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2005 finish: 73-89, 5^th place in NL Central

Manager: Jerry Narron (1^st full season)

Free agents: RHP Ramon Ortiz, IF Rich Aurilia, OF Jacob Cruz, IF Luis Lopez

On the block: OF Wily Mo Pena, OF Adam Dunn, OF Ken Griffey Jr., OF Austin Kearns, 1B Sean Casey, C Jason Larue

Looking for: Starting pitching, backup infielder

What’s going on: The combination of GM Dan O’Brien and manager Jerry Narron remains in place, but who knows if that will remain the case through 2006 with an impending change in ownership. Desperate for quality starters, they figure to lock up ace Aaron Harang with a long-term deal. They also must make a decision on Adam Dunn, who made $4.6 million in arbitration in 2005. That decision is tied to several other potential ones, including dealing any one of a group of five outfielder/first base types for four spots: Dunn, Ken Griffey Jr., Sean Casey, Wily Mo Pena and Austin Kearns. Griffey will be coming off yet another surgery, and likely will remain a Red unless he asks to go elsewhere. Pena is best-suited as an American League DH. Kearns has been a perennial underachiever. Felipe Lopez is due a big raise in arbitration, but could get a long-term deal instead. They did not exercise Rich Aurilia’s option, and he still wants to play every day, so he will go elsewhere. Ramon Ortiz’s option also wasn’t picked up, which should tell you something considering how badly this team needs starting pitching.

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