Mailbag: More money, less problems?
01/30/2006
Will the new owner add payroll to get the ace that the Reds badly need? And will having a new owner affect the Reds this year?-- Chris E., Cincinnati
Having a new owner has immediately affected this team, and it seems, this city. No doubt, Bob Castellini's straight-shooting, aggressive manner has struck a positive chord with the people. Although it might not be as simple as he believes, he will certainly be looking for any means to make his new team competitive this year. As for adding payroll, it appears Castellini is going to hold firm for now in the $60-65 million range, but he didn't rule out boosting it midseason if the Reds were contending.
Will the Reds organization start to spend the type of money that Chicago, St. Louis and Houston have spent over the years? Wouldn't you agree that money produces championships?-- Drew G., Englewood, Ohio
No, I don't totally agree with that theory. Money spent wisely, good pitching and some luck usually wins championships, but even that isn't always enough. Last time I checked, none of the NL Central teams you've mentioned (assuming the Chicago you referred to is the Cubs), have won a World Series lately. Even the White Sox didn't outspend the pack to win it all in 2005. Too many teams have thrown money around to fix their problems over the years (i.e. the Rockies, Devil Rays, Orioles and Mariners) and have not found recent success.
With the vacant GM position, Castellini said he wants someone who is knowledgeable of talent and who is great in dealing with the public. Any thoughts on "Sweet" Lou Piniella? He would be a great front office guy who possesses all these qualities.-- Mike B., Utica, Ohio
Castellini definitely wanted to bring Piniella aboard as a special advisor this year in a big way, but was told the former Reds, Mariners and Yankees manager wanted to take a year off and work as a television analyst.
How do you expect Edwin Encarnacion to do in 2006? If his cheap salary wasn't a factor, I would think he would be in Triple-A for another full season, at least.-- Mike P., Kettering, Ohio
Encarnacion will get every chance to win the starting job, but it's not assured to him by any means. The organization would like him to be more comfortable and consistent at the plate and hope working with new bench coach and former infielder Bucky Dent will improve his overall defensive skills. It doesn't appear Encarnacion's salary will be the deciding factor in his winning the spot, otherwise the Reds probably wouldn't have spent the money to re-sign Rich Aurilia.
Where is Josh Hancock expected to be on the team at the beginning of the year? Bullpen, fourth starter, fifth starter or what?-- Robert D., Levittown, Pa.
Since Hancock was taken off the 40-man roster to make room for pitcher Grant Balfour and will be in camp as a non-roster player, he has no assurances of a job this spring. Fortunately, he made up for some of the innings he lost to a groin injury last season by playing winter ball and could still make the team with good performances when he gets opportunities.
This spring, my family is visiting Sarasota, Fla., and Spring Training for the first time. What is the typical schedule for player workouts, Minor League games, Major League games, etc.? Are all the workouts open to the public? Are fans able to watch Minor League games?-- Dan H., East Amherst, N.Y.
There is no charge to watch practice and workouts on the practice fields behind the home clubhouse on Tuttle and 12th Street in Sarasota. There are bleachers for fans to sit while the action is going on. Most of the workouts are held in the mornings, usually going from 9 a.m. ET until around 1:30 p.m.
Although you may have to pay to park, Minor League games are free, but I don't have a schedule. For a Grapefruit League schedule and ticket information for the Reds' big-league squad, check out the Reds' Spring Training page.
Source: http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/
Will the new owner add payroll to get the ace that the Reds badly need? And will having a new owner affect the Reds this year?-- Chris E., Cincinnati
Having a new owner has immediately affected this team, and it seems, this city. No doubt, Bob Castellini's straight-shooting, aggressive manner has struck a positive chord with the people. Although it might not be as simple as he believes, he will certainly be looking for any means to make his new team competitive this year. As for adding payroll, it appears Castellini is going to hold firm for now in the $60-65 million range, but he didn't rule out boosting it midseason if the Reds were contending.
Will the Reds organization start to spend the type of money that Chicago, St. Louis and Houston have spent over the years? Wouldn't you agree that money produces championships?-- Drew G., Englewood, Ohio
No, I don't totally agree with that theory. Money spent wisely, good pitching and some luck usually wins championships, but even that isn't always enough. Last time I checked, none of the NL Central teams you've mentioned (assuming the Chicago you referred to is the Cubs), have won a World Series lately. Even the White Sox didn't outspend the pack to win it all in 2005. Too many teams have thrown money around to fix their problems over the years (i.e. the Rockies, Devil Rays, Orioles and Mariners) and have not found recent success.
With the vacant GM position, Castellini said he wants someone who is knowledgeable of talent and who is great in dealing with the public. Any thoughts on "Sweet" Lou Piniella? He would be a great front office guy who possesses all these qualities.-- Mike B., Utica, Ohio
Castellini definitely wanted to bring Piniella aboard as a special advisor this year in a big way, but was told the former Reds, Mariners and Yankees manager wanted to take a year off and work as a television analyst.
How do you expect Edwin Encarnacion to do in 2006? If his cheap salary wasn't a factor, I would think he would be in Triple-A for another full season, at least.-- Mike P., Kettering, Ohio
Encarnacion will get every chance to win the starting job, but it's not assured to him by any means. The organization would like him to be more comfortable and consistent at the plate and hope working with new bench coach and former infielder Bucky Dent will improve his overall defensive skills. It doesn't appear Encarnacion's salary will be the deciding factor in his winning the spot, otherwise the Reds probably wouldn't have spent the money to re-sign Rich Aurilia.
Where is Josh Hancock expected to be on the team at the beginning of the year? Bullpen, fourth starter, fifth starter or what?-- Robert D., Levittown, Pa.
Since Hancock was taken off the 40-man roster to make room for pitcher Grant Balfour and will be in camp as a non-roster player, he has no assurances of a job this spring. Fortunately, he made up for some of the innings he lost to a groin injury last season by playing winter ball and could still make the team with good performances when he gets opportunities.
This spring, my family is visiting Sarasota, Fla., and Spring Training for the first time. What is the typical schedule for player workouts, Minor League games, Major League games, etc.? Are all the workouts open to the public? Are fans able to watch Minor League games?-- Dan H., East Amherst, N.Y.
There is no charge to watch practice and workouts on the practice fields behind the home clubhouse on Tuttle and 12th Street in Sarasota. There are bleachers for fans to sit while the action is going on. Most of the workouts are held in the mornings, usually going from 9 a.m. ET until around 1:30 p.m.
Although you may have to pay to park, Minor League games are free, but I don't have a schedule. For a Grapefruit League schedule and ticket information for the Reds' big-league squad, check out the Reds' Spring Training page.
Source: http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/
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