Quote:
Originally Posted by cincrazy
I don't blame Walt for this. We all knew the kind of GM Walt was before he showed up. He specializes in big trades, the Reds aren't going to make any of those big trades. If you were expecting Walt to make a bunch of under the radar deals while shoring up the farm system, you were way off base.
I think Bob brought him aboard with the intention of spending more money, but an economic recession and reality kept him from doing so, and this is what we have.
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My guess is that Walt told Bob that in your market the key is building with youth which is a long process requiring patience. The objective is to have a decent ballclub to keep the fans reasonably happy until the kids are ready.
The first batch of kids was the Votto/Cueto/Bruce/Bailey/Volquez group. But it's not enough. The next batch of kids is the Alonso, Francisco, Frazier, Wood, Heisey, Cozart group.
So we are about ready to see what Walt has and how he uses these pieces. I won't trash him for being patient and recognizing that the team's key assets are very young players.
But we are now at the point where he has to make it work. He moved Stewart and Roenicke for a veteran. He now has to decide how to use these other pieces, or how to trade them for useful players who fit the team's needs.
Of course, the years march on and now Harang and Arroyo have one year left on their deals. This presents another challenge. Do you get value for these guys now or do you let them play out the string, trade them at the deadline, let them go for draft choices, or try to re-sign one or both?
So, Walt's time is coming. We'll know soon. But I think it's premature to judge now.