JOHN FAY | JFAY@ENQUIRER.COM
General manager Wayne Krivsky continued to put his stamp on the organization, firing eight members of the minor-league staff.
Among those whose contracts were not renewed: field coordinator Tim Naehring, assistant director of player director Grant Griesser and Double-A Chattanooga manager Jayhawk Owens.
Naehring and Griesser were in their seventh year and Owens his sixth with the organization.
"I didn't see this coming," Naehring said. "I heard two weeks ago that Wayne was unhappy with some things on the minor-league level. I didn't think it would come to this. But I'm not stupid. I know anything can happen."
Naehring, a LaSalle High and Miami University graduate, served as director of player development from 2001-2005. He was moved to his on-field role under Krivsky.
Naehring, who played eight years with the Boston Red Sox, wouldn't go into specifics about his firing. He did say that Krivsky, not player development director Terry Reynolds, made the call.
"I don't want to get into it because I'll snap," Naehring said. "I know what kind of job I did. I had a good relationship with my boss, Terry Reynolds. He was appreciative of the job I did. We had a very good year on the minor-league level. I'm proud of what Jay Bruce was able to accomplish."
Griesser, an Oak Hills High and Miami graduate, served in the No. 2 role under Naehring while he was player development director. He continued in that role under Johnny Almaraz and Reynolds.
Owens, a Glen Este High graduate, was the Southern League Manager of the Year in 2004, when he led the Lookouts to an organization-best 81-69 record.
"Every season you evaluate your players and your staff," Krivsky said. "It's one of those unfortunate things that you don't like as part of the job. It was a change we felt had to be made. I wish them well. They worked hard and had the best interests of the Reds at heart.
"At the same time, we're going in a different direction."
The Reds also did not renew the contracts of roving instructor Rick Burleson; roving hitting instructor Jim Hickman; outfield/base-running coordinator Lynn Jones; and Billings coach Ricardo Cuevas. The club also announced that Chattanooga pitching coach Grant Jackson is retiring.
Krivsky wasn't sure if the Reds would replace all of the positions.
HAMILTON VS. LEFTY: Josh Hamilton was in the Reds' starting lineup Tuesday against Cardinals left-hander Mark Mulder. Hamilton had been strictly platooning in center field with Norris Hopper.
"I've got to play him against lefties," Reds manager Pete Mackanin said, "to see how he plays against lefties."
Hamilton was all for it.
"Can't wait," he said. "It's something I should've been doing if I want to play every day."
Mackanin said the plan is to play Joey Votto against left-handers as well. Votto wasn't in the starting lineup Tuesday because Jorge Cantu came in 4-for-6 with two home runs off Mulder.
SATURDAY STARTER: Left-hander Phil Dumatrait was listed as Saturday's starter. But it sounds as if that will change.
The one thing it does likely tell us is that WK will be here in 2008 and probably beyond. If Castellini had plans to replace him, he'd have not allowed him to tear up the system.
Originally Posted by dougflynn23
This minor league organization of the Reds needed a shake-up. You can make a real good argument that the Reds farm system has not produced a "real" starting pitcher since Tom Browning. If Homer works out, it was a no brainer anyway, because he was a 1st round "no miss" kind of guy.
