Quote:
Originally Posted by AtomicDumpling
The team progressed despite him not doing anything. That means he is not responsible for the progress.
As I said earlier, nobody wanted him to make moves just for the sake of making moves. It is reasonable to expect a good GM to find/create/manufacture ways to improve the team. Other teams were able to do it over the same timespan. For a long time Jocketty couldn't do it.
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The biggest problem with Bowden, O'Brien and Krivsky is that from 2001-2007 they were always going all in, trying to win the division each year, when in reality, the Reds were never close. What was needed was to sit back, restock the farm system and wait for the team to rebuild.
It cost the Reds millions in wasted contracts, a destruction of their farm system, MLB talent in Kearns, Lopez, Hamilton, etc, all for losing seasons they were destined to have regardless.
Jocketty was the first GM to have the patience to sit tight, keep all the team's prospects, and rebuild the foundation for long term success.
I have no doubt that if Jocketty wasn't the GM in 2008-9, some combination of Votto, Cueto, Bruce and Bailey, would have been traded for mediocre middle relief and starting pitching. Seriously, no trades or moves could have been made in those years to make the team a contender, and Jocketty was smart enough to understand that.