Cincinnati Reds
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2000 RECORD: 85-77 (2nd IN NL CENTRAL)

REVIEW
No team went into the 2000 season with higher expectations than the Reds. The off-season trade to bring native son KEN GRIFFEY JR. back to Cincinnati created a buzz that hadn't been felt since the days of the Big Red Machine. And while GRIFFEY had an average season by his high standards, he shouldn't be blamed for the teams woes. Injuries to BARRY LARKIN and SEAN CASEY left holes throughout the lineup. On the bright side, The Reds have developed some of the best young arms in baseball and it showed in the bullpen, led by DANNY GRAVES and SCOTT SULLIVAN, which finished third best in the league with a 4.01 ERA. The fall guy turned out to be JACK McKEON who fired despite 85 wins.

LOOKAHEAD
With the majors 5th lowest budget and several players arbitration eligible, G.M. JIM BOWDEN was forced to shed salary in the off-season. Pitchers STEVE PARRIS and RON VILLONE, who combined for 56 starts last season, were shipped out, leaving 12 pitchers to compete for the 5 spots in the rotation. And their best hitter, CHRIS STYNES, was also sent packing In return, the Reds received only spare parts and prospects. In layman's terms, low salaries. New manager BOB BOONE has to hope that GRIFFEY, LARKIN, CASEY and POKEY REESE can return to their 1999 levels. But BOONE must also hope that he can shed the label of being a difficult man to play for. But if GRIFFEY has a monster season, then everything else will be forgotten.

UNDER THE MICROSCOPE
It's time to put up or shut up for KEN GRIFFEY JR. After orchestrating a deal out of Seattle to be "closer to home", he saw his home run and RBI totals decline for the third straight season while batting .271, 25 points below his career average. For the first time in his brilliant, 12-year career, "Junior" will have to make a comeback. Apparently, the pressure to perform in Cincinnati was far greater than in Seattle.

STATS MAN SAYS
Performance equals payroll > 3rd