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Around SBN: Has Kentucky Improved Since the Non-Conference Season?

Jayson Stark On the Reds Offseason

At least someone thinks they've done a good job:

They may not be the Big Red Machine reincarnate yet. But this team is better, after acquiring Eric Milton, Ramon Ortiz, Joe Randa, Kent Mercker and Rich Aurilia -- even if the Great American Ballpark isn't exactly a perfect fit for Milton and Ortiz, two of the five active pitchers who have served up 40 gopherballs in a season.

I have to agree with him.  The Reds will be a better team in 2005 than they were in 2004.  But I just can't see the improvements they've made being enough to get them over the hump.

0 recs  |  Comment 3 comments

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Griffey and Kearns
I think these two guys being healthy have more to do with the Reds success then any of their free agent pickups.

Anyone think Blyleven's homeruns allowed of record (50) will be broken by Ortiz or Milton this year?

by Blade on Jan 28, 2005 11:31 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

Rabbit Balls and the "Juice"
One thing that will work against anyone breaking Blyleven's record is the fact that neither the players or the baseballs will be as juiced this year. I really think that you will see a significant drop from the over 5400 home runs hit last year despite the watered down pitching at the Major League level. You are already starting to see the 50 home run season become a thing of the past with no one reaching that total since 2001.

Although if Dunn can learn to make contact a little more frequently if has a chance to easily surpass that total.

Caleb

by Caleb on Jan 28, 2005 12:16 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

I'm not a conspiracy theorist, but...
I know it's quibbling, but A-Rod hit 57 in 2002.  I would disagree that home runs will be down this year.  Players may not be as juiced, but you can bet that if MLB can do anything to make their players look better in the face of steroids they will.  I imagine they will find some way to massage the home run numbers up this season, in order to try to legitimize the past few seasons.  If they can say, "Look, our players are still hitting home runs even with a more publicized steroid policy," it would be less of a black eye on the league.

I don't think that Milton will give up any more home runs than he did last season since Citizen's Park was more of a launching pad than GABP (it increased home runs by 13% compared to GABP's 5% increase).  That being said, he could still give up 40 long balls, and that isn't good in any park.

by Slyde on Jan 28, 2005 4:55 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

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