The Cincinnati Reds’ stance regarding the trade deadline is still unknown, but it is widely believed that pitchers Johnny Cueto and Mike Leake are on their way out. With both of them gone, Homer Bailey will end up inheriting the role of the “ace” of the rotation next year, and that is a problem.

This season, the Reds have seen numerous rookies make their way into the rotation. Given the presumed departures of Cueto and Leake, this is what the Reds’ starting rotation could look like next year:

Homer Bailey: 168 GP / 168 GS / 58-51 /4.19 ERA
Anthony DeSclafani: 26 GP / 21 GS / 7-8 / 4.35 ERA
Michael Lorenzen: 13 GP / 11 GS / 3-3 / 3.58 ERA
Rasiel Iglesias: 6 GP / 4 GS /1-1 / 5.11 ERA
Robert Stephenson: 1 GP / 1 GS / 1-0 / 3.60 ERA ** [AAA Stats] **

Looking at the projected rotation, Bailey has the most experience with his 168 starts. The problem is that in those starts, mainly as a No. 3 pitcher, he has scrapped by, accumulating a mediocre record of 58-51. These are not numbers that would come from a No. 1 starter.

What is a greater problem is that the above rotation led by Bailey wouldn’t strike any fear in opponents. This rotation is made of a couple No. 3 starters, a couple No. 4 starters and an unproven talent. A Bailey-led rotation would ultimately be one that is inconsistent, lacking intimidation and ineffective.

If the Reds put out this rotation, they might be a 70-win team. This offseason, they need to go out and find themselves their next No. 1 starter and No. 2 starter. The Reds find themselves in a load of trouble regarding their potential rotation next year. Their only hope of avoiding putting together such a rotation that lacks any intimidation is a strong offseason that focuses on rebuilding the team’s strength over the past couple years: pitching.

Chad Troyan is a baseball and football writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @ChadTroyan15, “Like”him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google