Krivsky Out, Jocketty In

[Valadius]

]Reds fire GM Wayne Krivsky after 9-12 start By JOE KAY, AP Sports Writer 22 minutes ago CINCINNATI (AP)�The Cincinnati Reds have fired general manager Wayne Krivsky and replaced him with former St. Louis GM Walt Jocketty. The Reds are off to their worst start in five years. The firing wasn�t as much a surprise as the timing. Krivsky knew his job was in jeopardy when owner Bob Castellini hired Jocketty as a special consultant in January. The two were friends from Castellini�s days in the Cardinals� ownership group. When the Reds got off to a 9-12 start, Castellini made a switch that was expected at some point. Krivsky, who was hired before the 2006 season, was in the final year of his contract.

[metirish]

Can't have been fun working as a dead man walking, should Dusty be worried?

[seawolf17]

Jocketty is one of the few GMs to get his own baseball card:

[MFS62]

How'd that happen?
Rick Ankiel was so strong he kept breaking the pens so he couldn't sign his card. And they needed someone to fill out the Cardinal set?
Later

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

That's pretty interesting. Krivsky seemed to be doing a good job acquiring talent, and they (he or someone else?!?) just named a new manager. I guess they brough Jocketty in there to look over his shoulder.

[seawolf17]

What's funny is that he's part of one of Topps' "Fan Favorites" sets they put out a couple of years ago. Who knew Jocketty was that beloved in St. Louis? Theo Epstein has a card in one of the sets too.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Did the Reds really expect to win much more than 9 of their first 21 games?

[Frayed Knot]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Did the Reds really expect to win much more than 9 of their first 21 games?

Cincy was a popular NL Central pick 'mongst the pre-season prognosticators crowd.
I suspect some were choosing them simply to be different and/or be the first on the bandwagon. But improvment was expected and they've got several young players with oddles of upside: pitchers Cueto, Volquez & Bailey; hitters Votto & Bruce, who may blossom soon (although prolly not all this year).

[Guest AG/DC]

Who? Who? Who? Who? Who?

[nymr83]

AG/DC wrote: Who? Who? Who? Who? Who?

you're joking right?

in any case they are indeed loaded but two of those guys languish at AAA (thanks alot dusty) while a 3rd was only recently elevated to starting over hatteberg. firing the guys after a 9-12 start is pretty silly.

[seawolf17]

Nymr83 wrote: ="AG/DC"]Who? Who? Who? Who? Who? you're joking right? in any case they are indeed loaded but two of those guys languish at AAA (thanks alot dusty) while a 3rd was only recently elevated to starting over hatteberg. firing the guys after a 9-12 start is pretty silly.

Seriously. Cueto came on like gangbusters in his first start this year, Bailey's their stud prospect who flamed out ugly last summer. Votto's their everyday 1B, and Bruce is considered by some to be the top prospect in the minor leagues right now (since the Rays called up Evan Longoria).

[Benjamin Grimm]

I don't know if Edgy was joking or not, but I've never heard of any of those guys. (Except for Cueto; I recently learned his name.)

Are we supposed to be keeping track of Cincinnati prospects? If so, I've been very lax.

[Frayed Knot]

AG/DC wrote: Who? Who? Who? Who? Who?

Wel you say 'Who?' now but that's a five-some any team would take for their system.

- Cueto was the guy who threw a Wow! game on opening day (near no-hitter, 10 Ks).
- Edison Volquez is a young hurler they got from Texas in exchange for Josh Hamilton
- Homer Bailey was up there with the Yanx' Philip Hughes as top pitching prospects in baseball last year (though he took a step back)
- Joey Votto is already up playing 1st base (.300+, 4 HRs)
- and OFer Jay Bruce was most folks pick as the best prospect in baseball this year

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Reds fans on the Internets seem to think Krivsky wasn't political or media friendly enough and while he did the mop-up effectively after Bowden it's now its time for a real guy to take over. They are also in fear of Jock trading all them prospects.

[Guest AG/DC]

Grimmy and me should start a fantasy league so we can keep up with these folks.

[smg58]

Krivsky first got in trouble for the deal that sent Kearns and Lopez to Washington for a pair of mediocre relievers. The deal produced no tangible benefit to the Reds, but neither Kearns or Lopez has exactly lit things up for the Nats either.

I'm not sure how many of the Reds' top prospects are actually Krivsky's doing, but for all his lack of popularity, he leaves the Reds in better shape than they were when he arrived.

And I don't see the point of making a move like this three weeks into the season. If you didn't like him, you could have hired somebody else in the offseason.

[metirish]

Jocketty needs to fire Dusty's useless ass and bring in Bobby Valentine to mange those youngsters .

[Guest AG/DC]

But is that ass bearded?