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Every move the Cincinnati Reds have made in the past year has been about the future and not trying to compete in 2016. To be fair, the Reds still have some big bats in their lineup and some hope that they can score enough runs to win a few games, but there are quite a few holes on their roster. Let’s look at the Reds’ five biggest weaknesses heading into 2016.
5. Leadoff Spot
Credit: Getty Images5. Leadoff Spot
Billy Hamilton may be the fastest player in baseball, but even his speed can't steal first base. Hamilton's average and on-base percentage last year leaves a lot to be desired, and he needs to do better if he's going to be Cincinnati's leadoff man this season.
4. Shortstop
Credit: Jeff Curry - USATODAY Sports4. Shortstop
Zack Cozart was off to a good start last year before going down with a knee injury. He should be healthy by opening day and hoping to build off of what he did last season. But Cozart has never been able to put together a full season of sustained productivity, so that's a concern for the Reds even if he's healthy.
3. Left Field
Credit: David Kohl - USATODAY Sports3. Left Field
The Reds are going to have to find a way to piece together left field this season, at least until top prospect Jesse Winker proves that he's ready for the big leagues. The likes of Adam Duvall and Scott Schebler will get a chance to prove themselves, but neither is a proven big leaguer at this point in their career, so it's possible left field becomes a void for the Reds.
2. Bullpen
Credit: Getty Images2. Bullpen
Trading away Aroldis Chapman was obviously going to have a negative effect on Cincinnati's bullpen. J.J. Hoover figures to be the team's closer and may be fine in that role, but the Reds are going to be relying on a lot of young pitchers without much of a big league track record. This could make it difficult to hold onto leads even when the offense scores runs.
1. Starting Rotation
Credit: Getty Images1. Starting Rotation
Homer Bailey is the de facto ace of the staff, but he's coming off Tommy John surgery so he may not be able to give the Reds a full season. The Cincinnati rotation will be awfully young and inexperienced this season, and it's likely there will be a lot of growing pains that make it difficult for the Reds to win games that aren't high-scoring slugfests.
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