How about these Reds?

And here’s why:

I don’t see the Reds doing anything to really actively combat their “small market” status. Sure, they made a splash with Chapman, but deep down I’m wondering how or why the Reds got him and no one else did. Control problems? Paying a lot of money for a guy that’s at least a year (maybe two) from the rotation? I wanna see Chapman dominate in a Reds uniform, but I just have that bad feeling that we overpaid for him. Goddamn I hope I’m wrong.

Sure, this is the 1st year the Reds have actually looked decent since 2006 this deep into a season, so I don’t expect a 1/2 season to magically boost attendance, but the Reds seriously need to put more butts in seats. If they don’t, then they’ll always be a “small market” team. It’s very much a cause and effect issue. If you put a winning product on the field, the fans will come. I’m hoping the Reds stay hot in 2010, and at least finish above .500 (if not better), and that we see a spike in season ticket sales for 2011, and so forth and so on, so the Reds then have an increased revenue stream to use as a pipeline to player salaries.

I also want to see the Reds be more fiscally responsible with their assets (read: players & contracts). After this season, there’s no way we can bring back Arroyo or Harang given the other player raises on the horizon, but we’ll need arms to fill the rotation. Do I want to replace Arroyo and or Harang with the Maloneys, Woods or LeCures of the world? Of course I don’t. Over The Lost Decade, the Reds have held onto expensive players far too long, and have gotten dick for them. The last “sell high” trade I remember was Jose Guillen for Aaron Harang in 2003 (although Joe Valentine was the big piece we were getting back in that deal, remember?). Maybe there’s been a couple others, but I sure as shit don’t remember them. It just seems like we hold onto our players until their value’s at an all time low, and sell for pennies on the dollar. But then again, we also seem to hand out some bad contracts, too. Brandon Phillips is no longer a good value, and should have shipped out of town due to Cincinnati’s small market-ness probably at least 2 years ago. Is that to say that I don’t want Brandon Phillips on the team? Of course I want him on the team, but he sure as shit ain’t cheap for a low payroll team.

How can I not mention The Dusty? We’re never going to win with this clown as manager, plain and simple. We fucking win in spite of him and his piss poor lineups, and his god awful bullpen management. The Reds being good this year scares me that he’ll get extended, although I think that’ll happen only if they make it to the NLCS. Anything short of that, and his toothpick chewin’ ass should find the next mode of transportation out of town. The Reds need a manager that the rest of the MLB wants to play for. The Dusty ain’t that.

The only thing I like about what the Reds are currently doing is pumping $$$$ into the international scouting and development, but that seems like putting all your eggs in the the wrong basket, IMO. Thankfully Walt’s started to draft better than his predecessors, but when you’ve missed on too many 1st Round Draft picks since 2000, that’s an uphill battle no team with limited financial/fiscal resources can climb.

Lastly, I’ll be livid if the Reds don’t go out and make a splash as buyers between now and July 31. Supposedly they have the prospects to get it done, although the Reds haven’t had a good track record at developing prospects or evaluating their talent, so who knows if these guys are really as good as advertised? Bottomline, we have a shit-ton of guys in the minors who may never see our MLB roster, so Walt needs to do everything he can between now and July 31 to improve our MLB roster, b/c we’re not stocked with reinforcements in the minors, contrary to popular belief.

Am I happy with the overall direction of the Reds? Absolutely not. After The Lost Decade, I’m sick of all the losing and I want to see them make measurable moves to improve this team and organization. Walt was a great step in the right direction, but I want to see more. Right now, I just haven’t seen that more.

If there is anything we’ve learned around here, its do as Slyde says or else!!

kidding

Yes, the previous regimes get a lot of credit. But I’d say the Reds didn’t really stop acting like a cheap organization until last season.

sure, o’brien wasn’t a slouch in the draft department and he deserves some credit with this team (even though cueto is really the only stud out of those you listed). but i’m confident that i could draft pretty well if ever given the opportunity. my point is that it’s not rocket science and with average scouting you could strike gold with a few decent players.

but being a GM is so much more than that and it wasn’t until Bob took over and hired Wayne that we noticed a complete shift in acquisitions. i would say the REAL turnaround happened with Walt because his pimp hand is strong. he’s been on the positive end of pretty much every move he’s made so far. would Kriv-dawg have signed Chapman? highly doubt that…

I want one.

it really feels good to be a Reds fan in town, everyone is pulling for Votto, even zoo animals

How many votes is that?

or just type in asldhfasdfhdaoeifh@gmail.com and go to it!

I caused “problems” because I posted something over here and they took offense.

It’s 3-0 in the 4th. Carp’s at 61 pitches, Ubaldo at 38. Giambi’s still getting it done.

Dusty is still an idiot that should not be allowed to fill out a lineup card.
Heisey is a better player than Gomes- not a little better but significantly better.
You should give a aging SS rest- when you have a better defensive option on the bench- you should give him a couple games off every week.

we haven’t had a SS since I guess FeLo? We haven’t had a CF since Josh Hamilton, and Griffey before he got slow and injured?

the one FA SP they went after didn’t work out (Milton), so they haven’t gone back to that well lately

and their solution to C was Ramon fucking Hernandez, nuff said.

And let’s not forget they haven’t addressed LF since they gave away Dunn for peanuts.

The only significant hole they’ve addressed is 3B with Rolen, and no one in their right mind would have predicted this outcome.

I think the club is getting better. But playing Cabrera, Nix and Cairo at all is not good, I think Sutton, Janish, and Heisly would have gotten same/better results and w/ the upside of developing youth. I also think that a team wide strategy of swinging at the first pitch will kill them in the second half if they stick to it.
I am so sick of the 7.3 miles of chatter I have rad about a Lee trade, i can not wait until a deal is done so I don’t have to see anymore silly offering. (I think we could get Oswalt on a rental for cheap)
My bet is we will pick up Lee, but it will cost a lot more than a few AAA guys like people Hope.
Hanagan, Wood, and PTNL, that’s my guess, feel free to tear me to shreds.

I figured you would vote “no” too. :)

One of them praised Tracy’s aversion to bunting early in the game. I like!

But Cueto does that fairly frequently.

They’ll invalidate the whole process and just let Manuel pick another Phillie.

Or is he just tweeting a logical scenario to seem like he’s in the know…

That would be phenomenal. And ESPN would put a price on his head!

…. that he’s assuming.

the only Bowden draft pick still in baseball.

Control freak.

Guillen (who I actually like), Williams and Reinsdorf are some of the most bullheaded guys in baseball. I can’t imagine this isn’t hysterical.

check out who’s now “kicking the tires” as it comes to Cliff Lee.