Monday, October 29, 2001
Series gives Bowden chance to talk trade
Reds Insider
By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer
PHOENIX — Jim Bowden is here for the World Series. But it's not to see Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson firsthand. Baseball's movers and shakers are here, so Bowden will try to begin the shakeup of the Reds he has promised this offseason.
“We want to make some progress,” Bowden said. “We made some progress on trade discussions this week, and we hope to continue.”
Bowden, about to begin his 10th year as Reds general manager, faces his toughest job this winter. For the first time since Bowden took over, the Reds are coming off a 90-loss season (they lost 96 in all).
His priority is getting pitching. But that can be said about probably 29 of baseball's 30 teams. Bowden must do it without taking on much more payroll. The Reds figure to have a payroll in the range of $45 million, about the same as 2001, which was the eighth-smallest in the majors.
You get the feeling that Bowden, who took a beating in the media and talk radio this year, would like nothing better than to prove the naysayers wrong. Turning around the Reds on that budget would do so.
He promises to be active this postseason. But that doesn't mean the Reds will be announcing any deals the day after the Series ends.
“I've said before that you never know if you're close until you have something done,” Bowden said. “But we're having a lot of discussions.”
The World Series points to the importance of pitching.
“We all know how you win,” Bowden said. “That's how the Braves have been (in the playoffs) 10 straight years.”
PROSPECTING: Bowden also planned to check on prospects Gookie Dawkins, Austin Kearns, Corky Miller, Ty Howington and David Gil in the Arizona Fall League.
Reds manager Bob Boone will join him Monday to see Howington pitch.
“We're real pleased,” Boone said. “Usually the best players out there become big-leaguers and pretty good big-leaguers. I've been hearing about what they're doing. Now I want to see for myself.”
Boone, like Bowden, thinks Kearns could play into the Reds' plans next season. Kearns is hitting .377 with four homers and a league-leading 25 RBI.
“We always had big plans and high hopes for him,” Boone said. “But he was hurt this year. Then he goes out and does this. You think, "Maybe he's closer than we thought.'”
Dawkins is hitting .346 with the two homers, eight RBI and eight steals. Howington is 1-1 with 4.76 ERA after a slow start. Miller is hitting .222, and Gil is 2-0 with a 6.07 ERA.
COACHING SEARCH: Boone continues to interview candidates to replace Ron Oester and Bill Doran on his coaching staff.
Two names that surfaced at the series: Jose Cardenal and John Stearns. Both formerly worked for the Reds. Boone also has talked to former Boston manager Jimy Williams.
“I've talked to a lot of people,” he said. “I have no timetable.”
SPARKY LIKES D'BACKS: Sparky Anderson was in Phoenix Friday — not for the Series but a speaking engagement.
“I have another one in New York Tuesday,” he said. “Then I'm done for the year.”
His series pick?
“Arizona,” he said. “For one reason: They can start (Curt) Schilling and (Randy) Johnson five times if they have to.”
TRIVIA: How many position players did Anderson use in the 1976 World Series? Nine, including the DH. He never used a pinch hitter.
“With that team you could do that,” Anderson said.
The longest game of the series took two hours, 40 minutes. Think about that when they're changing pitchers at midnight.
POPS CASEY: First baseman Sean Casey's wife, Mandi, delivered their first child Friday. Andrew Thomas Casey weighed in at 9 pounds, 7 ounces.
Contact John Fay at 768-8445; fax: 768-8550; e-mail: jfay@enquirer.com. Cincinnati.Com keyword: Fay.
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Series gives Bowden chance to talk trade
