Thursday, July 19, 2001
Junior's plea: Don't cut costs
Says hold trades, improve this team
Ken Griffey Jr. skipped batting practice Wednesday afternoon. He went to bat, instead, for restraint of trade.
The Cincinnati Reds' center fielder lobbied at length against additional payroll cuts and vowed that his last-place team “can win and will win” if allowances are made for injuries and the team essentially stays intact. With less than two weeks remaining before the July 31 trading deadline, and rumored deals a daily development, Griffey decided to speak up for the status quo.
“You just can't say, "We're going to be better in 2003,' ” Griffey said. “We need to put a good product on the field from this point on. If you're going to improve the team, don't cut costs. Improve the team.”
Gesturing emphatically in front of his locker while some of his teammates were sprawled on the floor performing stretching, exercises, Griffey reiterated his offer to restructure his contract to make some of his teammates more affordable.
In a wide-ranging discourse, Griffey also questioned the confidence shown in pitcher Rob Bell before he was traded to Texas (where he is 3-0); criticized management's communication with disgruntled infielder Pokey Reese and cautioned against the idea of dumping salary to open an outfield spot for minor-league slugger Adam Dunn.
“We can't afford to lose somebody like Dmitri (Young),” Griffey said. “You just don't find people like that who are willing to do anything you ask of him, who can play four positions and switch hit.”
Young's versatility, his adaptability, his .325 batting average and his sharply escalating salary have made him the most popular Red in the rumor mill. He was at first base Wednesday night — and Reds manager Bob Boone admits to being surprised at Young's infield skill — but his primary po sition has been left field. There, he represents an obstacle to Dunn's development. Consequently, Young is widely seen as expendable.
When Tampa Bay's Fred McGriff declined to accept a trade to the first-place Chicago Cubs this week, Young was near the top of the Cubs' list of alternative acquisitions. His name also continues to surface in connection with the Atlanta Braves and Seattle Mariners. To a slightly lesser extent, outfielder Alex Ochoa also has been a persistent trade topic.
“From a personal standpoint, it's going to be tough if it indeed happens,” Young said. “The guys on this team are fabulous — all the guys, especially Pokey. But from a business standpoint, it would be cool to go to a contender.”
Griffey's argument is that the Reds' chances to contend in 2002 are contingent on keeping players like Young, Reese and reliever Danny Graves — all of whom will be eligible for salary arbitration and in line for large raises at season's end. Because the Reds operate with a “floating” budget — one that is subject to midseason adjustments based on revenues — significant slashing is anticipated. Griffey fears the cuts might be imposed without regard for the Reds' extenuating injuries.
“If the same situation came up next year, I could see (cutting payroll), but not now, with all the injuries we've had,” Griffey said. “This year's been a messed-up year. We can't expect to get more messed up than we are right now.”
Brad Kullman, the Reds' director of baseball administration, agreed the team's record is more a reflection of its health than its talent but indicated some trims would be necessary to conform to owner Carl Lindner's budgetary guideline against big losses.
“We are doing what we can to retain the core as best as possible and still stay within the parameters we have,” Kullman said. “(But) We probably do need to make some adjustments.”
John Allen, the Reds' chief operating officer, declined comment on the necessity of payroll cuts. General manager Jim Bowden, advised of Griffey's remarks, didn't offer an opinion. Boone said he was reluctant to discuss trade probabilities because, “There's nothing I can do but tell 'em something and have it turn into a lie.”
Griffey's efforts to influence his bosses are based partly on sentiment, partly on strategy. As a switch hitter, Young's presence in the middle of the lineup makes opponents weigh pitching changes more carefully.
Though the Reds are 2-14 with Young hitting cleanup, Griffey prizes the protection Young provides. He says a lineup built around three left-handed hitters (Griffey, Dunn and regular first baseman Sean Casey) would “make you real easy to pitch to.”
“I'm not telling (owner) Carl Lindner how to spend his money,” Griffey said. “I just want to win and I want to win now. That's what they said when I came back here — that we're going to win now. Nothing means more to me than to be able to set a World Series trophy next to my dad's, and for the same team. I didn't come here to play with nine guys I don't know.”
E-mail tsullivan@enquirer.com. Past columns at Enquirer.com/columns/sullivan.
Reds Stories
Smith may be holdout after all
Three picks reach terms, lift offense
Golf Course Spotlight: Weatherwax
Two locals advance in Ohio Women's Amateur
British Open coverage from Associated Press
Ohio State doesn't rate in many preseason polls
Deadline nears for Metro softball
Synchrogators win at nationals
• Return to Reds front page...
Junior's plea: Don't cut costs
