Long Term Goals

[GoReds33]

I have many long-term goals for this team. I feel that there are certain things this organization must do to capitalize on this abundance of young talent. This is a team that hasn't had much success recently with developing players, and they finally got some good young guys all the way to the majors without injury.

My Goals:
1. Lock up Dunn
This should be obdvious. He's the centerpiece of this team right now. He would be a middle of the order bat on any MLB team.

2. Continue the patience
The Reds have been patient in not rushing the youngsters so far. We have got to continue this. If that means another sub .500 season, then so be it. I don't want to do like the Cubs did, and risk the long-term future for one season.

3. Fill up the bench
We need a righty with some power off the bench. As a matter of fact, we need more than that. We also need more speed, because Freel's likely to get hurt at sometime next season.

4. Plan ahead
Don't wait until the last minute, and realize that we may lose Bailey, Bruce, or any of this young talent. Have backup plans if we do. If they are truely the future of this organization, we will find some way to keep them.

So with my goals being said, what are your long term goals?

[Bip Roberts]

My Goals:

1. Give less long term deals to players unless its buying out arbitration years. How many times have we regretted signings over the years.

2. Continue to try to find reclamation projects. Low risk high reward and best of all it doesnt cost much in terms of talent.

3. Continue with the marketing ploys and trying to expand the fan base. More fans = more money and more money = never a bad thing.

4. Lower Beer prices.

[Nasty_Boy]

Originally Posted by Bip Roberts

My Goals:

1. Give less long term deals to players unless its buying out arbitration years. How many times have we regretted signings over the years.

2. Continue to try to find reclamation projects. Low risk high reward and best of all it doesnt cost much in terms of talent.

3. Continue with the marketing ploys and trying to expand the fan base. More fans = more money and more money = never a bad thing.

4. Lower Beer prices.

I agree with 3 & 4, but not on 1 & 2. Isn't the idea of having more money being able to sign better players or keep the good players you already have? With the way free agency is set up and with the way players are being paid, only long term contracts will attract the players that other wise wouldn't come to Cincinnati.

I really don't remember any long-term signings that the Reds have truly regretted... Milton sucked but he was only here for 3 years. I think the key is not overpaying for mediocre players or players that are passed their prime.

[GoReds33]

Originally Posted by Nasty_Boy

I agree with 3 & 4, but not on 1 & 2. Isn't the idea of having more money being able to sign better players or keep the good players you already have? With the way free agency is set up and with the way players are being paid, only long term contracts will attract the players that other wise wouldn't come to Cincinnati.

I really don't remember any long-term signings that the Reds have truly regretted... Milton sucked but he was only here for 3 years. I think the key is not overpaying for mediocre players or players that are passed their prime.

I regret them signing Griffey longterm. Now it's gonna take a boatload to buyout his deal next year.

[Nasty_Boy]

Originally Posted by GoReds33

I regret them signing Griffey longterm. Now it's gonna take a boatload to buyout his deal next year.

I know he's missed a lot of time, but without Jr the Reds would probably be where Pittsburgh and KC are now. His HR milestones and his play the past few seasons have given Reds fans a reason to go to the ballpark. He is still a draw, he does tons for the kids, and he's still the most popular Red. No, Griffey being a Red hasn't translated to many W's. But I don't think Uncle Carl would have put Griffey's contract money towards making this team competitive. And if it takes a boatload to buyout his contract next season, so be it. Castellini has the money and if the Reds win this season it won't be an issue.

[RSNtransplant]

Originally Posted by GoReds33

I regret them signing Griffey longterm. Now it's gonna take a boatload to buyout his deal next year.

@ 8.5 Mil for his 2007 production he was a bargain. The fact that he was so cheap in 2007 and there was not a rumor of him being traded @ deadline to contender that could use him, leads me to believe you won't be buying out his contract, that it is more likely some type of renegotiation takes place and he's extend so he can retire as a Red.

[Bip Roberts]

Originally Posted by Nasty_Boy

I agree with 3 & 4, but not on 1 & 2. Isn't the idea of having more money being able to sign better players or keep the good players you already have? With the way free agency is set up and with the way players are being paid, only long term contracts will attract the players that other wise wouldn't come to Cincinnati.

I really don't remember any long-term signings that the Reds have truly regretted... Milton sucked but he was only here for 3 years. I think the key is not overpaying for mediocre players or players that are passed their prime.

Lets put it this way what long term deal has worked out for the Reds in recent years?

I say less long term deals, that doesnt mean zero at all.

[Reds Fan Chris]

Originally Posted by GoReds33

I have many long-term goals for this team. I feel that there are certain things this organization must do to capitalize on this abundance of young talent. This is a team that hasn't had much success recently with developing players, and they finally got some good young guys all the way to the majors without injury.

My Goals:
1. Lock up Dunn
This should be obdvious. He's the centerpiece of this team right now. He would be a middle of the order bat on any MLB team.

2. Continue the patience
The Reds have been patient in not rushing the youngsters so far. We have got to continue this. If that means another sub .500 season, then so be it. I don't want to do like the Cubs did, and risk the long-term future for one season.

3. Fill up the bench
We need a righty with some power off the bench. As a matter of fact, we need more than that. We also need more speed, because Freel's likely to get hurt at sometime next season.

4. Plan ahead
Don't wait until the last minute, and realize that we may lose Bailey, Bruce, or any of this young talent. Have backup plans if we do. If they are truely the future of this organization, we will find some way to keep them.

So with my goals being said, what are your long term goals?

Totally agree with you on Dunn. We need to lock up what talent we have and yes filling our bench with players that can get us out of a pinch would be awesome.

[Handofdeath]

Originally Posted by Reds Fan Chris

Totally agree with you on Dunn. We need to lock up what talent we have and yes filling our bench with players that can get us out of a pinch would be awesome.

For a team like the Reds, who don't have boatloads of money to spend, locking up Dunn long term is not the best of ideas IMO. He is one of the best power hitters in baseball, there is no doubt. But for the money you would pay him, you are basically making him the centerpiece of the franchise. He doesn't have the all around game to justify making more money than anyone else on the ballclub.

[Nasty_Boy]

Originally Posted by Handofdeath

For a team like the Reds, who don't have boatloads of money to spend, locking up Dunn long term is not the best of ideas IMO. He is one of the best power hitters in baseball, there is no doubt. But for the money you would pay him, you are basically making him the centerpiece of the franchise. He doesn't have the all around game to justify making more money than anyone else on the ballclub.

I know its tough to change people's way of thinking, but the Reds HAVE money! We are used to the old ownership talking about not having the money to spend on players while they continued to finish in the black every year. Now the Reds don't have the money to throw 5 mil at Stanton, 9 mil at Freel, and other marginal player's but the Reds have plenty of money to give their best offensive player. I would love to see the Reds sign Dunn for 3-4 years 50-60 million. A guy like Dunn should be the face of your franchise. He's homegrown, he's well like by teammates, he's not a trouble maker, he plays everyday, and he could end up hitting 600+ HRs... I don't see the downside.

[Gunner44]

amen to the lower beer prices, lol

[BLEEDS]

Depends on what you call "long term". 3 years or over? I've LOVED all the deals the new FO has signed:


Dunn, 3 years $30.5M (including option year)
Harang, 4 years $36.5 + 5th year $12.75M option
Gonzo, 3 years $14M + $6M mutual option
Arroyo, 2 years $25M (includes $2.5M bonus) + 3rd year (2011, same as Harang) option for $11M
Cordero, 4 years $46M + 5th year $12M option

It's actually the SHORT TERM (under 3) deals that I HATE - given guaranteed money to fringe/unproven players:

Stanton, 2 years $7M, with a third year that can vest for $2.5M
Freel, 2 years $7M
Ross, 2 years $4.5M + option for 3rd at $3.5M
Castro, 2 years $2M (05-06+07 option), 07 was buyout for $50K, and INSTEAD they signed him to a new contract in 07 for 2 yrs $2M + option for 09 at $1.1M

Talk about wastes of space, that money could have been spent better. Arguably, only Ross is worth anything, but his hitting was a one-year wonder, so we're stuck with paying him $2.25M in 08 for defense and a HOPE.

I'd rather be taking fliers on those reclamation projects and scrap-heap pitchers with that cash.

PEACE

-BLEEDS

[Bip Roberts]

Id consider 2 year deals for bench and older players long term deals.

Anything long term deals for starters that are going to pass the age of 34 during the course of the deal scares me.

Of course its not a rule just a guideline.

[BLEEDS]

Originally Posted by Bip Roberts

Id consider 2 year deals for bench and older players long term deals.

Anything long term deals for starters that are going to pass the age of 34 during the course of the deal scares me.

Of course its not a rule just a guideline.

I'll buy that.

I like your ideas, especially the "marketing ploys" for getting fans to the park. I have always thought "Winning More Games Than You Lose" was a good marketing ploy

PEACE

-BLEEDS

[Bip Roberts]

Originally Posted by BLEEDS

I'll buy that.

I like your ideas, especially the "marketing ploys" for getting fans to the park. I have always thought "Winning More Games Than You Lose" was a good marketing ploy

PEACE

-BLEEDS

Its not so much just winning more games its expanding the fan base in general. Farther we reach out from the Cincy/tri-state area the better. Sure some of that comes with winning but areas like northern Ohio, western and northern Indiana and parts of Kentucky will need extra work than just winning.