"SOMETIMES THE BEST DEALS ARE THE ONES YOU DON'T MAKE."
8.3.10 BY:MEH A TRADING POST
"SOMETIMES THE BEST DEALS ARE THE ONES YOU DON'T MAKE." -Walt Jocketty
We all know what the
Cincinnati Reds did prior to the 2010 MLB non-waiver trade deadline.
Nothing. Many writers
predicted the stalemate and Reds' GM Walt
Jocketty remained confident in his organization's ability to stay
competitive for the remainder of the season. Jocketty expressed his patience
and willingness to only make a deal if a significant upgrade was available.
The Reds were reluctant to deplete their potent overflow of young pitching
and seemed to be comfortable with their current roster. Offensively, no
candidates stood out to Mr. Jocketty and the Reds' other concern, their
bullpen, has been dominant of late. Also, the additions of Russ Springer and
Jason Isringhausen have eased concerns.
"We
thought we were pretty good leaving Spring Training,"
Dusty Baker said.
"We haven't changed. If anything, the longer you're around, the more
confident you should become."
Although Walt Jocketty is known for
making blockbuster mid-season deals to propel his team into the
postseason, his certainty in the Reds' current roster is flattering. If
Jocketty lacked faith in his current club's ability, his history has shown
that he would have made a move. Jocketty claimed to express interest is some
players, but those players were not dealt.
Many players were.
In order to truly appreciate the lack of movement Walt Jocketty has
participated in so far this season, one must remember the past. From
1992-2003 the Reds' General was James Goodwin Bowden IV. Bowden was
responsible for some of the most devastating and dismantling transactions in
recent Reds' history:
1992-93: Bowden's first transaction as a General Manager was trading
Paul O'Neill to the Yankees for Roberto Kelly. O'Neill spent nine seasons as
a Yankee and hit 185 homeruns, 304 doubles, drove in 858 runs with 1426
hits, and posted a .303 batting average. Kelly played in only 125 games over
the next 2 years for Cincinnati before being traded to Atlanta for Deion
Sanders in 1994. Bowden also shipped "Nasty Boy" Norm Charlton to Seattle
for Kevin Mitchell. Kevin Mitchell was one of the most dangerous players in
the league, but played in only 188 of 276 games for the Reds during 1993-94.
Charlton saved 18 games for the Mariners in 1993 and notched a 2.34 ERA. The
Reds finished in fifth-place (73-89) in 1993.
1995: During the Reds' last playoff season, Bowden traded away
thirteen players during the regular season. Chris Sexton, Tim Belcher, John
Roper, Deion Sanders, and Scott Service were all moved. The Reds received
ten players in return. David Wells (from Baltimore) was the most notable
player acquired. Wells went 6-5 with a 3.59 ERA for the Reds helping them
reach the playoffs, but received the loss (6IP, 8H, 3ER) in the first of
four straight against Atlanta in the NLCS. Wells was traded to the Orioles
for Curtis Goodwin and Trovin Valdez after the season.
1998: In the midst of a 77-85 season, Bowden traded away Dave Burba,
Lenny Harris, Jeff Shaw, and Willie Green. A young Sean Casey was acquired
along with Paul Konerko. Casey would play seven seasons in Cincinnati
(118HR, 604RBI). Konerko played 26 games (3HR, 13RBI) before being traded in
November.
2000: After winning 96 games and finishing second in '99 Bowden
traded Mike Cameron, Brett Tomko, and two others to the Mariners for Ken
Griffey Junior. Despite one of Junior's best seasons as a Red (40HR, 118RBI,
.271AVG), and a second place finish (85-77), Bowden traded away Gabe White,
Denny Neagle, Hal Morris, Manny Aybar, Dante Bichette, Ron Villone, Eddie
Taubensee, Chris Stynes, and Steve Parris in 2000. Players received? Chris
Reitsma, Jim Brower, and Brian Reith top the list.
2001: During the Reds' worst season (66-96) since 1982 (61-101),
Bowden dismantled an already depleted roster. Mark Wohlers, Alex Ochoa,
Michael Tucker, Pokey Reese, Dmitri Young and Dennys Reyes were all traded.
The Reds recieved Todd Walker, Juan Encarnacion, and Gabe White in return.
Encarnacion was traded less than eight months later for Ryan Dempster and
Todd Walker was dumped for two players during December 2002.
2003: Bowden must have sensed his termination following the '03
season as the Reds finished in fifth place (69-93) in the NL Central. From
July 30 to August 31 Bowden traded away Jose Guillen, Scott Williamson, Gabe
White, Aaron Boone, Kent Mercker, Scott Sullivan, and Kelly Stinnett. Since
Bowden's departure the Reds haven't finished better than third in their
division and have yet to have a winning season.
With so much movement over the last sixteen years and just one playoff berth
to show for it, Walt Jocketty's preservation this season becomes
commendable. He strayed from trade rumors involving Bronson Arroyo and
Francisco Cordero last season as he acquired Scott Rolen en route to
building this year's first place organization. Moves can and will be made
through August, but it seems that Jocketty is just fine with the players
that he has. We can only hope that the Reds come through on their half of
the deal. So far, they are 3-0 and have reclaimed sole-possession of
first-place in the NL Central since the non-waiver trade deadline expired.
Go Reds.
