August 12, 200818 yr Author I did. Their opening day payroll for the '08 season was 74.25 million (18th in MLB). If they're going to build a consistent competitor, they can't afford to spend 13 million on Adam Dunn and 8+ on Ken Griffey, Jr. They need to be more efficient with their money. The Yankees can pay 13-15 million for 40 HR's...the Reds can't, IMO. If you throw Griffey in there, the Reds were spending over a quarter of their payroll (21.28 million) for 47 HR and a .239 Avg. I'm not saying they're trying to compete with a payroll like Oakland or Tampa Bay, but they also aren't on the level with the big boys either. They have enough money to compete. They just have to be smart and efficient with the way they spend it. From the same article I posted above.... By trading Ken Griffey Jr. and Adam Dunn, it would seem the Reds now have plenty of money to spend on free agents for next season. Think again. Dunn is making $13 million this year, and Griffey is making $12.5 million, but that doesn't mean the Reds now have $25.5 million in payroll to play with. Why? Raises to players under contract will eat almost $15 million next season. Closer Francisco Cordero goes from $8.5 million to $12 million. Starter Aaron Harang goes from $6.75 million to $11 million. Starter Bronson Arroyo goes from $6.3 million to $9.5 million. Infielder Brandon Phillips goes from $2.75 million to $4.75 million. Utility player Ryan Freel goes from $3 million to $4 million. Bob Castellini, the Reds' chief executive officer, said the team will probably pursue a free agent.
August 12, 200818 yr From the same article I posted above.... I started to mention that as well. It frees up more money to pay the young guys they're going to build around for the future. I never expected the Reds to turn around and spend 20 million on free agents this off-season to try to replace Dunn and Griffey. I think this is just part of their overall plan to strengthen the roster and spend the money more wisely.
August 12, 200818 yr Bad contracts by prior GM's off that list: Arroyo, CoCo, and Freel. The Harang contract, until recently, would've been view as decent and Phillips is a steal for that kind of money.
August 12, 200818 yr Bad contracts by prior GM's off that list: Arroyo, CoCo, and Freel. The Harang contract, until recently, would've been view as decent and Phillips is a steal for that kind of money. Arroyo's deal isn't that much of a problem, especially if he pitches reasonably well ... his salary is pretty much in line with the going rate for established starters. Cordero's deal was a huge mistake, and the Reds are going to pay dearly for it.
August 12, 200818 yr Freel making 4 million, just wow. Let's bring back Patterson for 4. That would be 8 million well spent. :lol:
August 13, 200818 yr The Reds can bat Owings clean up If he continues to struggle pitching I wonder how much serious consideration they would give into making him another Rick Ankeil.
August 13, 200818 yr CTR... I've heard that not only has Micah Owings not cleared waivers, but he was claimed by a team with a worse record than the Reds. That would mean it could only be one of four teams -- the Mariners, Giants, Padres and, yes, the Washington Nationals. You think ol' Leatherpants put one in just as a final middle finger to his old team before he's canned? Don't be surprised if he did. What would happen then -- if it's Owings -- is that the Diamondbacks would have to pull him off of waivers and he wouldn't be able to come to Cincinnati until after the season. Not a major blow, but an annoyance nonetheless.
August 13, 200818 yr Micah Owings and Wilkin Castillo are the names I'm hearing... Know anythong about Castillo? Will we find out who blocked Owings?
August 13, 200818 yr Know anythong about Castillo? Will we find out who blocked Owings? Castillo looks like depth at the C spot. His numbers are decent and he's 24. No doubt Leatherpants blocked Owings as one last shot before he's fired...
August 13, 200818 yr Castillo is a switch hitting catcher with limited big league experience. If the three names being rumored are the three, I think the Walt made an excellent trade. Getting two pretty good pitching prospects and a cather for two months of Dunn is a good deal. Even Leatherpants couldn't dispute that.
August 13, 200818 yr Dunn excited for playoff chance. Dunn a D'Back "We were in it a couple of years ago with the Wild Card but we faded out," he said. "It's what you play for. This is why you play the game. After the Trade Deadline I didn't think I was going to get this opportunity. It's something that doesn't happen for everybody so I'm going to enjoy it."
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