Since the 2017 season mercifully ended for the Cincinnati Reds, I’ve had this sticky thought that keeps popping into my head. It’s an image I have of a competitive Reds team in 2018, a contender for the Wild Card, and it requires just three simple moves by club management:
1. Insert Jesse Winker into the lineup 140+ times;
2. Insert Nick Senzel into the lineup 140+ times;
3. Acquire a good starting pitcher (a #1, #2, or a reliable #3 starter).
That’s it. With relative good health: Playoffs here we come.
If it were only that easy…
The Reds, you may remember, have this annoying recent habit of losing at least ninety games each season.