E-mailers are unhappy about the Reds' budget, or lack thereof. Read on:

Q, from Mike in Bowie, Md.: Why is it that teams such as the Phillies, Giants and Indians understand how to build teams around a new stadium and teams such as the Reds and Brewers seem to drop the ball? The rationale for building the new stadium was to usher in a new era of winning baseball in Cincinnati. The farm system was rebuilt and has provided a good core of young players. The added revenue from the new stadium was to allow the team to retain this core and add new players as needed. Sounds like everyone understands this except for John Allen and Carl Lindner. Both men need to understand that fans are not going to pack GABP unless there is a reasonable promise of a winning team. Let's hope and pray they will figure this out before all of the players who can help the Reds are gone.

A: Lindner does pay attention to what's said and written about the Reds, so perhaps fan sentiment will sway him to add to the budget. Remember, he stepped in and did the Barry Larkin deal largely to appease the fans. Judging from my e-mail and talk radio, the fans need some appeasing right now.

Q, from Tom in Cincinnati: Uncle Carl (Lindner) is starting to look and sound just like Uncle Mike (Brown). "You give me a new stadium, and I'll give you a team that will compete in our division." From what you've said, they both look like liars. Maybe we should quit buying anything from United Dairy Farmers or Chiquita, or insurance from Great American.

A: I wouldn't label either so harshly. I think saying you're going to compete and being able to compete are two different things. Roughly 11 hours of talk show time is dedicated to the Bengals' woes each week, so I'm not going to deal with that. Lindner has been up front. He doesn't want to make money on the Reds, but he doesn't want to lose money, either. As for a proposed boycott, they can cut the payroll to $30 million and I'll still buy Cherry Cordial.

Q, from Randy in Garden City, Mich.: Since the Reds are obviously not going to attempt to re-sign Shawn Estes and more than likely won't re-sign Joey Hamilton, can't they leave these two players off the 40-man roster to leave more space for prospects?

A: Right now, 40-man space isn't critical. The Reds are at 38.

Q, from Mark in Colorado Springs, Colo.: Really now, what do you think the Reds' rotation will look like next year? Can they re-sign Jimmy Haynes, and will it be good enough to contend in the Central as it stands right now? Staying on the pitching theme, will the bullpen suffer by Danny Graves moving into the starting rotation?

A: I don't have a crystal ball, and that is required to figure out the rotation. Graves, Elmer Dessens and Ryan Dempster are virtual locks. Haynes is too, if he signs. Beyond that, Chris Reitsma is a leading contender, as is Jose Acevedo. The bullpen will be fine if Scott Williamson pitches as he did in the second half last year and is Scott Sullivan is Scott Sullivan again.

E-mail jfay@enquirer.com

Return to Reds front page...