams in the division," said Reds centre fielder Drew Stubbs. "With Milwaukee adding some new arms, the Cubs adding a few arms -- top to bottom, it really will be a competitive
division. It's a challenge we're looking forward to. It's really a toss-up right now to see who the division champion might be. Whoever wins it, it will be a battle."
The Cincinnati Reds made their fans happy last year when they cruised to the playoffs. Although tremendous pressure piled on them from 5 teams in the National League Central, things got better as time passed. Players were able to grasp on the experience
and the management learned ways to keep the focus on the game. The St. Louis Cardinals, Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros and the Pittsburgh Pirates were all locked in the battle during the year.
Things, however, will get tough as the Reds will go up against teams that have made a number of changes in their roster. Lance Berkman is back in the division but now he’s playing for the Cardinals. Ryan Theriot is also playing for them as well. The Cubs
have added Matt Garza, Carlos Pena and Kerry Wood from the American League.
However, the most notable changes have come in the form of the Brewers’ additions. The franchise has gone ahead to hire the services of Shaun Marcum and Zack Greinke. The two valuable additions make the Cardinals a stronger unit to contest against.
"It is tough. I was watching MLB (Network) and ESPN - every day somebody in our division was improving," the Reds' skipper, Dusty Baker, said. "I was like 'Oh no, they got this guy and that guy.' You look around, some of the teams in our division don't like
what happened last year, and I don't blame them. Our thing is we just want to get better. I've looked at some of the improvements other teams are making. But hopefully our improvement just comes from experience."
The Reds, however, have done little to strengthen the team with new players. They have signed back most of their free agents in the winter. The most significant signing comes in the form of 2010 World Series Most Valuable Player and shortstop, Edgar Renteria.
"I think in years past it's really been a two- or three-team race with the six teams in the division," said Reds centre fielder Drew Stubbs. "With Milwaukee adding some new arms, the Cubs adding a few arms -- top to bottom, it really will be a competitive
division. It's a challenge we're looking forward to. It's really a toss-up right now to see who the division champion might be. Whoever wins it, it will be a battle."
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