Game Thoughts: Reds Lose to the Astros 7-5

Careful what you wish for, JD

I seem to remember some similar sentiments on or around July 12th last year.

"Karma - there it was. The meaning of life, straight from Carson Daly's lips to my morphine-laced ears." -Earl Hickey

by BLee2525 on May 3, 2007 11:06 PM EDT reply actions

Oh for sure

I certainly don't trust Krivsky to build a competent bullpen. It's probably the easiest thing to do as a general manager, and he's failed miserably.

We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars. --Oscar Wilde

by JD Arney on May 3, 2007 11:07 PM EDT up reply actions

I was a fan of this bullpen. But they just...

by Alan @ Red Reporter on May 3, 2007 11:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeyyyyy

"Karma - there it was. The meaning of life, straight from Carson Daly's lips to my morphine-laced ears." -Earl Hickey

by BLee2525 on May 3, 2007 11:12 PM EDT up reply actions

ring me

guess that bag of world series rings didn't mean whole lot present tense.

by borchard504 on May 3, 2007 11:10 PM EDT reply actions

I would rather have a lunatic like Bowden blow things up. Wayne will just to change things by making them more boring. Could better defense have won this game? Of course not. But better bullpen and Castro not batting . . . that could have won the game.

by Brian B on May 3, 2007 11:11 PM EDT reply actions

bullpen

Yep about 8 seconds is all our pen can last too!

by Caleb on May 3, 2007 11:14 PM EDT reply actions

if he's the one in the dress

then yeah, him.

by Blue on May 3, 2007 11:31 PM EDT up reply actions

I mean seriously

is it any wonder that kids are afraid of clowns? Look at those things! They're hideous!

by Blue on May 3, 2007 11:27 PM EDT up reply actions

no kidding

and mix in pitching the eighth inning the result is insanely frightening

by Caleb on May 3, 2007 11:29 PM EDT up reply actions

its not exactly easy to do this midseason

as we all know.

Anyway, I think if Majewski had been able to start the season with the club, we'd have a few more wins than we have right now.

8th innings have killed us.

by Blue on May 3, 2007 11:20 PM EDT reply actions

Please stop that

Gary Majewski, as I noted on part II of the game thread, is not the Reds savior. What the Reds need at this point are shutdown relievers and Krivsky has nary a clue how to find them. He gave away a big chunk of offense last season and couldn't find them. He traded minor leaguers and PTBNL and couldn't find them. He spent millions on relievers and couldn't find them.

At this point, that's a significant GM issue; particularly considering that the bullpen has been a huge problem the entire time Krivsky's been in charge. Yet all we have is a guy who's traded cows for magic beans.

I'm fine with a team taking a while to figure out what it needs to compete during a young season, but the Reds have the same issue this year as they had last. Nothing has been done except removing offense to bring in players who haven't performed and who haven't thrown one pitch in 2007. That's not "fixing" anything.

by Reds123 on May 4, 2007 12:57 AM EDT up reply actions

Yankee fans...

...are saying the same thing about Cashman. Many are calling for his firing, when they were worshiping the ground he walked on last year.

Maybe they're just overworked. Maybe it's the notorious "you can never tell when a relief pitcher is going to suck" problem. Or maybe there really isn't that much talent out there. :-(

All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named "Bubba"?

by BubbaFan on May 3, 2007 11:21 PM EDT reply actions

There aren't many good bullpens in MLB.

Padres and...?

by Alan @ Red Reporter on May 3, 2007 11:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Bullpens

I don't know about top to bottom, but the Brewers can hold leads, and I think the Astros will do a fair job now that they've settled on Wheeler. Also the Dodgers and Braves. The Mets too. White Sox. Angels. Maybe a couple others.

But, that's only 7 or so out of 30 teams.

by Blue on May 3, 2007 11:39 PM EDT up reply actions

I do like the Braves' pen.

I've watched then with envy a coupla times.

1-2-3 ... 1-2-3 .. W

by Alan @ Red Reporter on May 3, 2007 11:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Note:

They acquired 2/3 of the good part of their pen for a "C" Level prospect and a replacement level starter.

"Karma - there it was. The meaning of life, straight from Carson Daly's lips to my morphine-laced ears." -Earl Hickey

by BLee2525 on May 3, 2007 11:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Twins

They have a great 'pen as well.

by teb7 on May 4, 2007 12:22 AM EDT up reply actions

All I know...

I was out getting drunk, and I still knew that the Stanton/Stormy combo would blow it. ::shrug::

Wanted: A reliever for three quick outs in the 8th inning.

by Ash on May 3, 2007 11:22 PM EDT reply actions

I wish

your signature would lose its aptness.

by Blue on May 3, 2007 11:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, it really makes me want to weep.

Wanted: A reliever for three quick outs in the 8th inning.

by Ash on May 3, 2007 11:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Weep?

Holy crap, I must be soused. I'm goin' to bed. I can't stand all this damn losing.

Wanted: A reliever for three quick outs in the 8th inning.

by Ash on May 3, 2007 11:29 PM EDT up reply actions

There's no crying in baseball.

Reminds me... Think Geena Davis and Lori Petty might be available to pitch the 8th and 9th?

by Alan @ Red Reporter on May 3, 2007 11:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Stillwell Angel might be an upgrade...

Wanted: A reliever for three quick outs in the 8th inning.

by Ash on May 3, 2007 11:32 PM EDT up reply actions

The scary part?

Arguably the best relief arm out there right now is Chad Cordero in Washington.

Also, I saw the Reds mentioned here:

"(Julian) Tavarez would have value to several teams, particularly National League clubs looking for a middle reliever or a starter. The Mets, Cardinals, Phillies, Rockies, Marlins, and Reds would all be candidates."

The big question is: Who do you give up without further crippling the offense?

"Hey, that's hillWILLIAM to you!"

by jch24 on May 3, 2007 11:32 PM EDT reply actions

Who to give up ?

How about Ed-E...although I don't know who would give much for him...maybe if you threw in a couple of minor league players and Thom-Thom.

Virgil Nighthawk

by Virgil Nighthawk on May 4, 2007 12:02 AM EDT up reply actions

Yes

Edwin Encarnacion for Julian Focking Tavares would be a very smart deal, indeed. The one thing this club can afford to do is trade away cheap, young offense.

by cggarb on May 4, 2007 12:51 AM EDT up reply actions

Well said

Excellent use of sarcasm there.

by Reds123 on May 4, 2007 12:59 AM EDT up reply actions

And by trading for Tavares..

..we'd be going away from the Braves' Tiger Beat philosophy that Man Mountain wants Bob and Wayne to adopt.

by Alan @ Red Reporter on May 4, 2007 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions

Great idea! Sounds like a plan.

Let's trade away a starting position player for a middle reliever. Hey. While we're at it, maybe we could add Brandon Phillips also, and we could get another middle reliever. Jim Bowden is available to talk trade too.

According to an old Japanese saying, "That which is repeated will happen a third time."

Don't mind me...just thinking positive and pitching to contact, that's all...

by Paul Householder on May 4, 2007 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions

Until further notice

The threat level has been lowered to blue. Please feel free to start researching other hobbies. It is safe to go outdoors and play with your kids.

2007 Reds Threat Level is Blue

by Slyde on May 4, 2007 8:46 AM EDT reply actions

No, it's not

It's allergy season. :-(

by pw on May 4, 2007 10:04 AM EDT up reply actions

The Reds are still 4th in the league...

... in HRs? That's what I heard last night. This team may not be that far off from at least competing in the NL Central. If they can just tread water and not get too far behind the Brewers, maybe the additions of Maj, Bray and Guardado can provide a real boost.

Heck, even Miltie hasn't been a total disaster. I can live with six innings and three (earned) runs from him. That's a fifth starter.

OK... I"m trying real hard to find reasons not to just throw in the towel already. Baseball season sucks when your team is out of it.

by TheC on May 4, 2007 9:56 AM EDT reply actions

My original plan

Was to start a tongue-in-cheek campaign to have every opening day attendee write a check to the Reds for $200, thus enabling them to cut Milton with no financial repercussions. :)

That said, I say it's time to cut him loose and let one or more of the young guys get some major league experience. If the Reds are playing smart (a HUGE if), they're building toward 2009 when they will, in theory, be flush with spending money. I would even be fine with a middle-of-the-road season next year if it gives a young, cheap core and plenty of money to go whatever else it is we need at that point.

"Hey, that's hillWILLIAM to you!"

by jch24 on May 4, 2007 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions

Agree

I defended Milton to some degree yesterday, but at this point I think the best plan short-term and long-term is to trade Milton, offering to pay most of his salary, in an attempt to get something back. Even an A-ball prospect. They've got at least 3 guys pitching well in AAA. Start with Dumatrait (if Bailey's not ready) and give him Milton's May and June. If he's doing well, he sticks, if not then onto Livingston or Bailey.

On a side note, saw that Giants are going to promote their 1st round draft pick from the 2006 draft to start the Sunday night game on ESPN.

by rojosoto on May 4, 2007 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions

oh really?

who's that? i remember that draft, and by the time we got a pick, there was no one better than drew stubbs. no one. no way this lincecum character is better than stubbs. because if he was, we would have drafted him. Right? Right?????

"Swing away, Bronson." -- sayeth Chris Welsh.

by boobs on May 4, 2007 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions

I can't believe I'm doing this

yesterday's loss wasn't on Milton. Yesterday he was the victim of some hard luck. If the starter only gives up 3-4 runs we should win more than we lose.

by Caleb on May 4, 2007 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions

The effort is appreciated.

I haven't seen the NL team HR totals but my suspicion is that this early in the season a good weekend series by some Delgados and Wrights (or pick your pairs of slugging teammates) could move the Reds from fourth or fifth in home run totals to sixth or seventh in such standings. And seventh out of fifteen teams is... ehh.

That said, I think most of us agree that GAB in June, July and August will produce more hot potatoes so maybe you're on to something.

Also, if the 13-15 Reds blame their bullpen for two losses (there may be more) and then could somehow (magic bullpen dust?) turned those losses in to wins, the 13-15 Reds would be the 15-13 Reds and then aside from the Brewers winning nearly two out of every three thus far, all would be calm in the tri-state. (My point is not that everything's gonna be alright but that if we wanna always look on te bright side of life we might just try to convince ourselves that the bullpen kitchen might be running low on buns and turds so the aforementioned sandwiches might be available "for a limited time only.")

by Alan @ Red Reporter on May 4, 2007 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions

yay for positivity!

16 of the Sausages' 18 wins have come against teams under .500. this month they play LA, ATL, SD, and NY. they aren't running away with anything until they prove they can beat the good teams, too!

Blessed be Baseball

by Daedalus on May 4, 2007 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm feeling a lot better about

going to see the DC United game last night instead of watching the bullpen lay another turd sandwich all over the boxscore. Yipes.

BubbaFan, and the Yanks sufficiently disillusioned that they're willing to talk Mo Rivera?

by Brendanukkah on May 4, 2007 10:15 AM EDT reply actions

Yeah...last night sucked...

But how about Griff stealing that base in the 8th and taking third on the overthrow?

That got me jumping around a little!

If we can do some more of that (i.e smart, aggressive baseball playing), we might have a chance to have a decent season...bullpen woes or no.

"I'd walk through hell in a gasoline suit to play baseball" - Pete Rose

by Officer Dibble on May 4, 2007 10:42 AM EDT reply actions

So What's New?

Same old - same old. The Reds are going nowhere - will be lucky to finish near .500. An infusion of young blood in 08 but how will that affect the woeful relief pitching?

by TR on May 4, 2007 11:47 AM EDT reply actions

Same old Same old

Reds lose a game in dramatic fashion, JD posts a diary that the season IS OVER TODAY.

It's a long season, folks

by bobestes on May 4, 2007 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah

I'm missing the part where I said the season is over. If you're not frustrated then you're apparently not watching the same team that I'm watching.

We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars. --Oscar Wilde

by JD Arney on May 4, 2007 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Team

Wait- we're talking about the Milwaukee Brewers, right? :)

by bobestes on May 4, 2007 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions

On the one hand

we used to be pretty spoiled when we could pay a guy like Scott Sullivan a million or two per year, and have him regularly get guys out in the middle to late innings.

On the other hand, Krivsky, as much as I generally like him, has really failed with the bullpen. Maybe some of these guys will come off the DL and help. It's a big maybe.

Concepcion. Look at the numbers.

by blindfish on May 4, 2007 12:09 PM EDT reply actions

Weren't we a worse team...

when we actually had a good bullpen (ex. Scott Sullivan era)?

It would be a really cool think to see our current starters with our bullpen of four/five years ago.

Oh, and our offense of 1975/76. That's all I'm asking for.

Change fe Change, black daag fe monkey...

by sm00th kw on May 4, 2007 12:31 PM EDT reply actions

well

except our bullpen pretty much won the world series in 1990.

maybe they're just trying to get all of their suckiness out now, just like the offense was doing in april. you know, saving it up for when it really counts!

Blessed be Baseball

by Daedalus on May 4, 2007 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Unfortunately....

The games thay blow in April & May count exactly the same as the ones in August & September.

Nobody listens to Andrew

by nlt-andrew68 on May 4, 2007 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions

We need a happy memory

We pretty much dominated the A's top to bottom. The bullpen was great (esp games 2 and 3), but let's not leave out Hatcher, Davis, Sabo and Rijo. Everyone got their licks in.

Concepcion. Look at the numbers.

by blindfish on May 4, 2007 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Offense

I'd take the 2005 offense.

by rojosoto on May 4, 2007 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Perhaps....

Krivsky's been listening to the idiots calling in to the talk radio shows.

If

good offense + bad starting pitching + good bullpen = losing

It obviously follows that

bad offense + good starting pitching + bad bullpen = winning

Right?

"Karma - there it was. The meaning of life, straight from Carson Daly's lips to my morphine-laced ears." -Earl Hickey

by BLee2525 on May 4, 2007 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Screw bullpen help

I want another starter. And I want it to be Carl Pavano, a.k.a. C-Piddy. No, I don't really care about his pitching performance (although he would win the Cy Young using one hand, factoring in the jump to the NL). I want him solely for his blogging prowess.

Check out the hilarity at http://www.dicegay.com/

by Brendanukkah on May 4, 2007 2:15 PM EDT reply actions

Update on scoring by inning

3 more runs in the 8th inning last night. Perhaps the Reds can petition to skip the opponent's 8th inning.



       1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9  X

Reds  14  10  14  14  24  11  15  13  10  1

Opp   22   8   6  13  11  10  14  25  11  1

How about those starters? Better get 'em early cause you may not get 'em at all. The breakdown of first inning runs:
Milton - 9
Lohse - 5
Belisle - 4
Harang - 4
Arroyo - 0

For you percentage freaks out there, the 1st and 8th innings account for 39% of the runs surrendered by the pitching staff.

Still wish everyday was the fifth inning.

2007 Reds Threat Level is Blue

by Slyde on May 4, 2007 2:50 PM EDT reply actions

this calls for

Blessed be Baseball

by Daedalus on May 4, 2007 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm sorry, but...

R-O-L-A-I-D-S spells "Relief."

by Brendanukkah on May 4, 2007 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions

What I would do...

Trade Dunn for the best prospect we can get.
Trade Griffey for the best prospect we can get.
Trade Hatteberg and/or Conine for whatever.
Promote said prospect to Major Leagues.
Promote Homer Bailey.
Promote Joey Votto.
Promote Jay Bruce.
Fire Jerry Narron.
Hire Joe Girardi.
Build for the future.

'For I knew it he downed eight of them and commenced to doin' the bear dance!

by chandrathan on May 4, 2007 3:15 PM EDT reply actions

Just a little revision

Trade Ryan Freel and Eric Milton for whatever bullpen help you can get out of them.

Use bullpen help to shore up relief corps.

Freel is a role player that deserves to sit the bench and spot start once/twice a week. Freel has no business taking over for Edwin at third base EVER. Hamilton's emergence makes Freel expendible and then call up Jay Bruce as a fourth OF.

Call up Dumatrait or Bailey, whichever as the No. 5 starter.

You can build for the future but you shouldn't trade Griffey and Dunn for prospects. Our farm system has three top talents.

by LastRites on May 4, 2007 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions

I also meant to trade/DFA Milton...

But Dunn and/or Griffey are not going to be in this team's long term plans. They should get what they can out of them.

'For I knew it he downed eight of them and commenced to doin' the bear dance!

by chandrathan on May 4, 2007 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions

oh sure

let's get rid of a guy who is directly responsible for 150+ runs per year because he doesn't run out to his position.

Blessed be Baseball

by Daedalus on May 4, 2007 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions

It's either get something out of him now...

Or let him walk for nothing after next season. Which is better long term for the Reds?

'For I knew it he downed eight of them and commenced to doin' the bear dance!

by chandrathan on May 4, 2007 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions

i agree

that if dunn isnt in the long-term plans, we should get something out of him. but we're not going to get very much. we've been over this... his contract is void next season if he's traded. he's just not worth it to many teams to give up good prospects.

"Swing away, Bronson." -- sayeth Chris Welsh.

by boobs on May 4, 2007 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes...

But it would be worth it to those teams if the Reds allowed them a window to negotiate a long term deal with Dunn...

'For I knew it he downed eight of them and commenced to doin' the bear dance!

by chandrathan on May 4, 2007 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions

We get draft picks in '08 if he leaves

right? Krivsky's pretty good at drafting.

Oh, btw, Lincecum's starting for the Jints on Sunday.

by Brendanukkah on May 4, 2007 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Good point...

What was I thinkgin? ;-)

'For I knew it he downed eight of them and commenced to doin' the bear dance!

by chandrathan on May 4, 2007 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions

lincecum

yeah, that one stings the nostrils

"Swing away, Bronson." -- sayeth Chris Welsh.

by boobs on May 4, 2007 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions

i vote

that name be banned from comments. it is painful. like kazmir.

Blessed be Baseball

by Daedalus on May 4, 2007 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions

how do we know

if dunn is not in longterm plans? why not sign him to a five year deal and watch him hit his 500th career homer in a reds uniform? he and griffey are the only ones who ever get on espn, except freel's webgems and hamilton's feel good story...and what would people do with all of those 44 jerseys?

Blessed be Baseball

by Daedalus on May 4, 2007 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions

i agree

i hope he is part of the longterm plans... he is my favorite player. call me crazy, but krivsky doesnt seem to share my affection

"Swing away, Bronson." -- sayeth Chris Welsh.

by boobs on May 4, 2007 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Hmm...

I would bet anyone that would do it that Dunn will not be with the team after next season.

'For I knew it he downed eight of them and commenced to doin' the bear dance!

by chandrathan on May 4, 2007 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions

there's no betting in baseball

didn't you see that movie "4192?"

Blessed be Baseball

by Daedalus on May 4, 2007 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Dunn sucks!

Leads the team in
Runs
Doubles (tied)
Homeruns
Total Bases
Walks
Stolen Bases! (tied)
And only ONE error in the field.

Seems he's made improvement in several areas, but hey, there's still the strikeouts to complain about.

Also, seems that he's heating back up. Let's not bat him 6th again this weekend.

by rojosoto on May 4, 2007 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions

I'll defend chandrathan a bit

and say that he's not saying Dunn sucks, just that he doesn't think that Dunn is in the long term plans.

Given the way things are going 2008 is very winnable and this team could be really good if Bailey and Votto are ready, EdE and BP take a step forward, and the Kriv can get some bullpen help without mortgaging the offense. Therefore, keep Dunn. If he doesn't come back for 2009, oh well, at least he got one ring with the Reds, right?

2007 Reds Threat Level is Blue

by Slyde on May 4, 2007 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Thank Slyde...That's exactly what I'm saying...

But what does everyone think about the hiring Joe Girardi to manage a young ballclub?

He did a pretty good job of it last year.

'For I knew it he downed eight of them and commenced to doin' the bear dance!

by chandrathan on May 4, 2007 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Not sure

He had a shit-ton of young talent playing for him. I wish he had had more than one season because I would have liked to see if it was a case of him pushing them to their best or just a fluke where a bunch of young players played well before the league figured them out. Unfortunately, unless they are challenging again for the wild card or division, people will think it was all him, but it could just be the stars aligned for him.

2007 Reds Threat Level is Blue

by Slyde on May 4, 2007 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions

I support the Girardi idea...

if we were to have a young ballclub. And the way Kriv-dawg is running things right now, I don't expect it any time soon.

"I'm just like everybody else. I have two arms, two legs, and four-thousand hits." - Pete Rose

by BK on May 4, 2007 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions

That's true...

It would require getting rid of all the 40 year olds...

'For I knew it he downed eight of them and commenced to doin' the bear dance!

by chandrathan on May 4, 2007 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Girardi

After all the dap he got last year, you have to think he'll have his pick of a lot of primo baseball jobs next season or perhaps this year. (Not sure what his severance deal is with the Marlins). You know that's who Steinbrenner has in mind if they ditch Torre, if only because Girardi's a name guy.

Let's be honest, none of us know whether Girardi really has some sort of supernatural managing ability or that he just got credit for dumb luck.

I like him in interviews, though, so, eh?

If what you say is true, the Shaolin and the Wu-Tang could be dangerous.

by Man Mountain on May 4, 2007 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions

One red flag

He seemed to do a great job except for handling some of his young pitchers. Towards the end of the year he screwed Josh Johnson by making him go out after a long rain delay. He hasn't pitched yet this year, and I believe that most blame that on Girardi. I'd hate to see that done to Bailey.

by ken on May 4, 2007 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions

I understand what you're saying

just launching a pre-emptive Dunn strike.
:-)

by rojosoto on May 4, 2007 7:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Girardi...

...has said he will only consider managing jobs in NY and Chicago.

And if the Yanks don't right the ship soon, there may be an opening in NY soon.

All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named "Bubba"?

by BubbaFan on May 4, 2007 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions

and...

Rick Pitino said he would never leave Kentucky...

Coaches are liars. They go wherever the money is.

'For I knew it he downed eight of them and commenced to doin' the bear dance!

by chandrathan on May 4, 2007 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions

And as we all know

THE BIG CASH MONEY IS IN THE 'NATI, OW!!!!

If what you say is true, the Shaolin and the Wu-Tang could be dangerous.

by Man Mountain on May 4, 2007 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions

No...

but that's not to say he wouldn't manage where there is money...

Say L.A. or Atlanta. You think he'd turn those jobs down?

'For I knew it he downed eight of them and commenced to doin' the bear dance!

by chandrathan on May 4, 2007 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, I think you're right.

BTW, wasn't it Pitino's harpy wife who hated Kentucky, not necessarily Pitino. Like she flew back to NYC to birth her babies or something?

If what you say is true, the Shaolin and the Wu-Tang could be dangerous.

by Man Mountain on May 4, 2007 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Yep She hated Kentucky...

I guess that's why he cheated on her in Louisville and got the clap...

'For I knew it he downed eight of them and commenced to doin' the bear dance!

by chandrathan on May 4, 2007 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions

I doubt money's an issue

He's got a job broadcasting with YES.

The Nats were about to name him manager, when he called and told them he was withdrawing his application. He's got a young family, and didn't want to uproot them again. That's why he said NY or Chicago. He's got homes in both those areas.

A lot of Yankees fans want to fire Torre and hire Girardi, but I'm not sure that would be a good idea. He did make some bonehead in-game decisions in Florida. Even worse, he's a bit lacking in people skills. That can be disastrous in NY. I think he needs to work in a smaller city for awhile, and acquire some political savvy in a more forgiving atmosphere than the Big Apple.

That said, I've always liked Girardi. Not least because when he was on the Yankees staff, he was in the faction who thought Bubba could be an everyday player, and wanted to start him rather than sign Damon. When he got the job with the Marlins, he tried to trade for Bubba.

All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named "Bubba"?

by BubbaFan on May 4, 2007 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions

That being said

If the Reds were to give him a big-time deal (big money, long term), and the resources to win a championship (especially in the weak NL Central), you don't think he'd take that?

"I'm just like everybody else. I have two arms, two legs, and four-thousand hits." - Pete Rose

by BK on May 4, 2007 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions

No

If he was, he wouldn't have turned down the Nats job. He'd have least tried to bargain for a long term deal and commitment to spend money on the team, if that's what he wanted.

I think he wants to manage the Cubs or the Yankees, and he wants to be available should those jobs open up.

All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named "Bubba"?

by BubbaFan on May 4, 2007 5:29 PM EDT up reply actions