The Reds picked the wrong time to drop three consecutive home games for the first time this season, getting swept at home despite winning the first two games of the National League Division Series on the road. The 6-4 loss to the Giants at Great American Ball Park on Thursday ended the season for the NL Central champs. Let us eulogize the season that was.

What went right

The Reds used just six starting pitchers all season, with all five of the members of their rotation -- Johnny Cueto, Bronson Arroyo, Mat Latos, Homer Bailey and Mike Leake -- making at least 30 starts. The one game started by someone other than one of those five was the second game of a doubleheader where the team sent out Todd Redmond in his Major League debut. The team also had baseball's best bullpen, led by closer Aroldis Chapman. Cincinnati was also without the services of 2010 MVP Joey Votto for nearly two months, but still went 32-16 in that stretch, increasing its lead in the NL Central from one game to 8.5 games.

What went wrong

It wasn't a surprise to see the Reds' bats fall silent in the final three games of the NLDS. The team had struggled to score runs all season. The Reds finished the season eighth in the National League in runs (669), ninth in batting average (.254) and sixth in on-base plus slugging (.726). Cincinnati also hit just .245 with runners in scoring position and .198 with runners in scoring position and two outs.

MVP: For years the Reds have searched for a top-of-the-rotation-type starter -- and they thought perhaps they got him in an offseason trade for Latos. It turns out Cueto was ready to blossom into a Cy Young candidate. The 26-year-old Cueto, who the team wisely locked up to a four-year extension (with a club option for 2015) before the 2011 season, finished 19-9 with a 2.78 ERA. His injury in the NLDS loomed large for the rest of the series and even if it hadn't cost them the division series, it could have hampered their League Championship Series hopes.

LVP: Center fielder Drew Stubbs has all the gifts to be a great baseball player. He has speed, a good arm, he has power -- but the former first-rounder has yet to live up to expectations, struggling making contact and even seeing his power numbers drop. The 28-year-old hit just .213/.277/.333. There Reds have hoped he could turn into a leadoff man, but for now he's an eight-hole hitter who brings defense and little else. 

MLB free agents to be: 3B Scott Rolen, RHP Jonathan Broxton, INF Miguel Cairo, C Dioner Navarro, OF Ryan Ludwick ($5 million mutual option), RHP Ryan Madson ($11 million mutual option).

Offseason gameplan

The Reds have most of their contract dirty work done, with Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips and Jay Bruce locked up long-term, and the entire rotation is 2013. Perhaps the biggest-name free agent they have is manager Dusty Baker. As for holes to fill on the field, the team needs the same thing it's needed for nearly a decade, a center fielder who can hit leadoff. The Reds have transitioned top prospect Billy Hamilton from shortstop to center field in the Arizona Fall League, but he's not ready to even compete for a position in spring training, much less play every day in the big leagues. While Rolen will likely retire, that opens a spot for Todd Frazier to play ever day, but don't be surprised if a veteran is brought in to compete for that spot.

Ridiculously premature prediction

The Reds offer Baker a hearty handshake and pat on the back, but don't ask him to return. Bob Castellini, who shelled out big bucks to keep Votto and Phillips in town this past offseason, once again digs into his wallet and brings in Tony La Russa, who leads the Reds to another division crown.

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