Loading ...John Fay, who’s doing yeoman’s work lately (especially for a guy with no competition), asked Walt Jocketty to explain the Reds plan.
Jocketty’s answer was beyond poor. The guy sounds like he’s never even considered the question:
“The plan is . . . we have a plan, let’s put it at that. . . The plan is to try and develop quality young players and build a foundation for the organization for the long-term, not just the short-term.
“We’re also trying to be fair to our fans and be competitive as much as we could this year. I think we were until we were hit with a lot of injuries in the middle of July. We didn’t have the depth to compensate for it.
“The plan is to continue to sign quality young talent and develop it to the major league level. That’s simplifying it. But that’s the plan.”
Do you think you can compete next year?
“I don’t know,” Jocketty said. “I don’t know what the competition will be next year. I would hope we were competing this year until we got hurt.”
That reminds me of Mr. Hand’s great line from Fast Times:
Mr. Hand: [Mr. Hand goes to blackboard and writes the words 'I Don't Know', then underlines them]
Mr. Hand: I like that. ‘I Don’t Know.’ That’s nice.
Mr. Hand: ‘Mr. Hand, will I pass this class?’ Gee, Mr. Spicoli, I don’t know! You know what I’m going to do? I’m going to leave your words right up here for all my classes to enjoy, giving you full credit of course, Mr. Spicoli.
Jeff Spicoli: All right!
Smart remarks aside, Jocketty’s answer reveals exactly what’s wrong with the Reds.
The plan is to try and develop quality young players and build a foundation for the organization for the long-term, not just the short-term.
- Sounds like the Pirates and Royals, but okay.
We’re also trying to be fair to our fans and be competitive as much as we could this year.
- Wait, wait, wait. That is totally different from what you just said. Fooling around with the likes of Willy Taveras isn’t “fair” to anyone. And frankly, it’s insulting to your fans if you think they’ll be enticed to the ballpark by a half-assed attempt to “be competitive as much as you can.”
I think we were until we were hit with a lot of injuries in the middle of July. We didn’t have the depth to compensate for it.
I am so sick of this injury excuse, but it appears that Jocketty/Baker are going to stick with it. It’s nonsense (every team has injuries) and inaccurate (they were in 5th place by July 9, before the mythical injury deluge). But more than that, it is no excuse. Walt Jocketty is the guy who built a roster with zero depth. Yet he’s acting like he’s somehow the victim.
The plan is to continue to sign quality young talent and develop it to the major league level. That’s simplifying it. But that’s the plan.
Taking us back to Scott Rolen, Zack Stewart, and Josh Roenicke.
Do you think you can compete next year?
“I don’t know,” Jocketty said. “I don’t know what the competition will be next year. I would hope we were competing this year until we got hurt.
WAIT A MINUTE. YOU DON’T KNOW? Then why were you adding salary and shedding young players for next year just last week? This stuff boggles the mind.
I’m generally more patient and understanding of team management than many on these boards, but that was a pretty poor answer. He could have indicated whether the Reds intend to retrench for 2011 or still plan to compete next year without giving up any state secrets.
I’ve got to wonder, though – since so many of these lousy answers we complain about come from Fay’s coverage – whether the questions and the questioner might have something to do with this. That really does matter a lot more than people outside the biz might think.
Well put Chris. They have no plan. And this is the reason this team will have yet another losing season. On the cheap and without a plan will guarantee the Reds are bottom feeders for a long long time.
Who was it predicting 85-90 wins this season? Now they are not even confident that the team will be competitive NEXT year. At least the head honchos are realistic in evaluating their own personal abilities.
I hope the media and fans continue to hold Jockety and Castilini’s feet to the fire.
If I’m here.. and you’re here.. wouldn’t it be OUR time?
The only people that would ever be satisfied with this answer to “a plan,” would be people that absolutely don’t listen to what someone is saying to them. That person would only understand key words. Much like some people in politcal arguements only hear or use key taglines. Such as “develop young players,” “build foundation,” but then he says “be fair to our fans.” I am so disenchanted right now that I don’t even want to finish out this season. It is becoming a chore to pay attention to this team. The worst part is I feel like there is no hope in sight. The only sentimentalism I feel towards the Reds is starting to fade. These comments by our GM does not help the matter.
I will say this in his defense…he’s not going to say something to John Fay that’s going to undercut ticket sales for 2010. So, I think his “I don’t know” is as close to “no, we’re not” as you can possibly hope to get.
And if that is the case, the Rolen deal makes even less sense…but I digress.
How can you not love a post that includes a “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” reference? (Great soundtrack album (and yes, I have the album).
Jocketty can’t say too much.
But, then again, actions speak louder than words.
His first step needs to be fire Dusty Baker
Chad, may I make that a title and the the entire story? I’ll even keep it to one sentence, which is difficult for me.
This is the only relevant portion of the interview:
“We’re also trying to be fair to our fans and be competitive as much as we could this year. I think we were until we were hit with a lot of injuries in the middle of July. We didn’t have the depth to compensate for it.”
Sounds about like the plan I’ve perceived, which is hope for the best this year but look to compete next year. The Rolen trade falls perfectly into line with that plan, and so does Jocketty’s failure to provide better (i.e., more expensive) options in LF. Heck, even the two years on Taveras’ deal makes sense (philosophically) in that light.
I really do expect Castellini to boost payroll next season to the level Fay expected him to this year. Hopefully that increase will cover the salaries for our new manager and erstwhile centerfielder.
No shirt, No Shoes, .. No Dice!
The biggest question I have is: WHY wouldn’t you want to compete EVERY YEAR! I mean it only makes sense to put the pieces of the puzzle together to make a winning team. How hard is it to say “Yes, we are going to put a team together next year that can win?” That’s not undercutting ticket sales at all!
The fact that this management is unwilling to just go out, shop around, and bring a winning team to Cincinnati, PROVES the current state of sports in Cincinnati. Can Castellini be compared in the same boat as Paul Brown? I would say so.
I am completely unsurprised by this
Since when does Walt take P.R. lessons from George W. Bush? “Fool me once…uh, uh, we won’t get fooled again”
It seems like when he was asked the question, he suffered a brain-shart for a moment and finally remembered his talking points and pat answers.
I really do expect Castellini to boost payroll next season to the level Fay expected him to this year.
I have heard rumors that the Reds are in very bad shape, budget-wise. I don’t know how that gibes with the Rolen deal, or a possible budget bump next year, but it’s what I’ve heard.
My favorite part of that Fast Times exchange is how Ray Walson says, “giving you full credit, of course.”
I’m with Travis on this one. Normally, I’m fairly patient with managment as they try to sort things out. But WJ’s answer did not give me a warm and fuzzy feeling at all.
“So, I think his “I don’t know” is as close to “no, we’re not” as you can possibly hope to get.”
Bingo.
“I have heard rumors that the Reds are in very bad shape, budget-wise. I don’t know how that gibes with the Rolen deal, or a possible budget bump next year, but it’s what I’ve heard.”
I don’t know how they couldn’t be having major budget problems. The team is awful and it is clear the fans have stopped coming to the games. Ofcourse when you lose year-in-year-out that is what happens.
So very depressing.