Injuries! That is the headline for the Reds season so far. As we exit the All-Star break the Reds are 51-44 which puts them just 1.5 games out of first place in the National League Central (which is really very good given all the injuries the Reds endured through the unofficial first half of the season).The Reds are chasing the Brewers and Cardinals, and both of those teams have significant problems. The Brewers problem is that they played way over their head in the first half and can't possibly keep up their current pace. The Cardinals problem is the same as the Reds, injuries: they recently lost one starting pitcher for the season and their All-World catcher Yadier Molina for a few months.
At 1.5 games out, the Reds still have to be considered the favorites to win the division given their starting pitching. The Reds arguably have the best starting five in all of baseball with Cueto, Latos, Simon, Leake, and Bailey (that order was intentional, by the way). The Reds glaring problem is that they will spend an extended period of time in the second half without Brandon Phillips and Joey Votto due to injury. So far, the Reds subs have filled in admirably (and have all year). But the Reds can't expect to keep winning with a combination of backups, rookies, utility players, chicken wire, and bubble gum. We need to make a trade for a big bat (or sign a player, like Alfonso Soriano!). So the question is: will we make that trade?
For those of you who don't know, the Reds general manager is Walt Jocketty. When Jocketty was GM of the Cardinals he frequently made marquee acquisitions that led to World Series titles. But as the Reds GM, Jocketty mostly seems to acquire ex-Cardinals who have already seen their best days (Ryan Ludwick, Skip Schumaker). We need Jocketty to do for the Reds what he used to do for the Cardinals.
So why am I grumpy? Because I don't think Walt Jocketty will get us the player we need.