Former Cubs could be factors for Reds
Under manager Dusty Baker, the Cincinnati Reds made three playoff appearances in six years.
Baker was fired after the 2013 season - and the Reds promptly finished 76-86 last year under new manager Bryan Price, who was the pitching coach under Baker.
Of course, there were some big contributing factors to the Reds finishing just 3 games better than the last-place Cubs in the National League Central.
First baseman Joey Votto, an on-base machine, played in only 62 games because of a quad injury. Right fielder Jay Bruce had knee surgery during the season, and even though he came back quickly, wasn't his usual self.
The Reds have regrouped this spring in Arizona, but many observers figure them to finish down in the division again.
Bounce-back seasons by Votto and Bruce are musts for the Reds to contend, but the starting rotation will be interesting to watch after general manager Walt Jocketty traded away Mat Latos and Alfredo Simon in the off-season.
Ace Johnny Cueto is one of the top pitchers in the game. He's followed in the rotation by Mike Leake and Homer Bailey, who may have to open the season on the disabled list after coming off surgery last September to repair a torn flexor mass.
Bailey pitched in a minor-league game Sunday and reported no problems.
"My elbow felt great," Bailey told the Cincinnati media. "We started with two innings. We'll just kind of go from there."
The ex-Cubs factor will definitely be a factor, both in the pitching picture this spring and in the field. Former Cubs lefty Paul Maholm and right-hander Jason Marquis are in Reds camp as nonroster invitees, and both are battling for rotation spots.
Kevin Gregg, a Cubs closer in 2009 and 2013, also is in camp on a minor-league invite.
Left-handed reliever Sean Marshall, a workhorse for both the Cubs and Reds over the years, is on the mend from last year's shoulder surgery. Marshall has appeared in just 31 games over the past two seasons.
The Reds also added former Cubs outfielder Marlon Byrd to the mix, hoping there is some power left in Byrd's bat. Byrd hit 25 home runs and drove in 85 for the Phillies last year. In 2013, he hit 24 for the Mets and Pirates combined.
Where Byrd and others fit into the Cincinnati lineup could be interesting. The Reds have batted Votto second at times this spring, with second baseman Brandon Phillips third.
"I can't commit to that at this point in time," Price told reporters, referring to the regular season. "You know, I'm just moving guys around a bit. Joey has stayed in the second hole.
"Brandon has been second, third and I think I've hit him fourth. Right now it's moving pieces and coming to some conclusion as to what's our best order is to start the season."
The team website reported that in the 923 games he's started over his career, Votto has batted third in 757 of them and second in only 31. Phillips has batted in multiple spots but has been vocal about his desire to bat third.
That may be the least of the Reds' problems this year.