December 19, 2006
In the Red
Jim Morris notes the Reds are doing nothing to keep up with the Joneses:
Not long ago, the Chicago White Sox were dangling big right-hander Jon Garland in front of the Houston Astros. The trade fell through, but there was no question Garland was available.
Soon after Andy Pettite decided to return to the New York Yankees, the Astros plied Jason Jennings away from the Colorado Rockies.
A while back, the Philadelphia Phillies traded with the White Sox to get Freddy Garcia.
So with all this competent pitching floating around in big league baseball's trade market, where were the Cincinnati Reds? They were announcing the re-signing of 37-year-old David Weathers.
Whoopee.
Usually, when a team comes as close to making the playoffs as the Reds did, it spurs them on to improve during during the off season. The Reds are acting more like they won the World Series.
That, or (correctly) realzing that they got lucky last year and will most likely suck next year, should build for the future.
Seriously, if i have to wager where they finish next year, i would put the Reds dead last in the NL central next year
The Reds don't need those pitchers, they need someone better, thus pushing the line down.
Especially at Jennings cost.
Given the trades the Reds made during the season I think it would be difficult to conclude that they have any idea what kind of a team they have or what they need to do to compete.
It's also possible that the Reds just aren't finding any takers for what they have to trade (Adam Dunn) in return for a #1 pitcher, which is what they need.