I'm worried about the Reds

2018 was one of the most disappointing Reds seasons of my lifetime. I'll admit it, it took a lot out of me. It was a struggle to follow and maintain daily interest. Day by day it felt like the hope and faith was being drained from the franchise.

The quality of baseball played in September was some of the most uninspired, lethargic and miserable that I can recall in nearly 50 years as a fan. There was a day last week that I woke up and didn't even know if the Reds had won or lost the night before. There was another day I did not know the final score until I was brushing my teeth before bed and turned on the bathroom radio.

I'm worn out from talking about the 'rebuild'. Trust me, I understand the pain associated with rebuilds. I've spent hours studying the blueprint of teams like the Cubs and Astros. I've spent hours discussing those talking points and preaching patience over the airwaves.

But the reality is this is no longer rebuilding. It feels like flailing. This franchise has managed to lose 90+ games for four consecutive seasons. That is something that had not been done in Cincinnati since 1930-1934. Babe Ruth was still playing the last time that happened.

A rebuild that started with the trading of Johnny Cueto and Mike Leake in July of 2015 has accomplished what?

2018 was supposed to be a season in which this team took a step forward. They didn't. In fact, they took a step backwards. I felt better about the Reds last October than I do this October.

The issues of this franchise four years ago remain the issues of the franchise today. Starting pitching. This franchise has spent four seasons cycling through arms, any and all arms attached to live bodies. Who has it netted them? Castillo.

Yes, the offense is.....decent. But the Reds scored 57 fewer runs in 2018 than 2017 (753-696), finishing 18th in MLB this season. Scooter Gennett and Eugenio Suarez were really good. Jose Peraza was the most pleasant surprise in the organization. Jesse Winker took a step forward. Veterans Jared Hughes and David Hernandez helped the bullpen.

Joey Votto once again led the league in on-base percentage, but saw his homers drop from 36 to 12, his OPS drop nearly 200 points and he will turn 36 next season. Tucker Barnhart took a step backwards offensively. Scott Schebler hurt his shoulder, again. Nobody knows what Amir Garrett is/could be/should be. Michael Lorenzen might be a starter, or he might not. Anthony DeSclafani is....eh.....OK....I guess.

I'm tired of talking about Billy Hamilton's on-base percentage and his inability to bunt, as it he's ever going to become what the Reds need him to be. I'm tired of watching pitchers that can't locate a fastball. I'm tired of Wandy Peralta being viewed as something magical by the organization because he throws with his left hand. I'm tired of hearing about Robert Stephenson. I'm tired of Homer Bailey and his contract. I'm tired of the owner meddling in roster decisions.

Yes, the minor league system has been upgraded, moving to 6th in MLB Pipeline's organizational rankings. But how much faith do you have in the development of those players? Oh by the way, the first round pick three years ago dealt with his second case of vertigo this year, injured his thumb, missed the last two months of the season and is now trying left field in Arizona. Last year's first round pick is waiting to see if he needs Tommy John surgery.

The front office has shuffled the deck......chairs, with new faces at GM, VP Player Development, Sr Director Player Development and Director of Amateur Scouting. Yet those individuals were promoted from within the same organization that has had trouble with scouting, draft and developing for years.

The front office also says they will spend 'significantly' more money this offseason and will target pitching. Great. But how many pitchers are rushing to pitch for a last place team and pitch at GABP?

I'm certainly not the only one feeling this overall frustration. Reds attendance dropped by 207,561 fans to 1.629 million in 2018, to the lowest point since 1984.

Consider the steady decline in attendance (average/total) since 2013:

2013: 31,151/2.492M

2014: 30,567/2.476M

2015: 29,870/2.419M

2016: 23,383/1.894M

2017: 22,268/1.836M

2018: 20,116/1.629M

800,000+ fewer fans walked through the turnstiles at GABP in 2018 compared to 2013. That's 11,000 fans per game that chose not to go and instead opted to do something else with their time and money.

The Reds have long operated on a pass from fans that the franchise earned due to history, World Series titles, Hall of Fame players and the Big Reds Machine. Also because they play in a small market and.....for many....because they aren't owned by Mike Brown.

The Reds have been fantastic at connecting to the community, appreciating the fanbase and honoring the history of the franchise. We've all enjoyed upgrades to the ballpark, fireworks, bobbleheads, Redsfest, the caravan, the Community Fund and the Hall of Fame. But those experiences and items feel more and more like shiny objects designed to distract us from what's happening on the field.

It feels like the pass has been revoked by fans. The last playoff series win was 1995. That's 21 years of........very little.

The Reds have produced just three winning seasons in 13 seasons on Bob Castellini's watch, with an overall record of 1004-1102 (.476).

My fear is this franchise has used up the goodwill with the fan base. This is beginning to feel like the 90's and the way this city viewed the Bengals.

I'm worried about the Reds. Are you?

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