We have many great articles planned leading up to the 2010 Fantasy Baseball season including sleepers, busts, rookies, strategy, full player rankings and projections all wrapped up into a nifty draft kit to help you win your league next year. Stay tuned for more, but for now, here's a team preview for you.

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2009 RECORD: 78-84, 4th in NL Central 

Stat table note: The better the ranking number, the better the stat, in all categories. For example, for the SO cat for hitting, a #2 ranking means that the team tallied the second fewest strikeouts. For the BB and SB cats for pitching, the #1 teams allowed the fewest bases on balls and steals.

LINE-UP

1. Stubbs, Drew CF
2. Cabrera, Orlando SS
3. Votto, Joey 1B
4. Phillips, Brandon 2B
5. Bruce, Jay RF
6. Rolen, Scott 3B
7. Hernandez, Ramon C
8. Heisey, Chris LF  

Cincinnati returns a line-up full of young potential for what seems to be the tenth year in a row now. The only discernible difference between the Reds and the Pirates is a talent. Their results are basically the same... is there really any difference between coming third and sixth in the NL Central every year? Neither qualifies as "good" under any circumstance. Sure, the Reds won it all in 1990, but, if you haven't heard, that was twenty years ago. That's two decades of losing in Cincinnati, despite having a little bit of talent every now and then. Fortunately for the us, that talent is enough to provide some very propitious (now who says college is a waste) fantasy options.

Everyone loves Joey Votto -- he's essentially the Raymond of fantasy baseball. It must be a Canadian thing -- it's friendlier up here. Votto showed us last season why he's on the cusp of being among the elite at his position. Joey V posted a .322-82-25-84-4 line, in 131 games last season. Over a full 162, he can do some damage. If Votto can stay out of the dumps and keep the dizzies at bay, he could be the perfect target if you miss out on the elite first baseman taken over the first fifteen picks. Brandon Phillips has been a fantasy superstar for years now. Phillips remains a stud player at a positions that usually lacks depth (second base). Although he's been trending down in home runs for the last three seasons, Phillips remains the most reliable power option from the position behind Kinsler and Utley and is a safe source of speed. There's no question Phillips will hit the 20/20 club again in 2010, maybe even 25/25. He's the perfect player for anyone who likes to build teams on balance. Phillips will come at a price -- anything after the third round should considered a steal. He may not be truly elite at his position, but his consistency elevates him in a class above the Pedroias, Canos, and Hills of the world.

Jay Bruce hit the scene two years ago and quickly established himself one of the best young power threats in the game. He was on pace for a around 35 HR last season, but a fractured wrist ended his season in July. He's being touted as a nice value (currently 115 ADP), and it's hard to argue with that. At his best, Bruce will surely outperform that draft position, but I find it hard to believe that a power hitter, less than a year removed from major wrist surgery, will be able to recapture his former power right away. I find staying away from anyone the year after hand or wrist problems is a winning strategy. It can be quite the task hitting the ball when you can't properly grip the bat. Only in the deep and NL-only leagues should you really consider Scott Rolen. Rolen has transformed himself into a singles hitter, as his power seems to be lost to time. If you need a boast in average, Rolen will be your man. Don't expect much contribution from Rolen outside of average -- he's the National League Casey Kotchman. I really like Drew Stubbs as a super sleeper. It appears that he'll get the chance to start the year in center field and could certainly post a 20/20 line. He's currently the 288th player coming off the board and makes for a perfect last-round lottery ticket. Ramon Hernandez will eventually be on your team this season -- he's always a go-to replacement when your backstop hits the DL. His ability to play first base will give him more at bats than your average catcher, so keep him on the radar for deeper leagues. 

STARTING ROTATION

1. Harang, Aaron RHP (appendectomy, should be ready for spring training)
2. Cueto, Johnny RHP 
3. Arroyo Bronson RHP
4. Bailey, Homer RHP
5. Chapman, Aroldis LHP
6. Owings, Micah LHP 
7. Maloney, Matt LHP
8. Volquez, Edinson RHP (elbow, out until at least August)

The only truly intriguing name from this list is Cuban Aroldis Chapman. The flame-throwing lefty is a true mystery. Chapman is going mostly undrafted, but he could definitely be a massive source of strikeouts if he's half as good as scouts claim he is. If you've skimped on pitching, a late round flier on Chapman could be worth your while. There are only so many years that Homer Bailey can be proclaimed a super prospect. For the last few years, Bailey has been too good for AAA and not quite good enough for the majors. Steer clear until he proves he can make the jump to the next level.

While Bronson Arroyo turned in a highly underrated 2009, his handful of mystery pills will only keep the magic alive for so long. He's more of a mid-season band-aid than upside sleeper. Johnny Cueto is still young and full of potential, but keep away. With him, you can expect inconsistency all season long. Aaron Harang is coming off a down year, and any sort of rebound could make him a nice late pick in deeper leagues. He'll always be a steady source of strikeouts. If you're in an NL-only keeper league, Edinson Volquez could be a good 2011 comeback candidate, so draft him for $1 and stash him if you find yourself with an open roster spot at the end of your draft.

BULLPEN

1. Cordero, Francisco RHP
2. Masset, Nick RHP
3. Rhodes, Arthur LHP (toe, should be ready for spring training)
4. Burton, Jared RHP
5. Viola, Perdo LHP
6. Fisher, Carlos RHP
7. Herrera, Danny LHP
8. Bray, Bill LHP

Francisco Cordero has one of the safest gigs in all of baseball. If only the Reds could win more games... He makes a ton of money on team with a low payroll, with no one remotely capable behind him, and he does the job effective enough. The only time he won't be closing games is if he's hurt. Cordero's the perfect closer for the player who doesn't want fish for saves all season long. If he does hit the DL, Arthur Rhodes and Nick Masset will duel for saves.

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