Freel and Jr. Rumors from Jayson Stark

[Chip R]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&page=rumblings&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos1

• Seeing Red: Despite all the talk about the Reds' trading Junior Griffey and/or Adam Dunn, the player who might attract the most interest is actually Ryan Freel, a guy who's "on everybody's radar," said one executive.

We've heard Freel's name connected, in some form, with every contender in the NL East (Phillies, Braves, Mets, Marlins), just for starters.

• Junior Griffey Rumor of the Week: It's officially OK to ignore last week's Rumblings item that suggested our man Junior was no longer interested in a triumphant return to Seattle. In recent days, he's been telling players on other clubs he now wants to finish his career in Seattle. Meanwhile, we're hearing more and more people in baseball say that because his bat looks soooooo sloooooow, that final chapter needs to come sooner, not later.

"I keep thinking he's going to get traded to Seattle for next to nothing, spend the last two months there and then retire," said an official of one team. "If I were him, I'd just retire at the end of the year -- retire as a Red or a Mariner, tip your cap and say goodbye. Does he really want to bounce around and end his career by getting released by Tampa Bay in July? Is that really how he wants to go out? Based on the way he's playing, that's a scenario you could actually see happening."

[VR]

That's painful to read for Jr., and Reds fans.

[Homer Bailey]

So other teams aren't going to give Griffey a pass for his poor play in '08 because he's had a great career? But the Reds continue to do so..... Hm.

[Joseph]

Moving Freel could be a positive.

[Reds4Life]

I just can't see Junior going back to Seattle, his family situation has always been the most important factor for him and I don't see him going to back to the long plane rides. If he finishes this year with the Reds, and he really wants to end his career with the M's, I think you might see him signed in Seattle, and he retires the same day.

[M2]

That's painful to read for Jr., and Reds fans.

We've got different definitions of painful. The Reds 2001-present, that's been painful.

Otherwise it's no secret that Jr.'s career is dwindling.

[VR]

We've got different definitions of painful. The Reds 2001-present, that's been painful.

Otherwise it's no secret that Jr.'s career is dwindling.


In many ways, it's one in the same.

Everyone has seen Jr's declining production and value, except those closest to it.

[flyer85]

That's painful to read for Jr., and Reds fans.it is what it is.

I'd ask Jr what he wants to do and then find a way to oblige.

[flyer85]

I just can't see Junior going back to Seattle, his family situation has always been the most important factor for him and I don't see him going to back to the long plane rides. if he wants to go back to Seattle I would think it would be to retire at the end of the year as a Mariner.

[Big Klu]

it is what it is.

I'd ask Jr what he wants to do and then find a way to oblige.


if he wants to go back to Seattle I would think it would be to retire at the end of the year as a Mariner.

Big hypothetical question here, but if Junior decides to hang 'em up at the end of the season, could you see the Reds trading Griffey to Seattle in late September? The Reds' final home game is 9/21 vs. the Brewers, then they have an off day on 9/22, and close the season with three at Houston and three at St. Louis. Meanwhile, the Mariners' last road game is 9/21 at Oakland, and they close with seven games at home--four vs. the Angels, and three vs. the Athletics. Maybe Griffey has his final goodbye with the Reds at GABP on 9/21, then gets traded to the M's on 9/22 and has a week-long goodbye party at Safeco.

[flyer85]

if he wants to retire a Mariner they ought to send him out as soon as possible

[Big Klu]

if he wants to retire a Mariner they ought to send him out as soon as possible

I'm OK with that--if that's what he wants.

[flyer85]

I'm OK with that--if that's what he wants.

it should be about what he wants ... the Reds and the Mariners seasons are lost at this point.

[Spring~Fields]

Speaking of rumors, some of WLW’s callers were at their finest tonight, one or two of them were passing off some tripe that the reason that Griffey isn’t playing is that the front office sent down an order for him to bat seventh and that he refused and said he would not play, and that then Baker was allegedly to say, well, I guess you won’t play then.

Where do some of these people get that stuff, why don’t they leave Griffey alone with the bizarre stuff?

[redsmetz]

Speaking of rumors, some of WLW’s callers were at their finest tonight, one or two of them were passing off some tripe that the reason that Griffey isn’t playing is that the front office sent down an order for him to bat seventh and that he refused and said he would not play, and that then Baker was allegedly to say, well, I guess you won’t play then.

Where do some of these people get that stuff, why don’t they leave Griffey alone with the bizarre stuff?

The problem is you can't do drug testing over the phone. :eek:

[Spring~Fields]

The problem is you can't do drug testing over the phone. :eek:


:devil:

:laugh:

[Team Clark]

A sad ending to a very sad episode..... Junior right now, for whatever reason, has Pete Rose Jr. bat speed. Very discouraging. Huge fan of Junior's and always have been. I know his defense is bad, his arm is long been shot and his just pull the ball swing has been in the decline but it is really getting bad. When you go to the plate LOOKING for off-speed, well maybe you should consider the inevitable. Just my 2 cents.

[VR]

I'd ask Jr what he wants to do and then find a way to oblige.

it seems he's wanted to bat third and play center. I agree they should be sensitive to what Jr. wants......but at some point the Reds need to realize it's their baseball team. Running him out there every night in right and batting third isn't in the best interest for this year or beyond.

[klw]

From the same piece

• Phretting in Philly: With the help of a number of clubs that have spoken with the Phillies, we've assembled this shopping list of starting pitchers it appears they've at least kicked tires on: Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, Bronson Arroyo and (surprisingly) Jarrod Washburn. Bedard just hit the market, so you can add his name any minute now.

[RedsManRick]

Think of the bright side, this could have happened a year or two ago. While the injuries could really be foreseen, Jimbo got the length more or less right.

[KronoRed]

The problem is you can't do drug testing over the phone. :eek:

No need with WLW, they are all guilty ;)

[TRF]

IMO Jr. wants to start the ASG as a Red. No trade will take place before then.

I know what my eyes are telling me about KGJ. My heart will be heavy the day he leaves the Reds.

[Sea Ray]

I'm not sure Junior is ready to admit that his game is shot. IMO he still thinks he can play CF and bat 3rd for most any team in baseball but not for the fact that he's battled some injuries. He'll "get over" the injuries in the off season and become the Junior of old in 2009. I really think that's where he's coming from.

[flyer85]

it seems he's wanted to bat third and play center.I meant "what he wants" in terms of what team he would like to play for ... not the position on the field and spot in the batting order.

[gm]

I just can't see Junior going back to Seattle, his family situation has always been the most important factor for him and I don't see him going to back to the long plane rides. If he finishes this year with the Reds, and he really wants to end his career with the M's, I think you might see him signed in Seattle, and he retires the same day.

The Griffey family concerns are more of an issue during the school months. (This is why Junior would want to sign with a team that trains in FL rather than AZ.) If he's going back to Seattle, chances are it will be for July-Sept then either retire or try to hook up with Tampa next spring