Via Redleg Nation, Hal McCoy is not impressed with the 2009 Reds. The Nation writer hopes Hal is wrong again, but Hal makes a very good point:

My biggest concern, though, is the offense and from where the runs might come. In 15 of their first 32 exhibition games, the Reds scored two or fewer runs and scored only one seven times.

I see the Reds at 77-85 and fourth place. And if they finish above .500, I’ll eat more spinach (instead of crow) than Popeye, who they probably could use in left field.

I wouldn’t put too much stock in spring training numbers, but the Reds are going to be more like the 2008 Giants. They’ll have a few good starting pitchers who don’t win because the offense fails to deliver enough runs. If the starting staff turns out to be something special, then the Reds are just a couple of bats away from contending.