I'm fully focused on the playoffs, but...

[corkedbat]

...saw this blurb on MLBTR. Gotta say I hope Walt makes Fowler his number one offseason CF target. I'd say a improving the top of the rotation will be Walt's number one overall priotity.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/0...-pitching.html

Saw this bit also - makes me like the idea of re-upping Dusty more.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/0...-francona.html

[hebroncougar]

Good god. Valentine in Cincy? I don't think anyone would touch that fool after the way he screwed up the Red Sox this year. I honestly think Dusty will hang it up after this year. His health has got to be a major, major concern for himself.

[Vottomatic]

Originally Posted by hebroncougar

Good god. Valentine in Cincy? I don't think anyone would touch that fool after the way he screwed up the Red Sox this year. I honestly think Dusty will hang it up after this year. His health has got to be a major, major concern for himself.

I agree.

I would love to win it all for obvious reasons. And then see Dusty ride off into the sunset into retirement with his biggest victory of all.

I think Dusty definitely has to consider his health in terms of re-upping.

[cincrazy]

I don't think Dusty retires after this season. 63 years old is relatively young in baseball years. And after a full offseason of rest, I can't see his health being a lingering issue. Certainly he needs to monitor it and take care of himself, but I don't think it will preclude him from managing in the future.

[PuffyPig]

Originally Posted by corkedbat

... I'd say a improving the top of the rotation will be Walt's number one overall priotity.

The Reds have given up fewer runs than any team in the NL.

With Cueto and Latos (and potentially Chapman) fronting the rotation, I doubt that improviong upon them would be a bigger priority than CF, leadoff, etc.

[klw]

If Dusty isn't back, I would love to see Francona. Valentine not so much, I would rather have Grady Little if the discussion was limited to former Sox managers.

[mattfeet]

I personally think the Reds have some pretty impressive in-house options for the Manager position after Dusty's tenure runs its course.

-Matt

[marcshoe]

Originally Posted by PuffyPig

The Reds have given up fewer runs than any team in the NL.

With Cueto and Latos (and potentially Chapman) fronting the rotation, I doubt that improviong upon them would be a bigger priority than CF, leadoff, etc.

I was guessing he meant top of the order.

[corkedbat]

I've come to grips with Dusty returning and wouldn't be against it. I want what's best for Dusty though. If he leaves, I'd rather have Speier or David Bell in-House than Valentine and they aren't one of my Top Five replacement choices. I always wanted Davey Johnson back.

[757690]

I can't see Bobby V. getting any offers to manage next season, at least not with a contender. He's pretty toxic right now.

[corkedbat]

One of this club's main strength's is it's clubhouse. Valentine would be a horrible choice.

[757690]

Originally Posted by corkedbat

I've come to grips with Dusty returning and wouldn't be against it. I want what's best for Dusty though. If he leaves, I'd rather have Speirs or David Bell in-Hosue than Valentine and they aren't one of my Top Five replacement choices. I always wanted Davey Johnson back.

Never understood Davey's firing. Never will.

Speier has been very impressive these past weeks as interm manager. I can see him getting some interviews in future.

As for Dusty, he's a fighter, and loves the game too much to just walk away like this. I think he goes on a year to year basis as long as he wants to manage, which probably will coincide nicely with David Bell's development.

[Tom Servo]

I'd try and lure a guy like Bud Black away from San Diego if Dusty chooses to retire.

[corkedbat]

Originally Posted by marcshoe

I was guessing he meant top of the order.

The reason I said upgrading the top of the rotation would probably be Walt's top priority was because I believe he tried pretty hard to land a starter upgrade at te deadline and I expect it to carry over to the offseaon. I expect Leake to be trade bait for a bat and Walt to try to upgrade his spot in the rotation.

I think the starter ship has sailed for Chapman. I believe they'll see him as too perfect and automatic as a closer and feel there are to many question marks with him as a starter chance it. They might make a run at someone like Grienke or Peavy or Haren, but IMO, a revisitation of deal for someone like James Shields or maybe the rumored Garza/DeJesus trade may be more likely.

[PuffyPig]

Originally Posted by corkedbat

The reason I said upgrading the top of the rotation would probably be Walt's top priority was because I believe he tried pretty hard to land a starter upgrade at te deadline and I expect it to carry over to the offseaon. I expect Leake to be trade bait for a bat and Walt to try to upgrade his spot in the rotation.

Leake's spot in the rotation is not at the top.