New Reds ownership, nothing's changed...

[indifferent]

They ship Casey out of town who, while not your prototypical 1st baseman, was a good fit in front of their sluggers with his high OBP only to pick up Dave Williams (do I need to elaborate here?). Then they move Dunn to 1st base which makes sense as they did have a surplus of outfielders.

 

They have no closer and all candidates are having a poor spring. Heck, Graves is looking better than their candidates.

 

They release Josh Hancock because he was supposedly 17 lbs. overweight. I'm not saying Hancock is a stud, but their pitching has been horrible. Why not hang on to him? He's doing well for the Cards and will probably make the team.

 

Lastly, they trade Pena for Arroyo, a mediocre starter who was perennially challenged for a spot in Boston's rotation and never trusted to start in the playoffs. They could have received a better starter in trade, if only because outfielders are at a higher premium than ever. Forgot to mention, moved Dunn back to LF and going with Hatteberg ?!? as their starting 1st baseman. Hatteberg <<< Casey who they started out with.

 

What gives? The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Edited March 21, 2006 by indifferent

[CardsFanInChiTown]

It's really a shame because Cincinnati is a great baseball town, they deserve better.

[mhuber92211]

IIRC the casey trade was before the new ownership/mangement arrived. The Arroyo trade is not a bad deal. They finally ship off one of their excess OF and they choose the right one to trade (meaning the less talentd one). Pena would not have brought much else then a #3 starter, which is what Arroyo essentially is.

[indifferent]

While I agree they shipped off the right outfield, Arroyo is no more than a 5th starter and I think they could have actually received a 3rd starter.

 

Failed to mention the Womack signing when they have Freel and the best they can do as their starting first baseman is Hatteberg? Why take the punch out of the best lineup in the NL?

[Garwilly]

They've won a WS in my liftime, sympathy factor...0.

[SouthSideRyan]

While I agree they shipped off the right outfield, Arroyo is no more than a 5th starter and I think they could have actually received a 3rd starter.

 

Failed to mention the Womack signing when they have Freel and the best they can do as their starting first baseman is Hatteberg? Why take the punch out of the best lineup in the NL?

 

Not just a Womack signing, a Womack TRADE. They actually gave up a warm body for him, while paying his full salary.