Changes Likely for Reds, but Core Team Expected Back

Liking what they had from the 91-win National League Central champions, and not wanting to spend what it would take to dip into the pool for free agents, the Reds made no major upgrades last winter.

Still liking what he had and not wanting to part with any of his organization's young prospects, general manager Walt Jocketty also stood pat at the Trade Deadline.

The talent was there, but the final outcome was well short of expectations, as the Reds missed the postseason in 2011. Though it would seem unlikely to head into 2012 unchanged again, the type of makeover the secretive Jocketty might consider is unknown.

"This is going to be a strange offseason, I think," said pitcher Bronson Arroyo, the longest-tenured Reds player. "I don't think anyone in the locker room here has any idea what moves the front office wants to make. We're flooded with extra guys in a couple of positions. We're lacking some guys in a couple of positions. We have a really young ballclub with a lot of guys that deserve to be at this level. That being said, obviously we weren't good enough to compete in this division this year."

Cincinnati thought it was deep with pitching and soon realized how short it was after some injuries and with the lack of a proven ace. The same cast of characters should be back in the mix: Johnny Cueto, Mike Leake, Homer Bailey and, after their disappointing performances, Arroyo, Edinson Volquez and Travis Wood. All signs are pointing to reliever Aroldis Chapman being in contention for a spot as well.

The free-agent market will be sparse for top-flight starting pitching -- with Rangers left-hander C.J. Wilson likely to be the biggest name. Jocketty might want to consider emulating the Brewers, who emptied their farm system to acquire ace Zack Greinke and No. 2 starter Shaun Marcum. It helped Milwaukee dethrone the Reds as division winners.

The core of position players -- Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips, Jay Bruce, Scott Rolen and Drew Stubbs -- is expected to be back. Like last winter, there are question marks going into this offseason about left field and shortstop again after no one really cemented those roles regularly during the season.

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