Where'd the Offense Go?

Guess which team is last in the Majors in Runs scored, Batting Average, OBP, and Slugging? Nope, not the Padres. Not those rolling Giants or the lowly A's. It's the putrid Cincinnati Reds. That takes a while to sink in; how is any team last in that ballpark. Consider:

• As a team they're hitting .239. No team save for those sorry Padres are within .14 points of that mark. Don't forget the park differences in those two teams.
• Traditionally, Great American Ballpark has been in the top third of the Majors in Ballpark affect. I should point out this year it is playing fairly neutral (slightly towards a pitcher's park). Probably has something to do with the team playing in it.
• Willy Taveras, the Reds leadoff hitter for close to 100 games this year is hitting .238/.273/.284. You read that right. I don't even have an insult for Dusty Baker that is strong enough.

This is a Cincinnati team that led the NL in scoring in 2005 and has traditionally been in the top half of the league in runs scored. Losing the abundance of offensive talent has finally taken it's toll on the Reds. Once thought to be a dark horse contender in the Central, they're just hoping to avoid the cellar and the minor league affiliate for the Pirates at this point. Oh, those are the Major League Pirates. My apologies.