Received this in an email and thought you guys would find it interesting.

 

Dear Fans,

 

Thank you for your loyalty and support of the Cincinnati Reds. You are extremely vital to the success of the Reds, and it is important we share with you the thinking behind our recent personnel decisions.

 

Since taking ownership of this franchise, we have aggressively tried to improve our Major League roster for the purpose of restoring championship baseball to Cincinnati. We have sought and signed proven players. We have extended the contracts of select current players. We added Dusty Baker, a proven winning manager. And, we have capitalized on our burgeoning younger players like Joey Votto, Jay Bruce and Johnny Cueto.

 

We had high expectations for the 2008 season. Unfortunately the team has not played up to our expectations and we have sustained injuries to key players within our starting lineup and rotation.

 

We opted to trade Ken Griffey Jr. and Adam Dunn at this time because we believe it provided the best outcome for the long-term success of the organization. By executing these inevitable changes now, we secured more players as part of our focus towards building a deeper, stronger inventory of young talent.

 

We are pleased that the trades allow Griffey and Dunn the opportunity to play for teams in tight division races. Both Ken and Adam made significant contributions to the Reds and we are extremely proud and grateful they wore the Reds uniform.

 

While the run production generated by these two veterans will not be quickly replaced, we chose to endure the short-term ramifications for the sake of building a strong, competitive team for 2009 and many seasons to come.

 

The vast majority of our 50 draft picks were signed, culminating last week with first-rounder Yonder Alonso and a pair of talented pitchers. Our expanded scouting operations also signed Juan Duran from the Dominican Republic and Yorman Rodriguez from Venezuela, who are arguably the best amateur free agent position players from their respective countries.

 

As we near September, we will continue to provide valuable playing time to our young players and new acquisitions who we feel can become significant contributors at the Major League level. We ask your continued trust and patience as we build the roster that will get us back on top. We appreciate your support and look forward to seeing you at the ballpark.

 

Sincerely,

As we near September, we will continue to provide valuable playing time to our young players

 

They might want to make sure Dusty reads that part of the letter VERY carefully. :lol:

Got the same email and laughed out loud when I read it.

Got the same email and laughed out loud when I read it.

 

:thumb:

Dear Bob and Walt...............

 

Talk is cheap! Produce something ON THE FIELD!!

 

What a joke of an e-mail.

So when they don't say anything people complain, and when they do it's the same? That's Cincinnati for ya....

You know, the worst part about being a fan right now is the salt being rubbed in our wounds whenever we tune in to watch our 21 and a half game back team and must also endure the insufferable commentary of George Grande.

How rare is it for a front office to, not only write a letter, but also address their two biggest moves individually in said letter?

Interesting there was no mention of Volquez in the letter.

Is there anything wrong with what they said? What is wrong with building for the future?

Good PR move on their part however I think we're all tired of the talk.

I am not a Red fan but I thought the letter was great. It explained what their thinking was because there were some that wanted to keep JR and Dunn.

I am not a Red fan but I thought the letter was great. It explained what their thinking was because there were some that wanted to keep JR and Dunn.

 

How did it explain their thinking beyond what we already had heard? We all knew Griffey wouldn't last the year. Dunn was going to demand too much cash for this team to spend for one player. So what was new?

It's all talk...

An attempt at positive PR...means nothing. No mention of what they plan to do for next year...going after free agents...on and on and on.

Simply put, the Reds need to draw 2.4 million fans this year to break even. That is not going to happen. They will lose money.

So will the front office spend more money or reduce the payroll?

How did it explain their thinking beyond what we already had heard? We all knew Griffey wouldn't last the year. Dunn was going to demand too much cash for this team to spend for one player. So what was new?

 

Nothing new but for some they need it spelled out for them.

 

 

Also I don't see many GMs emailing fans.