Reds Insider: Very interesting

Wednesday, August 1, 2007

Very interesting

Remember, that talk about Adam Dunn being traded to the Nationals? I've been told the deal was pretty far along when the Nationals pulled the plug on it.

No explanation was given why. But here’s one theory I heard: Jim Bowden never intended to do make a deal. He just strung the Reds along to waste their time. The Reds do still have a grievance pending against the Nationals over the Gary Majewksi episode.

18 Comments:

at 6:39 PM

Anonymous said...

do you know what the deal was.. who were the players that the nationals were gonna give up?

at 6:56 PM

John Fay said...

I don't know. Heard the Reds scouted some of the Nationals minor leaguers.

at 7:15 PM

Anonymous said...

Fool me once, shame on you...

Fool me twice, shame on me....

If that's true, and I have no doubt that Bowden would stoop that low, shame on Krivsky for falling prey again.

I simply don't think that Krivsky is cut out for this job.

at 7:18 PM

Anonymous said...

After last year's trade debacle with Bray and Majewski, how could Krivsky even THINK about dealing with Leatherpants Bowden again? The fact that Kriv would even answer Bowden's phone call is kind of mind blowing. I'm not sure how much confidence I have in this guy anymore.

at 7:18 PM

Mr. Redlegs said...

Not surprising, and neither will be Bowden's firing now that the Lerner ownership and Kasten regime have about a year under their belts to address more pressing franchise issues than the on-field product.

What's more shocking is why Krivsky would even talk with the Nationals. Not because of the grievance and Bowden's usually (and tiringly) boorish behavior, but because the Nationals simply don't have one thing the Reds can realistically use to make them better. Not even Cordero, a homer-prone closer.

Maybe Duke grads aren't as smart as surmised.

at 7:26 PM

Anonymous said...

I find it easier to believe that this is another lie from Bowden than anything factual. The only reason people still moan about Lopez and Kearns is the used car sales job old leatherpants did on all of us fans for so many years. To hear Jimbo tell it, Lopez was going to be the next Cal Ripken and Kearns the next Micky Mantle. We beleived the hype and are foolishly, some of us, not me) yearning for what Bowden told us this team could be but couldnt bring to reality.

That being said, I live in the Washington, DC area, and the word around here is that the Nats minor league system is loaded with pitching. Krivsky would have been foolish not to listen to the right offer, even from Bowden.

at 7:27 PM

Anonymous said...

John - Bowden's a jerk, but I gotta believe he has better things to do with his time than string the Reds' along, particularly given the fact that the Nats did not appear to be the only team interested in Dunn. I actually thought Bowden might try and work a deal with the Reds where he would throw in a single A or AA prospect to make the grievance go away ... evidently that's giving Bowden way too much credit. The interesting thing about Krivsky's refusal to squeeze the trigger on any deals is what it says about other GMs assessment of the Reds' talent. Krivsky probably would have traded Dunn, Hatteberg, and Conine, or some combination of these guys, for a package that included at least one top flite starting pitching prospect. Evidently, not a single GM was willing to offer him such a deal. Think about what that says about those guys.

Griffey's a different story. Junior almost certainly would have yielded at least one excellent pitcher or prospect, but he likely tied Krivsky's hands by indicating that he was not going to approve a trade to the Brewers, the Tribe, the Angels or the Dodgers, and Atlanta traded its prized prospects for Texeira. Imagine how great Reds' nation would feel right now if the Krivsky had beaten Texas to the punch by offering Atlanta Griffey, Conine and Weathers for Salty and the other players Texas got for Texeira. Who knows, maybe he did and got turned down. The thing that surprises me is that Seattle didn't offer Krivsky a package of prospects similar to those Atlanta moved for Texeira. Griffey's made clear he'd be happy to retire a Mariner, and the Mariners are still in contention.

In any case, the only person who's giddy over Krivsky's failure to make any significant trades, besides Dunn, is Krivsky's campaign manager, Pete Mackanin, who figures his best shot at returning in '08 was if the Reds' stood pat, and he got his wish. Notice how Mackanin has begun to recite variations of Krivsky's mantras on trades. Understandable, but kind of sad.

At this point, it appears more likely than not that the 2008 Reds will look a lot like the 2007 Reds. How discouraging is that?

at 7:33 PM

Anonymous said...

jim bowden did not just want dunn he wanted a player he got from the rangers thats on the reds 25 man roster he plays 3rd base but he only wanted to pay for one a scout told me.

at 8:55 PM

Anonymous said...

That's a pretty big indictment of Krivsky...if true. I would think he would see through that. Curious to know your sources for floating this report John.

at 9:01 PM

John Fay said...

Sources that have been right before. And sources who will stop telling me stuff if I reveal them.

at 9:37 PM

Anonymous said...

Wow...wasn't Krivsky the same guy who was preaching to the league about how shady dealings will ruin a GM in this league (i.e. Majewski issue). Now he's wasting his time trying to cut a deal with this fool? Nearly everything else Krivsky has done I think has been solid if not spectacular (although Phillips, Hamilton, Keppinger shows he certainly has an eye for talent). But if he got snookered here then that shows he's got his head in the clouds a little. Disappointing. Thanks for passing that along.

at 8:25 AM

Anonymous said...

Dear John,

Although these reports are nice to hear...what would be MOST helpful would be to take a tape of Mr. Lindnerlinni's opening press conference to him where he said "this organization prime focus will be to bring championship baseball back to Cincinnati", play it for him, and get his explanation as to how the last two years has accomplished that? I'd like that explained to me. Why I should pay my money to watch this garbage on the field? They are a joke and really there is no hope for at least two more seasons unless Lindnerlinni opens up the pocket book.

at 8:32 AM

Anonymous said...

John

You are a good guy and I hate for you to cover this lousy baseball team.

But you recent innuendos and rumors are coming from outer space..

John, chill man

at 9:25 AM

Anonymous said...

I seriously think reds fans in general need to stop acting like Jim Bowden is out to get them....GET OVER IT!

at 9:57 AM

tom dunne said...

"Got snookered?" "Disappointing?" You understand that there was no trade, yes?

It's ridiculous to expect your GM should refuse to answer the phone when Bowden calls. Sure, Leatherpants is a schmuck, but it's WK's job to improve the Reds regardless of whose name is on his CallerID. If Bowden does call up and offer to overpay for some toolsy outfielder (always Bowden's achilles heel), I don't want WK refusing to listen because of some schoolyard grudge. Choosing to deal with 28 teams instead of 29 is foolish.

at 12:28 PM

Anonymous said...

actually I think the saying is, "fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice and you've found a very good person to fool."
-Monroe.

at 12:04 PM

Anonymous said...

If this source is just theorizing on the situation, then who cares? Even if he is a "baseball insider" how does he know what Bowden was doing? can he read minds? Now readers across the country take this kind of unsubstatiated stuff as gospel. Its kind of a shame.

at 10:13 AM

Anonymous said...

very interesting theory. laughable and totally unbelievable, but makes good copy. if Krivsky has enough time to shovel this poo to his latchkeys in the media than he's not devoting enough time or energy to making the reds better. reds fans should demand his firing.

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Wednesday, August 1, 2007

Very interesting

18 Comments: