http://www.nfl.com/news/story?template=with-video&id=09000d5d807f7f6b

Look, I'm not crazy about the way he has handled his business. But, I feel like he is starting to really shed some light on the whole situation. In this story, he's echoing Carson. What have I said all along? Mike Brown is the problem. We all know that.

I'm not on Chad's side, but, I agree with him on this. Chad has never said he wants more money. He justs wants out of Cincy. I want him to stay. But, he's right as long as the Browns are running things, the Bengals will never step up. For example, take the draft. The Bengals have all these extra picks, have they done anything with them?

We needed a DT, the entire world knew the Saints were going to trade up to get Ellis. What did the Bengals do? Let the Saints have him. I'm not saying they didn't try. But, why are other teams able to get the things the Bengals can't do, done? Shaun Rogers, Dwayne Robertson...

As a Bengals fan, I feel so helpless... kinda like Chad.

The is from the Reds site. I can't believe the lack of communication that seems to be present. Bruce better stay vocal.

http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080304&content_id=2404336&vkey=spt2008 news&fext=.jsp&c_id=cin

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Jay Bruce and Dusty Baker are back on the same page about to the outfielder's history of leg injuries -- or the lack thereof.

Bruce hasn't played since Sunday when he suffered a mild strain of his left quadriceps muscle. On Monday, Baker indicated concern because he thought it was a recurring problem for the top prospect.

"One thing makes me a little wary is he's had this a couple of times," Baker said Monday.

By Tuesday, Baker was given a more accurate report from Bruce.

"He was under the impression I had missed a lot of time with it," Bruce said. "He can only go by what he was told. I'm glad he came up to me and talked to me about it, and let me have a chance to clear it up."

Bruce had a minor hamstring issues last season, but hasn't had any problems with his quadriceps.

"I missed three games with it last year, and it wasn't anything major," Bruce said. "I didn't play in the World Cup out of precautionary reasons. This is my first real quad injury ever, and I wouldn't even consider it an injury. It's just a little sore and tight. It's not a big deal at all."

"I'm learning and some people said this and some people said something else," Baker said after Tuesday's game. "I wanted to hear it right from him."

Baker said Tuesday afternoon that Bruce would not play again on Wednesday vs. Boston. The 20-year-old is 6-for-12 (.500) in five games this spring.

Bruce is trying to win the Reds' starting center fielder's job. The task got tougher with free agent Corey Patterson in camp to compete as a non-roster player. Ryan Freel, Norris Hopper and Chris Dickerson are also in the mix.

"It's no different," Bruce said of Patterson's addition. "There's already competition in camp. It'll add to it a little bit. Like I've said before, no matter who's here, I'm trying to make the team, regardless of who is vying for a spot. It's my job, and everybody else's job. It'll play itself out."

Has anyone bought or played it yet? They dropped the price to $19.95, so I was thinking about giving it a try. From what I understand, they include ML players now. I know there are a few here that have played. Let me know what you think about it.

I've play 6.5 to death. I haven't been able to get into any of the versions since.

General manager Wayne Krivsky did not renew the contracts of assistant director of player development Grant Griesser, field coordinator Tim Naehring, extended Spring Training coordinator Rick Burleson, roving hitting instructor Jim Hickman, outfield/baserunning coordinator Lynn Jones, rookie-level Billings coach Ricardo Cuevas and Double-A Chattanooga manager Jayhawk Owens. Chattanooga pitching coach Grant Jackson retired.

http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070911&content_id=2202040&vkey=news_ci n&fext=.jsp&c_id=cin

Jeez. Does this scare anyone else? Krivsky is making these decisions? His job must not be in jeopardy. Why else would Castellini allow this?

I really thought a year ago this day would not come. But, it's inevitable now that Bonds will be the HR King.

I'm numb to everything surrounding Bonds now. I blame Baseball as much as I blame Bonds. So, if this is the way Baseball wants it, then this is what Baseball got.

It's aggravating watching other sports reacts to issues happening in the sport. But, Baseball just sits and twiddles its thumbs thinking everything will fix itself.

So, I see no need for an asterisk. I see no need for Mitchell to continue his inquisition so he can fill his spare time and remain relevant.

Just fix it from here on out. Get the right testing in place, fix the financial-competitive imbalance, take some power back from the players, and MOVE ON!!!

I ran across this. It reminded me of his comments about GABP, while trying to find another reason, besides himself, why he gave up the HR to Ross.

This guy needs to grow up...

"Hopefully, I won't pitch in Colorado, because I know who it is and I will get them," Snell said. "I'll get them next time. I'll see if I pitch against them. If not, I'll let the guy know it's a crock of you-know-what. I'll let it breeze over this time."

"I will ... kill that dude," Snell said, his voice rising. "If I pitch, I swear, I'll get fined big-time."

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/pirates/s_517899.html

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/photos/2007-07-18/0718pirates3-b.jpg

Yep, you read that right.

From Gammons' Blog: "There is a lot of action on Kyle Lohse," says one scout of the Reds RHP. "He's always been a tease, but he's viewed as a big arm that could click." Cincinnati is reluctant to even discuss trading David Weathers or Scott Hatteberg, who would have been perfect for the Yankees had they been willing to discuss him.

http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?name=gammons_peter

We all knew about Lohse. And  I thought we all knew trading Hatteberg was a foregone conclusion, if they could get someone to agree to the right deal. But, I would have never thought that they wouldn't trade Hatteberg.

How does keeping him make sense? The Reds need to give up the smoke-blowing about still being in the thick of things. They can't get back into the playoff race. (at least with the current crew as it stands) And with Votto ready, Hatteberg on this team beyond this year doesn't make sense.

With Narron gone and McSomeGuy taking over as intereim manager (I do not understand that move in the least; even as an interim position).

Our focus can shift directly to Krivsky. With Narron, Krivsky had his thin veil. Even though we could see threw it, Narron was still the one mismanaging the cards Krivsky dealt him. But, now I would think Krivsky has no where to hide.

Lonnie Wheeler had an interesting look at the roster. I don't agree with a few of his assessments, but, I think he makes the case even stronger (even if unintentional) that Narron had a lot do w/ the state of this franchise.

http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070630/SPT05/706300378/1027

No, not really.

But, Hargrove just quit the Mariners for some reason. The team is on a 7-game win streak. What would prompt a manager to jump ship like that?

Although, with the rumblings that Fay says is going on, this seems really coincidental. But, would we really want someone that is willing to leave Seattle to come to Cincy?... Oh wait, that already happened. That one hasn't worked out so well.

http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=2922647&name=Neyer_Rob

Wow, Lonnie Wheeler really took a swing at the fans in the Cincy Post. While I feel like he makes a strong case in the way he has laid his case out, I feel like it is too this-then-that. I agree any moves you make effect the current organizational outlook, and could dramatically effect the future, but, I think that he takes it too far. Everything he says is true. But, unless a move is made as an obvious set up for another one, you have to look at the move on its own. So, Lonnie, for what the trade was, it was still a bad one.

http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AE/20070504/SPT05/705040342/

JD -

Oh wow, this is just hilarious timing:

In turn, the rookie contributions of Mr. Hamilton have come at a substantial savings when compared to the $17.5 million that Mr. Kearns will be paid over the next three years. Those savings have become available to the franchise for the purchase of such players as Mr. Jeff Conine and Mr. Mike Stanton

Bwhahahahahahahaha, thank goodness Wayne Krivsky had the foresight to essentially cut Austin Kearns so that we could afford Mike Stanton. Are there sportswriters so willing to choke down failure in every city, or is this just a Cincinnati phenomenon?

 Louisville looking Sweet: Louisville Bats manager Rick Sweet didn't hesitate to point out his club will have good pitching.

Bobby Livingston, who challenged Matt Belisle and Kirk Saarloos for the Reds' fifth-starter job, will be at the top of Sweet's rotation.

Homer Bailey, Cincinnati's first choice in the 2004 First-Year Player Draft, will be in the rotation along with Mike Gosling and Phil Dumatrait. The fifth starter at Louisville, like the Reds, is still undetermined.

"The Reds have another move to make," Sweet said. "If they trade a pitcher or two, then Tom Shearn will start."

Shearn is a graduate of Briggs High School in Columbus, Ohio.

"We are going to be solid defensively," Sweet said. "We will be strong up the middle. We have three outfielders who can play center field."

Bubba Crosby, Jay Bruce, the Reds' first draft choice in 2005, and Tyrell Godwin are the trio.

http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070331&content_id=1872397&vkey=spt2007 news&fext=.jsp&c_id=cin

Is Bruce going to be in Louisville? He's going to skip Chattanooga completely?

now make a mountain.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/spring2007/columns/story?columnist=phillips_steve&id=2792089

The Josh Hamilton story is a great one. Good for him. It is nice to see Hamilton overcome his demons and start to thrive again. Baseball is a game of redemption; when you fail there is always a chance to bounce back. He is making the most of his second chance, and I hope and pray that he will keep his life together and fulfill his potential as a player. People deserve second chances. Heaven knows I have had my share.

Hamilton was selected in December's Rule 5 draft by the Cubs and traded to the Reds, which means that he must stay in the major leagues for the Reds to keep him. Otherwise, he will have to go through waivers and ultimately be offered back to the Devil Rays, his original team. What an opportunity for him. He has only played 15 minor league games in the past four seasons due to injuries and drug suspensions, yet he has a chance to be a big leaguer. It sounds great, but there is another side to it.

Josh Hamilton
AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty
Hamilton earned a $3.96M signing bonus from the Devil Rays as the No. 1 overall pick in the 1999 draft.

Every decision made by an organization impacts every other decision. Every decision makes a statement about that organization and what it believes in. Every decision sets a precedent for the next decision. On a daily basis, minor league players are instructed, developed, cultivated and directed on how to become major league players. They are told to work hard, stay committed to their careers, make good decisions, be professional, be a good teammate, etc.

The decision to acquire Hamilton and give him a chance to be a major league player without doing anything to earn it over the past four seasons makes a statement to current Reds major leaguers and especially to the organization's minor league players. This one decision contradicts everything the organization claims is important.

I am not trying to be insensitive. In fact, I am rooting for Josh Hamilton to do very well. If I was a general manager I would want him in my organization to serve as an example of redemption and perseverance. I just wouldn't have picked him in the Rule 5 draft and made the statement that he deserves to be a major leaguer right now. It sends the wrong message to all of the hardworking, dedicated young men who are paying the price to get to the major leagues. Not to mention that it sends the wrong message to Hamilton.

Maybe the organization can spin the decision and find a way to justify it to its young prospects. My experience is that ballplayers see through that. Their take will be that if you have talent, it doesn't really matter what you do or how you behave -- there is a place for you at the top. That is not the attitude that leads to championships.

Even if Hamilton develops into something more than a spring training phenom, it wouldn't change my decision about the merits of selecting him. But what's done is done, and I for one will root for his success as hard as I can because it really is a great story.

From today Enquirer:

HOOP SCOOP - With a distinct North Carolina flavor to the Reds organization, the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament up the road in Tampa is getting quite a bit of attention from those associated with the team.

Radio announcer Marty Brennaman is a graduate of the University of North Carolina and Krivsky is a Duke graduate.

Krivsky wasn't going to be able to make it to Duke game against North Carolina State on Thursday night.

"Hopefully they get past tonight," Krivsky said. "I have watched more basketball this year than I did last year."

After getting the Reds GM job last February, Krivsky didn't get a chance to watch his Blue Devils.

Krivsky said he didn't have tickets. Brennaman has some tickets he won't be able to use, but wouldn't let them go to a Blue Devil supporter.

Narron is also from North Carolina, but was coy about his rooting interests.

"Marty thinks they lie with Duke, Wayne thinks they lie with Carolina," Narron said. "We'll let them keep thinking that."

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AopoHgfCMnStvKOVx9ly22ERvLYF?slug=whitesoxrangerstrade&pro v=st&type=lgns

Could we not have come up with something comparable?

"Chicago acquired lefthander John Danks and righthanders Nick Masset and Jacob Rasner from Texas, which also received minor-league outfielder David Paisano in the deal."

I've heard of Danks, but I'm not familiar with the others. We may not have a Danks-type prospect to give up. But, I'm sure we could have put together something as close.

Something else to talk about: Who is the biggest difference maker, aside form Griffey, that has been acquired by trade in Reds' history?

JD gets his wish for pitching coach.

Let jokes begin........ now!

Seriously though, his resume doesn't really jump out at me. What special has come out of any of those places. What year did Maddux bolt for the Braves? Ok, besides Maddux.

http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20061107&con tent_id=1736010&vkey=pr_cin&fext=.jsp&c_id=cin

Here is some more info from the interview. The hiring sounds like a decent hiring from this interview. The comments on JD's article about thinking Jacoby is tunnel-visioned on the situational hitting might be eased by reading this whole article...

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061104/SPT04/611040448/1062/SPT

Just an aging powerless one. It seems like it would have been worth a shot at bringing him in. Does anyone know what he was making? And what that would have meant we would have paid him?

Boston claimed Hee-Seop Choi off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday, giving the Red Sox another first baseman to back up starter Kevin Youkilis.

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060325/SPT0401/603250344/1072/SPT04

I bet a few of you were the ones that got under his skin...;)

* After Wednesday's entry about the Wily Mo Pena-Bronson Arroyo trade -- I thought it was essentially a lukewarm wash for both sides, a swap of two guys who may or may not really help their new teams -- I got several e-mails along the lines of You-Must-Hate-My-Favorite-Team-Because-You-Don't-Embrace-Everything-They-Do-So-You're-An-Idiot.

I posted Pena's career numbers against the best pitchers in the NL Central -- Carlos Zambrano, Oliver Perez, Zach Duke, Mark Mulder, etc. -- and basically wrote that they suggested that he is unusually vulnerable against good pitching: 120 at-bats, 33 hits, four homers, 53 strikeouts. Against the right-handers in the group, he has 33 strikeouts in 68 career at-bats. For a second-division team, not as big of a deal; you take the strikeouts and his great home-run ratio and you live with the flaws. For the Red Sox, a team that expects to contend all year against good teams -- and good pitching -- this might be a concern.

The You-Must-Hate-My-Favorite-Team-So-You're-An-Idiot e-mails mentioned that since Pena's batting average is .275 against those pitchers, and the average hitter bats .240 against the pitchers I picked, then in fact Pena is adept at hitting good pitching and of course any suggestion otherwise is only possible if you have a double-digit IQ.

Look at the strikeouts again: 53 in 120 at-bats. Project those numbers over a full season of 600 at-bats against that kind of pitching, and Pena would strike out 265 times. Those are numbers that suggest he's overmatched. Rival scouts and good and experienced pitchers love to see those kind of guys in the lineup in important games, because they can work around the hitters in front of them and go for the strikeout. A hitter who strikes out at that rate is like a potential lifeline for a pitcher struggling to work his way out of a rough inning (see Alfonso Soriano in the 2003 World Series).

There's another thing to consider. Against those same pitchers I listed, Pena drew a total of two walks -- count 'em, two -- alongside those 120 at-bats. Again, project those numbers over 600 at-bats, and here's what you get:

Twenty homers, a .275 batting average, 10 walks, and 265 strikeouts. Not good.

His ratios against the right-handers in the NL Central group, projected again over 600 at-bats: nine homers, 18 walks, and 291 strikeouts.

Wayne Krivsky, the general manager of the Reds, comes from a Twins organization adept at developing young talent, and he wouldn't trade Pena for a middle-of-the-road pitcher like Arroyo if he believed he had the next Sammy Sosa on his hands.

But, as I wrote Wednesday, Pena is 24, he's got all kinds of physical tools, and he's got a chance to get better. We'll see.

Love debate, enjoy disagreements. For the You-Must-Hate-My-Favorite-Team-Because-You-Don't-Endorse-Everything-They-Do-So-You're-An-Idiot corner, please dispense with the incivility and always feel free to make your points.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?name=olney_buster#20060323

Reds on the mound: Pitching for only the second time this spring, the first since March 7, Eric Milton looked sharp in five innings of work. Milton, coming off a strained right calf, gave up one run on three hits without a walk and struck out six. Coming off two shaky outings, lefty Michael Gosling pitched a scoreless seventh inning.

A lanky right-hander who records grunge-rock guitar and was actually named for Charles Bronson (the tough-guy actor), Arroyo surrendered only five home runs to right-handed batters last year, a curious thing considering he pitched at Fenway Park. He gave up 17 to lefties, which suggests, wrongly, that he surmounted Boston's peculiar parameters.

The fact is, he was a far better pitcher in other places, as attested by his road earned run average, which was fifth-best in the American League. His frequency of walks was 10th best. His opponent batting average was ninth.

He pitched 205 innings. He won 14 games. His 20 quality starts were the most on the Red Sox and one more than Aaron Harang engineered in leading the Reds.

Put it all together, and he was pretty fair.

The same could be said for the trade.

http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060321/SPT05/603210329/1027

Arroyo might not be as special as you think, and now he heads to a difficult ballpark. He's never given up more than 22 home runs in a season, so he could be, like Aaron Harang, successful. He'll slot in right behind Harang and ahead of Brandon Claussen in the rotation. Arroyo is durable and should make at least 30 starts, giving him a shot to win in double digits, with 130 or so strikeouts. Cincy, with a brutal rotation, needs innings. Arroyo was probably a middle reliever yesterday, so this helps his value. Who does he replace in Cincy? Nobody you would want, let's put it that way. Some AL pitchers switch leagues and drop a run off their ERA. It's possible Arroyo finishes with an ERA in the high 3s, but don't overrate him...

http://proxy.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryDate=20060320&name=karabell_eric

With Arroyo, who's out?

Do they think Wilson is way behind schedule? Is Williams just not panning out? I'm sure Gosling is not going to make it.

And how does everyone think the bullpen will work out based on this spring? Wagner, Belisle, Coffey, Weathers, Mercker, and maybe Gosling, and maybe Burns? Does anyone know when Balfour is due back?

Good news - JD

On ESPN.com's home page, the AP says the Reds have hired Krivsky. No other details.

CINCINNATI -- Minnesota's Wayne Krivsky was hired Wednesday as the Cincinnati Reds' general manager, ending a two-week search that involved eight candidates.

Krivsky was a leading candidate for the job two years ago, but former owner Carl Lindner chose Dan O'Brien from the Houston Astros organization instead. O'Brien was fired two weeks ago by new owner Bob Castellini.

Krivsky, an assistant general manager with the Twins, brings a familiarity with small-market teams to the job.

It looks like Kullman, Alamanzar, Beattie, Krivsky, and maybe Dan Jennings.

Almanzar and Jennings are the most intriguing to me. I read ALmanzar has the most number of players signed to reach the majors. Now, that might be and indictment of the Reds' system. But, still it looks good on paper.

In McCoy's article his "source from a highly successful baseball background" said that Dan Jennings in Florida is a "baseball builder". I don't know what that means, but, it sounds like he should know what he's doing. The source says he is responsible for the good, young players that have come through Tampa Bay's and Florida's systems.

What does everyone think about Elizardo Ramirez contending for a spot next season?

If he can pitch in Cincy like he does in Louisville, things would be much brighter. But, I guess since the front office isn't talking about him, he may not be quite ready. Of course, I'd rather not depend on them for "baseball knowledge" like John Allen does.

DanO and Johnny A... what a pair!

From the Reds' site...

    Reds general manager Dan O'Brien likes the versatility, speed and depth that Womack brings to the lineup.

    "Simply put, we struggle to manufacture runs," O'Brien said. "We have the power component. Tony Womack provides speed and a stolen base threat that we sorely need."

Wow... Freel had 36 SBs and a .371 OBP in only 369 ABs. Did DanO go to any of the games last year?

This from the same article...

    O'Brien classified the free agent market as being "thin" on pitching. He said while homer-friendly Great American Ball Park is not a deterrent for potential free agents, it is a factor in the club's criteria for the type of pitcher they would be interested in pursuing.

    "Obviously, we are looking for a ground ball/fly ball ratio that fits our profile," O'Brien said. "The market is thin, but there are still some trade possibilities to explore."

Well, I guess we can't say he doesn't learn eventually.

This is an excerpt from the Reds' site...
CINCINNATI -- General manager Dan O'Brien doesn't expect the Reds' participation in the Hot Stove season to be all that hot at all.

The Reds certainly won't be as active in the free agent market as they were a year ago, when they surprised everyone in baseball with their sudden addition of $17 million to the payroll.

"I would say that, in our opinion, relative to depth and quality, this is a fairly light Major League free agent market," O'Brien said. "On that basis, I would say the likelihood of us being as significant a participant as last year is unlikely."

The Reds didn't fare any better in 2005 than they did in '04, though. And they still embark upon the Hot Stove season with plenty of question marks.

"Last year, we had a specific gameplan and, obviously, we were able to execute that at the proper time," O'Brien said. "We have a similar gameplan in effect this year, but the nature and the depth of options available to us are far more limited than last year. That doesn't mean there may not be a desirable player or two that we end up ultimately signing, but right now it looks like a thin crop overall."

I think he just admitted that they don't know what they're doing. They executed their plan just how they wanted to, and we see how that turned out.

Phillips wrote a report on each of the NL GMs. He wrote the least about O'Brien. Bowden's piece wasn't anything new...

Dan O'Brien, Cincinnati Reds
As is often the case, O'Brien's style is much the opposite from his predecessor, Jim Bowden. O'Brien has more of an organizer style as he will always dot his I's and cross his T's in everything he does. He is a thorough, quiet and conservative guy.

He tends to be more introspective, keeping his thoughts close to the vest. He is a hard worker, and often sees things as black and white rather than gray.

Did anyone else read that O'Brien said that Booker's stats were nice and all, but, the organization just doesn't think he's major league-ready, yet?

Did the rest of these jokes even have the stats when he brought them up? 1 out of 2 ain't bad. So, far everything he has brought doesn't have either.

Why does he insist on trying to pull the wool over our eyes? It's obvious they don't want to purchase any contracts(although, they don't mind eating some big ones to get them out of here). Or that for some reason they don't want to expose some of these never-wases to waivers to get them off the 40 man.

I pray someone with some sense is brought in to fix things in the front office and with the players.

National hope
<Jul. 1> Washington GM Jim Bowden, looking to upgrade his rotation for an NL East title run, might be interested in Cincinnati pitcher Eric Milton if the Reds are willing to pick up a hefty enough chunk of Milton's salary, reports ESPN.com Insider Jerry Crasnick.

Milton, who signed a three-year, $25.5 million deal over the winter, is 3-9 with a 7.40 ERA and has surrendered a whopping 27 homers in 93 2/3 innings. But Milton has pitched better in his last three starts, and the Nationals think he could benefit from a move to RFK Stadium, where the spacious outfield fences are more charitable to fly ball pitchers.