Quietly, almost imperceptibly, the Reds have been kicking ass since getting rid of Griffey and Dunn. Harang seems to be back, Arroyo seems to be back (don't have any idea where they were the 1st half) but, I'll say it again, if those two guy show up next year, along with Volquez and Cueto, the Reds actually will have a decent pitching staff. And with the over-the-hill gang gone, the team might actually compete.

Now all they have to do is get rid of Dusty Baker who is STILL playing Corey Patterson and Paul Bako, for reasons only Dusty can possibly understand...(He did the same stupid things in Chicago).

Some talk around here that La Russa is headed for Cincinnati. Anybody heard anything like that down there? La Russa does seem to get a lot out his players.

SWAMP

Dusty will be back. If Reds are doing nothing on June 1st 2009, Dusty will be gone. Good JR and Dunn are gone. Jockety has an eye for talent. The little that the Reds got for those two clowns have contributed already to wins vs so-called contenders like Brewers, Cubs, Cards and Dbacks. The previous GM had no balls and failed to trade either guy. The fans suffered. In Cincinnati, the GM had too much power and the GMs were bucco inexperienced in Krivsky and the other turd, Obrien. The ownership put too much into their beliefs and systems. There has got to be someone to stop and say wait a minute. Anyway, we were stuck with two underachievers (JR and Dunn) that set bad examples for young guys like Bruce and Votto. Thankfully they are gone. I have zero respect for pouty Jr. and what he did in his home town Cincy...Hall of Fame and all. As for Dunn, good guy but seemed lackadasical and careless. Bako is here only to work with Cueto and Volquez and the other up and comers. He'll be cut loose in winter. Corey Patterson? I have no answer for that. Its ridiculous to allow him to take up innings and ABs in front of young guys that could use some big league experience. I like the pitching. Cueto and Volquez have one year under their belts. Harang will be back to being Harang. I think he had a tough time with his grandad dying. Arroyo has figured out his grip on his sinker. He has a career high in wins this year on a losing team, nothing to sneeze at. The bullpen did a pretty darn good job this year. Amazing after the last few disasterous years. Dunn's replacement Dickerson is not going to hit 40 and drive in 100 but he will also not walk with two men on and two outs and K like Dave Kingman. Dickerson can flat out fly and he is hitting for average. The guy takes professional ABs and really drives the ball. That is what is needed in GABP, not fence swingers. The Reds are playing pretty tough teams lately, so it is decent pitching Dickerson is facing. He is so refreshing because it was totally unexpected. Phillips is a gold glove at 2B and he loves the game. He will emerge as the leader this team has so sorely missed. He stated so himself. He wants the Barry Larkin C on his jersey. I say give it to him. I put Keppinger at 3B and try to deal EE. Give Hanigan the backstop position and hope it works out. It ain't all rosey though. Catcher, CF and SS are all up in the air question marks if you ask me. Thankfully we have a competent GM to handle things. I think Reds fans are in for a surprise. There will be more moves to come in winter. Remember that escalator cartoon that Borgman did of the Reds and Bengals? Reds are definitely on the up escalator.

Excuse me, but don't the Reds traditionally show some potential at the end of the year after imploding the first half of the year? Granted, they are automatically better without Dung and Whiffey but in terms of competing next year I don't have my expectations set to high.

Edit: Please continue to diversionary threads. Please!!!

theydey, don't go excusing yourself. You are misinformed that's all. You are confusing the Reds with the Bengals. The Reds have, in the past, come out and actually led the division up until mid June maybe, then collapse like a sand castle. I am not alone in seeing that the Reds have young, and now accomplished talent. The future looks so bright, you might have to wear shades. Have you ever said that about the Bengals in 18 years? Maybe once, in 2005 and that was a mirage. Stay thirsty my friend.