Cincinnati Reds confident pitching, offensive depth would be strength in shortened season

Sitting 7.5 games out of first place in the National League Central division at the trade deadline last year, the Cincinnati Reds surprised the baseball industry when they acquired Trevor Bauer in a three-team blockbuster deal.

When the Reds made the trade – costing them top prospect Taylor Trammell, minor league pitcher Scott Moss and two months of Yasiel Puig – it was clear they were focused on the 2020 season.

Expectations went up once they revamped their lineup with aggressive spending in the offseason. The Reds had their best roster since they started their rebuilding process and there wasn't a clear favorite in the division.

Now, the only certainty after the novel coronavirus pandemic is…