2nd Half Starts Today: Should We Just Give Up On the Reds?

By:  Coop


The Reds had a very mediocre 1st half, having a record of 45-47, 4 games behind St. Louis for 1st place, and in 4th place.  So should we give up on the Reds and start thinking about next season or looking forward to football season?  No we cannot.  


If we are 2 games under .500, and in 4th place, yet only 4 games back, that is some hope.  Usually if you are 2 under and in 4th, you would think you were a least 10 games back.  4 games isn't a whole lot, and if they win the series against the 1st place Cardinals, they could be looking at only being 1 game back.  Then if they win the series against Pittsburgh, they could be in 1st place.  If they are not in 1st place (only way they wouldn't be is if the Brewers did great and won as much as the Reds), they would still gain serious ground in the NL Central.  Let's just say they take 2-out-of-3 from the Cardinals and Pirates, then they have a record of 49-49.  Yes, that is only .500, but they could be in at least 2nd place.  Then as long as they win majority of the series they play for the rest of July, it should be smooth sailing from then on, as the Reds have a 2nd half schedule in their advantage.


What will it take for the Reds to win all of those games?  Well they need to make a division-changing trade. The Brewers got K-Rod, the Reds need to respond.  They could make a deal with San Diego and get Heath Bell, which they are interested in.  There have also been talks in trying to get Rockies' pitcher Ubaldo Jiminez. He has a poor record, but has many quality starts, just isn't getting enough run support, something he could get in Cincinnati.  But what I think the Reds really need to do is get Jose Reyes from the Mets.  Send Devin Mesoraco, Fred Lewis, Edgar Renteria or Paul Janish, and Matt Maloney to New York for Reyes and maybe a minor leaguer or two.  If Jose was a Red, I could promise you they would win the NL Central.


So in conclusion, don't give up on the Reds yet.