2015 Spotlight: Cincinnati Reds

America's oldest ball club started this offseason by trading away some of their starting pitcher surplus for some much-needed contributors to the team's ultimate future. With Johnny Cueto, Mike Leake, Alfredo Simon and Mat Latos all slated to become free agents following the 2015 season, Cincinnati decided to ship off the latter two for lineup depth and immediate monetary saving. The team also made a move to pick up outfielder Marlon Byrd from the Philadelphia Phillies, hopefully stabilizing the middle of a lineup that was quite shaky in 2014.

Votto-pilot.

The key to the Reds' success in 2015 will be a bounce back season from franchise cornerstone Joey Votto. He was hampered by injuries and inexplicable ineffectiveness in 2014, but the club is hoping that he can rediscover the offensive clip that landed him on four-straight All-Star rosters from 2010-2013. With his return, another Cy Young caliber season from Cueto and a strong supporting cast, the Reds could potentially prove that their time atop the division is not quite finished.

Who to watch: Besides Cueto and Votto, I expect young center fielder Billy Hamilton to put on a show in 2015. Last season, the speedster posted a decent .250 batting average and swiped a robust 56 bases, but didn't get on base as much as the club would have liked.

Hamilton: the running man.

If he can stack on a handful of walks to boost his 2015 on-base percentage,  he could be a dangerous offensive tool for this team

for years to come. He kind of reminds me of a young Michael Bourn but with even more speed.

Sleeper: Catcher Devin Mesoraco has emerged as an absolute force in the meaty part of this lineup. I think he will take another step forward in 2015, surpassing the 30 home run mark and tallying 90-100 RBI depending on who hits in front of him.

Expect big things from big-man Mesoraco

For example, say Votto has a bounce back season and gets on base at the gaudy rates that fans are used to seeing from him, that's could mean another 10-15 buns batted in for Mesoraco. Either way, I think he's still up for another stellar campaign.

Bust: Second baseman Brandon Phillips, while still serviceable, has seen his offensive production drop significantly in recent years. His OPS has decreased every season since 2011, as has his extra-base hits, leading many to believe that his glory days are behind him.

Phillips' glove isn't the issue...

At this rate, Phillips projects to contribute barely above replacement-level numbers. Though his defense is still plus, his bat is a very big question mark at the moment.

Bold prediction: Cueto is traded mid-season when the team starts to look as though they aren't headed towards a postseason berth. I could see the Dodgers, Red Sox, Marlins and even the White Sox being interested in his services when the July 31 trade deadline approaches.

From Cy Young contender to trade bait.

If the Reds are out of the playoff picture and aren't making progress on an extension with their ace pitcher, a trade for a solid, young player could make a lot of sense. They could even flip him mid-season then try to resign him in the offseason, as unlikely as that may sound.