Have a question for Brad Kullman?

[GIK]

If so, ask it here.

Since I know this will be popular, I (along with Boss and the mods) will do our best to pick 10 or so questions to submit to Brad Kullman for his response. He has graciously accepted our invitation to communicate directly with RedsZone through this medium (thanks, Brad! ).

Matt/GIK

[KittyDuran]

Heard him on Lance's show today... Lance was trying to describe the interview - I had a word "refreshing"...

[flyer85]

Originally Posted by KittyDuran

Heard him on Lance's show today... Lance was trying to describe the interview - I had a word "refreshing"...

rather sad that just being upfront and open is described as refreshing. I really disliked DanO and his spin.

[shredda2000]

Will there be any effort to acquire another starting pitcher before the 2006 season begins?

[Patrick Bateman]

What kind of role do you envision Womack playing this season. If the answer is somewhat regularily, then based on all of his career statistics, then how is it going to help the Reds?

[flyer85]

are the Reds working on signing Dunn to a LT deal before arbitration?

[ghettochild]

First off Brad, thanks for taking the time to do this. Now for the question. With the Reds doing away with the "Take first pitch strike" in the minors, is this the first step really to reform the Reds farm system already struggling? Also, how do you see us drafting this year, are we going to get another highschool arm or are we going to go college this year? Thanks.

[CincyRedsFan30]

Adam Dunn was among the league leaders in OPS and every other important offensive category(OBP/Runs Created,etc.) and led the team in terms of those same categories.

You mentioned today that the team was wanting to get even more out of the offense, despite the fact that it led the NL in Runs Scored last year. Making the most of a lineup involves putting the best hitters in the right places.

Thus, does the team plan on having Dunn bat 3rd this year as most team's best hitters do?

[Red Heeler]

The Reds farm system is poorly stocked at the moment, especially at the higher levels. The trades and drafts of the last few years have largely failed to infuse talent into the system. How would you better evaluate the prospects you are looking to bring in through trade or drafting?

[dougflynn23]

In a completely new role in 2005, Bubba Nelson posted the highest K/IP ratio in the upper levels of the organization (AA to MLB). He was the only pitcher at those levels to average over a strikeout per IP. Take away 2 brutal games, and his ERA was in the low 3.00's. He is only 24 years old. Rick White is 37, and posted one of the lowest K/IP (0.54) ratios in MLB last year, and had a 1.59 WHIP. When you just stated on 1450 HOMER yesterday that the most important stat a pitcher can post is K/IP ratio, and that the organization needs pitchers who have a strikeout pitch, how can you 1) justify the rationale of this decision, and 2) justify a Rick White bumping either a Matt Belisle, Luke Hudson, Brian Shackelford, or Jason Standridge out of the 2006 bullpen?

[Mario-Rijo]

Since there now is a new ownership in place and the last ownership decided against it. Has any serious thought been given to moving the fences back or doing something structurally to combat the problem of keeping the ball in the ballpark to a lesser degree? Our offense can hit 'em anywhere so shouldn't we try to make the opposition earn their runs in our park?

[Kc61]

Can you describe, generally, the matters discussed and questions asked at an interview for a major league GM position? How long do such interviews take; who generally attends; how detailed are the discussions? Are specific player moves discussed?

[wheels]

Given the historical dearth of good third basemen over the history of the franchise, wouldn't it be wise to give the best prospect in years at that position every chance to fail before critical at bats are used by an aging vet with considerably less range and patience at the plate?

What is it about Edwin Encarnacion that made the previous regime so averse to taking the proverbial "leap" with him?

[Shaknb8k]

Word it how ever you want but wheels question has got to be asked. Other than whose the front runner in GM race which clearly Kullman cant answer and probably doesnt know, this question about Encarnacion is right up there with any other questions we might have about the Reds in 2006. I have a feeling we will get an answer somewhat saying that Narron is in control of that but we need to atleast let Kullman know that we see it as rediculous that Encarnacion wont be at 3B every game until he plays himself out of it or plays himself into the everyday 3rd basemen that I as well as many other think he will be.

[Yachtzee]

Thanks for taking the time out of your schedule, Mr. Kullman. In the past, the Reds haven't exactly been successful at developing their own pitchers. What can the Reds do to improve their own system so that they can develop more pitching talent at all levels?