Krivsky Made The Road Trip

by JD Arney on May 14, 2007 9:45 AM EDT in News

Wayne Krivsky

I hadn't realized it, but Wayne Krivsky travelled with the Reds to California:

Before the Cincinnati Reds embarked on this three-city, nine-game trip, General Manager Wayne Krivsky said he would not be with the team, that he would be in Dayton and other minor-league venues.
But he flew to Los Angeles with the club and also will be in San Diego. Trying to play it off with humor, Krivsky said, "Do you think I'm nuts? Miss Los Angeles and San Diego?"
Then he turned serious and said, "With the way the team is going lately (2-8 before Saturday's game), I thought it best to be with them. If we won 10 straight, I'd be home with my wife. Don't read anything more into it."
Asked if manager Jerry Narron was on a slippery slope, he said, "No. That's not why I'm here. Not even close."

Hal McCoy goes on to note that the Reds are 54-67 since Narron and Krivsky had their contracts extended last June (Krivsky's 2008 option was picked up while Narron was extended), and I think I saw somewhere that the Reds are something like 72-90 over the last 162 games. What is there even to say about that?

Lately every move has been so ridiculous that I feel like I have no shot at all of predicting anything, so at this point I'm pretty much expecting the most ridiculous thing possible to happen at all times.

So I'm thinking we'll see Stanton continue to pitch for the Reds and EdE shipped out for a reliever (maybe with an A ball prospect or two tossed in) ASAP, those being the two most ridiculous things I can think of right now. Let's hope I'm wrong, on both counts, but I can't see how anyone has any faith anymore in the management of this team.

I mean seriously, anyone who wants to defend Krivsky at this point? Just show them this. There's no comeback there. TWO YEARS. Tell them to defend that.

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Comments

Not me.

I say dump him. He has made great moves. But his bad ones have hurt this team and franchise so badly.

Dear Bob,

Please Fire Wayne.

Thanks,
Kyle

Find me on MySpace- http://www.myspace.com/mixfmkyle

by MixFMKyle on May 14, 2007 9:53 AM EDT reply actions

please note that this request ...........

for sacking Krivsky happened before he recalled Moeller.

Can Moeller play 3rd base ???

Krivsky should be fired now !!

Nobody listens to Andrew

by nlt-andrew68 on May 15, 2007 12:59 AM EDT up reply actions

Narron-Krivsky

Since it's starting to become inevitable that both must and will go, the timing seems now the important question. Do we want a lame duck Krivsky running this draft? Unfortunately we probably don't have much alternative. Is Dan O available?

by HokieRed on May 15, 2007 10:38 AM EDT up reply actions

2007 Draft - Krivsky

Early returns are looking good on Krivsky's 2006 draft. Watson, Webb, and Smith, 3/5th's of the Dragon rotation, were 2006 draftees. Sarasota's closer was last year's 10th round draft pick. Drew Stubbs has turned it around of late, and of course Valaika continues to hammer professional pitching.

They are 27-8 with a 7.5 game lead over 2nd place.

2-0 count: one pitch, one zone

by rojosoto on May 15, 2007 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Not me.

I say dump him. He has made great moves. But his bad ones have hurt this team and franchise so badly.

Dear Bob,

Please Fire Wayne.

Thanks,
Kyle

Find me on MySpace- http://www.myspace.com/mixfmkyle

by MixFMKyle on May 14, 2007 9:54 AM EDT reply actions

all right.

Love the double post. Sorry all.

Find me on MySpace- http://www.myspace.com/mixfmkyle

by MixFMKyle on May 14, 2007 9:54 AM EDT up reply actions

Stanton

No way i fire Wayne. Narron can go but you guys are on crack if you think wayne should be fired.

by Muggerd on May 14, 2007 10:08 AM EDT reply actions

mmmm, crack

2007 Reds Threat Level is Blue

by Slyde on May 14, 2007 10:10 AM EDT up reply actions

Slyde

I still really think we need to change that to green. Maybe it will motivate the team.

Find me on MySpace- http://www.myspace.com/mixfmkyle

by MixFMKyle on May 14, 2007 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions

We are researching right now

There could be an announcement some time today about the status of the threat level. We're trying to make sure we have a sufficient amount of information before changing the level. Stay tuned.

2007 Reds Threat Level is Blue

by Slyde on May 14, 2007 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions

whew I thought we were talking

by Caleb on May 14, 2007 9:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes...mmmm...Crack...

"That which is repeated will happen a third time."

by Paul Householder on May 14, 2007 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Everyday lineup?

I thought Marty said on Thursday that EdE was going down and Hamilton was the everyday CFer and Freel was the everyday 3rd baseman. Have we even seen that lineup yet?

2-0 count: one pitch, one zone

by rojosoto on May 14, 2007 10:12 AM EDT reply actions

Because

If you followed the reds any you would know that Freel was sick?

by Muggerd on May 14, 2007 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions

and

and dunn got hit in the foot with a foul ball and took the day off because it was stiff

by Muggerd on May 14, 2007 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions

Because

I know Freel was sick. My comment was more in regards to yesterday. I hadn't heard/seen anywhere that Dunn was injured.

Besides, the correct response was "Once on Thursday, the day the lineup was announced."

2-0 count: one pitch, one zone

by rojosoto on May 14, 2007 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions

2008

Personally, I never expected much from this team for this year. I've always thought 2008 was their magic time, when they actually have some players that can come up and be something more than stand-ins.

So, I guess I'm not all that shocked that they suck, we'll see what happens next year. If the don't compete, then yeah, I'll have my torch and pitchfork at the ready.

Part of me feels that a lot of the last two years, Wayne has been learning on the job. Which I guess explains some things, but fuckin' a, I don't want a GM that's learning on the job.

by bobestes on May 14, 2007 10:43 AM EDT reply actions

If I am Wayne

I need to keep busy looking for

Bullpen Help
A Power RH Bat.

Find me on MySpace- http://www.myspace.com/mixfmkyle

by MixFMKyle on May 14, 2007 11:22 AM EDT reply actions

re

A new catcher
Better veterans
A summer sweater

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

by boobs on May 14, 2007 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions

Somebody's got to go

How can the organization continue to pretend that this level of success is acceptable? Somebody needs to go simply for the sake of change. It'll be Narron and soon, I predict.

by HokieRed on May 14, 2007 11:31 AM EDT reply actions

Krivsky

Give him Arroyo, Phillips, maybe Hamilton (verdict still out).

This GM thought these guys would help the club: Cormier, Stanton, Majewski, Bray (maybe),Clayton, Conine, Castro, Moeller, Sarloos, Franklin.

Given away for next to nothing: Hancock, Germano, C.Ross, Kata, Harris.

What possibly can be the case for continuing Krivsky?

by HokieRed on May 14, 2007 11:42 AM EDT reply actions

Keep Wayne

Find some bull pen help that is worth a crap. I still think this team will finish +/- 3 games of .500 if some bullpen help is found.

And I think I would start within the organization with Burton, McBeth, and maybe the Magic man if he ever gets it together.

by Caleb on May 14, 2007 11:50 AM EDT reply actions

L'Ville

EE is on the bench at L'Ville today, so 31-year-old Earl Snyder and his 531 OPS can play third. Brilliant development program we have here.

As for Stanton, I heard all I needed to on the day he was signed:

"I'm very pleased," Narron said. "We got a veteran guy in the bullpen that can do everything. He's got great makeup and he's a great competitor."

How can you argue with that? I think he also "knows how to pitch," "is a great guy in the clubhouse," "has post-season experience," and "can really help some of the younger guys in the bullpen."

by cggarb on May 14, 2007 1:14 PM EDT reply actions

EdE

I wonder if he is mentally tired. Didn't he play ball all winter too? Not that a single day off is going to fix that, but if he is tired, going through this whole thing with being demoted isn't going to help that. Hopefully he's able to kick it into gear here real soon.

2007 Reds Threat Level is Blue

by Slyde on May 14, 2007 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't think it was so Snyder could play

EE has played every game in Louisville since he got there, including the day he arrived. I think he just needed a day off. IME, minor leaguers usually get more time off. No sense in wearing them out, especially the ones who might be called up again soon.

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

by BubbaFan on May 14, 2007 6:01 PM EDT up reply actions

It's time for Krivsky to go

Much has been written about the Krivsky/Narron regime (I think it's fair to group them; I doubt Krivsky is getting parts that Narron doesn't want). A lot of it, especially from me, has been negative, especially on a micro level. Let's look at the macro level, though.

First, what should be the macro-level objective of any business? Obviously, to make money in the long term. For a sports team, that means putting butts in the seats (those butts being a small sample of total team support - television revenue, advertising revenue, licensed products on top of gate receipts and concessions). And how do you do that? Simply - build a winner.

So...What has Krivsky done to build a winning franchise? He has brought in some nice parts (all comments are what he got at the time, not what they turned in to) - a decent, not old starting pitcher (Arroyo); another starting pitcher who had occasionally been not bad (Lohse); a shortstop with a solid defensive reputation (AGon) whom was signed long-term, and a couple of spare parts (Phillips, Ross, Hamilton).

But when you look at those moves, what was done to build the franchise into a winner?

Nothing about Arroyo screamed "About to become one of the best pitchers in the league"; it was fair to think he'd be a decent #3, but no more. Krivsky's been lucky here.
Lohse had recently been demoted to the bullpen, and had floundered in that role; he also was 1 ½ years away from free agency, very quickly making him expensive if he was any good. Again, Krivsky got lucky.
Phillips and Ross were brought in exactly as I described them - spare parts, with low expectations (and it seems Ross may have already seen his best days). Again, lucky with BP, and Ross is doing about what you'd expect, which isn't very good.
Hamilton was the very definition of "high risk/high reward"; he may be as good as "Former #1 Pick" suggests, but we don't know yet.
Gonzalez has been the opposite of what we've expected - a nice bat, but shaky defensively at times. But still, a predictably nice pick-up.

In other words, only the Gonzalez pickup can be seen as "franchise building".

Meanwhile, young or minor league talent was traded away constantly:
The Trade
Branden Harris (from TT) for cash
Cody Ross for cash
Justin Germano for Rheal Cormier
Minor Leaguers for:
-    14 1/3 IP from Scott Schoenweiss;
-    24 IP from Ryan Franklin;
-    14 IP (though possibly more) from Eddie Guardado;
-    15 IP from Estiban Yan;
2 Minor leaguers for Jeff Conine
Again, in other words, what should be the base of the organization has been completely dismantled for an assortment of guys who are at best stopgaps, and at worst no longer major league talents. Or given away for cash.

So Krivsky was hired to do one thing, given his track record in Minnesota, and he's failed miserably. The minor leagues are in worse shape (talent wise) than when he arrived, the major league team is older with more holes, and attendance has predictably lagged. It is time for new leadership.

just....wow.

by sidnancy on May 14, 2007 1:55 PM EDT reply actions

nice comment

I can see both sides of the argument, and at this point not yelling for him to be fired, but I wouldn't be yelling at Castellini if he was fired either.

It does seem that Krivsky devalues inherited minor leaguers. Perhaps that's why they were cast off for so little. Perhaps that's why 2 of Coutlangus teammates are still sitting on the Chattanooga bench.

One point though, is that I don't see the minors any worse off than pre-Krisvky. There wasn't anything there to begin with. Dan O'Brien seems to have drafted some good players his last couple of seasons. Also, Dayton seems to be playing very well this year with a number of promotable players, and most of those guys should be Krisvky draftees.

2-0 count: one pitch, one zone

by rojosoto on May 14, 2007 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions

One disagreement

Gonzalez wasn't the only franchise building move. I think Arroyo falls under that label too, and not just because he's turned into the pitcher he has. Even if you think of Arroyo as a #3 starter - an assessment that I agreed with at the time - he was an upgrade to the starting rotation that only had Aaron Harang and a bunch of stiffs. Also, he was cheap and under contract for 3 seasons, so he was somebody that the Reds could hold on to at a low cost.

So, no, he wasn't acquiring an ace, but he was acquiring a fairly young, decent pitcher that upgraded the Reds staff. I think it's reasonable to say that the move was "franchise building" with the move.

Other than that, I agree with your assessment.

2007 Reds Threat Level is Blue

by Slyde on May 14, 2007 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Here's the thing

I agree with your two main points:

Arroyo was an upgrade to the rotation.
He was fairly cheap, and not old.

But that's not the same as "franchise building"; that's hole-filling. He's only under contract through '08; as everyone assumes Bailey will be on the team before then, and because his contract is so cheap (as long as he stays #3 pitcherlike), he's going to be terribly expensive to resign or replace.

And I will repeat something I've said at least twice (in other threads): Whether it's Krivsky or someone else, the Reds should be lauded for the extensions contracts that Arroyo and Harang signed. They were for below market value, and will give the club stability over the next 4 years (as long as the real Aaron Harang decides to show up some day). But Krivsky originally inherited Harang and stumbled upon Arroyo - he gets credit only for keeping them, not getting either.

It takes alot to build a team; I'm not kidding myself by saying I'm smarter than Krivsky. But his priorities seem to be the exact opposite of "team building".

just....wow.

by sidnancy on May 14, 2007 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Justin Germano

This one really hurts. Germano was already ready to contribute at the MLB level late last year when he was traded to Philly for Cormier. Germano is now in San Diego and has been pitching extremely well. He probably could be the #3 man in the Reds bullpen today.

Also, add in two players wise Wayne just released outright, Luke Hudson and Josh Hancock. Both were pretty decent last year. Hancock was a pillar in the Cardinals bullpen and Hudson went 7-6 as a starter for a horrible Kansas City team. Minus one miserable start (where he gave up 10 runs in the first inning) and his ERA while pitching for an AL Central team was around 4.5. That is pretty damn decent. I guess Wayne gave him his walking papers because he needed to keep all the 40 year old bullpen hands he could lay his hands on.

Krivsky is just an idiot. Plus, he is one arrogant lying nasty piece of work who refuses to accept responiblity for anything. The guy is a cancer in the organization. I think the only thing that seperates him from Bowden is a few more years of damage.

Rock Chalk Talk for pretty good KU baseball coverage

by James Quinn on May 14, 2007 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions

speaking of germano

article on him today on sandiego.com.

Blessed be Baseball

by Daedalus on May 14, 2007 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Jock check

At least Junior is keeping his head above the hell the Reds are.

http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=40172915&blogID=263990044

Please contribute to the Hats for Bats fund.

by Pilsner73 on May 14, 2007 3:18 PM EDT reply actions

ashnarronlovechild update

I've been asked to point out that the first of the ashnarronlovechild predictions is dangerously close to not coming true.

Another is already false in two ways.

The jury is still out on this one.

This one has until September.

No word on whether or not sukr determined if this was enforced. I guess it's more fun to smoke in the bathroom stall with another dude.

2007 Reds Threat Level is Blue

by Slyde on May 14, 2007 3:58 PM EDT reply actions

Man Mountain seems to have pegged me as the type

so...

"Your mom is more fun in the bathroom stall with another dude!"

by Brendanukkah on May 14, 2007 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Lamentably

I took part in that exercise as well. But man, that was good cigarette.

"It's not fair that the guys in charge now weren't around to see the previous staff make the same mistakes." -- Brian B

by jch24 on May 14, 2007 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions

I stand behind my prediction.

Three more games.

Wanted: A win. (Let's start simple.)

by Ash on May 14, 2007 6:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Second guessing and hindsight AGAIN

"I still like this signing quite a bit, and I'm encouraged after the recent moves."

"Mike Stanton should be a good pitcher this year. Maybe not in 2008, but in 2007 he'll probably help."

"I think the Reds are a better team today than they were a week ago."

Who was the idiot who said that?!

Oh yeah, it was JD: http://redreporter.com/story/2006/11/22/3597/4825

But it wasn't dumb to say then. All the sudden Stanton isn't doing great and now Krivsky is a horrible GM. If YOU can't accurately predict that Stanton isn't going to help this year, how do you expect Krivsky to?

I just love the second guessing around here. Actually, no I don't, I hate it.

"Players have two things to do. Play and keep their mouths shut." -Sparky Anderson

by boohiss on May 14, 2007 3:59 PM EDT reply actions

what?

If YOU can't accurately predict that Stanton isn't going to help this year, how do you expect Krivsky to?

This is just a stupid statement. JD's not getting paid to make the Reds a winner.

What I don't get about your post is that back when JD was saying those things, you were getting on everybody's case for the negativity of the site. So, when he was trying to be positive, you bitched. Now that he's being negative, you bitch. I guess you get points for consistency.

And there were several people that didn't like the Stanton signing when it happened. They were derided for their negativity at the time. Would you laud them now for their ability to use foresight instead of hindsight?

2007 Reds Threat Level is Blue

by Slyde on May 14, 2007 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions

i got my foresight removed

when i was a wee little lad

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

by boobs on May 14, 2007 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions

is that called a circumvision?

Ha! I kill me!

2007 Reds Threat Level is Blue

by Slyde on May 14, 2007 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions

I did not bitch

I did not complain once about the positivity then OR now. JD's comments made total sense, but it looks like he's not standing by them.

If JD has the ability to call for Krivsky's head, why shouldn't he be held responsible for his decisions and statements, and failed predictions as well?

I don't want to make this personal because I like JD and Red Reporter and I'm very thankful he does what he does.

I'm just trying to make the point that no one is infallable and Krivsky shouldn't be fired because he can't predict the future.

"Players have two things to do. Play and keep their mouths shut." -Sparky Anderson

by boohiss on May 14, 2007 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions

i think the point is

that krivsky should be a much better evaluator of talent than the fans... that's why he's paid to be a gm. he should have known signing a 39-year-old pitcher to a two-year deal was a bad move. JD did, even though he thought the acquisition was fine for 2007. Now sweaterpants has to think twice before releasing him because he's already invested twice as much as he should have in a guy with a low ceiling and an extremely low floor.

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

by boobs on May 14, 2007 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Uh, no.

Krivsky shouldn't be fired because he can't predict the future.

That's pretty much exactly his job - knowing how each player will perform, and how all of the players fit together to form a team.

If he can't accurately predict how players will perform, he's the tits on this bull of an organization.

just....wow.

by sidnancy on May 14, 2007 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions

and

Can't people change their minds after they see something fail? I understand those who were against it from the start have more credibility, but by your reckoning I don't think an owner could ever fire a GM--after all he didn't know the GM would fail when he hired him.

by Red Menace on May 14, 2007 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Hmn

I'm just trying to make the point that no one is infallable and Krivsky shouldn't be fired because he can't predict the future.

Um...actually, as a GM is responsible for the future performance of his ballclub, predicting the future is part of his job description.

When we look at guys like Cormier, Conine, and Stanton, it's pretty obvious that Krivsky has a penchant for paying vet players for what they've done rather than for what they project to do. Not a good way to run a small market club.

by Reds123 on May 14, 2007 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions

brotherhood

I'd like to extend a hand to fellow Reds fan boohiss. I can be intense when 5 people respond against your comment at once. No harm intended.

by Red Menace on May 14, 2007 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions

No worries

Someone has to be the dissenter :)

"Players have two things to do. Play and keep their mouths shut." -Sparky Anderson

by boohiss on May 15, 2007 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions

You can't predict whether a move will work out...

That's like trying to predict stocks or anything else. It's impossible.

by Red Menace on May 14, 2007 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Hey, I was wrong

I think I've always been pretty good about admitting that.

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

by JD Arney on May 14, 2007 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't think acquiring is so much the problem...

I think the main gripe is that it didn't work out. Now do something about it.

by sledridge on May 14, 2007 6:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Contention

If at least 2 of the 10 crappy relievers we have realize they have something to prove, we might be able to make a run at it...assuming the brew-crew decide to return to earth one day.

by sotofan on May 14, 2007 4:39 PM EDT reply actions

Stanton foresight

When the Reds signed Stanton it was actually one of the more derided moves of the offseason around here.

Another soft-tossing, old LHP locked up for two years. Stanton and Cormier--two key cogs in our World Series push. -greg456

He's an old pitcher, he was great in 1997 but now his arm is falling off and this is a stupid stupid stupid stupid deal along the lines of rheal cormier ...STUPID!!! -boobs

When Castellini signed Krivsky, I hailed it as a great move. I cannot imagine that I could have been more wrong. -sidnancy

He's not going to be terrible, but he's not going to be good. Krivsky continues his quest for mediocrity. -teb7

I don't like the length...
...but Stanton is adequate. At the very least, he's superior to Rheal Cormier -Geki

I don't hate it -Slyde

stanton's been effective
he's not like the mchammond types.
the negativity is spinning out of control. -Daedalus

I would characterize the reaction as mixed-to-negative. Those who were behind the move damned Stanton with very faint praise.

by Red Menace on May 14, 2007 4:50 PM EDT reply actions

hey thats awesome

although my analysis isnt very well-thought out. "Sweaterpants is poop!! Rar!"

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

by boobs on May 14, 2007 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Shucks

I clearly wasn't giving Stanton enough credit for his suckitude. Sorry, Mike! You are the Lord of all things Sucktastic! But hey, you're lefthanded, and I'm sure Leatherpants will give you your old job back.

by teb7 on May 14, 2007 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions

I retract that statement.

He's definitely at least as bad as Rheal Cormier. I apologize for not giving you your due, Mike.

by Geki on May 14, 2007 6:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Girardi

Seems the talk-show crowd wants Girardi. At least Lance McAlister does.

I sorta think that a horses-ass like Girardi might be good for this team. It's too laid-back. Narron talks a good game about "playing the right way", but he's just a pushover.

by bobestes on May 14, 2007 6:10 PM EDT reply actions

I don't think Girardi wants the Reds, though

He's said outright that Chicago and NY are the only cities he'd consider moving to.

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

by BubbaFan on May 14, 2007 6:13 PM EDT up reply actions

if he wants only two big cities

then I don't want him. He can take his, albeit talented, pompous ass to a place where the media will crucify him

by Caleb on May 14, 2007 6:16 PM EDT up reply actions

not the size of the cities that are the issue

He turned down the Nationals, and DC is a pretty big city.

He has a young family, and he decided he didn't want to move them again. He's got homes in Chicago and NY, and wanted to settle in one of those places. When Sweet Lou got the Chicago job, he withdrew his other applications, and took a job as a baseball broadcaster in NY.

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

by BubbaFan on May 14, 2007 9:06 PM EDT up reply actions

4 jobs

If he wants to work in baseball, he's gonna have to cast a wider net.

by bobestes on May 14, 2007 6:29 PM EDT up reply actions

He's got a job

He's a broadcaster for YES, and I think he'll have that gig as long as he wants it.

And I think he'd have been fine even without that. He's got enough money.

He withdrew his application to Washington, where he was said to be the frontrunner. So he already decided this year that he'd rather not work as a manager than work in a new city.

And I think he has a good chance at managing the Yankees. I don't think Torre will be back after this year.

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