Press Clippings January 14, 2015

CINCINNATI ENQUIRER donation propels MSJ locker room renovation By Shannon Russell / Cincinnati Enquirer / [email protected]

There's nothing like having an updated home locker room, and a donation by Reds Aroldis Chapman ensured just that for Mount St. Joseph's men's volleyball team.

The three-month project features 21 custom wood lockers and new flooring.

More from MSJ:

"This project absolutely could not have been completed without Mr. Chapman's generosity,'' Ryan Lengerich said. "He has ties to this program and believes in its mission and commitment to winning on the court, in the classroom and in the community. We are forever grateful and proud to have him as a friend to the program."

The Mount building and grounds staff gutted the locker room in October, including removing small metal lockers and a privacy wall, which significantly increased the usable space in the locker room. New ceiling, trim and wall paint was followed by new flooring and custom lockers from JR Customs Unlimited in Hamilton.

The locker room is a special place where the athletes celebrate the wins and pick each other up in defeat," Lengerich said. "These student-athletes deserve this locker room. They never asked for it, they only worked hard each day and were thankful for what they had. They are a humble group, and there is no doubt they will treat this locker room with respect and enjoy it."

The men's volleyball locker room is provided by the university for use solely by the team.

"No team ever won more games because of a locker room, but MSJ men's volleyball is about more than winning, it's about an experience," Lengerich said. "This locker room helps enhance the student-athlete experience, and for that the program is so very thankful."

MLB.COM Chapman’s generosity benefits college volleyball team Reds donates 80 percent of funds required to refurbish Mount St. Joseph locker room By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com / [email protected] / @m_sheldon

CINCINNATI -- The Mount St. Joseph University men's volleyball team doesn't have a huge budget, nor does it get a ton of media attention. The Lions do not play home games in front of thousands of fans at their gym.

But this is a program that can say it has one very good friend in Reds closer Aroldis Chapman.

Last week, the small Division III school on the west side of Cincinnati completed a three-month renovation project of a locker room used exclusively by the men's volleyball players and coaches. The room included 21 brand-new custom wood lockers and new flooring. Most of the funding for it came via a generous donation from Chapman.

What links Chapman to the program is volleyball player Cesar Trigo de Serrano, a senior from Miami, Fla., whose parents are from Cuba -- just like the three-time All-Star. Chapman defected from the communist nation in 2009 and signed a six- year, $30.25 million contract with the Reds in January 2010. de Serrano moved to Cincinnati several years ago before enrolling at MSJ as an adult transfer student. He also became a friend of Chapman's.

"We have seen him at our matches in the past because Cesar is a very close friend of his," men's volleyball coach Ryan Lengerich told MLB.com. "When it came time that we were considering the locker room renovation, Aroldis found about us raising money for this project and he made a donation. He's been to our matches and has seen what we're all about. We've all met him.

"He understands what the [school] and the volleyball team has done for Cesar and his life. I think he sees that and that's what had Aroldis become a supporter of our program."

The new locker room should help with recruiting, Lengerich believed, especially since the school does not offer athletic scholarships. But it also adds much more.

"A new locker room really adds to the experience. It's a sacred place where a lot goes on prior to a game, after a game, meetings and talking," Lengerich said. "These are guys that are teammates and will be lifelong friends. A locker room is a really special place for them."

Lengerich declined to disclose the cost of the project and would not specify the amount of money Chapman contributed. But he did say that it covered 80 percent of the renovation while the team raised funds for the rest itself.

"This doesn't happen without him, but my guys worked hard also to cover the rest of it," Lengerich said. "I didn't want them to think things are just handed to you. I wanted my guys to have a stake in it also.

"What makes a large donation or a small donation doesn't necessarily have to do with the amount given, but the impact it has on those who benefit. Whether the amount Aroldis gave the volleyball program is a lot or a little is subjective. What I do know is that the positive impact his donation had on the 18 student-athletes and two coaches in the men's volleyball program is remarkable, and we could not be more thankful."

At some point, the school would like to publicly thank Chapman for the donation and show him the locker room he helped underwrite.

"The trick with that is matching up our schedule with his schedule," Lengerich said. "We need to look for a date when Aroldis is in town and we could have some kind of ceremony and have him see it before a game. We have a plaque that's going on the wall that thanks him for his generosity."

FOXSPORTS.COM A fond farewell to the actually great Adam Dunn By Stephen Mast / FOX Sports

So long, Big Donkey...

Monday, Adam Dunn confirmed all his fans' biggest fears by officially announcing his retirement at the ripe young age of 35. Another one gone too soon.

Despite the criticism he's taken the last few years following his abysmal 2011 season with the White Sox, Dunn was a great player and I'll be damned if he's just going to retire without a proper goodbye.

Sure, he's never played in a playoff game, but now that he's retired, you can wipe out that "most games played by an active player without a postseason appearance" title. Now he's just 14th on the all-time list of most games played without a postseason appearance. And guess who's atop that list?

Hall of famer Ernie Banks, that's who.

Sure, it's highly unlikely that Adam Dunn makes the Hall of Fame. But look at all the other great players who aren't in there: Bonds, Clemens, J.T. Snow, J.T. Bruett.

Dunn debuted only 14 years ago with the Cincinnati Reds. He was a big, huge man with the unique ability to stroke 40 home runs, 200 times in one season, and look like country music star Toby Keith. Dunn 19 dingers his rookie year (in only 66 games), and if not for , Roy Oswalt, and Jimmy Rollins, he would have won the NL Rookie of the Year.

What Dunn did do was hit more than 40 homers in five straight seasons. Not even Albert Pujols has done that. Hell, last year Dunn hit 22 home runs. That's better than what most 35-year-olds are doing with their time.

In fact, Dunn and Pujols have a lot in common. They were born only two months apart. They both debuted at age 21 in 2001. And they both came up on teams in the NL Central. Actually, that's the majority of what they have in common. They're very different players. Pujols hit for average while also hitting for power, and he frequently walked more times than he struck out. Dunn didn't do that once in his career. Dunn either walked or struck out in 45 percent of his at-bats (which is astounding!). For Pujols, that number is 22 percent. But this comparison is pretty unfair considering Pujols will go down as one of the best players of his generation. However, there's no disputing that Dunn was a player in a generation. And that generation oohed and aahed over power. They oohed and aahed over Dunn doing this:

And this:

He even pitched the 9th of a game:

He was very durable, and had an excellent seven-year peak from 2004-10 where he averaged 40 HR, 101 RBI, 94 R, 158 games played, and a .253/.381/.533 slash line. That's really, really good!

Plus, he made more than $100 million in the majors and now has a budding acting career to fall back on.

Not half bad for some kid outta Houston. Not half bad for anyone.

So good job, Adam Dunn. Truly. You had a great career and you will be missed.

BLEACHER REPORT Predicting Which Team Will Undergo MLB’s Next Full-Blown Fire Sale By Karl Buscheck / Bleacher Report

Now is not the time to panic.

There are still more than two-and-a-half months before the MLB regular season gets underway, but it's also not too early to look out onto the horizon and predict which clubs could be in for a seriously disappointing year in 2015.

What follows is a of the teams that are most likely to bottom out next season and undergo a major fire sale before the trade deadline arrives. Five unfortunate clubs crack this list, and the squad that has the highest odds of just such a scenario playing out claims the No. 1 spot.

The ranking criteria are simple. All of the teams in the top five struggled in 2014 and have done little to improve their chances this offseason. From Johnny Cueto to Adrian Beltre, all of the teams also have some big-time trade chips who could get dealt next summer.

5. Cincinnati Reds

The National League Central is once again shaping up to be the most competitive division in baseball.

The St. Louis Cardinals and the , who both snagged playoff spots a season ago, are on track to make October runs in 2015. The are looking to rebound from last season's second-half face-plant, and Joe Maddon will be angling to guide the into contention.

That could be bad news for the Cincinnati Reds.

After adding Marlon Byrd in a trade, Cincinnati clearly isn't punting on the upcoming season, but the team has also shipped out starters Mat Latos and Alfredo Simon this winter. If the Reds go into the tank this summer, there are plenty of other assets for the team to sell off.

Some of the names at the top of that list are closer Aroldis Chapman, Brandon Phillips and . There's no question that Johnny Cueto is the team's biggest trade chip of all.

The right-handed , who is set to become a free agent at the end of the season, ripped off a 20-9 record with a 2.25 ERA in 2014. As his agent, Bryce Dixon, explained to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, Cueto is looking to land a monster payday next winter.

"[Jon] Lester is a better comp," Dixon said when asked how his client compared to Reds teammate , who in early 2014 received a deal worth $105 million over six years. "[Max] Scherzer's the closest comp."

Lester raked in a six-year, $155 million deal from the Chicago Cubs, while Heyman notes that Scherzer is aiming for a $200 million contract. Considering those numbers, there's an excellent chance that Cueto gets traded before the deadline if the Reds are out of the race.

Odds of a Fire Sale: 3-1

4.

This fire sale might be underway already.

As Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports, the Tampa Bay Rays shipped Yunel Escobar and second baseman Ben Zobrist to the . That move follows the trades of , Jeremy Hellickson, Joel Peralta and Ryan Hanigan.

If the Rays fall out of the race in the East this season, Evan Longoria could become an extremely popular name on the trade market. For now, he's not on the block. According to Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe, one NL general checked in on the at the end of December but was told he "wasn't available."

Aside from the three-time All-Star third baseman, the Rays' most valuable trade piece is Alex Cobb. The starter has recored a sub- 3.00 ERA in back-to-back years and remains under club control for the next three seasons. Desmond Jennings and David DeJesus are two other Rays who could potentially get moved in a deal.

Odds of Fire Sale: 1-1

3.

The Texas Rangers will be better in 2015 than the team was a season ago.

Last year, Texas racked up 95 losses during an injury-riddled campaign. The question is how much better the team will be. So far, the most noteworthy addition of the offseason came in the trade for left-hander Ross Detwiler from the .

If the 2015 season goes sideways, the Rangers braintrust will have to seriously consider dealing away some of the club's most valuable players.

Adrian Beltre falls into that group. The third baseman, who hit .324 with an .879 OPS last year, makes $18 million in 2015 and has a $16 million vesting option for the season after that. In four years with Texas, the right-handed hitter has produced a .530 .

As for arms, the most prominent players to watch out for are Yu Darvish and Derek Holland. Both starters are signed to team- friendly deals. Darvish makes $31 million over the next three seasons, while Holland is slated to earn $17.4 in the next two years. The lefty also has an $11 million option for 2017 and a $11.5 million option for 2018.

Odds of a Fire Sale: 1-3

2.

2014 was a train wreck for the Colorado Rockies.

Based on the club's underwhelming offseason, there's no compelling reason to think 2015 will be any different. Entering the year, the most prominent storyline surrounding the club is just what will happen to Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez.

Over the winter, Tulowitzki in particular has been the subject of all sorts of trade speculation. As GM Sandy Alderson explained via Mike Puma of the New York Post, the four-time All-Star shortstop won't be headed to Queens anytime soon.

“We’ve continued to have conversations, but nothing is likely to occur," Alderson explained. "There is currently nothing imminent. I still believe at this point that we will go into with what we have at shortstop.”

For now, holding onto Tulowitzki and Gonzalez is the shrewdest move, as both stars were injured at the end of 2014. By allowing the the veterans to prove their health in the opening months of the next season, the Rockies have the chance to maximize their potential return.

Odds of a Fire Sale: 1-9

1.

After back-to-back 73-win seasons, there's no question that the Philadelphia Phillies need to rebuild.

The NL East squad has assets to move, but the problem is that a lot of them are bad assets. Some of the players who fit that description are closer Jonathan Papelbon and Ryan Howard. The 35-year-old Howard, who is owed at least $60 million over the next three seasons, has one of the worst contracts in baseball.

Speaking on 97.5 The Fantatic, via Dan Toman of TheScore.com, GM Ruben Amaro explained that Howard doesn't have much of a future in Philadelphia.

"We've talked to Ryan, and I told him that in our situation it would probably bode better for the organization not with him but without him," Amaro said.

While it will be nearly impossible to find a taker for Howard, that's certainly not the case when it comes to Cole Hamels. According to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of Fox Sports, the St. Louis Cardinals are one of the teams "exploring" a deal for the starter.

Odds of a Fire Sale: 1-19

Cincinnati Reds’ Top 10 Prospects for 2015 By Mark Rosenbaum / Bleacher Report

The Cincinnati Reds' top prospects can be broken down into two groups: outfielders and .

As you might have guessed, the Reds don’t have a particularly balanced system due to a lack of prospects. However, that shouldn’t detract from the fact that they have several players with bright futures in the major leagues.

Outfielder is the best hitter in the system, boasting a sweet left-handed swing with an excellent approach and above- average raw power, while Yorman Rodriguez got his feet wet with the Reds last September. Meanwhile, shortstop , the only non- on this list, made a strong impression in his professional debut, finishing the season at a full- season level.

The team’s top draft pick from last year, right-hander Nick Howard (No. 19 overall), will be a project as he transitions from college closer to full-time starter, although that’s also what everyone was saying at this time last year about right-hander Michael Lorenzen.

Lorenzen was a pleasant surprise this year, as the former two-way player at Cal State Fullerton spent his first full professional season in -A Pensacola’s starting rotation, pitching alongside top prospect Robert Stephenson. Meanwhile, some of the Reds’ younger arms also took steps forward last season, as Nick Travieso and left-hander Amir Garrett excelled as starters in the .

Here are the Cincinnati Reds’ top 10 prospects for the 2015 season.

How They’re Ranked:

Position Players

Body type and athleticism Speed Hitting mechanics and bat speed Injury history Statistical trends Age versus level: how well a player fared at a certain level relative to his age and that of the competition Tools: number of projectable tools a player possesses in relation to his position, age and competition; present versus future tool grades Hit tool League and park factors On-base skills: approach, strike-zone management and recognition Makeup and character Defensive tools and skill sets; present versus projected position Place on organization's depth chart Positional scarcity and up-the-middle potential

Pitchers

Body type, athleticism and strength Mechanics: delivery, arm speed and release point Age versus highest level of experience Injury history (durability) Statistical trends Arsenal quality and depth Pitch projections: present versus future grades Hitability: and ability to keep the ball on the ground or in the park Control and command: pitch accuracy and reliability and potential development requirements Pitchability: feel (and confidence) for using and sequencing entire arsenal Approach: ability to attack and challenge opposing hitters Projection: starter or

Resources

Firsthand scouting Video analysis Industry contacts Statistics (courtesy of Baseball-Reference, FanGraphs and MiLB.com)

10. Nick Travieso, RHP

Scouting Report

Travieso bounced back from a forgettable 2013 campaign to capture Minor League Pitcher of the Year honors in the Reds organization, as the 20-year-old pitched to a 3.03 ERA over 142.2 in the Midwest League in 2014.

The 6’2” right-hander was a mid-90s guy as a high school senior, but has sat in the low 90s as a professional, though he can still let it rip when he chooses. Travieso’s is raw but flashes average potential, as he tends to get under or around the pitch and doesn’t always come from the release point. His is a below-average offering, and will be crucial toward his ongoing development as a starter.

Ceiling (OFP): 55 (No. 3 or 4 starter) – high risk

9. Jonathon Crawford, RHP

Scouting Report

Crawford spent his first full professional season in the Midwest League, where he pitched to a 2.85 ERA and logged 123 innings. However, the right-hander’s time with the Tigers would end there, as he was dealt to the Reds in December in exchange for Alfredo Simon.

At 6’2”, 205 pounds, Crawford typically sits in the 92 to 95 mph range with his , and will reach back for more, but his stressful delivery and arm action still impede his ability to locate.

The 23-year-old’s mid-80s slider remains his best secondary offering and will flash plus. It could become a more dynamic swing- and-miss offering with further refinement, though. Crawford’s once-fringy changeup has really improved in the last year and could end up being an above-average pitch, which might help him stave off a move to the bullpen in the coming years.

Ceiling (OFP): 55 (No. 4 starter/late-inning reliever) – high risk

8. Alex Blandino, SS

Scouting Report

The Reds usually don’t offer their most recent draft picks aggressive promotions during their professional debuts, but they decided to move Blandino up to Low-A Dayton in late July. The 23-year-old rewarded the organization by .261/.329/.440 in 34 games at the full-season level.

Blandino has average bat speed, but his approach and bat control give him the potential to hit for average at the highest level. His ability to read pitchers and recognize pitches stands out, as he’s a patient and selective hitter who rarely chases pitches out of the zone.

The right-handed hitter’s high hand positioning allows him to drive through the ball with authority, while the loft and finish to his swing make average power easy to project.

Blandino played all over the infield in college, but the Reds are developing him as a shortstop—at least for now—and he’s looked comfortable at the position so far. There’s a good chance he’ll be forced to third base down the line, though there remain questions about whether he’d provide enough power to be a corner at the highest level.

Ceiling (OFP): 55 (solid-average regular) – medium risk

7. Yorman Rodriguez, OF

Scouting Report

Rodriguez returned to the Southern League in 2014 to bat .262/.331/.389 in 119 games, and received his first taste of the major leagues as a September call-up.

The 6’3”, 197-pound outfielder has the tools and athleticism to be an impact right fielder, as he’s an above-average runner with similar range and has an absolute cannon for an arm.

At the dish, Rodriguez possesses raw plus power to all fields, but is still figuring out how to utilize it during games. The 22-year- old’s plate discipline is lacking, as he struggles to pick up spin out of the pitcher’s hand. He can absolutely destroy , though.

With that in mind, Rodriguez’s hit tool may never be better than average, which could limit his power utility and make him more of a fourth outfielder than a starter.

Ceiling (OFP): 55 (solid-average regular) – medium risk

6. Anthony DeSclafani, RHP

Scouting Report

The Marlins acquired Anthony DeSclafani in a blockbuster deal with the Blue Jays following the 2012 season. The 24-year-old right-hander debuted in the major leagues this past season, but struggled to the tune of a 6.27 ERA over a short sample of 33 innings.

However, his strikeout and walk rates were consistent with those he posted between Double-A and -A, and his 3.77 FIP suggested that his ugly ERA was mostly a result of bad luck.

DeSclafani closed out his breakthrough season with an impressive showing in the , posting a 2.67 ERA with 24 strikeouts in 27 innings. The Reds acquired DeSclafani from Miami in early December as part of the Mat Latos trade.

DeSclafani’s arsenal of three average-or-better pitches is highlighted by a 93 to 94 mph running fastball that he uses to pound the bottom of the zone, generating both whiffs and weak contact. The 6’1” right-hander’s go-to secondary offering is a hard, low to mid-80s slider with good tilt, and he has a good feel for sequencing it relative to his heater.

Ceiling (OFP): 55 (No. 4 starter) – low risk

5. Nick Howard, RHP

Scouting Report

The Reds drafted Howard as a , despite his background and experience as Virginia’s closer, and the right-hander offered a taste of his potential in the role with a promising performance between Low-A Dayton and Arizona Fall League.

A 6’3”, 215-pound right-hander, Howard’s fastball sits around 92 to 95 mph as a starter with some life, and he already shows a feel for pitching to both sides of the plate.

His slider isn’t as sharp in the starting role when compared to his bullpen days, likely due to his lessened velocity in the role, though it’s still a 55 to 60 offering with pretty consistent late bite. Howard’s changeup is serviceable as a starter right now, registering around 83 to 86 mph, but it will require considerable refinement to serve as a weapon.

Ceiling (OFP): 55 (No. 3 or 4 starter) – high risk

4. Raisel Iglesias, RHP

Scouting Report

Iglesias inked a seven-year, $27 million contract with the Reds last July, but the Cuban right-hander didn’t make his professional debut until the Arizona Fall League.

Working out of the bullpen, Iglesias, 24, sat in the low 90s with his fastball, occasionally hitting 95-plus, and he showed a good feel for inducing whiffs with his slider. He also throws a and changeup, which gives him at least some potential as a starter, should the Reds take that route.

Based on his strong showing in the fall, my best guess is that Iglesias begins the season in the Reds’ bullpen, only to be stretched out at a later time.

Ceiling (OFP): 55 (No. 3 or 4 starter; /second-tier closer) – low risk

3. Michael Lorenzen, RHP

Scouting Report

Lorenzen's success as a starting pitcher this season was a pleasant surprise, as the right-hander had served as Cal State Fullerton's closer and prior to his selection by the Cincinnati Reds (No. 38 overall) in the 2013 draft.

The 23-year-old blew past expectations in his first full season as a starter (and at the Double-A level nonetheless), as his improved command and feel for multiple pitches allowed him to turn over Southern League lineups and work relatively deep into starts.

Lorenzen is an outstanding athlete with a wiry 6’3”, 180-pound frame and little mileage on his arm. The right-hander sits comfortably in the low to mid-90s with his fastball, throwing it with late sink when working down in the zone, and he’ll always reach back for a bit more as needed early in games.

He flashes plus with a swing-and-miss slider and made strides developing his changeup last season, and he’ll also mix in a loopy curveball to keep hitters honest. Lorenzen’s lack of durability and need for refinement means he’s likely spend all of 2015 in the minor leagues, but the right-hander’s combination of stuff and pitchability gives him the potential to be a No. 3 starter at maturity.

Ceiling (OFP): 60 (No. 3 starter) – medium risk

2. Jesse Winker, OF

Scouting Report

Winker posted a 1.006 OPS in 53 games at High-A Bakersfield to open the season, but his production fell off after moving up to Double-A Pensacola (.677 OPS in 21 games), likely due to the partially torn tendon in his right wrist that ultimately ended his season in late July (but didn’t require surgery).

The 21-year-old made up for the lost time in the Arizona Fall League, where he led all qualified hitters with a .338 average.

Winker is one of the best pure hitters in the minor leagues, as he features a smooth, compact stroke from the left side of the plate and is adept at using the entire field. The 6’2”, 210-pound left-handed batter has hit at least 15 home runs in each of his first two years in full-season ball, and his frame and line-to-line approach suggest more will come.

More importantly, Winker possesses plate discipline and pitch recognition well beyond his years, which is reflected through his impressive strikeout (17.5 percent) and walk (14.3 percent) rates over 1,100 minor league plate appearances.

On the other side of the ball, Winker’s defense has steadily improved over the last two seasons, but he’s still limited to only left field due to his lack of speed and arm strength.

Winker will probably begin 2015 back at Double-A, as he’s likely looking at another full season in the minor leagues following Cincinnati’s acquisition of Marlon Byrd.

Ceiling (OFP): 60 (first-division regular) – medium risk

1. Robert Stephenson, RHP

Scouting Report

Stephenson was challenged over a full season in Double-A, as the 21-year-old right-hander’s inconsistent command led to an elevated walk rate (4.9 BB/9), and his tendency to pitch up in the zone with his fastball allowed hitters to take him deep 18 times (1.2 HR/9).

However, Stephenson was still young for the level, so the fact that he held opposing hitters to a .224 batting average and fanned 140 batters in 136.2 innings was encouraging.

The 6’2”, 190-pound right-hander boasts a plus-plus fastball in the 94 to 98 mph range and occasionally bumps triple digits. Stephenson’s secondary arsenal is headlined by a potential plus-plus curveball that’s an absolute hammer with sharp downer action.

He also throws a changeup in the high 80s that’s still a bit on the firm side, but his feel for the pitch has noticeably improved in the last year, as he’s been forced to develop it against Double-A hitters.

Stephenson’s athleticism and arm strength suggest front-of-the-rotation potential, but he’ll need to improve his command and refine his changeup to remain a long-term starter. It wouldn’t be surprising if he returned to Double-A to open the 2015 season; the Reds have no need to rush Stephenson’s development, and he’d probably be better off spending another full season in the minors.

Ceiling (OFP): 7 (No. 2 starter) – medium risk

Biggest Winners and Losers from Cincinnati Reds Offseason By Tyler Grote / Bleacher Report

As we move closer to pitchers and reporting, it's time to revisit what's been kind of an awkward Cincinnati Reds offseason. Torn between shedding payroll and staying competitive, CEO Bob Castellini and general manager Walt Jocketty have walked a tightrope. Shedding dollars while trying to show your fanbase that you're not surrendering the season is by no means easy.

Still, there were winners and losers from this offseason. There are guys whose 2015 look promising post-transaction, guys who find themselves in worse situations and fall guys—sacrificial lambs.

Marlon Byrd is an easy winner this offseason. The 37-year-old slugger jumps ship from a vessel headed for heavy construction. 2015 could be another long season in Philadelphia, as the team has parted ways with some of its highest-paid, most recognizable talent.

Byrd's situation improves dramatically. I don't suggest that Byrd has gone to a World contender, but he's gone to a team that can at least compete for its division or a wild-card spot, which is infinitely more than the Phillies seem capable of doing anytime soon.

Mat Latos should be considered a winner as well. While his situation doesn't change dramatically, he gets to pitch in his home state for a what looks to be a contending team. Latos told C. Trent Rosecrans of Cincinnati.com:

It's also a great thing, because I get to go home where I was raised, pretty much. It's home, so I'm going to be in a bigger ballpark, it's a good thing. It's a blessing. I have no bitterness toward the Reds. I can't. I had a heck of a lot of fun.

Latos will join Jose Fernandez at the top of what could be a powerful rotation. And considering the rest of the , it really isn't far-fetched to consider the Marlins early favorites for a very winnable division.

Because of the complexity of the balancing act between reducing payroll and adding talent, and because right now, the Reds do appear capable of at least contending for the Central, I'm considering Jocketty a winner this offseason, too.

You may not agree, but the Reds shed significant dollars this offseason, which is going to give them a chance to possibly retain Johnny Cueto or after this season.

He also finally solved the "Who's in left?" dilemma by adding a likely cleanup hitter to a lineup in need of one.

The losers this offseason? Let's start with former Reds Logan Ondrusek. Ondrusek, in just a short span of time, has gone from setup extraordinaire for a contending MLB team to signing with the Yakult Swallows in Japan.

He was due for a raise of over $2 million in arbitration. He finished 2014 with a 5.41 ERA in 40 games of work.

Former third base coach Steve Smith also finishes in the losers' circle from the offseason. The Reds finished the year with a league- high 28 men thrown out at home. Whether this was all on Smith or not, it's tough to see him getting work again anytime soon, as that stat landed squarely on his shoulders.

Per Alvan McCalvy of MLB.com, Smith told The Cincinnati Enquirer, "I was the fall guy." Not the most accountable of statements, but the Reds did what was necessary.

The final loser? Reds manager Bryan Price. And it's debatable depending on how you view the current situation of this team. But Price has obviously always been focused on pitching and defense, which makes sense—he was the former pitching coach.

This season, his starting rotation, a rotation that finished No. 3 in starting ERA last season, is significantly less talented than it was. With the loss of Latos, that elevates guys like Homer Bailey and Leake to the front of the rotation.

Is that a bad thing? It's not certain. But you have to be concerned about the rotation post-Leake. No. 4 and No. 5 are enormous question marks. And Price may be plugging in guys like David Holmberg or Dylan Axelrod to fill the void, meaning new cleanup man Byrd and the rest of the offense are going to have to generate more runs.

It's not a great situation. If the Reds make no more moves this offseason, they will enter 2015 with massive uncertainty in the rotation. And that's dire, possibly more dire than any other facet of the team.

Because of this, Price may have problems amassing the amount of wins this fanbase expects. And as it always does, that failure would land on his plate. He might have gotten his , but at the expense of both his No. 4 and No. 5, it's possible his product got worse.

TRANSACTIONS Date Transaction 01/13/15 invited non-roster LF Preston Tucker to spring training. Houston Astros invited non-roster 3B Joe Sclafani to spring training. Houston Astros invited non-roster 1B Dan Johnson to spring training. Houston Astros invited non-roster SS Carlos Correa to spring training. Houston Astros invited non-roster RHP Mark Appel to spring training. Houston Astros invited non-roster RF to spring training. Houston Astros invited non-roster 2B Nolan Fontana to spring training. Houston Astros invited non-roster C Tyler Heineman to spring training. Houston Astros invited non-roster C Luis Flores to spring training. Houston Astros invited non-roster RHP Jason Stoffel to spring training. Houston Astros invited non-roster 3B Colin Moran to spring training. Houston Astros invited non-roster C Roberto Pena to spring training. Houston Astros invited non-roster 3B Matt Duffy to spring training. Houston Astros invited non-roster RHP Jordan Jankowski to spring training. Houston Astros invited non-roster RHP Brady Rodgers to spring training. designated RHP Gonzalez Germen for assignment. Angels sent Marc Krauss outright to Salt Lake Bees. Colorado Rockies traded RHP Chris Martin to New York Yankees for cash. Texas Rangers signed free agent C Kevin Torres to a minor league contract. Texas Rangers signed free agent 1B J.T. Wise to a minor league contract. Texas Rangers signed free agent RHP Kyle Lotzkar to a minor league contract. Texas Rangers signed free agent LHP Chad James to a minor league contract. Texas Rangers signed free agent SS Guilder Rodriguez to a minor league contract. Texas Rangers signed free agent LF Carlos Peguero to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. Texas Rangers signed free agent SS Edwin Garcia to a minor league contract.