In news sure to fill Reds fans hearts with optimism, Alex Gonzalez ran the bases. And he did it without any part of his leg coming detached and flying from his body. Way to go, Gonzo!

That’s what Spring Training is for, isn’t it? Making sure your shortstop can run the bases. That’s all a shortstop needs to do, after all.

Sure, there were fears that with the departure of both Ken Griffey Jr and Adam Dunn from the Reds that the team would have troubles scoring this year. If the first game of Spring Training means anything–and we all know it means everything–then the Reds offense is fine.

The Reds are currently halfway through playing their Grapefruit League opener against Tampa Bay. And none other than Jerry “Offensive Solution” Hairston, Jr. has hit a grand slam for the Reds.

It’s nice to have that problem fixed. Next up: canning the manager.

In a wonderful case of schadenfreude, former GM of the Reds Jim Bowden is finding himself under investigation by the FBI. The charges? Skimming from the bonuses earmarked for Latin American players.

Sounds just like the sort of classy move one would expect from ol’ Leatherpants. Of course, it’s not surprising. I mean, customized Segways don’t pay for themselves.

Spring Training has begun, and the Reds have been busy.

For starters, Edwin Encarnacion avoided arbitration hours before his hearing by signing a 2-year deal worth $7.6 million. Personally, I’m a little surprised that the Reds are investing any money in offense. Their track record this off season has been anything but good in that regard.

In other news, the key player in the Adam Dunn trade, Micah Owings, seems to be ready to pitch this year. He was basically damaged goods last year when the Reds received him. Unlike the nefarious Gary Majewski, the Reds knew about this injury beforehand. Hopefully, he’ll rebound. However, even if he can’t pitch, there’s plenty of gaping holes in the Reds offense to find use for Owings’ impressive bat.

And lastly, the great vanishing shortstop Alex Gonzalez has actually spent time on the ballfield this year. Obviously, it can’t last long. For whatever reason, Gonzalez has seriously pissed off the great karmic powers of the universe. Should he last long enough to get a Reds bobblehead, they should have him seated on a horse with one leg in the air.