Here is the Reds Hot Stove league show report for 2-1-06. Marty and Steve (but not Brent Musburger) are coming at us liiiiiiive from the Reds HOF & Museum. They talked about the caravan and Steve was impressed by the turnout in Indy. Marty said it was the best caravan that he's been on. Marty said Chris Denorfia had a new nickname "The Heartthrob" (Courtesy of Red Hot Mama?)
After commercial Marty said that Wayne Krivsky was interviewed for the GM gig today and Frank Wren was added as another candidate. Marty said that the Reds are giving fans four different ways to buy Opening Day tickets. From Monday through Wednesday next week fans can register on line at Reds.com to win one of 50 chances to purchase 2 mezzanine infield seats. At 9 a.m. on Feb 11 the Reds will hold a sale only at Reds.com for their new 8 game Power Pack which includes tickets to Opening Day, the Cleveland series and all 4 fireworks nights. On Feb 18 at 9 a.m. Opening Day tickets will be on sale to the general public and tickets for the remaining 81 games will go on sale at 9:30 a.m. Opening Day tickets can also be purchased by buying select season ticket packages. (Everyone get that?)
The first person to ask questions asked Marty what he thought we needed in a new GM. Marty said they probably want someone who is dynamic, who has a background in scouting and player development and someone who can articulate what he's trying to do in a manner that is understandable to the fans. Marty said that DanO sometimes talked in a language that he had no idea what he was saying. (snortle) He said he should be able to get along with the media. Steve said the trend now is to get Ivy leaguers in their late 30s who have more experience in crunching numbers than scouting and most of the guys they are looking at have more experience with the latter. The guy asked which Reds GM did he think was the best. Marty said Howsam without any question.
The next guy asked about the Rick White signing. He felt he was comparable to Julian Tavarez ground ball wise (But not ugly mug wise). Steve said that was probably a part of it and he has experience, had a good year last year and adds veteran leadership. Marty said they will have 4 old goats down there. (Marty's bringing the funny tonight).
The next person asked if Kearns would be traded and if he were for whom. Marty said he doesn't think he'll be traded and thought the Reds were wise to say that last week. He thought that was also good for Austin and thinks Kearns for Westbrook would have been a bad deal. He said his value may be higher during ST if some other team has an OF position open.
After commercial Marty said that HOF weekend when Lee May, Tom Seaver and Tom Browning will be inducted into the Reds HOF will be July 15 and 16. There will be a banquet on Sunday night and Seaver will be there for both days.
The next person asked Marty which was the most exciting team he ever covered. Marty said that the best team was the 75-76 teams and the most special team was the 90 team cause no one picked them to do anything. He said they had the best camradarie and chemistry and there were no cliques (Or Gangs of 10 ) The person then asked which was the most exciting player he covered. Marty said Pete Rose and Eric Davis.
The next person asked Marty about Pete and the HOF. Marty said that the Reds can't do anything till MLB reinstates him and that won't happen as long as Bud is commish.
After commercial Marty talked about the Riverfront club event going on Feb 11th for a Valentine's Day luncheon for $99 a couple. Info is available at Reds.com.
The next person asked about the catching situation and who was the starter. Steve said that Jason will more than likely be the starter but Javy will get a lot of playing time (Not too much since the man needs time off to make those porn movies)
The next person asked why Jr. changed his number to 3. Steve said his kids all wear that number.
The next person asked if Ryan Wagner was healthy and why can't the Reds develop any starting pitching. Marty said he didn't know why they can't develop starters. He feels that there are organizations known for producing a certain type player and there are organizations known for producing pitching like the White Sox and A's but for some reason the Reds haven't. Marty said he thinks that will change. Marty said Wagner is healthy and he doesn't know if he can be a closer. He feels that a closer has to have a certain mindset to be fearless and if you get beat you go out the next day and not worry about it. Some guys with great stuff can't close and some guys with less than great stuff can. (And we all know guys who are made to feel small can't) Marty and the Reds feel he has the stuff to be a closer but they don't know if he has the mindset.
The next person asked about Browning working with the Reds pitchers and if Joe will do Opening Day and more broadcasts (Geez, Mr. Sensitivity, Steve is right there) and who has the inside track for GM and thinks they might have missed the boat last time by not hiring Krivsky. Marty said the Twins have done well in all of Krivsky's areas. Marty said he didn't know about Joe. Steve said Joe will have more of a presence and Browning will have more of a presence coaching pitchers during ST. He said Browning thinks he can help Milton (Why? He already knows how to give up home runs) Marty said, "Lord knows we hope somebody can help him."
The next guy asked about things he's heard on a morning sports talk show (The 2 Angry Guys) that Dunn may not be ready to be a regular 1st baseman. He's OK as a fill in but he's not capable of fielding that position and making DPs. Marty said there's no truth to that and they obviously displayed their ignorance of the situaton. Marty said Dunn is the 1st baseman and he will be at 1st every day and there is no reluctance on the Reds' part in putting him there. The guy asked if he can field 1st. Marty said that with all due respect Casey wasn't exactly a Gold Glover over there. Steve said he'll be working on it for 7 weeks and that's one reason why he's not playing in the WBC. Marty said he'll be fine there.
The next person asked who the starter for Opening Day would be. Steve thinks it will be Aaron Harang (No, not Aaron! Don't jinx him!) Marty said Narron wouldn't commit to who will be pitching on Opening Day but at another stop onn the caravan he said that with the open date on Tuesday, Aaron could come back and pitch on Fri. so it's probably in the bag that Aaron wull pitch on Opening Day.
After commercial the next person wanted to know what Pena's value was. Marty said you're not going to get a lot for him now. Steve said if he plays every day he might have a breakout year.
The next person asked about Homer Bailey and if they have seen him pitch. Marty and Steve said no but he's been invited to ST so they should see him pitch some exhibitions. Marty said he's never heard people in the organization talk about a player like they talk about Homer. Narron said during the caravan that he can get people out in the big leagues right now. Marty thinks there's no reason to rush him and he needs to be handled with kid gloves (So the Reds will probably start him in AA) Marty's looking forward to seeing him because all the people that talk about him can't be wrong (You mean all the people in this orgainzation that hasn't been able to draft and develop a good major league starting pitcher since the mid 80s? Noooooooo, they can't all be wrong) and if they are right, he's really special. Steve said he has a feee and easy motion and has a ton of upsifde. Marty mentioned Travis Wood and Bobby Basham as being great prospects also. The guy asked about Dave Williams and where he fits in the rotation. Steve said he's at least the 4th starter and he won 10 games for the Bucs last year. (I give up)
After commercial the next person asked how Marty feels about how Bob has done in his first couple of weeks. Marty's excited and is impressed with him and believes the franchise will win with him.
This endeth the Reds Hot Stove League show report for 2-1-06. So let it be written. So let it be done.
Originally Posted by Raisor
