Sunday, February 17, 2002
Reds Q&A
Shaw case isn't closed yet with fans
By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer
E-mailers aren't quite ready to let the Jeff Shaw issue die, but not every fan thinks not signing him was a bad move. Read on:
Q, from Keith in Fairfield: Isn't the real reason the Reds did not seriously consider working out a deal with relief pitcher Jeff Shaw the fact that Shaw was sore at Jim Bowden for trading him to Los Angeles and said he was going to “clean Bowden's clock?” In other words, Bowden is such a small man that he cannot forgive and forget. Simply put: If the Reds do not sign Shaw, they are essentially saying they have given up on even competing as a team in 2002 and do not even care to appear competitive.
A: I don't think Shaw was Bowden's call. He would have made the deal if the money were available. As for giving up on 2002, I don't think the Reds have, but not signing Shaw gives that impression.
Q, from Rich in Hyde Park: I have to disagree with all the “we need Jeff Shaw” comments. The Reds have never been short on bullpen talent and Jeff Shaw and his 3.62 ERA and nine blown saves aren't exactly great for a closer. The fact of the matter is that the closer's role is overrated and the Reds could still move Danny Graves to the starting rotation.If he's healthy, John Riedling is good enough to be a better closer than both Graves and Shaw.There's no need to spend millions on Shaw when the team is already set in the pen, with or without Graves.Plus, with the starting staff they have for 2002 (with or without Graves), there probably won't be any way to compete with St. Louis and Chicago, so why waste money?
A: Riedling has great potential. But he's coming off surgery and has pitched in a total of 33 big-league games. There's little doubt Shaw would have helped this year.
Q, from Jeff in Lancaster: Every year at this time, I really get excited about Reds baseball. But this year, what is there to get excited about? The Reds don't even have an ace in the starting rotation. Did we get the wrong owner for the Reds? At least Marge (Schott) cared about the Reds. Does our current owner? I doubt it.
A: I don't think there's any question Carl Lindner cares about the Reds. He is simply taking a hard line financially. Lindner is among a group of owners trying to bring baseball back to fiscal reality. Of course, that's not really popular with fans.
Q, from Scot in Lima: This week's Baseball Weekly published a rumor that the Reds were talking at length with the Kansas City Royals about a trade for Neifi Perez with plans to move Barry Larkin to second. Any truth to this rumor? Whom do you see as part of the trade? Maybe Aaron Boone, Todd Walker and another player for Perez and Jose Rosado — I know that Jim Bowden's big on (Perez).
A: There may have been talk about it, because the Royals want to move Perez. But it won't be to the Reds. Perez's price tag (he could get $5 million in arbitration) is too steep, and Larkin would have to be willing to move to second. As far as Rosado, he has missed most of two years with a shoulder injury.
Q, from Don in Bellevue, Ohio: Have the Reds considered signing Shaw as their closer and then trading Graves for either a starting pitcher or prospects? If I understand the situation, if Sean Casey and Graves both have decent years, they both will be looking at significant increases in salaries. Speaking of trades, I would approach Pittsburgh about trading Casey for Aramis Ramirez. Then, the Reds could trade Boone for pitching or prospects. They could move Adam Dunn to first base. The outfield spot could be filled with Ruben Mateo or Austin Kearns. Team speed would improve significantly. The payroll would be reduced.
A: I don't know if the Pirates would make that trade. Ramirez put up great numbers (.300, 34 HRs, 112 RBI) and he's 23 years old. But moving Dunn to first base is an intriguing suggestion. I'm sure it's one the Reds have batted around, especially with a glut of outfield prospects.
Q, from Dave in Reading: What happened to Osvaldo Hernandez? He had the stuff if he was healthy.
A: You mean Osvaldo Fernandez. He's an unsigned free agent. He was effective at times. But he was just too hittable — 103 hits, 35 strikeouts in 79 innings last year.
John Fay covers the Reds for the Enquirer. He can be reached at jfay@enquirer.com. Please include neighborhood or hometown.
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