Entering with a 58-81 record, how did the Reds get into a rebuilding situation? It began before the season started when cost-cutting moves required trading two veterans -- Mat Latos to the Marlins and Alfredo Simon to the Tigers. A third veteran, Homer Bailey, made only two starts after returning from flexor mass surgery rehab in mid-April, only to blow out his elbow and need season-ending Tommy John surgery. One of their low-cost free agent signings in Jason Marquis backfired, and he was released by June.
Coupled with season-ending injuries to key hitters Devin Mesoraco and Zack Cozart in the first half, the Reds' hopes of keeping up with the NL Central leaders like St.