Originally Posted by
redsmetz
WV, I had to go back & read what I wrote after the final game in St. Louis. I'm afraid that you're referring to my comments when you said one poster suggested you're too stupid to post on a board. My comment about us being nuts here on RZ was intended to be a blanket indictment of the board collectively & not of you individually. So if it was my comment that gave you the above impression, please accept my apology. It wasn't my intention.
Regarding your views on this season, there is no question that whatever magic last year's team had that carried it to the division title, it's nowhere to be found this year. Last year, I fully expected that the team could overcome nearly any obstacle ("leap tall buildings in a single bound" and all that jazz). This year, not in the least. Chemistry or whatever, we're missing opportunity after opportunity to win close games.
As for moves, I just don't think it's as simple as many of us here believe. Yes, other teams made moves, the Brewers the prime example, so we know it can be done, but for whatever reason, the Reds didn't. You mentioned the Cardinals, but I think most people dismissed their's as poor moves that would not succeed, and then with the injuries they experienced, many believed it was all but certain that they'd fall flat on their faces. Not sure why we think that with that organization because they always seem to find a way to win games.
As for us, I wonder at times if, with the plethora of blocked talent we have, if part of the problem of making trades to upgrade us is that other clubs may be asking for too high a price. I think of when Bedard was on the market before going to Seattle. The rumors where they wanted huge pieces of our future back then & I'm thankful we never pulled the trigger on such a move. Even in trade proposals here, too often we see the "back the truck up" mentality for one or two pieces exchanged for five of our top chips. I don't question that we've got some surpluses to deal from, but getting a trade to come to fruition isn't as simple as it's portrayed around here.
I don't know what the solution is. The default mindset here on RZ seems to be an assumption that players never improve, or for that matter, can never break free of what production they're fated to produce. Returning to the mean and all or however it's put. And what we've seen is a club who has hovered around .500 for most of this season. And because RZ's default mode is pessimism, it gives folks the opportunity to say it proves that point. My point on your comment "See y'll in April" was meant to counter that general line of thinking. For as poorly as we've played, for as unlucky as we've been, for lacking timely and productive hitting or finding consistent quality pitching, we're fortunate to only be 3 games out. Now, given how we've played, I'm not sure there is reason to hope that will change. And for whatever gamemanship management has tried to put forward (e.g. "we're fine with our shortstop situation"), it doesn't gain you anything when it's apparent to one & all that said situation is anything but fine. I don't want them acting in panic mode, but it's clear that whatever is missing is having an impact. It's a wonder we're that close, but it's too early, despite all of the understandable frustration with our play, to throw in the towel. We may well ultimately fail to succeed this season. I can't count on any of our division foes to waiver (and that includes the Pirates). I hope we turn it around, I really do, but I don't have the confidence I had last year. I suspect we're not done making moves, although I can't say with any certainty there either that they'll manage to do that either.
Now I've rambled & I'm not sure I've said anything myself. I just don't believe throwing in the towel is correct right now. Too much of the season remains. If nothing else, if it was my comment that prompted this post, I hope you will accept the above apology.