Dan O'Brien

The Reds general manager joined Cincinnati.Com recently to assess the team's activity in the offseason and offer his thoughts on the Reds' outlook for 2004.

Dan O'Brien (Feb 10, 2004 4:07 PM)
I'm glad to have the chance to answer your questions online. This is my first-ever online chat, and I'm looking forward to the chance to talk baseball with you. Feel free to ask away!

rodgiep (Feb 10, 2004 4:08:53 PM)
hello mr. o'brien. thanks for taking the time to chat.

Carlos-From Venezuela (Feb 10, 2004 4:09:43 PM)
I wanted to know about one prospect, Brandon Claussen: How is his arm, how was his work in the offseason? Also, I wanted to know about his repertoire of pitches exactly. Thank you very much Mr. O'Brien.

Dan O'Brien (Feb 10, 2004 4:09:43 PM)
First of all, he's a prospect we think very highly of. Secondly, this offseason he has continued to rehab his arm. I was just with him on our media caravan; he's in great shape. He's got a fastball, curveball and changeup with good command, and he has a very good idea of how to pitch. He can set hitters up, change speeds; he has the potential to be a complete all-around pitcher.

amy (Feb 10, 2004 4:10:51 PM)
Thank you all for joining us today. Please keep in mind that this is a moderated forum. Your questions and comments will not be posted until they've been reviewed or responded to.

Matt (Feb 10, 2004 4:11:35 PM)
Mr. Obrien who do you think will be the pitching rototation?

Dan O'Brien (Feb 10, 2004 4:11:35 PM)
As of Feb. 10, the three individuals that we can write in are Cory Lidle, Jimmy Haynes and Paul Wilson. The fourth and fifth spots are going to be a competition between younger pitchers such as Brandon Claussen, Aaron Harang, Jose Acevedo, B.J. Mattox. Those are the four principal names. We have a number of younger pitchers that may surprise us, but the two remaining openings will probably be filled from among those names.

rodgiep (Feb 10, 2004 4:13:03 PM)
i'm curious... i certainly know this can be taken too far, but i recently read "moneyball," the book about the oakland a's. billy beane contends that small payorll teams have to make smarter decisions than the high payrolls teams. do you put any stock in this? are you (like beane) more interested in stats than in 5-tool guys?

Dan O'Brien (Feb 10, 2004 4:13:03 PM)
I think in the game today, as in so many businesses, the key word is "balance." The physical tools of an athlete are still important, but I think Billy's focus is good in that statistics show trend lines in terms of trying to predict and project what a player's productivity will be. For me, it's a combination of both elements.

Matt (Feb 10, 2004 4:14:11 PM)
Mr. O'brien did you not think that it was worthy to get an experience veteran pitcher to make the more competive than last year at the GABP.

Dan O'Brien (Feb 10, 2004 4:14:11 PM)
That's why we acquired Cory Lidle as a free agent. His career history indicates he'll make 30 starts and pitch approximately 190 innings.

BB (Feb 10, 2004 4:15:02 PM)
How is the health of Jr. and are you going to moderate his playing time by giving him some days off?

Dan O'Brien (Feb 10, 2004 4:15:02 PM)
His rehab this offseason has gone very well. We expect him to be near 100 percent for the start of spring training. And yes, we are going to monitor his days off during the season to try to maintain his health the best we can.

amy (Feb 10, 2004 4:16:46 PM)
While Dan O'Brien is answering your questions, let me ask you one, fans. What do you think is the most important thing for the Reds to do this year? Send in your comments and I'll post them in between your questions.

amy (Feb 10, 2004 4:17:15 PM)
All, Dan O'Brien just experienced a brief technical difficulty. We will have him back in just a moment...

Ottawa Ohio (Feb 10, 2004 4:17:21 PM)
Stay healthy of course.

REDS_MATT (Feb 10, 2004 4:17:30 PM)
find a great starting five with the youth they have

REDS_MATT (Feb 10, 2004 4:17:52 PM)
I think that Lidle will help but it seems with so many pitchers in the Free Agency this year we could have gotten a great pitcher like a Maddux, Millwood or a Brad Penny. It seems that the Reds always get the 2nd to 3rd tier pitchers. when for the last 5 years we always need pitching in the offseason.

swaisuc (Feb 10, 2004 4:18:01 PM)
The most important thing is to have everyone fill their role on the team. Everybody has to produce what they are capable of.

purduered (Feb 10, 2004 4:18:06 PM)
Get some production out of their starters.

scully (Feb 10, 2004 4:18:11 PM)
The Reds must have quality starts

hoppey (Feb 10, 2004 4:18:14 PM)
Put the winning product on the field that we were told we would have when in the new stadium.

redsfanin NYC (Feb 10, 2004 4:18:18 PM)
I think the Reds can do well this year because in this era of professional sports discipline and preparation can take a team far (see Dallas Cowboys and Parcells.) I think re-establishing discipline and the Reds WAy is the most important

Dan O'Brien (Feb 10, 2004 4:18:18 PM)
We agree completely.

snnajtaj (Feb 10, 2004 4:18:19 PM)
Spend all of their revenue to put a winner on the field to get more revenue next year

rlewellyn (Feb 10, 2004 4:18:26 PM)
Find a new 3 core pitchers, and then we can have a couple of young pitchers.

Redsland (Feb 10, 2004 4:18:30 PM)
I think the most important thing the Reds' front office can do is to give their fans hope. So far, I can't that's happened.

rodgiep (Feb 10, 2004 4:18:35 PM)
play .500 ball with cubs and astros and beat the other teams int he division

Hitman (Feb 10, 2004 4:18:38 PM)
Stop trading half the team in every july

Cincy (Feb 10, 2004 4:18:42 PM)
A healthy outfield

PutPeteInTheHall (Feb 10, 2004 4:18:48 PM)
Cut down on the strike-outs and play fundamental baseball... advance the runner, sacrifice successfully, hit & run, etc.

RAY3332 (Feb 10, 2004 4:19:34 PM)
Build a strong middle infield for the future.....

rlewellyn (Feb 10, 2004 4:19:36 PM)
Get a 3rd basesman that bats over .101.

Carlos-From Venezuela (Feb 10, 2004 4:19:45 PM)
Ken Griffey Jr. breaking home run record this year,

ddrone (Feb 10, 2004 4:19:55 PM)
Dan, we were told several years ago that a new stadium would make this team more competitive with the additional revenue. We suffered through YEARS of rebuilding.Then when the new stadium opens,the team adds only Paul willson,then this year they cut the budget by ELEVEN million dollars. And you want us to wait through another rebuilding era?

Dan O'Brien (Feb 10, 2004 4:19:55 PM)
I think that, first and foremost, I can't really speak to the past operation of the ballclub. It's our hope and expectation that we contend during the 2004 season. However, we know that our ability to do that is dependent in large part on the performance of our starting pitching.

swaisuc (Feb 10, 2004 4:20:23 PM)
It would help to get a set lineup and a set role on the team for every player.

faid8220 (Feb 10, 2004 4:20:26 PM)
Pitching, Pitching, Pitching

rodgiep (Feb 10, 2004 4:21:03 PM)
trade Dunn for a cheap but good young arm

BB (Feb 10, 2004 4:21:18 PM)
I read that steve smitherman, OF, is someone to watch. What level is he playing at at and where down the line do you expect him to get to the big league level?

Dan O'Brien (Feb 10, 2004 4:21:18 PM)
Stephen was our 2003 Minor League Player of the Year. In all likelihood, he'll perform at Louisville this coming season. We feel that after another year of minor league seasoning, he could potentially be ready for the Major League level.

Tom Hume (Feb 10, 2004 4:21:39 PM)
I agree on the Dunn trade.

noskill24 (Feb 10, 2004 4:22:12 PM)
DO you really think Jimmy Haynes and Cory Lidle will improve on their 2003 ERAs of 6.30 and 5.75, respectively?

Dan O'Brien (Feb 10, 2004 4:22:12 PM)
I think in regards to both players, they both sustained injuries last season that significantly impacted their ability to perform at the big league level. Both should be healthy for the '04 season.

redsfanin NYC (Feb 10, 2004 4:22:37 PM)
I wouldn't trade Dunn he's the only player I've seen in years who has the ability to hit 70 HRs in a season

Ottawa Ohio (Feb 10, 2004 4:22:39 PM)
Who has a chance to be the Reds leadoff hitter? Hopefully not Dunn or Larkin?

Dan O'Brien (Feb 10, 2004 4:22:39 PM)
Odds on favorite is D'Angelo Jiminez.

rlewellyn (Feb 10, 2004 4:23:26 PM)
Dan that's the first smart thing I've heard you say.

doubled (Feb 10, 2004 4:23:51 PM)
Greetings from Memphis, TN....I sure hope the Reds going to be able to afford to keep good players in the future. Last year was heartbreaking watching everyone go, the city does not want to see this again. What do you feel the Reds owe the fans and the city of Cincinnati ?

Dan O'Brien (Feb 10, 2004 4:23:51 PM)
I think we owe: 1, daily game preparation; 2, a solid work ethic; 3, a back-to-basics approach; 4, execution of daily game fundamentals; and 5, 100% effort on the field at all times.

REDS_MATT (Feb 10, 2004 4:24:46 PM)
Mr. O'brien another question would be why did you not sign back Pokey Reese and established 2B

Dan O'Brien (Feb 10, 2004 4:24:46 PM)
Pokey was not a member of this organization. He sustained a major injury last year and played very little. We felt it was a risk, health-wise, that we were not willing to take.

Kiner (Feb 10, 2004 4:24:56 PM)
Give 90% effort to obtaining and maintaining a first class pitching staff. The other 10% dedicate to the Reds fans at large. Thanks and Best Wishes. Kiner

hoppey (Feb 10, 2004 4:25:37 PM)
Dan, If Pete Rose is removed from the ban list would oyu ever consider hiring him to work with the ounger talent we have in the farm system?

Dan O'Brien (Feb 10, 2004 4:25:37 PM)
I can't answer that question because right now Pete Rose is officially suspended from Major League Baseball. It's a moot point, at least as of today.

discodav (Feb 10, 2004 4:26:34 PM)
did you consider moving jimenez to 3B and putting Freel at 2B, with Ryan maybe leading off?

Dan O'Brien (Feb 10, 2004 4:26:34 PM)
Dave Miley has looked at a lot of potential lineup combinations, but he feels that D'Angelo at second base and as our leadoff hitter is our best combination.

JoeReds (Feb 10, 2004 4:27:33 PM)
I am very pleased with the way things are going so far. If the Reds can begin developing pitching instead of always looking for the bandaid pitcher . I will be a very happy Red fan. I am going to be very patient on the long term goals you have set

xutiny (Feb 10, 2004 4:27:36 PM)
Dan, how do you see Brandon Claussen fitting into the Reds at the beginning of the year? Will he be in the rotation or will he start in Louisville?

Dan O'Brien (Feb 10, 2004 4:27:36 PM)
That is to be determined, based on his spring training performance. Given the nature of his injury, we're not going to push him or put any pressure on him this spring. We're just going to let the situation play itself out.

hoppey (Feb 10, 2004 4:28:07 PM)
What is going on with the free agent that hurt himself shoveling snow?

Dan O'Brien (Feb 10, 2004 4:28:07 PM)
John Vander Wal is due to be seen by our team physician on Thursday of this week. We'll know a lot more at that time.

discodav (Feb 10, 2004 4:28:10 PM)
Good to hear on Claussen....i'm excited to see him, when he's ready

swells (Feb 10, 2004 4:28:43 PM)
Are you done looking in regards to adding any more free agents?

Dan O'Brien (Feb 10, 2004 4:28:43 PM)
Our search continues, as of today. No promises about the outcome, but we're continually looking to improve the club.

Cincy (Feb 10, 2004 4:29:47 PM)
What is the status of Felipe Lopez?

Dan O'Brien (Feb 10, 2004 4:29:47 PM)
He's coming off a very serious ankle injury. His rehabilition has gone very well in the offseason. Again, we're not going to pressure him and see how his ankle holds up. In other words, we're going to let that situation play itself out as well.

amy (Feb 10, 2004 4:30:44 PM)
We have only a few minutes left in today's chat. There are many questions still waiting to be answered, and Mr. O'Brien will get to as many as he can.

Cincy (Feb 10, 2004 4:30:55 PM)
Who will be Joe's replacement? Tracy Jones? Dan Hoard?

Dan O'Brien (Feb 10, 2004 4:30:55 PM)
There has been no decision made, but we hope to do that very shortly. With any luck, we hope to have an announcement as early as this week.

swells (Feb 10, 2004 4:31:27 PM)
NOT TRACEY JONES....PLEASE!!!!!

Tim920 (Feb 10, 2004 4:31:53 PM)
Dan Hoard is terrible.

swaisuc (Feb 10, 2004 4:32:03 PM)
Agreed on the no Tracey Jones sentiment

Cincy (Feb 10, 2004 4:32:07 PM)
Comeon man, Tracy's GREAT!

swaisuc (Feb 10, 2004 4:32:08 PM)
Do you feel more pressure to stay conservative in your roster moves after following Bowden who was so overly aggressive?

Dan O'Brien (Feb 10, 2004 4:32:08 PM)
It's a situation where I have listened intently to those members of the organization that have been here for a period of time. Their overwhelming feeling is that the talent level here is much better than people think IF we can keep them healthy for the duration of the season.

Cincy (Feb 10, 2004 4:32:15 PM)
Tracy Jones is GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

noskill24 (Feb 10, 2004 4:32:28 PM)
Please don't hire Dan Hoard. Many of us have given up on UC games because of how boring he is...

snnajtaj (Feb 10, 2004 4:32:33 PM)
Can we please get someone more professional than Tracy Jones. This is not the WWE

rodgiep (Feb 10, 2004 4:32:40 PM)
i agree... can't believe Jones won that ENQ poll. any one but him.

faid8220 (Feb 10, 2004 4:32:45 PM)
I forsee Tracy Jones

cincysport (Feb 10, 2004 4:32:59 PM)
I like Tracy!

Guest (Feb 10, 2004 4:33:15 PM)
The reds have always had a stong shortstop.......who? and where do you see that postion in the future?

Dan O'Brien (Feb 10, 2004 4:33:16 PM)
Once Barry retires after the 2004 season, I would suspect, of the players currently on the roster, it would come down to Ray Olmedo and Felipe Lopez as being the two frontrunners from within the organization.

discodav (Feb 10, 2004 4:33:24 PM)
a player would be nice to balance out the booth, I like Tracey

Jim (Feb 10, 2004 4:33:41 PM)
Chris Welsh is far more intelligent on baseball

noskill24 (Feb 10, 2004 4:34:01 PM)
I agree, Chris Welsh is the best of the candidates

Cincy (Feb 10, 2004 4:34:07 PM)
Marty and Tracy in the both would be priceless!

purduered (Feb 10, 2004 4:34:12 PM)
If Austin Kerns, Adam Dunn, and the other young picthers start performing to their ceilings, our we going to be able to keep all these players in the future?

Dan O'Brien (Feb 10, 2004 4:34:12 PM)
Let's just say that our intent would be to keep the core of the club together if at all possible. It's difficult to predict the circumstances that will play out in the future.

discodav (Feb 10, 2004 4:34:43 PM)
nice job today Danno, welcome to the Nati!

Cincy (Feb 10, 2004 4:35:03 PM)
Could I get anymore bord listening to Chris Welsh?

Chip (Feb 10, 2004 4:35:07 PM)
Dan, what type of player do you forsee drafting come June?

Dan O'Brien (Feb 10, 2004 4:35:07 PM)
I think I need to get out my crystal ball! Terry Reynolds' philosophy is to choose the best possible player available at the time of our selection, whether it be a pitcher or a position player.

redsfan in NYC (Feb 10, 2004 4:35:12 PM)
Like what I'm seeing Dan--keep it up!

Jim (Feb 10, 2004 4:35:20 PM)
Maddux for 2 years would boost attendance significantly

swells (Feb 10, 2004 4:35:44 PM)
Mr. O'brien, please open the hunt for another announcer, don't pick from what you have

redhead (Feb 10, 2004 4:35:47 PM)
Where do you expect to see Wily Mo Pena on opening day ?

Dan O'Brien (Feb 10, 2004 4:35:47 PM)
I know he's immensely talented, but he's going to have to legitimately make our Opening Day roster.

cincysport (Feb 10, 2004 4:35:54 PM)
Maddux every 5th day to boost attendance? Get real!

blarp1 (Feb 10, 2004 4:36:03 PM)
Is Sean Casey 100% for Spring Training?

Dan O'Brien (Feb 10, 2004 4:36:04 PM)
Yes!

REDFANATIC (Feb 10, 2004 4:36:22 PM)
Wow that's a relief

swells (Feb 10, 2004 4:36:29 PM)
Maddux would show the fans that the club is concerned about us

redsfan in NYC (Feb 10, 2004 4:37:10 PM)
the Reds will do OK don't worry swells

rodgiep (Feb 10, 2004 4:37:24 PM)
Maddux wouldn't come here, sadly

noskill24 (Feb 10, 2004 4:37:31 PM)
Is there any chance of Sean Casey stopping the 6% a year decline in his numbers?

Dan O'Brien (Feb 10, 2004 4:37:31 PM)
I think under the tutelage of Chris Chambliss, I think there's a very good chance that Sean can re-establish his productivity at the major league level.

Sam (Feb 10, 2004 4:37:37 PM)
I don't mean to be rude, but Maddux will only go to a team with a real chance this year.

Jim (Feb 10, 2004 4:37:51 PM)
Heck, Marty could do the games himself, he's that good!

Ace (Feb 10, 2004 4:38:03 PM)
I don't think Maddux fits in with the rebuilding plan

swaisuc (Feb 10, 2004 4:38:35 PM)
Any particular player that you think will break out with a career year in 2004?

Dan O'Brien (Feb 10, 2004 4:38:35 PM)
I'd like to think that, as a combo, both Dunn and Kearns could jointly break out.

cincysport (Feb 10, 2004 4:38:39 PM)
But we need to hear Marty agrue or banter with someone...like Tracy Jones

Dan O'Brien (Feb 10, 2004 4:39:07 PM)
I appreciate the opportunity to visit with you. I look forward to doing so again in the future.

redsfan in NYC (Feb 10, 2004 4:39:24 PM)
Thanks Dan!

swells (Feb 10, 2004 4:39:27 PM)
Thanks Dan

BigRedMachine (Feb 10, 2004 4:39:29 PM)
Mr. O'Brien.....thanks

REDFANATIC (Feb 10, 2004 4:39:36 PM)
k thanks

smellyvassallo (Feb 10, 2004 4:39:38 PM)
Thanks Dan!

CRAZYRED (Feb 10, 2004 4:39:40 PM)
Thanks Dan, that was super!

RedsFannAtlanta (Feb 10, 2004 4:39:46 PM)
Thanks Dan. We are rooting for a winner. GO REDS