Posted By:
David SmithThe Cincinnati Reds are a PRIME example of what is WRONG with baseball today.
Ken Griffey Junior MADE the Mariners trade him to the Reds after the 1999 season. Then, the Reds signed him to a 9 year, $116.5 million dollar contract with MOST of the money defered to the years 2009 - 2024 at 4% interest.
KGJ had a KGJ-type year in 2000 and THEN proceeded to get hurt most of the following years. So, the Reds are on the hook for a big money guy who does NOT produce (but pouts and shows what a fragile ego he has). During this time, the Owners are making money hand over fist and DO NOT put that money back into the team, either by signing GOOD Free Agents, trading for players who could help (but are high priced) or by putting money into the farm system. Thus, the Reds ahve had seven straight losing season.s
This year, they sign Dusty Baker as Manager (at $3.5 million a year) and pick up the option of Adam Dunn for $13.5 million for 2008. The Reds REAL need is PITCHING but they use their money on a Manager who hurts Pitchers and prefers veterans over youth AND they bring back a guy who is a ONE TOOL player (power). If Dunn could not hit Home Runs, he would NOT be a Major Leaguer. Also, some of the Home Runs he hits are because he plays in a park that is easy to hit them in. Then there is the fact that he RARELY swings at outside Pitches and thus DOES NOT hit the ball to the opposite field.
So, my prediction (based on what the Reds have done so far) is that they are going to have yet another losing season in 2008. That hiring a Manager who's winning record is MOSTLY because of a CHEATER (Barry Bonds) is not going to help and that the expensive one tool player is NOT going to help much. All the while, the Owner is going to pocket over $20 million in profit like he did in 2006 and 2007.
David