The season has not gone according to plan for the Reds, who are 72-76 and 14.5 games back of the Brewers in the NL Central. GM Walt Jocketty's contract is up after the season, and there's been some speculation that he could be a fit for the Cubs. Reds owner Bob Castellini shot that down though, telling John Fay of The Cincinnati Enquirer that both Jocketty and manager Dusty Baker will be back.
"Walt's contract is up … There's been some speculation about his future. My instincts tell me he isn’t going anywhere," said Fay to Castellini, who replied: "Your instincts are correct." As for Baker, Castellini said: "Of course, he’ll be back."
Jocketty has been running the Reds since late-April of 2008, when he replaced Wayne Krisvky. Baker came on board a few months before Jocketty, agreeing to manage the Reds during the 2007-2008 offseason. The duo has helped the team go from 72-90 in 2007 to the NLDS and a division title last year, though this season has been a bit of a bump in the road.
To see all of Jocketty's moves with the Reds, check out our Transactions Tracker.
You got to be kidding me! Another year with Baker? Geez…
Jocketty wasn’t really coming to Chicago. That was speculation simply because the Cubs happened to being playing the Reds and people needed a story.
Did Jocketty hug Jim Hendry? errrr nevermind.
pulled russ ortiz when he wasnt tired, friking baker
NO ONE IS GETTING TRADED! QUIT trying to figure that out, we aren’t going to trade anyone! Chapman will be added to the rotation, so that’s the addition that will happen, no one outside the organization will be brought in! FACT! NO WAY do we trade Grandal, Heisey, Francisco, Frazier, Bailey, etc.. BE smart people. All these players are young, cost controlled and have the potential to be game changing players.. The Reds are smart, unlike people on here who want to trade all the young players on this team
If the Reds were so smart why have they had 1 winning season in the last decade? That may change to two if we get lucky at the end of this year. Smart people realize Chapman’s transition to the rotation may go rough and we can’t afford another wasted season since Votto only has 2 years left. That whole “let the team develop” theory got by last offseason and didn’t fly too well in 2011. If they want people to come they better do something to improve. I’m not suggesting to trade away all of those players mentioned but in order to get something of quality you must give up something of value as well. Nobody is suggesting trading for a guy who is 1 year away from FA. But controllable, quality players who contribute.
The Reds had scouts watching Fister at the trade deadline. That would have been a quality trade target but the Tigers got him and look how he has performed. Heisey deserves a chance to play everyday but we currently have a log jam in the OF, especially since they have relegated LF to Alonso for 2012. That leaves Heisey, Stubbs, and Sappelt in CF. All could become quality starters but not if they play 2-3 times a week.
No one will be traded? I will take that bet! You can’t go into next season with over 25 men on the roster. Here is a breakdown of 2012:
C:
Hanigan
Mesoraco
INF:
Votto
Phillips
Cozart
Rolen
Janish
Cairo
Francisco
Frazier
Valaika
OF:
Stubbs
Bruce
Heisey
Alonso
Sappelt
SP:
Cueto
Leake
Volquez
Bailey
Arroyo
Wood
Chapman?
RP:
Arredondo
Bray
LeCure
Masset
Ondrusek
Burton
Fisher
You have to decide who stays and who goes out of Alonso, Frazier, Francisco, Sappelt, Heisey, Wood, Leake, and Bailey.. Word from Ken Rosenthahl has the Reds main focus during the offseason is a middle of the line-up bat.
If no one is traded.. can anyone be signed? Can this team win more games with essentially the same team?
Someone will be traded.. I assure you! If not I will offer you season tickets for life..