It wouldn't be right just to point out the problems without offering the solutions, would it? Here are five healing steps.
1 Hire Omar Minaya - if you can. The Montreal Expos' GM has the best handle on scouting and development and how to do more with less. If you can't get Minaya, hire Tim Purpura from Houston. He has headed the Astros' player development department since 1997, and he knows how to find "ballplayers" (see Lance Berkman, Richard Hidalgo and pitchers Roy Oswalt and Wade Miller).
2 Hire Dave Parker as hitting instructor. The former Pirates and Reds slugger is a good communicator, has a simple, effective approach - especially with two strikes - and will command respect and affection in the clubhouse, while also loosening it up. He's the perfect tonic for young Adam Dunn.
3 Resist the temptation to try to find another Phil Nevin-for-Ken Griffey Jr. trade. The Reds can't be re-made quickly enough to contend in '04. Let Junior have a monster first half - it has to happen eventually, doesn't it? - and then dangle him near the trade deadline and see what young major leaguers can be had.
4 Let Ray Olmedo learn on the job. Forget about sending him back to the minors for more seasoning. He has excellent baseball instincts. He knows the game. He gives great at-bats. The fans can relate to this guy. Don't out-think yourselves.
5 Do what Cleveland did - tell us, precisely, what your "plan" is. Release your proposed player payroll for '04. Explain how you propose to begin promoting player-fan interaction, i.e. having players involved in mandatory autograph sessions before the game the way other clubs do. Give your players a chance to be as fan-friendly as your ballpark. By so doing, you will change the face of your franchise.
