In hindsight we wouldn't be as unhappy with these big contracts if these guys were producing. BPs is the one I take most umbrage with. 2nd bases is not a spot where I have one of my highest paid players.

Totally agree - they are stuck. I cannot figure out what the Reds are trying to do. Win now or rebuild? They seem to be trying to do both, which will not work. The Votto and BP contracts are just killing this team. I so wish they would have traded Votto instead of signing him to that insane contract - and I said so at the time. BP's contract was just crazy too.

 

The problem with the Reds is Big Bob wants to be loyal to his guys and cannot get himself to dump. He wants to win so bad and he is trying to do it while paying out big bucks to his home grown players. Unfortunately, in Cincinnati that isn't the right model to a championship. When a guy gets to the top end of the market on salary, you have to let him go. If I am the Reds, it would be more about length of contract than salary. If I have to give a guy a contract longer than 3 years, then it probably won't work. And I would be very, very careful giving anyone a contract that goes beyond age 32.

The problem with the Reds is Big Bob wants to be loyal to his guys and cannot get himself to dump. He wants to win so bad and he is trying to do it while paying out big bucks to his home grown players. Unfortunately, in Cincinnati that isn't the right model to a championship. When a guy gets to the top end of the market on salary, you have to let him go. If I am the Reds, it would be more about length of contract than salary. If I have to give a guy a contract longer than 3 years, then it probably won't work. And I would be very, very careful giving anyone a contract that goes beyond age 32.

One name comes to mind. Albert Pujols. St. Loius gets it. Reds do not.

The problem with the Reds is Big Bob wants to be loyal to his guys and cannot get himself to dump. He wants to win so bad and he is trying to do it while paying out big bucks to his home grown players. Unfortunately, in Cincinnati that isn't the right model to a championship. When a guy gets to the top end of the market on salary, you have to let him go. If I am the Reds, it would be more about length of contract than salary. If I have to give a guy a contract longer than 3 years, then it probably won't work. And I would be very, very careful giving anyone a contract that goes beyond age 32.

 

Agreed, thats why Bob needs to go and we need new ownership.

Agreed, thats why Bob needs to go and we need new ownership.

 

Should be interesting to see how Bob handles next couple of seasons. Could be ugly

I have been very critical of the Reds over the last few years with some of the moves they have made and not made but I think I am going to start the new year on a different note with this team. Quite honestly I don't know how to feel about this move other than I think their hands were tied and they had to do something. If Byrd is not on PEDs, which I question due to the spike in power numbers the last 2 years and the fact that he has been living out of a suitcase it seems for the last 3 years, (Chicago, Boston, NY, Pittsburgh, Philly and now Cincy), he could help the team without question.

 

Here are a few things that I could see happening to this team:

 

A more experienced Billy Hamilton, Devin Mesoraco and Todd Frazier. Hopefully there won't be soph slumps for Billy and Meso.

 

A full season out of Votto and Bruce, and a regular year from Phillips.

 

A boost in the offense might allow Cozart to just focus on playing defense and doing the little things like moving runners and getting a few hits here and there. Cozart's offense can't get any worse can it?

 

Better managing by Bryan Price given that he has gained a year of experience. We all know he made some questionable moves last year but with the anemic offense he had to work with who wouldn't have struggled with making decisions? I am not ready to throw in the towel on Price just yet.

 

Steady pitching out of the guys who now become the #2 and #3 starters behind Cueto, assuming they are Bailey and Leake and help from the #4 spot from either Cingrani, Stephenson or one of the pitchers acquired in the off season trades and a #5 starter out of the rest. They did pull Simon out of the hat for at least the first half of last year.

 

Better bench play from whomever Jocketty can find to fill the bench. Can they be any worse than Hannahan, Santiago, Lutz? Hopefully Schumacker can bounce back to help Pena and Negron who filled in admirably.

 

No Smith coaching 3rd base. Thank God for small favors there!

 

Now I am not saying that all these things aligning would make them contenders but who knows how the stars might align. If things don't go well the first half of the season start the fire sale. At least we have the all-star game to look forward to.

Agreed, thats why Bob needs to go and we need new ownership.

 

That's not going to happen as long as Bob can afford the team which could be as long as he wants.

Should be interesting to see how Bob handles next couple of seasons. Could be ugly

 

Hopefully he starts by selling the team.

Hopefully he starts by selling the team.

 

If you are waiting on that to happen you might as well find another team to root for for a few years.

Agreed, thats why Bob needs to go and we need new ownership.

 

P-man ... you crack me up. You sure can bring it from left field.

Is Suarez good enough to demote Cozart?

P-man ... you crack me up. You sure can bring it from left field.

 

You bring up a good point, who Ownership brought in for Left Field is prime example of why new ownership is needed.

There's only one true major market team in th NL central. Hmm how they doing? So please let's drop the small market excuse. It's lame at best

 

Cards have a favorable tv deal, same as Cubs. Plus, the Cards sell out nearly all of their games. Oh, and yes, the Reds made some unfavorable deals that will haunt this team for years.

Cards have a favorable tv deal, same as Cubs. Plus, the Cards sell out nearly all of their games. Oh, and yes, the Reds made some unfavorable deals that will haunt this team for years.

 

The last sentence is the key. It's not market size that has hampered this franchise. It's poor management from owner down. Fans that just kick it to the curb with the small market excuse are oblivious to reality. A lot of Cincy fans fit that bill

Sure. Bad deals to Phillips and Votto have hurt this club for the near future. However, a better tv deal would lessen the damage done. At some point, got to look in the mirror and define who you are. I think this should be a team that rebuilds every 5th year. Draft/scout well, take some lumps with young guys with long term deals and sell high and start over.