Sunday, October 28, 2001
Reds fans favor keeping Casey
By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer
We struck a nerve. When we asked who the Reds should trade, Sean Casey or Dmitri Young, that got the keyboards working. More than 200 of you responded.
Not everyone answered the question. One guy in Colerain Township went so far as to revamp the whole 25-man roster. Seventy-four said keep Casey, 40 said keep Young, 35 said keep both, 22 said keep neither.
Seven suggested trading General Manager Jim Bowden.
What nobody suggested was standing pat. Here's a sampling:
From Duane Loos: Unfortunately, as much as I like Dmitri Young in a Cincinnati uniform, he will probably get the most in terms of a trade. With Austin Kearns looming on the horizon, I think the future outfield of Kearns, (Ken) Griffey and (Adam) Dunn is a foregone conclusion. This makes Dmitri the odd man out in the outfield. Aaron Boone is a future All-Star third baseman, and Sean Casey is already an All-Star first baseman. Honestly, I would hate to be in Bowden's shoes, but I think any team without Casey at first will not be a winning team.
You're right about the outfield of the future. The question is: how soon's the future? 2002?
From Adam Ellis: I think the Reds ought to seriously consider trading both (Casey and Young), along with Pokey Reese. It has become increasing clear, that scoring runs is notthe way that most teams consistently reach the playoffs. If you look at theteams in the playoffs this year, they all had great pitching, except perhapsCleveland.
Rest assured, the Reds braintrust knows this. Bowden is trying to get pitching, as are the 29 other clubs. Whether he'll get it or not depends on what he has to offer. That's why Reese, Young and Casey are probably all on the block.
From Bryan K. Ramer: Is this a trick question? Casey is a keeper. If the Reds trade Casey, theycan kiss this fan goodbye for good. That would be the last straw as far as I am concerned. Casey has such an upside.
Casey is probably No.1 on the major league nice guy index. But the fact is the Reds lost 96 games with him last year and attendance dropped by 700,000. You've got to win to draw in this town.
From Kip Lawson: The Reds should trade Sean Casey before the rest of MLB finds out he's essentially nothing more than a slow-footed .320 hitter with no pop who clogs up the bases and is a statue at first base. With each passing year Casey's power production becomes more sparse than the hair on Dr. Timothy Kremchek's head, while Young's home runs totals steadily climb year after year. Casey's numbers are good from far but far from good when you really analyze them and compare them to Young's.
But Casey is as good with runners in scoring position as Doc Kremchek is in front of a microphone.
From Tricia Meador: How about this trade? We send Jim Bowden and John Allen to an unsuspecting sucker for cash and give them an option on Marge Schott for 2003. We get rid of Cincinnati's primary problems, and Mr. (Carl) Lindner can buy a couple of pitchers.
Bowden has a guaranteed contract, so he isn't going anywhere. As for Allen, this is a big year for him too. And, as for Mr. Lindner, if you run into him, Tricia, ask what the payroll for 2002 will be. He doesn't talk a lot to reporters.
From Michael Henderson: Keep them both. Casey and Young are an integral part of the Reds future success. Although pitching must be improved, these two players must be on the roster next season and in seasons to come. Casey provides excellent stability at the first base position as well as great hitting. Just look at his stats. Young provides what all teams want — flexibility. Young has proven he can play a lot of positions and still maintain overall good statistics. Pitching is a must. Here's a thought, how about taking the chains off of the pocketbook and spend a little. Don't use the excuse of paying Larkin and Griffey their dollars and now they can't afford to pay others. Hogwash.
After Tricia finds out what Lindner's willing to spend on players in 2002, I'll tell you if that will work. But the guess is Bowden is going to have to find a way to keep the payroll down. That's why Young, Casey or Reese could go.
From Jim Bachman: I think Casey should go. Young is getting better every year and plays with emotion. He can be moved to first base with Casey gone. That way the outfield can be Dunn, Griffey, Kearns. (Todd) Walker also needs to stay with us at second. Pokey can go, he doesn't want to be here and can't hit anyway. Larkin should move over to third and Dawkins can come up and try being the everyday shortstop. I don't know what should happen with Aaron Boone, maybe he can be a backup infielder/outfielder.
Boone's in my lineup. Dawkins isn't. Start him at Triple-A and only bring him up if Larkin gets hurt.
From Jim Sandlin: Who was the last pitcher drafted by the Reds, developed by them and promoted to the big club that had very good to outstanding stuff? More than stuff, the right mentality to win, and win big time. They have had a few decent guys — Don Gullett, Gary Nolan, Jim Maloney. Tom Browning was durable, and not bad, but I'm talking about premier. Other clubs seem to do it, or if they don't, they many times trade for one. The Reds lead the league in developing relievers, but certainly lag behind in developing starters. Wonder what the problem is?
You forgot about Mario Soto. But you're right — the record is awful. Changing that is Priority One for the Reds. They draft a ton of pitchers and keep hoping to get to lucky. Ty Howington and Dustin Moseley are two names to watch.
From Rick Horn: Trade Aaron Boone, and put Young at third. He is too valuable to let go of: switch hitter, power, speed, enthusiasm, good glove, just a great player. Casey will be a great hitter and he is good defensively, plus he has a great attitude. Sorry, both Boones (stink).
Have to disagree. Young is a good fill-in at third but he isn't as good in the field as Boone. And I think if Boone can avoid getting hit on the hand by a pitch once a month, he can put together a very good year.
Roger Ruess writes: Trade Barry. Keep Young and Casey.
I admire your brevity, but, as five-and-10 man, Larkin can only be traded if he approves the trade. And, at 37, his trade value isn't great.
From Mark Berninger: Young has more trade value (switch hitter, multiple positions, etc.) He has shown moments of poor attitude when things were not going well. Casey is always positive. He is younger and still improving. We traded Paul Konerko to keep Casey!
Casey or Konerko? Now, that would generate some E-mail. So would the Frank Robinson trade. But we're more interested in the current Reds. If you have question, e-mail: jfay@enquirer.com. Cincinnati.Com keyword: Fay. Leave the part of town or neighborhood you're from.
Reds Stories
Stakes high in Detroit today
Lions winless, but passing well
Curnutte - The Edge
Isolation Booth
20 years ago: Game Seven
Curnutte's NFL picks
Curnutte's NFL power ratings
Louisville 28, UC 13
UC basketball notebook
XU basketball notebook
Miami wins 6th in row
Nebraska on course for national title
OSU: Paterno sets win mark
Syracuse scores early, stops No. 5 VaTech's streak
Thomas More 33, Defiance 17
Manchester 16, Mount St. Joseph 10
Ohio Northern 40, Wilmington 20
Kentucky basketball notebook
Should he stay or should he go?
Big O video a standout
Top Of The Second - Power rankings
Hockey roundup
Tiznow repeats BC Classic victory
20 area teams make playoffs
Ohio football playoff pairings
Final Ohio computer ratings
Mount Healthy 28, Purcell Marian 26
Newport Central Catholic 28, Beechwood 23
Kentucky playoff pairings
Boys cross country regional
Boys cross country results
Girls cross country regional
Girls cross country results
St. X gets shootout wish
Boys soccer roundup
Coach diagrams perfect proposal
CovCath gets OT triumph over St. Henry
Holy Cross ousts NCC in shootout
Kentucky state volleyball tournament
• Return to Reds front page...
Reds fans favor keeping Casey
