Yup. I just quoted a Green Day song. Sue me. That's how I feel about this season. I'll watch the playoffs, but I can't help but think the Reds should be there. I think the talent is there. Granted, Milwaukee is a very good team, and their unbelievable play over about a month's worth of games left everyone in the dust in the National League Central. Even if the Reds had been able to get on a run, they would not have caught the Brewers. I will not take anything away from the Brewers, because they deserve the division crown. Ryan Braun deserves the MVP. They've been the best team in the division, without a doubt. I'll be rooting for them in the playoffs. But for a Reds team that had such high expectations going into the season, their inconsistent play has been mind-boggling and unacceptable.
 |
| Do you still have faith in Dusty?//The Enquirer |
Let me preface what I'm about to say with the fact that I like both Dusty Baker and Walt Jocketty. Now, I believe in my heart that one of them will not be back next year. Walt's contract is up. Dusty has one year left. The simple answer is to promote someone from within to take over for Jocketty, or just give Walt an extension. We'll see about that. If it came down to Walt or Dusty, who would you take? Personally, I think there are better managers to be had then Dusty. There aren't very many general managers, however, that are better than Walt. I think Dusty is a very good manager, and the players love him. It would be tough for him to go. But it's something that I believe has to happen, which I will get into in just a second. What do you think Bob Castellini would do? Would he choose Walt or Dusty? I'm pretty sure he'd pick Walt. He worked with him in St. Louis. He chose him over Wayne Krivsky, who by all accounts, was not a bad general manager. I don't know if any changes will occur. I am concerned, however, that everyone just assumes Jocketty will be back.
This ESPN article makes me even more nervous, especially the way Walt talks about the Cubs. Granted, though this would be the perfect storm for Chicago, I think they'd still be a flop.
 |
Yonder Alonso is a major point of differing philosophies
for Walt and Dusty.//The Enquirer |
If Walt is brought back, I believe Dusty could be relieved of his duties. If not in the offseason, I think he'll be fired in May or June if the team struggles. I think Billy Hatcher and Ken Griffey Sr. could be serious candidates for the team, especially if the Reds are looking long term. Chris Speier will leave with Dusty if he gets another job. I don't want to speculate on who other candidates might be, because I honestly have no idea. My gut says that one day Hatch will be a manager, and I think Sr. is being groomed to guide this team in a few years. Nonetheless, back to why I believe there is a significant rift between Dusty and Walt. In January, the Reds signed Fred Lewis and Edgar Renteria. Lewis was picked up to primarily hit leadoff and platoon with Jonny Gomes. Dusty immediately shot that down and said that Jonny was his starting left fielder. And how many at bats has Lewis gotten this year at the leadoff spot? Four. And Edgar was signed with the intention of being able to play around the infield, including playing some third base. Instead, Dusty said that Renteria was uncomfortable playing third, and they wouldn't try him out there. So when Juan Francisco went down, and Scott Rolen became crippled, Renteria couldn't play third. He has played a little second, but Dusty has run him out at short for the majority of the season. And it's been tough to watch. Lastly, there's Yonder Alonso. He was called up with the intention of playing left field. After all, that's where he has played for 60+ games in Louisville. Yet Dusty had practically benched him after three games. It took a Fred Lewis demotion for Yonder to play almost every day. And we've found out he can rake, even if he can't play left field even marginally well. Essentially, I believe there is a difference in philosophy between Dusty and Walt. And if they're not on the same page, this team cannot and will not win.
So how bad has this season gotten? Enough so that I actually have had to look up who the Reds are playing every day, if I even care. I haven't watched a full game in about a month. I haven't been to a game at Great American in longer. You know it's tough when I was done with this team by early to mid-August. The combination of the past two years is what makes baseball such a terrific and altogether depressing sport. When your team survives 162 games like the Reds did last year, it is unbelievably rewarding. It means more to make the playoffs in baseball than in any other sport. But when it takes 4 to 5 months for you to realize your team is a pretender and not a contender, you realize baseball is a harsh, cruel reality. And I think the most difficult part of this season is not that the Reds missed the playoffs, it's that we had such high expectation for them, and we believed they were so talented. They are talented. So what the heck happened?
 |
| Where have you gone Bronson?//The Enquirer |
It's simple. Being content with what you have and who you are is never enough. The Reds stood pat as teams passed them up. They paid for it. Dearly. I don't expect it to happen again. I do expect this team to improve drastically, and to make a run at the division title next year. I think it will start with the acquisition of a top of the line pitcher to team up with Johnny Cueto. From there, things will play themselves out. Drew Stubbs needs to cut his swing down. Jay Bruce needs to be consistent. The Reds need to find a closer, or bring back Cordero on a one year deal. They need to give Brandon Phillips a contract extension, not just pick up his option. They need a true backup at third base. Whether that is Frazier, Francisco, or someone else, they have to find someone. Counting on Scott Rolen to be healthy is gambling with the fates. Bronson Arroyo has to turn back the clock. Cincinnati needs to install Alonso, Cozart, and Mesoraco as the every day left fielder, shortstop, and catcher, respectively. That's a lot of things the Reds need to do. Here's one more thing: the Reds cannot have another year like this. They've wasted their homegrown talent. For a small market team, that's like pouring out a bottle of water when you've been out in the desert for a week. At the very least
this article seems to be an encouraging sign of the offseason to come.
The only things we know for sure are this: Joey Votto is a top three player in baseball and Johnny Cueto will win a Cy Young in the near future. And this team will continue to confound you, me, and every other fan that follows this team. It's how it's been for the past two decades. It's how it will be next year. I just hope I'm not singing the same tune. But as bad as it is and could be, I still have a great deal of pride in this team. Honoring Johnny Bench last Saturday night reminded me of that. There was a time that Cincinnati was home to the best damn baseball team in the history of the game. It doesn't get any better than that. Some people say Reds fans live in the past. They only say that because their past pales in comparison to the Reds'. Nobody other than the Yankees can stand side by side with the Big Red Machine.
