http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061024/SPT04/610240416/1071

 

One big difference is Wayne Krivsky now is the general manager. He may not want to prolong the negotiations like Dan O'Brien did.

 

"You'd like to have an answer one way or another for planning purposes," Krivsky said.

 

The $2 million mutual option must be exercised within 10 days of the end of the World Series.

 

"In the back of Richie's mind he's always thinking: Do I have a position?" his agent, Barry Axelrod, said. "He's pondering that. It's not a fatal thing."

 

For the Reds to offer Aurilia an everyday spot, they likely would move Brandon Phillips to shortstop and start Aurilia at second base.

 

Krivsky would not even say if the Reds want to exercise the option.

 

"I can't talk about that," Krivsky said.

 

The Reds ended up being the only club

 

The Reds ended up being the only club to promise Aurilia substantial playing time, and he ended up signing for $1.3 million.

 

He responded with a fantastic year. He hit .300 with 23 home runs and 70 RBI. He started 37 games at first base, four games at second, 39 at third, 25 at shortstop and one at designated hitter.

 

"He had no complaint about his playing time," Axelrod said. "It was uncertainty of where he was going to play."

 

Aurilia and manager Jerry Narron had words late in the season, Axelrod said, after Aurilia came in expecting to start one day and was not in the lineup.

Only if they want to move Phillips to SS and not because they are trying to create a position for him.

 

If he can transition to SS and that is there plan, than Aurilia would be a logical choice for 2B. Players must understand their roles and any MLB veteran, would like to start and be an everyday position player.

 

My question would be, if Phillips move to SS and Aurilia plays 2B....does that make the Reds a better team, up the middle?.....If so, then sign him and get them ready via winter ball.

At this stage in his career, I think that the Reds would be best to offer Rich the same thing as last year position wise. Frankly, I think his versatility defensively is his angle. He will give you professional AB's and work hard and play the right way, but if the Reds and Krivsky have any thoughts of working a deal for another SS (who knows) then BP is the 2B and Rich is the utility player again. He can't complain about playing time, and I would sign him if I were GM, but if there's someone out there who value his services more than the Reds did monetarily last season, then see ya Rich and good luck!

Only if they want to move Phillips to SS and not because they are trying to create a position for him.

 

If he can transition to SS and that is there plan, than Aurilia would be a logical choice for 2B. Players must understand their roles and any MLB veteran, would like to start and be an everyday position player.

 

My question would be, if Phillips move to SS and Aurilia plays 2B....does that make the Reds a better team, up the middle?.....If so, then sign him and get them ready via winter ball.

I think the other question is can they replace his bat in the lineup. Bellard for St. Louis is not the greatest defensive 2B in the league but they get by with him.

 

With the Reds struggle to put the ball in play during key, clutch situations, it seems important that they resign Aurilia or replace him with someone in the same mold. And that replacement would have to come from outside the organization because I don't see anyone to play 2B in the organization that can do that.

 

The other option would be to move Freel to 2B and then look to sign someone to replace Aurilia's bat in the OF.

I don't think they should be promising him anything. Do I want him back? Sure. Promise him a set position? No way.

I think the other question is can they replace his bat in the lineup. Bellard for St. Louis is not the greatest defensive 2B in the league but they get by with him.

 

With the Reds struggle to put the ball in play during key, clutch situations, it seems important that they resign Aurilia or replace him with someone in the same mold. And that replacement would have to come from outside the organization because I don't see anyone to play 2B in the organization that can do that.

 

The other option would be to move Freel to 2B and then look to sign someone to replace Aurilia's bat in the OF.

They could replace his bat in the lineup. Too many good 2B in MLB but must be willing to pay.

 

I've never liked the choice, of play me here or else....Coaches and management decides the team roster, position and whom does/doesn't play. If any player has that, "I either play here or I'm going elsewhere".....than see 'ya.

I don't think they should be promising him anything. Do I want him back? Sure. Promise him a set position? No way.

That's basically what all that babble I wrote in post #3 said :thumb:

They could replace his bat in the lineup. Too many good 2B in MLB but must be willing to pay.

 

I've never liked the choice, of play me here or else....Coaches and management decides the team roster, position and whom does/doesn't play. If any player has that, "I either play here or I'm going elsewhere".....than see 'ya.

I think that the key for him is that he will be given a true opportunity to compete for a starting position. And he is confident enough in his abilities to win that job. I think he wants to hear, you are our first choice at starting at position X, instead of hearing we will look to get you X amount of starts moving you around from 2B, SS, 3B, 1B.

They could replace his bat in the lineup. Too many good 2B in MLB but must be willing to pay.

 

I've never liked the choice, of play me here or else....Coaches and management decides the team roster, position and whom does/doesn't play. If any player has that, "I either play here or I'm going elsewhere".....than see 'ya.

See Alfonzo Soriano!

I think that the key for him is that he will be given a true opportunity to compete for a starting position. And he is confident enough in his abilities to win that job. I think he wants to hear, you are our first choice at starting at position X, instead of hearing we will look to get you X amount of starts moving you around from 2B, SS, 3B, 1B.

You may very well be correct and I believe, most professional athletes want to believe, they are wanted and not just "needed/filing a role".

 

See Alfonzo Soriano!

If the Reds could afford him, he could have an amazing impact offensively.

See Alfonzo Soriano!

 

 

I would love Soriano to move back to second. He's my best fantasy player and if he's available at 2nd he's the fantasy MVP.

I say let him move on.

I would rather have Tajeda honestly. Leave BP at 2nd and send rich back to SF to sit on the bench or he can accept his utility roll. Does he honestly think he can still be an everyday play and put up numbers like he did last year.

Tajeda and Soriano of course would be first options if the Reds up the payroll tremendously.

 

But as Strike3 would point out, neither of them will be standing on the mound and staring down Albert Pujols.

 

Would it not be wiser to give Aurilia the spot at the money he will cost and put the rest to starting pitching.

Tajeda and Soriano of course would be first options if the Reds up the payroll tremendously.

 

But as Strike3 would point out, neither of them will be standing on the mound and staring down Albert Pujols.

 

Would it not be wiser to give Aurilia the spot at the money he will cost and put the rest to starting pitching.

Well, we can get Tejada after we get Zito!!!!!:banana: