Loading ...Several articles this morning on the latest controversy involving Reds pitcher Gary Majewski. John Fay discusses it here, Hal McCoy has his take, and the AP and Reds.com have stories, as well. From Fay’s article:
But saying Gary Majewski, he of the Washington Nationals trade controversy, is not ready to join the other pitchers in drills is a big deal.
So when Reds manager Jerry Narron said Majewski and Eddie Guardado were being held back, it caused a stir. Guardado is coming off elbow surgery, so that was expected. Majewski ended the year healthy after a stint on the disabled list with shoulder inflammation. He was expected to join the pitchers and catchers for the first workout….
The fact that it’s Majewski makes it a bigger deal.
Majewski, a 26-year-old right-hander, is the Red who seems to attract controversy like a magnet – through no fault of his own.
Well, some of it is his fault…he did pitch like a Little Leaguer after coming to the Reds last season. Anyway, I’d love to hear what Wayne Krivsky said about all this yesterday. The fact that there are no quotes from him in any of these stories is telling; last year, you could sense the irritation in his voice whenever the subject arose.
From my perspective, every time Majewski’s name is brought up, it reminds me of “The Trade,” and that makes me sick to my stomach. I think an argument can be made that, excluding “The Trade,” Krivsky has done a good job as General Manager, but last July’s swap with the Nationals is completely indefensible. It was a disaster from the beginning, and hasn’t improved in retrospect.
… and yet, the Reds have had these players only three months. At least give it a full season or, better, two seasons. Everybody nowadays wants everything right now, immediately, quick dividends, or off with ye heads.
Majewski said. “We figured out what had happened. My shoulder was getting stronger but my scapula…. from overuse, like anything else, had fatigued.”
Shouldn’t the Reds’ medical staff have anticipated this possibility last fall and have placed him on an appropriate rehab program?!
“. . . and yet, the Reds have had these players only three months.”
And yet, those three months almost certainly were the major factor that cost the Reds a 2006 division title in the end.
For those three months, the Reds got the contributions of Clayton instead of Lopez, and a mix of rookie Denorfia and an overextended Freel instead of Kearns. In the bullpen, they got a fatigued Majewski to blow a few leads. Bray was reasonably solid in comparison.
Meanwhile in the minors, the Reds gave up a former 1st-round pick who had been struggling since a wildly successful debut. They received an AAA 2nd baseman with a little pop (since been traded for a player-to-be-named or cash considerations) and an injury-plagued pitcher in short season low-A.
The reason many didn’t like The Trade right off the bat, was that it did not have a good probability of paying off (both in the short and long term). Those odds continue to dive lower.
It’s obvious you can’t trust anything Krivsky or Narron say about it at this point. I think Majik gave an honest explanation. It’s plausible that a guy with his mindset (relief pitcher who wants the ball every day regardless) would apply the same mentality to his workouts—more is better, no pain no gain, etc. The kid’s OK.
Here’s an option if Majic can’t make it…http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/rumors/post/Reds-interested-in-Mercker?urn=mlb,24889
What?!?
Maybe he can be signed for the broadcast booth, but as a reliever? Granted, he’s the right age for us, but can this be serious?