• The hitters are nodding knowingly when Chris Chambliss talks around the batting cage in late March. Chambliss, the new hitting coach, faces a huge challenge. The Reds have struck out too much, haven't hit well in tight situations and haven't worked the count well in recent years.
Adam Dunn, Jason LaRue and Brandon Larson head up Chambliss' project list.
• Everyone's healthy. The Reds have a lot of players who are coming off major injuries. Ken Griffey Jr., Austin Kearns and Larson all had shoulder surgery.
It's key that they are healthy enough to get their work in, thus raising the chances for a good start.
• Brandon Claussen, D.J. Mattox, Aaron Harang and Jose Acevedo push the veterans - Cory Lidle, Jimmy Haynes and Paul Wilson - for spots in the rotation.
The young pitching has to come around for the Reds to be competitive. And the sooner the better.
