Jocketty Reds' New GM

by EABinSTL on Apr 23, 2008 12:38 PM EDT

ESPN is reporting that the Reds have fired GM Wayne Krivsky and replaced him with Walt Jocketty. Odd timing, perhaps, but most people have said that Krivsky's days were numbered since Jocketty was hired as a "special consultant" in January. I doubt that Jocketty's best days as a GM are ahead of him, but he's no doubt better than Krivsky. Krivsky punished the Reds with several wasteful contracts, not to mention that big, misguided trade with the Nationals.

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The Reds

needed a change. Though I feel Krivsky is one piece of a much larger issue within the organization, it’s at least a step. Now, whenever the Reds realized that they actually have Dusty Baker sitting in the dugout, then they can start making serious progress in turning around the ball club.

by mynameistyler on Apr 23, 2008 1:00 PM EDT 0 recs

How interesting

One of the Cards’ publicly stated reasons for firing Jocketty was that he had (allegedly) talked with Cincinnati about their GM job…everyone denied it at the time, but this sure makes it look like there was a deal in the works between Walt and Bob Castellini.

by blove121 on Apr 23, 2008 1:01 PM EDT 0 recs

I'm sure Krivsky

saw the vultures circling when Walt was fired. Why didn’t they just do it then? PR purposes?

by houstoncardinal on Apr 23, 2008 1:07 PM EDT 0 recs

Probably dead on....

PR sounds about right, considering the stretch between was just long enuff to clear some of the smoke after the fire. There was probably an “understanding” some time ago…

by cardschinmusic on Apr 23, 2008 4:49 PM EDT up 0 recs

big misguided trade?

not like that trade worked out for either side and krivsky had to do something because the reds were flush with outfielders and they needed bullpen help.

by lopey986 on Apr 23, 2008 1:09 PM EDT 0 recs

majewski was hurt

when he was traded and Krivsky never sought recourse – that was criticized by the local media.

by enoscountry on Apr 23, 2008 1:16 PM EDT up 0 recs

When you consider...

Kearns is signed for the next two years at $14 million total, and Lopez is earning $5 million to ride the pine, I’d say the move was addition by subtraction for the Reds.

by guayzimi on Apr 23, 2008 2:23 PM EDT up 0 recs

You should never have to trade decent everyday players for middle relief arms

it was a horrible deal.

by JI on Apr 23, 2008 2:32 PM EDT up 0 recs

The Cardinalization of the Reds

The Reds are slowly adapting into being the Cardinals of the 90s. Since Castellini left the StL ownership group and headed up the Reds ownership group there have been a number of steps that emulate the Cardinal way.

First the ownership group started inviting old Reds to Spring Training to coach. Then Castellini made this whole push to make the fans embrace the Reds tradition – ticket promotions, demands for winning, change of uniforms to older style. Now he hires Baker and Jocketty.

I kind of think hiring Jocketty is a good move. Their farm system is good (ranked 3 by baseball america) so Jocketty can’t screw that up so much. They are crowded at spots with some indecision on trading pitchers and such. That seems like a good opportunity for Jocketty to work his trading magic.

by enoscountry on Apr 23, 2008 1:20 PM EDT 0 recs

Bringing back the "Tradition" of the Reds

I think it was a good move by Castellini to try and bring back some of the tradition of the Reds.

I remember going to a Reds/Cards game in Cincy about 7 years ago and thinking “What has happened to this Reds franchise?” The old Riverfront stadium was about 40% full, and about 15% of the fans there were Cardinal fans. The whole feel there was pretty bad for a once strong and proud baseball city.

Even though I was there rooting for the Cards I couldn’t help but feel sad for the Reds franchise and the city because of the bad shape they were in. The new stadium helped but there is still something missing…which is a winning team….will Jockety help turn that around like he did for the Cards???

by KYCards on Apr 23, 2008 3:06 PM EDT up 0 recs

Agreed...

When I was growing up in the 70’s, the Reds and the Pirates were the power teams, and Cincinnati was as pretty close to an automatic playoff team as there was in those days…I, too have felt sad at the demise of a proud franchise of late, in what is still a pretty good baseball city.

by tbell61 on Apr 23, 2008 5:03 PM EDT up 0 recs

Do you think

that Jocketty would trade us Bailey for Mulder?

I kid because I love.

by JBrew on Apr 23, 2008 1:55 PM EDT 0 recs

How about

Mulder for Cueto, Bill Bray, and Johnny Cueto.

Gotta have someone play the part of Kiko and Daric Barton

"Chokes it hard down on the knob from the right side. Stands erect deep in the box."

by arch support on Apr 23, 2008 3:18 PM EDT up 0 recs

Doubtful

Even Walt Jocketty isn’t dumb enough to trade Johnny Cueto…twice in the same trade.

by mojowo11 on Apr 23, 2008 4:16 PM EDT up 0 recs

Getting Hamilton...

for nothing, then flipping him for Volquez was pretty slick… He looked up Harang and Arroyo… And the big Kearns/Lopez for bullpen help trade actually has gone the Reds way, if ever so slightly.

The only real bonehead move he made was 4/46 for Cordero.

by guayzimi on Apr 23, 2008 2:20 PM EDT 0 recs

yup...

... and even that Cordero signing, while probably an overreaction, was made because the Reds have had a horrible back-end of the bullpen ever since Danny Graves was still good. so, basically since 2003. five years of shitty back-end relief might make me give somebody like Cordero 4/$46 too.

honestly, i think Krivsky was a pretty good GM. even the much-maligned Kearns/Lopez trade cleared a bunch of salary and made way for some pretty good young kids (Phillips, Keppinger, and soon Jay Bruce) to get playing time where they probably wouldn’t have otherwise. that Willy Mo Pena for Bronson Arroyo trade - after Arroyo had signed a very team-friendly contract with Boston - was tremendous. Dunn’s contract was good, too, and he’s got a very valuable trade chip coming up.

Jocketty’s in pretty good shape here. think about next year’s team, even assuming Dunn leaves, by position:

C Ross/Valentin
1B Votto
2B Phillips
SS Keppinger
3B Encarnacion
LF Freel
CF Bruce
RF Griffey Jr.

SP: Harang
SP: Arroyo
SP: Cueto
SP: Bailey
SP: Volquez

RP: Cordero
RP: Weathers

with subs like Hopper and Gonzalez. and that’s without improving the roster via trading Dunn this summer or signing anybody at all in the winter. it’s certainly not a perfect team, but it’s young and pretty damn good. for those interested, MLB Trade Rumors ran down all of Krivsky’s moves since he took over here. it’s a very solid record of good moves, although not many of them would be considered impact moves. but he’s also got no Mulder for Haren/Calero/Barton-type blunders.

there are far worse GMs who still have their jobs.

by kindred on Apr 23, 2008 5:04 PM EDT up 0 recs

I can see Walt

pulling off a pretty big trade this summer if the Reds are out of the race just to make his presence known in the League again. I can see him dealing Griffey to a contender in a deal favoring the Reds.

But something tells me he won’t be calling Mo anytime soon.

I was really suprised that the Reds hired Baker, I thought for sure once Walt went to Cincy that Tony wouldn’t be far behind.

by KYCards on Apr 23, 2008 2:37 PM EDT 0 recs

Griffey is a 5 and 10 player so that really limits the Reds ability to trade him

As a Reds fan I am really worried, I though Krivksy was solid. Walt seems like he had a lot of luck in St. Louis. Puljols was more luck than good drafting, whenever player who was drafted as late as Puljols was, turns into a star it is mostly luck.

It was nice having top pitching prospects like Bailey, but I am guessing he will be traded for a big name declining veteran. Why did the Cards have to fire Walt?

The Dusty Path to the World Series!*

*Note this is not an endorsment of Dusty Baker.

by justin007000 on Apr 24, 2008 11:40 AM EDT up 0 recs

Griffey would waive that clause if they sent him back to Seattle.

He never really wanted to leave and was hurt that they didn’t match the Reds offer. And I bet Seattle would take him back-the fans there still love him. If he went back, he could extend his career as a DH.

I have always loved Jr., and I’m glad he at least got to spend a lot of time with his second choice team. I’ve always felt he was the one that would have broken Hank’s record, with no asteriks, if he would have stopped running into walls…....and pulling his hamstring.
Oh, Mr. Jocketty, I want Homer Bailey…..

She isn't crazy, she's just not impressed.

by jillsinmo on Apr 24, 2008 10:20 PM EDT up 0 recs

acquiring brandon phillips for nothing

was a pretty shrewd move on krivsky’s part, also. i agree with guayz, the only real stupid one was signing cordero for so much.

go cards, o's, and phillies.

...boiler up.

by moboiler on Apr 23, 2008 2:40 PM EDT 0 recs

Reds Closer

I don’t really think the signing of Cordero was as bad as everyone states. He was coming off of a great year in Milwaukee and the Reds decided to make a push for the best closer available, which happened to be Cordero. Cordero was being offered 4/40 mil by the Brewers and the Reds needed to top that to get him. The next option was Gagne which was a horrible signing for 1/ 10 mil by Milwaukee.

by Jumsy on Apr 23, 2008 3:47 PM EDT 0 recs

I've always felt it was something they had to do.

They have not been able to develop their own, trade for one, or get lucky with a pitcher in the bullpen having a great year. They tried everything but signing a legitimate closer. And they also removed him from a division rival. That kind of move is worth the money. And they got to keep their minor leagues intact.

She isn't crazy, she's just not impressed.

by jillsinmo on Apr 24, 2008 10:24 PM EDT up 0 recs

well that took long enough

anyone with a pulse knew Walt was going to take over as GM. it was just a matter of time.

if you think he made a mess of the Cards farm system, just wait till he gets his hands on the Reds kids. i pity all the Reds fans i live around.

of course with good old Dusty at the helm, it might be in their pitchers best interest to get the heck out of the Queen City. pick up the phone MO & congratulate your old boss, and mend those fences. Homer & Cueto would look great wearing the Birds On The Bat.

I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson AND THAT'S A WINNER!

by gdm426 on Apr 23, 2008 4:01 PM EDT 1 recs

I would just caution that

we can’t be sure whether Jocketty’s style as GM was based on his own preference or if it was in response to his employers’ priorities. Don’t assume that he can’t build or maintain a good farm system.

by MdRedbirdFreak on Apr 23, 2008 4:04 PM EDT up 0 recs

You’re exactly right, Walt will also be looking to see us coming out on the low end of the division and will do everything he can can to ensure it, but not by sacrificing the Reds future. Walt is gonna be fine in Cincy, the Reds just got better.

If Walt were still here, the first thing he might do is put together a small package involving Wonderbrad and land STL a solid MIF prospect with a decent bat and a glove, which is something I hope Mo is considering about right now as he calls Jock w/ congrats, make the next call and deal Thompson.

Then I hope we can kick Harens butt a few times when AZ comes around and put that Jock rant to bed.

by cardschinmusic on Apr 23, 2008 4:45 PM EDT up 0 recs

If Jock continues his tradition of swinging prospects for veterans, maybe we could get Jay Bruce and have the Rasmus/Bruce doubly whammy from the 2005 draft.

Okay, even Jocketty probably wouldn’t trade Jay Bruce.

by mojowo11 on Apr 23, 2008 4:18 PM EDT 0 recs

jocketty

I just hope for reds’ fans sake that they are NOT in the race by trade deadline, he’d be trading youth for vets again. That city is so disperate for a winner they might put pressure for a big trade. If they are in the toilet, the worry turns around to the rest of the division because he’ll deal vets, and the reds could be good for years to come.

"Textbooks are Soviet propaganda" - Rev. Jerry Falwell

by elirock83 on Apr 24, 2008 2:20 PM EDT 0 recs