Reds all time 25 man roster

[Sockeye]

C: Johnny Bench, Ernie Lombardi
1B: Joey Votto, Tony Perez
2B: Joe Morgan, Bid McPhee
3B: Pete Rose, Heinie Groh
SS: Barry Larkin, Dave Concepcion
LF: George Foster
CF: Vada Pinson, Edd Roush, Eric Davis
RF: Frank Robinson
SP: Noodles Hahn, Eppa Rixey, Bucky Walters, Frank Dwyer, Jose Rijo
RP: John Franco, Clay Carroll, Aroldis Chapman, Rob Dibble, Jeff Shaw

How many games would this team win against 2016 competition if all of these Reds players were together in their Reds prime?

The way I see it is the starting rotation would be among the best in baseball with a lights out bullpen. The lineup would be by far the best in baseball. Excellent bench as well. All that said 120 wins should be possible.

[PVNICK]

it makes me happy to see Vada Pinson on the roster. When George Foster or Eric Davis or Joey Votto have the "least accomplished" careers on an all-time roster of position players, you know that team is good.

[Sockeye]

it makes me happy to see Vada Pinson on the roster. When George Foster or Eric Davis or Joey Votto have the "least accomplished" careers on an all-time roster of position players, you know that team is good.

Yeah the only weakness that I see (not that it's a weakness) is starting pitching. Still excellent with Jose Rijo as the 5th starter, but perhaps lacking in household names.

[Toledo Inquisition]

I'd personally have Edd Roush in center over Vada Pinson, as Edd was a significantly better hitter and fielder, although Pinson was probably the better baserunner, as he picked his spots to run better.

[hairmetalfreek]

Yeah the only weakness that I see (not that it's a weakness) is starting pitching. Still excellent with Jose Rijo as the 5th starter, but perhaps lacking in household names.

The Reds have had a handful of second-place finishes in the Cy Young race that you might consider. Tom Seaver (1981), Mario Soto (1982), Danny Jackson (1988), Pete Schourek (1995), and Johnny Cueto (2014). I would have a hard time leaving Seaver and Soto off the roster.

[hairmetalfreek]

I'd personally have Edd Roush in center over Vada Pinson, as Edd was a significantly better hitter and fielder, although Pinson was probably the better baserunner, as he picked his spots to run better.

Agreed. I might also leave Shaw off the roster and add Big Klu as a good bat off the bench/DH when playing in the World Series in AL parks.

[dwj21792]

My starting pitchers would be Rixey, Walters, Derringer, Maloney,and Soto. I can just imagine how many games that rotation would win with the Machine behind them and that bullpen available when needed.

[Chadwick]

I'll play.

C – Johnny Bench, Ernie Lombardi
1B – Joey Votto, Ted Kluszewski
2B – Joe Morgan, Lonny Frey
3B – Heinie Groh, Tony Perez
SS – Barry Larkin, Dave Concepcion
LF – Pete Rose, George Foster
CF – Vada Pinson, Eric Davis
RF – Frank Robinson

SP – Jose Rijo, Jim Maloney, Noodles Hahn, Bucky Walters, Red Lucas
RP – Aroldis Chapman, John Franco, Ted Abernathy, Jeff Shaw, Clay Carroll

Thing is...the choices really aren't that hard for the position players; not that many options. Pitchers are a different story, of course.