Who Do You Want to Stay/Go?

[pedro]

Griffey really should be traded this off season.

The Reds can't suffer through another year with this OF defense and Griffey is the guy that should get moved IMO.

[puca]

Originally Posted by AvesIce51

Correct. But the question was, "Before the end of 2008, who would you like to see traded?"

In other words, if you were GM, what would you like to see happen. Just about everyone was saying what the Reds will do, but what would you like them to do?

It's like asking, "would you like having a million dollars?" Then responding with, "it won't happen." It doesn't answer the question.

Way to go Cumberlands. You got the idea.

I read it more like:

which would you like to see by noon tomorrow:

a.) The sun set
b.) The sun rise
c.) both
d.) neither

[AtomicDumpling]

Both Dunn and Griffey should be kept as long as they are productive and healthy. Why ditch a player unless we have a replacement who is better?

I am tired of people whining about salaries. The Reds have plenty of money to pay Dunn and Griffey and sign free agent pitching (but there isn't any good free agent pitching available this winter anyway, which is a fact most people ignore when recommending we ditch Dunn to save his salary). The Reds have $10-20 million in expiring contracts & dead money coming off the books this year. If you want to save more money then ditch players that aren't earning their money -- like Freel, Stanton, Castro, Ross, Coffey etc. Or you could ditch Gonzalez since we have Keppinger as a cheaper, better hitting alternative.

It just doesn't make any logical sense to get rid of productive players like Griffey and Dunn just because you are too damn cheap to pay them.

The Reds made a profit of $17-22 million last year by various estimates. The value of the franchise also grew significantly. The Reds are rolling in cash. Castellini is rolling in cash. Money is no reason to ditch Dunn or Griffey. Money is not an excuse.

What kind of a fan so easily accepts the notion the Reds should cut good players to save money? Are we really that brainwashed by the ownership? We want to win don't we? So why make excuses for the ownership when they put out a squad that has no chance of winning?

If the Reds ditch quality players in order to save money when they are raking in tens of millions of dollars in profit then we should start a rebellion!

[flyer85]

How about Pete and Wayne?

[KronoRed]

Originally Posted by flyer85

How about Pete and Wayne?

I'm a fan.

[NJReds]

Originally Posted by pedro

Griffey really should be traded this off season.

I wonder if Tampa would take him to help mentor some of the young guys. He'd be 'home,' so I think he'd agree to go. He could DH. His run at 600 might draw some fans. The Reds would likely have to pick up some salary.

Think the D'rays would give up Baldelli? (pipe dream, but just a thought).

[flyer85]

I can't see a Jr deal happening because you would have to think he would demand an extension or the team pick up his option.

[flyer85]

Originally Posted by NJReds

Think the D'rays would give up Baldelli? (pipe dream, but just a thought).

With his injury history and glut of OFs I would think the Rays would love to unload Baldelli. Their starting OF for 2008 looks like LF-Crawford, CF-Upton and RF-Young. I expect Baldelli to be traded.

[fearofpopvol1]

I kind of have this suspicion that Dunn's option will be picked up, but that he will be shipped out at some point next year for prospects and Votto will take over in LF. Same with Griffey being shipped out (after 600) for prospects and Bruce taking over.

[NJReds]

Originally Posted by flyer85

With his injury history and glut of OFs I would think the Rays would love to unload Baldelli. Their starting OF for 2008 looks like LF-Crawford, CF-Upton and RF-Young. I expect Baldelli to be traded.

Just saw a note that mentioned Baldelli considering retirement due to his injuries. That's too bad. The kid had talent.

[RedsManRick]

Pick up Dunn's option and don't trade either of them. If you can't sign Dunn to a 4 year extension trade him in July. Starting talking about Junior now, but don't deal him until 600. I'm thinking he'd be more likely to waive his 10/5 going to a team that's in the hunt next July anyways.

Bruce won't be hurt by a few hundred more PA in AAA.

[GAC]

Originally Posted by RedsManRick

Pick up Dunn's option and don't trade either of them. If you can't sign Dunn to a 4 year extension trade him in July. Starting talking about Junior now, but don't deal him until 600. I'm thinking he'd be more likely to waive his 10/5 going to a team that's in the hunt next July anyways.

Bruce won't be hurt by a few hundred more PA in AAA.

I agree. Jr will be here the duration of the '08 season simply because of his contractual status/veto rights, and that there are very few teams that will (or can) take on the financial obligation. We'll pay him the 4 Mil buyout after next year and say "Thank You". I see him prolonging his career a few more years as a DH in the AL. At least that would be the logical thing to do if I was Jr and wanted to play longer.

But I have no problem at all with Jr manning RF next year (his last), while Bruce gets more experience at AAA. He'll be up here soon enough.

Now I am not advocating this; but if this FO really wanted to force Jr's hand then they could bring Bruce to ST, and if he performs admirably, give him the RF job and make Jr that "super-sub" for the last year of his contract. Now that may pee Jr off, and some may think that it's not showig him the respect he deserves for such an illustrious HOF career, but it is an option if they have decided he will be gone after next season and they need to see if Bruce is that viable replacement.

[buckeyenut]

I would run with Votto at 1B, Dunn in LF, Bruce in CF and Hamilton in RF starting in spring training and for the next 5 years. As sad as it is, I want to see Jr traded this offseason whether or not he hits 600. In fact, I think his value to other teams is higher if he hasn't hit 600 yet.

I would renegotiate with Dunn this offseason, offering him a 5 yr 15M per contract starting next season and tearing up his old contract.

For 2008, I would keep hatteburg as my bat off the bench and vet influence. I would run with Hopper and Freel as my backup OFs, Cantu, Freel, and Keppinger as my backup IFers. I would start Valentin at C and use Ross as a platoon/backup.

I would focus my offseason $$ and trade thoughts on pitching. I think the defense will get better as the kids get more time and gonzo bounces back. I would give consideration to dealing Freel, Hopper, Gonzo, Keppinger, Hatteburg, Junior, Weather and adjust the plan if I got a deal I liked.

[KronoRed]

Originally Posted by buckeyenut

I would run with Votto at 1B, Dunn in LF, Bruce in CF and Hamilton in RF starting in spring training and for the next 5 years. As sad as it is, I want to see Jr traded this offseason whether or not he hits 600. In fact, I think his value to other teams is higher if he hasn't hit 600 yet.

Risky but I tend to agree with you, deal him before 600 if it sweetens the return

[RedLegSuperStar]

IMO I don't see Dunn in a Reds uniform for 2008.. Yes it's a 3 million dollar raise.. but you could replace him with Bruce or Hamilton. Purhaps you move Votto there in Spring Training so that Cantu and Hatteberg can platoon at 1st. The money has got to be spent on pitching. The Reds rotation has 2 starters.. Belisle, Dumatrait, Shearn, and Ramirez are spot starters and long relievers.. if that. Shearn and Livingston have been the only ones to show any signs of consistency and Livingston could be done for 2008. Back to Dunn.. and is not that Dunn isn't worth 13 Million.. he's just not worth 13 Million to the Reds in my opinion.

Now unless Bob Castellini wants to open up the wallet I think the Reds take the Draft Picks and and build around Harang, Arroyo, Phillips, and Hamilton.