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Reds Tidbits (2006 Season)

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Cincy

Will Junior move to right?
Griffey not dismissing switch to RF but also not embracing possibility
BY JOHN FAY | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Ken Griffey Jr. is preparing for the season like a center fielder.
"That's the only way I know how," he said.
But the Reds have not ruled out playing Griffey in right field. The club broached the subject with his agent, Brian Goldberg, a couple of weeks ago.
"They asked him to keep an open mind about it," Goldberg said.
Playing Griffey in right would allow the Reds to move Ryan Freel to center. Freel can cover more ground than Griffey because of his speed. It's possible that part of his reluctance to move from center comes from the way Freel plays. Freel is so reckless that other outfielders tend to shy away from getting near him when the ball is in the air.
Griffey was at the winter meetings to accept a Lifetime Achievement Award from Baseball America. He was flattered, but added, "I hope they know I'm not done."
Griffey, who turned 37 Nov. 11, doesn't think the move to right field would save much wear and tear.
"Would it matter?" he said.
The Reds think it might. That, more than Freel's added range, would prompt the move.
"We're going to do whatever we can to keep Junior healthy," Reds manager Jerry Narron said. "I've never played out there, so I don't how much of a difference there is (between playing center and right). But, as a baseball guy, I think there would be a difference as far as wear and tear."
Griffey won 10 Gold Gloves in 11 years in Seattle. He has won none in seven years with the Reds. But he doesn't think the move to right is necessary.
"If I didn't think I could play the position, I'd go to Jerry and say so," Griffey said.
And if the Reds ask?
"We'll cross that bridge when we get to it," he said.
Griffey ranked the Baseball America honor with his MVP and Comeback Player of the Year Award.
"With the MVP, I kind of expected it," he said. "This came out of left field. I was shocked."
Griffey said his offseason is going normally. He was slowed at the beginning from the lingering effects of a dislocated toe, which virtually ended his season on Sept. 4. He hit .252 with 27 homers and 72 RBI in 109 games.
"It's coming along," he said. "It's getting there. It took about two months."
The conversation Tuesday got around to steroids. Count Griffey in the camp that would vote for Mark McGwire for the Hall of Fame, despite the cloud of steroid use.
"I don't vote, so my opinion doesn't count," Griffey said. "But he's innocent until proved guilty. I'd vote for him."
Griffey is the only player of his era in the top 10 in home runs without a shadow of controversy over him. McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Barry Bonds and Rafael Palmeiro at least have been accused of using steroids. Griffey never plays up his clean status.
"I just play the game," he said. "That's one thing I learned from my dad: You don't have to talk about yourself."
E-mail [email protected]
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Cincy

Reds just talking with Loretta
Reds notebook
BY JOHN FAY | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - It has been reported that the Reds have made an offer to infielder Mark Loretta. Not true, says Reds manager Jerry Narron.
"We have not made a contract offer," Narron said. "We've talked to his agent, but we haven't made an offer."
Loretta is a right-handed hitter, so he fits the bill for the Reds' top need. But he's not the only one on the list.
Narron said the Reds also have talked about Eduardo Perez, Craig Wilson and Shea Hillenbrand.
"It's no secret we're looking for a right-handed professional hitter," Narron said. "Anyone else who is out there is probably on the list, too."
Loretta would fill the role Rich Aurilia had last year - playing second, third and first base.
"Richie got 450 at-bats in that utility role," Narron said.
Loretta hit .285 with five home runs and 59 RBI for the Red Sox last season. He played 111 games at second base and 11 at first.
Perez, Wilson and Hillenbrand offer more power, but Loretta is more versatile.
ON HOMER: If Homer Bailey pitches with the Reds this season, it will be as a starter.
"If he comes up, he'll start," Narron said.
But Narron doesn't expect Bailey to begin the year with the Reds.
"Unless something unforeseen happens, he'll start in Triple-A," Narron said.
NUXIE A FINALIST: Reds broadcaster/legend Joe Nuxhall is one of the 10 finalists for the 2007 Ford C. Frick Award, the Hall of Fame's broadcaster award. Nuxhall was one of three to make the ballot through fan voting. He got the second most votes behind Bill King.
The Frick Committee will vote in January for the award. The results will be announced Feb. 22.
Other finalists are: Tom Creek, Dizzy Dean, Ken Harrelson, Tony Kubek, France Laux, Denny Matthews, Graham McNamee and Dave Niehaus.
MAJEWSKI SITUATION: General manager Wayne Krivsky said the grievance with the Washington Nationals over the Gary Majewski trade is in the hands of the Reds' lawyers.
"We put together our case," Krivsky said. "It's up to commissioner's office."
The Reds don't expect much in the way of compensation, but they wanted to make a point because they feel they were lied to about Majewski's treatment for a sore shoulder.
Krivsky said he would deal with the Nationals again.
"I don't like eliminating teams," he said.
ONE TO WATCH: Both Narron and Krivsky mentioned right- hander Brad Salmon as a contender for a bullpen spot.
"He's 27, so he won't be intimidated by big-league hitters," Krivsky said. "He throws up 95, 96 (mph)."
Salmon was 5-1 with a 2.34 ERA at Louisville last season.
ANOTHER TO WATCH: When Narron discussed right field, Ryan Freel, Bubba Crosby and Chris Denorfia all were mentioned.
"Nobody talks about Norris Hopper," he said, "but the kid can hit."
Hopper, 28, hit .347 at Louisville to win the International League batting title. He also stole 25 bases. He hit .359 in 39 at-bats after the Reds called him up.
E-mail [email protected]
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On the Scene with John FayHeard this gem of a story in the lobby: Jim Bowden, a former Reds general manager, was on a flight to Orlando with Cincinnati's current front office crew. Bowden turned to a Reds official and said, "I'd say hi, but somebody might file a grievance." Good old Bowden, always the card.

Another slow day (at least as of late afternoon). All the rumors seem to involve the Dodgers and Cubs. Word is the Cubs have signed Ted Lilly for $10 million.

Saw former Reds manager Jack McKeon patrolling the lobby. He still looks like he could manage - and probably would, if offered.

Spotted former Red Ryan Franklin; he's looking to hook up with a club.

Tony Perez said he heard the Reds are interested in his son Eduardo.
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Wow, I am stunned. I knew they left 2 spots on the 40 man roster open and anticipated a pick or 2, but this is out of LF. I know if he is injured, they don't have to keep him on the big club.

In the end, Krivsky has has success through the Rule 5 draft with the Twins. Let's hope he can pluck another Phillips from the ruff! Although druggie wasn't one of them, he came with a lot of labels stuck to his uniform.
 
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Okinawa's#1Buck;681911; said:
Wow, I am stunned. I knew they left 2 spots on the 40 man roster open and anticipated a pick or 2, but this is out of LF. I know if he is injured, they don't have to keep him on the big club.

In the end, Krivsky has has success through the Rule 5 draft with the Twins. Let's hope he can pluck another Phillips from the ruff! Although druggie wasn't one of them, he came with a lot of labels stuck to his uniform.
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Druggie? :roll1:
 
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This is out of left field, but not that bad of a move...

If he can work out of his troubles off the field, it sounds like a good situation for the Reds on the field.

Now go get me some damn pitching Wayne...

I also like the sound of the Salmon guy throwing 95-97. That is what we need in the bullpen to come in and close down games...If Majeski returns to form and with Coffey, Bray, Weathers, Belisle we might have an average pen...
 
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