MiddletownJournal.com

SARASOTA, Fla. — It's The Last Picture Show for the Cincinnati Reds in this popular venue, the final spring training at the City of Sarasota Sports Complex before a move to Goodyear, Ariz., in 2010.

Pitchers and catchers report this morning, Feb. 14, for physicals and an afternoon workout, lugging the heavy baggage of eight straight losing seasons.

So, it is natural to list eight questions the Reds must answer in the next 48 days to give them a chance to shed the burden that is frustrating fans and making them clamor for, well, at least an above-.500 season, something not accomplished since a Jack McKeon-led team went 85-77 in 2000 (second place).

ONE: For the Reds, it is a twist on the Abbott & Costello "Who's on First?" routine. It is Who's in Left?

Adam Dunn is gone, one of about 75 former Reds now playing for the Washington Jim Bowdens.

Chris Dickerson, a 26-year-old rookie when called up last August to replace Dunn, hit .304 in 31 games before shutting it down in early September with a stress fracture in his left ankle.

Injuries have slowed his progress throughout his career, but he remains the front-runner.

The club signed outfielders Jonny Gomes and Jacque Jones to minor-league contracts — just in case — and manager Dusty Baker even mentions Jerry Hairston Jr. as a possible solution.

TWO: A fifth starter must be found to go with Aaron Harang, Bronson Arroyo, Edinson Volquez and Johnny Cueto.

Is this the year Homer Bailey gets it? He'll have to show this spring that he can put his projected abilities into physical success.

If he doesn't, Micah Owings, obtained in the Dunn trade, is the No. 1 candidate.

And 23-year-old Daryl Thompson might be ready to transfer huge minor-league success into the majors. Or it could be 26-year-old rookie Ramon Ramirez or 25-year-old Matt Maloney, who would be the rotation's only left-hander.

THREE: Shortstop Alex Gonzalez missed all of last season after fracturing his left knee last spring.

The team says he is 100 percent, but how quickly can he come back after missing a full season? It is his final year of a three-year contract, giving him extra incentive to prove his worth.

The fallback guys are Hairston and Jeff Keppinger, who started 101 games at shortstop last year and hit .360 against left-handed pitchers and struck out once every 21 at-bats, best in the National League.

FOUR: The real Harang must return. He was kidnapped last year (6-17) after going 16-6 and 16-11 the previous two years.

FIVE: Ken Griffey Jr. and Dunn were clubhouse leaders and they are gone. Jay Bruce and/or Joey Votto haven't been with the team long enough to step into that role. Votto is a quiet guy and Bruce followed Griffey and Dunn everywhere. Maybe he learned. Or maybe Brandon Phillips, somewhat of a loner, can step it up.

SIX: Owings arrived last August with a sore shoulder and couldn't pitch, but served as a positive pinch-hitter. He wasn't acquired to hit. He was acquired to pitch and must show that his shoulder is sound so he can compete for a rotation spot.

SEVEN: Cueto, 23, probably has the best stuff on the staff, but must do better than 9-14 with a 4.81 ERA, his rookie numbers. He needs anger management on the mound and fellow Latinos Francisco Cordero and Volquez need to work with him on composure.

EIGHT: The team needs to win a lot of exhibition games and show enough promise to give fans a smidgen of hope that it is worth investing a week's salary to attend a game.

Contact this reporter at hmccoy@DaytonDailyNews.com.