Originally Posted by
princeton
my suspicion has always been that Cast meddled from day 1. Krivsky was brilliant at times, but also made some "now" moves that reeked of pressure from a win-now owner tempered by a GM that wanted to build the infrastructure. Cast was the Whirlpool, and Wayne was the Big Rock. It made for some turbulent navigation.
Didn't like some of the major league relievers that were traded for or signed? Didn't like how quickly a certain wunder-arm was called up? That's not going to change, IMO, because THAT instigator hasn't fired himelf. He gave Krivsky only a 2 year deal, which was goofy, praised a 2006 team that really had no chance, and cut on a 2008 team that's really quite interesting. That guy is staying.
I'm confident that Cast is a guy who would have fired any really good GM that didn't win quickly, from Billy Beane to Mark Shapiro to Branch Freaking Rickey. Joy.
What we've lost is the one that fixed farm, development, rotation, and middle infield in very, VERY short order. I would have given Krivsky more influence, but instead Cast has been increasing his own role since the end of 2006.
A Bruce/Bedard deal probably would have saved his job. THAT'S how goofy things are in Cincinnati.
to me, Krivsky was the right GM for Cincinnati, just not the right GM for Cincinnati's owner.
I know Jocketty very well. Unlike Wayne, he has no skill with the minors. Finding and developing young arms? it's problematic. Like Wayne, he seems to have some people problems, and like Wayne is good at finding undervalued major league talent. however, his Cardinal teams underachieved their talent level for years-- just couldn't win the big one. for years, I started numerous threads on how Cards had the talent again, but would have to fall short because they still lacked heart. Then, Jocketty finally made the big heart acquisition: David Eckstein (a signing that I believe was trashed by all but one poster, moi, who said that at LAST the Cards would win a World Series under Jocketty). oh yes, I know Jocketty well.
So I predict an increase in talent, a pretty good record for a small market, but underachievement and an eventual decay of the farm system that seemed to be getting things together.
he's probably the right GM for this owner. He should last longer. But, you never know.