reds secretively winning since the all star break

[jditty47]

did anyone even notice?

[Kirkendall]

They're also 18-15 with Narron as the manager.

[bengalboomer7]

If they could end up close to .500 I probably wouldn't complain........well, not very mich at least.

[AMC]

Is Narron winning himself a cheap (thats the main thing for the reds) job????

Haven't heard too much speculation about the managers job aside from the random Jim "having a smoke in the dugout" Leyland rumor....

[Kirkendall]

O'Brien won't comment on the status of next year's managers. I don't suspect Leyland will come in just because of cost and his age (probably looking for a winning team).

I'd say they hire the guy that best fits into that season's philsophy. Narron has installed little ball somewhat, and understands the small things (like keeping Freel in the lineup) or talking of putting Valentine at first riding his hot hitting. I'm not saying Narron is the guy, but that type of ball is good for the younger guys to understand.

I think now the biggest thing for fans is to acknowledge that O'Brien is working on getting the farm system back up and running. Once the farm is solid, I think we'll start seeing winners. I read somewhere (of course, I can't find it now), O'Brien since he's started as GM, has put together some of the best draft picks during that span compared to all MLB teams.

Also, it doesn't look like he's going to make blockbuster deals with any of the outfielders. Casey was rumored to going to the Mets, but that deal was shot down.

[joshh967]

I actually tried watching a majority of their games at the beginning of the year but couldnt keep putting myself through the pain. I admit this is exciting, its far from being anything close to great...

[AMC]

I actually tried watching a majority of their games at the beginning of the year but couldnt keep putting myself through the pain. I admit this is exciting, its far from being anything close to great...

hey, 3 in a row on the road! when it comes to the reds it doesn't take much!

I'm in Tampa now, so seeing the D-Rays every night, believe me it could be worse!

[CBin2k7]

The Reds are playing very well right now. But I caution the optimists that the Reds are playing against the NL West. Even the Reds pitchers can shut down the Dodgers and the Padres. But with that said, I am encouraged.

Encarnacion looks like a future star, keep him in the lineup

Find anyone to take Aurilia so he doesn't take playing time away from Freel/Encarnacion.

Griffey is playing real well in center, the ball he tracked down the other day was amazing.

I like the Reds building plan, they have a few pitchers in Louisville ready to come up, but Ortiz and Milton are taking up spots in the rotation.

I say if you ain't gonna trade Dunn, Kearns, Pena, sign them to long term deals, so you dont' get raped in arbitration.

I rather lose with young players than to lose with old ones.

[AMC]

The Reds are playing very well right now. But I caution the optimists that the Reds are playing against the NL West. Even the Reds pitchers can shut down the Dodgers and the Padres. But with that said, I am encouraged.

Encarnacion looks like a future star, keep him in the lineup

Find anyone to take Aurilia so he doesn't take playing time away from Freel/Encarnacion.

Griffey is playing real well in center, the ball he tracked down the other day was amazing.

I like the Reds building plan, they have a few pitchers in Louisville ready to come up, but Ortiz and Milton are taking up spots in the rotation.

I say if you ain't gonna trade Dunn, Kearns, Pena, sign them to long term deals, so you dont' get raped in arbitration.

I rather lose with young players than to lose with old ones.

Aurilia is whining that he wants to be traded....buh-bye....

Encarnacion is the real deal....

Freel's contract is up after this year....hope they resign him....

looks like trades are dying on the vine....see if O'brien pulls somehting out of his behind though

[Kirkendall]

I think we have reason to be optimistic. Not in the we're going to win the world series optimism mold (yet), rather a plan/foundation is being formulated and success, if the team has patience, will come.

And let's face facts, a lot of what's happened this year isn't because of O'Brien and Linder is a convenient fault. But if you look at other teams, most salaries are tied up with a few players, whereas we don't have (other than Griffey) big time salaries.

But let go back to O'Brien and why I think he shouldn't be blamed completely because how could he have known:

- Paul Wilson had been hurt since last year's post-all star break. I fault Wilson for not saying something.

- Milton, while gives up the long ball, is NOTHING close to what he's proven to be in the past. If Milton has an average year, we aren't complaining about him.

- The Weber, Hancock, Hall injuries.

- Hudson, Ortiz, and Claussen starting out so badly -- but have remarkably improved.

- Kearns being the disappointment he was.

We get into the mold of blaming someone, and other than John Allen, I think the only blame that should go around is players injuries and kid developments.

If the above works out to plan, then the Reds don't play as bad as they have.

Let's complement O'Brien on the following:

- Signing Merker and Weathers who are having good years and providing some leadership with a teachers attitude in the pen.

- The draft picks that should reflect on the Reds within the next 2-3 years.

- Trading Randa for two young arms and giving Edwin MLB tested playing time.

- The Aurilia signing. If you take his numbers, after coming back from the DL, and span it over a full season, he's close to 25 homers, 100 RBIs with a .290-.300 batting average. And Aurilia isn't complaining. He knows his chances of getting traded are big, as we all do, and he's saying things like "I could help out the Dodgers". Aurilia isn't mad about being here at all. He knows he'll have limited playing time no matter where he goes, and he knows his name is floating around as a trade possibility. Plus he knows Freel needs a full time home because he's too valuable not to have in the lineup. I understand Aurilia's comments completely.

- Setting examples of Jimenez and Kearns -- if you're not a team player, and if you're not going to perform, you'll be demoted. I thought that was key.

** I agree, if we're not trading Dunn let's sign him to a long term deal.

[AMC]

I think we have reason to be optimistic. Not in the we're going to win the world series optimism mold (yet), rather a plan/foundation is being formulated and success, if the team has patience, will come.

And let's face facts, a lot of what's happened this year isn't because of O'Brien and Linder is a convenient fault. But if you look at other teams, most salaries are tied up with a few players, whereas we don't have (other than Griffey) big time salaries.

But let go back to O'Brien and why I think he shouldn't be blamed completely because how could he have known:

- Paul Wilson had been hurt since last year's post-all star break. I fault Wilson for not saying something.

- Milton, while gives up the long ball, is NOTHING close to what he's proven to be in the past. If Milton has an average year, we aren't complaining about him.

- The Weber, Hancock, Hall injuries.

- Hudson, Ortiz, and Claussen starting out so badly -- but have remarkably improved.

- Kearns being the disappointment he was.

We get into the mold of blaming someone, and other than John Allen, I think the only blame that should go around is players injuries and kid developments.

If the above works out to plan, then the Reds don't play as bad as they have.

Let's complement O'Brien on the following:

- Signing Merker and Weathers who are having good years and providing some leadership with a teachers attitude in the pen.

- The draft picks that should reflect on the Reds within the next 2-3 years.

- Trading Randa for two young arms and giving Edwin MLB tested playing time.

- The Aurilia signing. If you take his numbers, after coming back from the DL, and span it over a full season, he's close to 25 homers, 100 RBIs with a .290-.300 batting average. And Aurilia isn't complaining. He knows his chances of getting traded are big, as we all do, and he's saying things like "I could help out the Dodgers". Aurilia isn't mad about being here at all. He knows he'll have limited playing time no matter where he goes, and he knows his name is floating around as a trade possibility. Plus he knows Freel needs a full time home because he's too valuable not to have in the lineup. I understand Aurilia's comments completely.

- Setting examples of Jimenez and Kearns -- if you're not a team player, and if you're not going to perform, you'll be demoted. I thought that was key.

** I agree, if we're not trading Dunn let's sign him to a long term deal.

Very well said Kirkendall...That about sums it up!

[Kirkendall]

Thanks bud.

BTW, remember the names: Jeff Bruksch, Justin Germano, and Ben Kozlowski.

Jeff Bruksch won his Triple-A debut Sunday. Justin Germano, who was acquired in the Joe Randa trade, threw seven solid innings Thursday. Last night it was left-hander Ben Kozlowski's turn to impress.

Kozlowski tossed six strong innings to win his first-ever Triple-A start as the Bats turned back Durham 5-2 before 11,038 fans at Louisville Slugger Field. The Bats salvaged a split of the four-game series and finished their homestand 5-4.

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.d...423/1002/SPORTS

[AMC]

Thanks bud.

BTW, remember the names: Jeff Bruksch, Justin Germano, and Ben Kozlowski.

Jeff Bruksch won his Triple-A debut Sunday. Justin Germano, who was acquired in the Joe Randa trade, threw seven solid innings Thursday. Last night it was left-hander Ben Kozlowski's turn to impress.

Kozlowski tossed six strong innings to win his first-ever Triple-A start as the Bats turned back Durham 5-2 before 11,038 fans at Louisville Slugger Field. The Bats salvaged a split of the four-game series and finished their homestand 5-4.

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.d...423/1002/SPORTS

this Germano kid looks to be a steal out of the Randa deal...he will get a september look, if not sooner

and to see that Kozlowski got promoted is a good deal.

i will give o'brien credit, he does seem to be getting the farm system in gear...that was his emphasis when he was interviewed after he was hired....and he is following through...

[CBin2k7]

The Padres gave up on Germano kinda quick this year. I think they will come back to regret it and the Reds certaintly got the best of the deal. Although Randa is having a great season, he was cooling off slightly when the Reds traded him.

Another name down there to watch is Jimmy Serrano. I also wonder why Chris Booker hasn't been brought up and given a shot to close, and who is the Reds closer of the future?

[AMC]

The Padres gave up on Germano kinda quick this year. I think they will come back to regret it and the Reds certaintly got the best of the deal. Although Randa is having a great season, he was cooling off slightly when the Reds traded him.

Another name down there to watch is Jimmy Serrano. I also wonder why Chris Booker hasn't been brought up and given a shot to close, and who is the Reds closer of the future?

I'm thinking they are still hoping Wagner will take that spot???

[CBin2k7]

The Padres gave up on Germano kinda quick this year.  I think they will come back to regret it and the Reds certaintly got the best of the deal.  Although Randa is having a great season, he was cooling off slightly when the Reds traded him.

Another name down there to watch is Jimmy Serrano.  I also wonder why Chris Booker hasn't been brought up and given a shot to close, and who is the Reds closer of the future?

I'm thinking they are still hoping Wagner will take that spot???

I hope Wagner can get it together. I wonder if the Reds groom their pitchers for specific roles in the minors.

[Kirkendall]

Me too. Wagner has been anything but solid. However, I think he got a little over-used early in his career and his confidence kinda sucks. You can see it when he pitches to more established sluggers -- he pitches around them rather than going after them.

Belisle has done alright when closing and seems to be finding his niche in the pen... he'd be my pick as the long relief guy -- at least for now.

I do think the O'Brien has to be fired talk needs to calm down b/c he is doing good at rebuilding the farm. If we fire him, then we're back at step one. Bowdon did the quick fix method and you see where we're at -- no trophies and no farm.

[bengalindian]

Me too. Wagner has been anything but solid. However, I think he got a little over-used early in his career and his confidence kinda sucks. You can see it when he pitches to more established sluggers -- he pitches around them rather than going after them.

Belisle has done alright when closing and seems to be finding his niche in the pen... he'd be my pick as the long relief guy -- at least for now.

I do think the O'Brien has to be fired talk needs to calm down b/c he is doing good at rebuilding the farm. If we fire him, then we're back at step one. Bowdon did the quick fix method and you see where we're at -- no trophies and no farm.

But I like my quick fixes.

But that is certainly true. The Greg Vaughn"s and Juan Guzman's and Dante Bichette's, though very appetite-satisfying, weren't long term things that we should and do regret now, and I can totally see why Dan O'Brien should be given more credit than he is receiving.

[CBin2k7]

I am not ready to give credit to Dan O'Brien, I will be patient with him and his drafts, but I do think he has made some bad decisions. The Reds organization is getting better but it's going to take a while. We as fans are not going to be patient 2/3 more years until some of these people are ready to contribute.

This year's version of the Reds are still 44-58, and are in a seriously difficult division to compete in. St Louis, Chicago and Houston are clearly the class and Milwaukee is getting better every day. I see hope, but not that much.

[jditty47]

wheathers needs to close for now.